Life Sciences

University of Toronto · St. George

Biology and Life Science: blue ink subject illustration

4 years
Duration (years)
4 years (standard HBA/HBSc honours degree)
Toronto University College registrar: honours four-year degree
Optional paid ASIP in eligible programs
Work experience
ASIP is optional and offered in eligible later Life Sciences programs. For example, Cell and Molecular Biology Major and Neuroscience Specialist are listed by U of T.
U of T eligible Life Sciences internship programs and requirements
~Mid- to high 80s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Mid- to high 80s. 2027/28. Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route TLG. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.
Toronto – St. George university-supplied OUInfo: Life Sciences (including Psychology), Ontario entry 2027/28

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4U / EAE4UEnglish 4U
MCV4UCalculus and Vectors 4U

Complete an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six Grade 12 U/M subjects. The intended later program may require or recommend Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics for first-year course enrolment.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

Full-time September 2027 entry to Life Sciences (TLG) at St. George. The published general part-time route is separate.

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
U of T 2027–28 Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin, St. George entriesU of T 2027–28 Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin, St. George entries
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Secondary and postsecondary academic records
- Disclose all attempted secondary and postsecondary studies. Current full-time Ontario high school grades must arrive through OUAC; do not upload unsolicited Ontario transcripts. Applicants who completed Grade 11 elsewhere must also provide those results. Your portal lists the documents needed for your background.
U of T required application documentsU of T required application documents
Step 4Translations for documents outside English or French
- If your academic documents are in another language, submit notarized translations with the original records.
U of T document translationsU of T document translations
Step 5Apply through OUAC to the appropriate first-year entry programme or gateway; submit the required academic records.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
U of T 2027–28 Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin, St. George entriesU of T 2027–28 Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin, St. George entries

Applicant pathways

Life Sciences (including Psychology): Prerequisites

Ontario high-school applicants entering Life Sciences (including Psychology) (TLG) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

ENG4U
MCV4U
Many programs also require or recommend 1 or more of SBI4U, SCH4U or SPH4U

Life Sciences (including Psychology): Basic Requirements for Admission

Ontario high-school applicants entering Life Sciences (including Psychology) (TLG) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

All Ontario high school applicants are required to present six 4U/M courses, including ENG4U and all prerequisites.

Life Sciences (including Psychology): Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

Ontario high-school applicants entering Life Sciences (including Psychology) (TLG) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

Depending on the faculty, the program of study, the campus and your academic record, conditional offers of admission based on final 3U/M and interim or final 4U/M results will be made during admission rounds occurring between mid-February and late May. Offers will be made subject to space availability.
All offers of admission are conditional upon final results and completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Ontario OSSD with individual IB courses

Ontario OSSD applicants presenting individual IB courses; general undergraduate credential rule, with programme prerequisites retained

If you take IB courses without completing the full Diploma, you may qualify for admission while completing another recognized secondary-school diploma. Keep the Ontario prerequisites for your chosen program.
The complete IB Diploma route requires English at Standard or Higher Level and the prerequisites for the intended area of study.
For science programs requiring Calculus and Advanced Functions, Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL/HL or Applications and Interpretations HL satisfies both. Applications and Interpretations SL satisfies Advanced Functions only.

General full-IB credential route

Full IB Diploma applicants; campus/faculty subject and supplemental rules remain separate

Present the full IB Diploma, including English at HL or SL. Other programme prerequisites must be at senior/Grade 12 equivalent level. Individual IB courses can support admission only with another recognized secondary-school diploma.

Choose a subject program after first year

Current Arts & Science students planning a Life Sciences specialist, major or minor

Plan first-year courses for the intended subject program. Request a program in ACORN after completing 4.0 credits. Some Life Sciences programs are open and others require specific first-year courses, grades or an application.
Examples of later programs include Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Human Biology, Neuroscience, and Psychology.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

20.0 credits total for the Honours Bachelor of Science, at least 10.0 from Faculty of Arts & Science courses.
At least 13.0 credits at the 200 level or above, including a minimum of 6.0 credits at the 300 level or above.
Complete one Specialist, or two Majors, or one Major and two Minors, with at least 12.0 different credits.
Human Biology Major: 8.0 required credits, including a 0.5 credit at the 400 level.
Human Biology Major is open enrolment. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol.
Plus 1.0 credit from a listed set including HMB302H1, HMB304H1, HMB385H1, ANA300Y1, BCH311H1, CSB349H1, IMM340H1.
Life Sciences is an admission category, not a program. Students enrol in one of these programs on reaching 4.0 credits.
The HBA/HBSc requires 20.0 credits, including at least 10.0 offered by Arts and Science.
Complete one specialist, two majors, or one major and two minors; the two-program combinations must contain at least 12.0 different credits.
Within the 20.0-credit HBSc, complete at least 13.0 credits at the 200 level or above, including at least 6.0 at the 300 level or above.

References

Grades and academic standing

Breadth Requirement across the five categories, plus a cumulative GPA of 1.85.
Minimum cumulative GPA: 1.85.

References

Foundation requirements

Chemical and physical foundations: (CHM135H1 and CHM136H1) or CHM151Y1; one of (MAT130H1 or MAT135H1) or PHY131H1 or PHY151H1; BCH210H1.
Biological foundations: BIO120H1, BIO130H1, HMB204H1, (BIO230H1 or BIO255H1) and BIO220H1, (HMB265H1 or BIO260H1), PSL300H1 and PSL301H1.

References

Required courses and electives

Complete the Arts & Science breadth requirement across four or five subject categories. A specialist includes at least 1.0 credit at the 400 level.

