Life sciences students will learn to apply methods of scientific inquiry to study living matter, health, medicine and illness. The study of health sciences and life sciences helps students to understand and analyze the behaviour of the human body and those of other organisms. It prepares students for the ethical, social and political questions arising from our increasing ability to protect the delicate and complex ecological balance that sustains the world.
Applying to Life Sciences
OUAC Admission Code: TLG (Life Sciences)
Supplementary Application Form Required: No
Admission Category Prerequisites: English and Calculus
Approximate Admission Range: Low to mid 80s
Admission Requirements by Curriculum:
- Ontario High School and Other Canadian Provinces
- US High School Admission Requirements
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Admission Requirements
- British Patterned Admission Requirements
- Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Admission Requirements
- Other International School Admission Requirements
Since you are admitted to the general Life Sciences admission category, during your first year you will not be enrolled in a specific program. This means that during your first year, you are able to explore a number of different areas of study. You apply to a program (e.g. major in psychology) at the end of your first year, and can combine programs outside of your own admission category, excluding programs in Rotman Commerce.
It is important to note that in addition to the courses required for admission into the Life Sciences admission category listed above (English and mathematics/calculus), some programs of study may require you to take additional specific high school subjects in order to take specific courses in first year, or for entry into that program in second year.
For example, if you are interested in psychology, you will not only need English and mathematics/calculus (which are required for admission into Life Sciences), but you will also need grade 12 biology or equivalent to be able to enrol in the psychology program of study at the end of your first year.
Step 1: Search for your desired program of study (e.g. psychology) in the Program List table below
Step 2: Find the high school subject prerequisites for your desired program of study listed under Subject(s) Required in Addition to English
Step 3: These prerequisites subjects allow you to enroll in introductory first year courses needed for your program of study selection at the end of first year. You can find these courses listed under Program Area in the Academic Calendar
Program List
From how the human body works, to the evolution of our species over time, to the incredible diversity of life on our planet, start exploring the many facets of the living world you can study as a Life Sciences student.
Legend: Bio: Biology; C: Calculus and Vectors; Ch: Chemistry; Ph: Physics
| Program | Subject(s) Required in Addition to English |
|---|---|
| Animal Physiology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Anthropology: Evolutionary | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Biochemistry | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Biodiversity and Conservation Biology | C, Bio |
| Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | C, Bio, Ch |
| Biological Chemistry | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Biological Physics | C, Bio, Ch, Ph |
| Biology | C, Bio, Ch (Ch not Req'd for minor) |
| Biomedical Toxicology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | C, Bio, Ch, Ph (Ph rec not Req'd for major) |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | C, Bio, Ch |
| Environment and Behaviour | C (Rec. Bio) |
| Environment and Energy | C, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Environment and Health | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Environment and Toxicology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Environmental Biology | C, Bio, Ch (Ch not Req'd for minor) |
| Environmental Chemistry | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Environmental Geosciences | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Environmental Science | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Forest Conservation Science | C, Bio (Rec. Ch) |
| Fundamental Genetics and its Applications | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Genome Biology | C, Bio, Ch |
| Global Health | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Health and Disease | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Human Biology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Immunology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Molecular Genetics and Microbiology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Neuroscience | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Nutritional Sciences | C, Bio, Ch |
| Pathobiology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry | C, Bio, Ch, Ph |
| Pharmacology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Physical and Environmental Geography | C (Rec. Ch, Bio, Ph) |
| Physiology | C, Bio, Ch (Rec. Ph) |
| Psychology | C, Bio (Rec. Ch, Ph) |
| Psychology Research | C, Bio (Rec. Ch or Ph) |
| Quantitative Biology | C, Bio |
Meet Faculty and Students
Hear what Life Sciences professors and students have to say about their programs.
A whole world to discover
Opportunities inside and beyond the classroom
A new perspective
Change the way you see the living world
A variety of experiences
Learning takes place in labs, seminars and the community
Why Study Life Sciences at Arts & Science?
Research Opportunities
As a Life Sciences student, gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs and, as early as second year, you can assist your professors with medical and other research. Imagine working alongside your professor to create new technology to cure genetic diseases or travelling to Peru to study biodiversity – just two examples of the amazing research opportunities Life Sciences students have participated in.
Gain Practical Experience
Eligible Life Sciences students can apply for the Arts & Science Internship Program after first year and gain 12-20 months of relevant, paid work experience and specialized professional development training. Internships can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, health marketing agencies and more.
Diverse Career Options
From attending medical school to working as a museum curator, Life Sciences opens so many doors for those interested in the living world. Ishita Aggarwal, who completed her degree in cell and molecular biology, neuroscience and psychology, is a clinical research analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the founder of two women's health organizations and a research associate at the International Women's Rights Project. In 2020, she was named one of Canada's Top 25 Women of Influence. Learn more about careers in Life Sciences using Career Navigator.
When I entered my undergrad at U of T, I had multiple leadership opportunities... these positions allowed me to hone my communication, teamwork and leadership skills and gave me the confidence to oversee increasingly complex projects. — Ishita Aggarwal