Information for high school students

Honours biochemistry (BHSc) is a Level II entry program. Students typically apply at the end of their first year of undergraduate studies at McMaster University.

Students from any undergraduate program who have met the course and GPA requirements may be considered for admission. While there is no program requirement to be eligible for admission, these courses are most commonly completed in the Life Science Gateway I program. Full admission requirements for honours biochemistry can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar. For admission information related to Life Science Gateway I, please review the Associate Dean of Science (Academic)’s website and contact them with any inquiries.

Admission requirements – honours biochemistry (BHSc)

Current McMaster undergraduate students

Eligibility for admission into honours biochemistry is based on grade point average (GPA), and completion of the following courses. Honours biochemistry (BHSc) is a limited enrollment program. A minimum GPA of 5.0 is required for consideration but the GPA cutoff will change year to year based on the merit of that year’s applicants.

Course requirements:

• 6 units of BIOLOGY 1A03 and BIOLOGY 1M03
• 6 units of CHEM 1A03 and CHEM 1AA3
• 3 units of MATH 1A03 or MATH 1LS3
• 3 units of PHYSICS 1A03 or PHYSICS 1C03
• 6 units from the Science I Course List

Note: A grade of at least C+ in four of BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3 and either MATH 1A03 or 1LS3 is required.

There is no supplementary application to complete for admission into honours biochemistry (BHSc).

All Other Students

Students with at least one year completed at another university are eligible to apply to honours biochemistry (BHSc) through OUAC (105 application). Admission is by selection and course equivalencies to the admission requirements needed by current McMaster students must be completed.

Level II program option: honours biochemistry (BHSc)

• A more broadly based academic program that would be chosen if you intend to apply to a professional school or if graduate school is not one of your main aims. It allows more room for electives to pursue other interests (e.g., a minor in another faculty).
• After admission in Level II, students may remain in honours biochemistry (BHSc) or may choose to apply to one of the department’s Level III entry programs.