References

Program facts

Entering average~Mid- to high 80s

Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route TLG. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.

Work experienceOptional paid ASIP in eligible programs

Eligible Life Sciences major and specialist students may apply to ASIP. Published ASIP routes combine paid work and professional development. Eligibility depends on the exact program of study.

ASIP is optional and offered in eligible later Life Sciences programs. For example, Cell and Molecular Biology Major and Neuroscience Specialist are listed by U of T.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Life Sciences is an admission category. Each later subject has separate enrolment and completion requirements.

Animal Physiology

BSc

Requires animal physiology and upper-year endocrine physiology. Enter through Life Sciences (TLG). Choose the major after completing 4.0 credits.

Published requirements

Courses

First-year biology foundations at St. George, not a complete course plan for every Life Sciences major. The displayed 2026 learning-community blocks illustrate one optional first-year pathway.

First-year Life Sciences biology foundations2 listed

The department identifies BIO120 and BIO130 as first-year courses. Chemistry, mathematics and other requirements depend on the intended Life Sciences programme.

BIO120H1Adaptation and Biodiversity0.5 credits
Studies evolution and ecology, including the origins of diversity, natural selection and species interactions. Grade 12 Biology or equivalent is the published prerequisite.
U of T 2026–27 BIO120H1 course calendar
BIO130H1Molecular and Cell Biology0.5 credits
Introduces the molecular components and processes that make cells work. Grade 12 Biology and Chemistry or departmental permission are the published prerequisites.
U of T 2026–27 BIO130H1 course calendar

2026 learning-community example: fall courses3 listed

This example applies to the optional Life Sciences First-Year Learning Community. It is not a compulsory timetable for all TLG students or a schedule for Fall 2027.

BIO120H1Adaptation and Biodiversity0.5 credits
Studies evolution and ecology, including the origins of diversity, natural selection and species interactions. Grade 12 Biology or equivalent is the published prerequisite.
U of T 2026–27 BIO120H1 course calendar
CHM135H1Chemistry: Physical Principles0.5 credits
Studies the structure of matter and reaction behavior through topics such as bonding, equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics. Includes laboratory work.
U of T 2026–27 CHM135H1 course calendar
MAT130H1Calculus I for Life Sciences0.5 credits
Introduces differential calculus through change, linear approximations and optimization in biological and other sciences.
U of T 2026–27 MAT130H1 course calendar

2026 learning-community example: winter courses3 listed

Students in the optional learning community take these courses alongside additional courses selected for their intended subject program.

BIO130H1Molecular and Cell Biology0.5 credits
Introduces the molecular components and processes that make cells work. Grade 12 Biology and Chemistry or departmental permission are the published prerequisites.
U of T 2026–27 BIO130H1 course calendar
CHM136H1Introductory Organic Chemistry I0.5 credits
Introduces organic structure, identification and reaction mechanisms, with multistep synthesis examples. Includes laboratory work.
U of T 2026–27 CHM136H1 course calendar
MAT136H1Calculus II0.5 credits
Covers integration, infinite series and applications such as computing totals, areas and volumes.
U of T 2026–27 MAT136H1 course calendar

Additional published courses

BIO220H1From Genomes to Ecosystems in a Changing World0.5 credits
Genetic and ecological change across biological systems, covering disease, aging and sexual conflict.
BIO230H1From Genes to Organisms0.5 credits
Genome biology, and how the building blocks of life are networked into functioning organisms.
BIO260H1Concepts in Genetics0.5 credits
Classical, molecular, developmental and population genetics, using model organisms for genetic analysis.
HMB204H1Introduction to Human Biology0.5 credits
Biological, health, environmental and sociopolitical issues influencing human health and well-being.
HMB265H1General & Human Genetics0.5 credits
Mendelian genetics, the genetics of human population and disease, and genomics.
HMB200H1Introduction to Neuroscience0.5 credits
The development, physiology and changing function of the nervous system.
HMB202H1Introduction to Health and Disease0.5 credits
Bacteriology and virology integrated with other aspects of human biology.
HMB203H1Introduction to Global Health0.5 credits
Theories, operational components and strategies of implementing health care in resource-poor settings.
HMB226H1Indigenous Holistic Health0.5 credits
Holistic health in an Indigenous framework: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
HMB302H1Vertebrate Histology and Histopathology0.5 credits
Laboratory and lecture study of the cell, tissues and organ systems. Functional morphology.
HMB314H1Laboratory in Human Biology0.5 credits
Whole body, cellular and molecular responses to stress, using fitness measures and blood work.
HMB320H1Neuroanatomy0.5 credits
The structure of the vertebrate central nervous system, emphasising functional human neuroanatomy.

Study routes

Life Sciences is an admission category. Each later subject has separate enrolment and completion requirements.

Life Sciences admission category (TLG)
Specialist, major or minor chosen after first year

Study locations

Campus: St. GeorgeU of T 2027–28 Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin, St. George entries

References

Careers

Career examples

Product manager
Tropical disease specialist
Genetics counsellor
Research scientist

Published employers

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Published employers

Career sectors

Clinical healthcare
Public health and epidemiology
Biomedical research
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Mental health and counselling
Health administration and policy
Laboratory and field research
Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
Medicine
Public health
Conservation
Research
Science writing

Career sectors

Scope and qualifications

Human Biology examples within Life Sciences; healthcare professions require further qualifications.

The Arts & Science guide gives a named research scientist example for a microbiology graduate and describes fields across Life Sciences. ASIP applies to eligible programs.