Life Sciences at McMaster
Not directly. At McMaster University you apply to Life Sciences Gateway, then choose life sciences at the end of first year, ranking 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 life sciences
At the end of first year, ranking up to four Level 2 programs.
What to watch for
The OUAC choice is the Gateway; Honours Life Sciences is the Level 2 program you rank into afterward. First year is largely set for you — Biology 1A03 and 1M03, Chem 1A03 and 1AA3, Math 1LS3, Physics 1A03, Psych 1X03, plus 6 units of electives — and those courses are what unlock Level 2 programs across Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environment, Math & Stats, Physics & Astronomy and PNB.
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.
Life Sciences at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- Algomavia Biology (BSc 4 year) (JGA)70%
- Brockvia Sciences (BI)73–77%
- Carletonvia Science - Honours (CT)78%
- Guelphvia Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (GZ)80–91%
- LakeheadDirect entry70–75%
- Laurentianvia Biomedical Biology (LBW)70%
- Laurier (Waterloo)via Honours Science (BSc) (UZL)73–77%
- Nipissingvia Bachelor of Science (PS)70%
- Ontario Techvia Biomedical Science (DSU)70–73%
- Queen'sDirect entry83–87%
- TMUDirect entry80–85%
- Trentvia Biology (RBI)70%
- U of T (Mississauga)via Life Sciences80–87%
- U of T (Scarborough)Direct entry73–80%
- U of T (St. George)via Life Sciences (including Psychology)83–90%
- WaterlooDirect entry80–83%
- Westernvia Science (ES)80–87%
- Windsorvia Biomedical Sciences (NSD)70%
- Yorkvia Biology (BSc) (YSB)80–87%
Entry routes were researched against each university’s own program pages in 2026-08-16. McMaster’s page. Faculties restructure — confirm before you apply.