FACULTY OF SCIENCE | science.mcmaster.

ca/sis/undergraduate/life-sciences

Life Sciences
The Life Sciences programs provide students with the opportunity to study various topics in human health, aging, and disease. Our curriculum is organized under the
categories of communication and laboratory skills, experiential learning, and knowledge translation. A unique aspect to our programs involves the implementation
of community-based projects and peer mentoring experiential opportunities that are tied to in-course experiences.

Pillars of Learning Science Career &

Focus of Study for Communication Skills Cooperative Education
Undergraduate Programs Science communication is an essential step in the scientific process. The communication intensive Co-Op Programs
courses have at least two distinct elements of science communication as part of the evaluation.
The Life Sciences programs guide students through the The Life Sciences Program offers a cooperative education option beginning at Level III for
These may include essays, research proposals, poster and oral presentations, community
interdisciplinary study of the processes underlying human students wishing to integrate paid and relevant work experience with their academic program.
engagement proposals, and digital media projects.
health and disease. Postgraduate Opportunities
Life Sciences courses provide students with opportunities Laboratory Skills
Graduates from our Honours programs are well prepared to apply to graduate and professional
to engage in scientific communication, research skills, Research is one of the four pillars of learning in the Life Sciences Program. In all science careers,
schools in the following areas:
laboratory work, experiential projects, placement and thesis understanding of how science is conducted and how data is analyzed and presented are essential.
opportunities. Students enrolled in a Life Sciences Medicine Rehabilitation Science Global Health
Experiential Learning
program have an opportunity to explore a wide range of Optometry MBA Pharmacy
topics including: Life Sciences students are encouraged to engage in diverse experiential learning opportunities.
Dentistry Law Veterinary Medicine
These give students a chance to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, explore
Human Pathophysiology Education Master of Science Public Policy
career options and become knowledge creators. Experiential opportunities include community or
Neurobiology of Disease
professional placements and research projects on campus. There are also course-based community Careers
Global Human and Health Disease engagement opportunities. In addition, our collection of peer mentoring courses give students a
Life Sciences students develop a range of skills that are easily transferred to a wide range of
Human Nutritional Toxicology chance to apply their knowledge in the classroom as a leader and mentor of fellow students.
careers. Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:
Cellular Dynamics
Knowledge Translation
Ecology Toxicology Health Care
Reproductive Endocrinology
Students are required to take a Life Sciences seminar in Level IV. This small course setting allows Genetics Counselling Scientific Communications
Genes, Genomes and Society
students to work closely with the instructor. Students are asked to take specialized content and
Sensory Process Nutritional Science Pharmacology Public Health
translate their knowledge into addressing real-world challenges through research proposals or
Epidemiology Regulatory Affairs Policy Epidemiology
community engagement projects.
Biophysics of the Cell and Living Organism Climatology Clinical Research
Environmental Change and Human Health
Science Communication
 Level II Programs
Honours Life Sciences Honours Life Sciences Honours Life Sciences
Co-op option begins in Level III Origins of Disease Specialization Sensory Motor Systems Specialization Life Sciences
(Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.) (B.Sc.)
Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at Enrolment in this program is limited and possession of the published Enrolment in this program is limited and possession of the Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

least 5.0 including: minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is based published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Average of at least 3.5 including:
• BIOLOGY 1A03 on academic achievement, but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Selection is based on academic achievement, but requires, as a • BIOLOGY 1A03
• CHEM 1A03 Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including: minimum, completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point • CHEM 1A03
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3 • BIOLOGY 1A03 Average of at least 5.0 including: • MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 • CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3 • BIOLOGY 1A03 • PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• One of BIOLOGY 1M03, EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03, • MATH 1A03 or 1LS3 • CHEM 1A03 • One of BIOLOGY 1M03, EARTHSC 1G03 ENVIRSC 1C03,
PSYCH 1FF3, 1XX3 • PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 • MATH 1A03 or 1LS3 PSYCH 1FF3, 1XX3
• 9 units from the Science I Course List • One of BIOLOGY 1M03, EARTHSC 1G03 ENVIRSC 1C03, • PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 • 9 units from the Science I Course List
PSYCH 1FF3, 1XX3 • One of BIOLOGY 1M03, EARTHSC 1G03 ENVIRSC 1C03,
• 6 units from the Science I Course List PSYCH 1FF3, 1XX3
• 9 units from the Science I Course List

1. Completion of BIOLOGY 1M03, CHEM 1AA3 and PSYCH 1FF3 or

ADMISSION NOTES

1XX3 is strongly recommended as they serve as prerequisites for

required courses in Levels II & III.
2. C ompletion of CHEM 1AA3 is required by the end of Level II.
Completion in Level I is strongly recommended.

Science I Course List:

ASTRON 1F03, BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03, ENVSOCTY 1HA3, 1HB3, LIFESCI 1D03, MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1B03, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1MM3, 1MP3, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1FF3, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03

science.mcmaster.ca/sis/undergraduate/life-sciences | sis@mcmaster.ca
CONTACT A.N. Bourns Science Building (ABB), Room C501
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