Overview
An understanding of the tapestry of life comes not from a single discipline but is woven from all the Life Sciences. Life Sciences integrates knowledge across disciplines to understand organisms and their place in the ecosystem. Whether you’re fascinated by genetics, neuroscience, or the environment, this program offers hands-on labs, interactive lectures, and access to cutting-edge facilities.
The structure of our Level I Life Sciences Gateway will provide students with a range of Level II program options across the science disciplines. Click an area of interest to learn more about the program options available to you.
- Biology – Molecular Biology & Genetics, Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Biodiversity, Biology & Math, and Research Specializations
- Chemistry & Chemical Biology – Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Sustainable Chemistry
- Earth, Environment & Society – Earth & Environmental Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biodiversity
- Life Sciences – Origins of Disease
- Mathematics & Statistics – Actuarial & Financial Math, Biology & Math, Statistics Specialization, Math Specialization, Math & Physics, Math & Computer Science
- Physics & Astronomy – Medical & Biological Physics, Astrophysics, Physics, Math & Physics
- Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour – Human Behaviour, Early Childhood Studies, Autism & Behavioural Science, Neuroscience, Biology & Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Psychology Neuroscience & Behaviour
Information Box Group
Admission Average
Low 90s
Target Enrollment
1000
Overview
Whether you know exactly what area of science you are interested in or are still undecided (or change your mind after you arrive!), the structure of our Level I Life Sciences Gateway program will provide you with a range of Level II program options.
While some students continue in a Level II program from the same area of study as their Level I program (for example, selecting Level II Honours Biology after completion of Life Sciences Gateway), others discover a new area of interest and change their original direction (for example, a Life Sciences Gateway student may choose to move into Honours Medical and Biological Physics or Honours Mathematics and Statistics). Regardless of your path, at the end of first year you will rank order and apply for up to four Level II programs.
Life Sciences Gateway student’s experience exciting and engaging lectures and hands-on lab experience in state-of-the-art facilities, interactive classroom lectures as well as dynamic and exciting online content.
Expandable List
Experiential Education provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world, academically relevant experience in a community, research, or professional setting. Combining both academic and applied learning allows students to further develop skills and gain experience to transfer to future career paths. Students gain experience through: Applied Science Placement Courses, Research Practicum Courses, Science Internships.
Explore career opportunities while gaining relevant professional experience and develop connections with employers from academia, industry, government, and hospital sectors. Cooperative Education is an integrated approach to higher education that enables highly motivated students to alternate academic terms with paid, relevant work experience. Review the following link to learn more about our co-op programs. Experience – Science Careers & Experience Centre – Faculty of Science – McMaster University
The Faculty of Science is thrilled to offer the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at McMaster University, which is the first of its kind at an undergraduate level in Canada. The mission of the OUR is to promote excellence in undergraduate student and faculty-led, collaborative research and scholarship in all disciplines. We recognize that it is incumbent upon us as a Faculty to provide opportunities for an immersive research experience for all our undergraduate students.
The Faculty of Science is committed to student success! Whether you need support, have a question, or are feeling a little (or a lot) lost, our knowledgeable, friendly team is here to support your academic success during your undergraduate studies.
Life Sciences at McMaster prepares students for a variety of careers in science and elsewhere by giving them a firm foundation in traditional scientific disciplines while exposing them to multidisciplinary approaches to solving pressing problems.
Complete Science courses in Level I that reflect your interest and the admission requirements of the Level II program(s) you are considering, complemented by electives. The following courses are what we typically see Life Sciences students take, but it is completely up to you!
- Biodiversity, Evolution and Humanity (BIOLOGY 1M03)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOLOGY 1A03)
- Calculus for the Life Sciences I (MATH 1LS3)
- Climate, Water and Environment (ENVIRSC1C03)
- Introductory Chemistry I (CHEM 1A03)
- Introductory Chemistry II (CHEM 1AA3)
- Introductory Physics (PHYSICS 1A03)
- Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PSYCH 1X03)
- 6 units of electives
Fast Facts
1st Office of Undergraduate Research in Canada
14 co-op program options beginning in third year
Co-op students earned a total of over $5 million in 2024
659 co-op work terms completed in partnership with 466 employers
400,000 square feet dedicated to research and education activities spread across 15 campus buildings and off-campus locations.
Over $27.5 million in Faculty of Science annual research revenues
Facilities
Life Sciences Gateway students have an opportunity to participate in the many state-of-the-art labs and facilities throughout their undergraduate degree, beginning as early as their first week of classes. Explore some of these labs and facilities used daily by undergraduate students. Virtual Tours – McMaster Academic Planner (MAP) – Faculty of Science – McMaster University