Biochemistry at McMaster
Not directly. At McMaster University you apply to Life Sciences Gateway, then choose biochemistry at the end of first year.
The program you actually apply to
Life Sciences Gateway
93–97%OUAC MLSCo-op available
Prerequisites
- English 4U
- 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U
- Biology 4U
- 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U, Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U
- Applicants without Calculus & Vectors 4U will be required to take an equivalent Calculus course in Level I.
When you choose biochemistry
At the end of first year.
What to watch for
Honours Biochemistry is run by the Faculty of Health Sciences but you cannot apply to it from Grade 12 — it is a limited-enrolment Level 2 entry program. McMaster's own wording is that students from any undergraduate program who meet the course and GPA requirements may be considered, but that those courses are most commonly completed in the Life Sciences Gateway I program. Applying to Honours Health Sciences is not the route to Biochemistry.
The same application also gets you to
Life Sciences Gateway is the entry point for 5 other majors at McMaster. You are not choosing between these at application time.
Biochemistry at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- Algomanot offered at Algoma
- BrockDirect entry73–77%
- Carletonvia Science - Honours (CT)78%
- Guelphvia Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (GZ)80–91%
- Lakeheadvia Chemistry (includes Medical Sciences) (AF)70%
- LaurentianDirect entry70%
- Laurier (Waterloo)Direct entry73–77%
- Nipissingnot offered at Nipissing
- Ontario Techvia Chemical Biology (DSH)70–73%
- Queen'svia Life Science & Biochemistry (QL)83–87%
- TMUvia Chemistry (SCH)70–75%
- TrentDirect entry70%
- U of T (Mississauga)via Chemical & Physical Sciences73–80%
- U of T (Scarborough)via Physical & Environmental Sciences (OUAC TSP)73–80%
- U of T (St. George)via Life Sciences (including Psychology)83–90%
- Waterloovia Life Sciences80–83%
- Westernvia Medical Sciences (ESM)83–90%
- WindsorDirect entry70–75%
- YorkDirect entry80–87%
Entry routes were researched against each university’s own program pages in 2026-08-16. McMaster’s page. Faculties restructure — confirm before you apply.