Biology at McMaster
Not directly. At McMaster University you apply to Life Sciences Gateway, then choose biology at the end of first year, when you rank up to four Level 2 programs.
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.
- See Ontario high school course codes.
When you choose biology
At the end of first year, when you rank up to four Level 2 programs.
What to watch for
There is no 'Biology' program to apply to from Grade 12 — Science I was replaced by four Gateways, and Honours Biology Core is a Level 2 choice. The Biology department also runs Biology - Physiology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Neuroscience at Level 2. The calendar says completion of any Level 1 program plus specific courses, so the Gateway is the sensible route rather than a hard gate.
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.
Biology at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- AlgomaDirect entry70%
- BrockDirect entry73–77%
- Carletonvia Science - Honours (CT)78%
- Guelphvia Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (GZ)80–85%
- LakeheadDirect entry70%
- LaurentianDirect entry70%
- Laurier (Waterloo)Direct entry73–77%
- Nipissingvia Bachelor of Science (PS)70%
- Ontario TechDirect entry70–73%
- Queen'svia Science – Biological and Cognitive Sciences (QSB)80–87%
- TMUDirect entry75–80%
- TrentDirect entry70%
- Trent (Durham)not offered at Trent Durham
- U of T (Mississauga)via Life Sciences80–87%
- U of T (Scarborough)via Life Sciences73–80%
- U of T (St. George)via Life Sciences (including Psychology)83–90%
- Waterloovia Life Sciences80–83%
- Westernvia Science (ES)80–87%
- WindsorDirect entryNot published
- 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.