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.
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)80–91%
- 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%
- 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.