How to Apply to Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University: An Honours BSc in the Faculty of Science with a Shared First Year, a 75-80% Previous-Years Admission Range and Optional Co-op, and Admission and Prerequisite Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is in downtown Toronto, Canada. Biology is an Honours Bachelor of Science in the Faculty of Science. Below is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on TMU's official pages, for domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents), international students, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Degree, options and how to apply

• Degree and department: the program page lists the degree as a Bachelor of Science (Honours), offered full-time as a four-year program or a five-year co-op program, with no part-time format. The university calendar says it is administered by the Department of Chemistry and Biology. The page describes the nature of living things, from cells and bacteria to plants and animals, covering ecology, microbiology, evolution, botany, genetics, cell biology and more; first year builds core math, research and science skills, and later years offer lab work or field research in areas such as climate change and human disease.
• Common first year: both the program page and the calendar say Biology is one of three Bachelor of Science programs (Biology, Chemistry, Medical Physics) that share a point of entry and a first year, so you can explore science routes before committing to Biology. When and on what conditions you formally settle into Biology is not stated on the pages read here; please ask the Faculty of Science.
• Options: the page lists an optional specialization in Management Sciences. The calendar says that depending on the electives chosen, students graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Biology with or without a minor in another topic. Separate streams within Biology (such as ecology or molecular) are not stated on the pages read here, and Biochemistry appears as courses (such as BCH 261) rather than a separate degree on those pages.
• Thesis and research: the page and calendar say that in the final year students may undertake an independent, faculty-supervised thesis project; the page also mentions industry-oriented research, conferences and special events. There is also a non-credit Research Practicum course, SCI 999 (a CGPA of 2.5 or more, an average of 5 to 10 hours a week for a term, no tuition, and you find a faculty supervisor yourself).
• Co-op: the calendar says co-op is optional and builds 12 months of work experience into the degree; you must complete three work terms, and the degree takes five years rather than four. There is a single chance to apply, at the end of first year in the spring/summer admissions period through the Career & Co-op Centre; enrolment is limited and based on GPA, courses completed, a resume, a statement of intent and an interview if needed; you must have finished all first-year courses with clear academic standing. Direct-entry and transfer students are generally not permitted except in exceptional cases.
• Learning abroad: the page says you can study a course or do scientific research in another country for a term or a full year, with internal funding options; the specific programs are not stated on the pages read here.
• Accreditation: the page and calendar do not mention professional accreditation for the Biology degree; this is not stated on the pages read here.
• Nearby programs: the Faculty of Science also offers Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Medical Physics, mentioned here only in passing; medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and public health are outside this guide, so see TMU's website.

2. Program structure

• First year (the common first year on the program page and in the calendar): in the first semester, Biology I (BLG 143), General Chemistry I (CHY 103), Modern Mathematics I (MTH 131), Physics I (PCS 120) and the pass/fail orientation course SCI 180, plus one of Computer Science I (CPS 109) or Introductory Programming for Scientists (CPS 118); in the second semester, Biology II (BLG 144), General Chemistry II (CHY 113), Modern Mathematics II (MTH 231), Physics II (PCS 130) and one lower-level liberal studies course. The calendar says all Science students enrol in SCI 180 in their first semester.
• Later courses (listed in the calendar): Microbiology I, Botany, Cell Biology, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry I, Probability and Statistics I, Biochemistry (BCH 261) and Advanced Biochemistry (BCH 361 and others); lab and field courses such as Molecular Biology Laboratory, Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory, Urban Field Biology - Water Ecosystems, an Inter-University Field Course and an Organismal Biodiversity Laboratory; a science communication course; plus core and open electives.
• Liberal studies: the calendar requires three lower-level and three upper-level liberal studies courses.

Provincial and international prerequisites are in section 4 below. The calendar also says that completing all three of Grade 12 physics, chemistry and biology is recommended, and Biology (SBI4U) is strongly recommended.

3. Application route, deadlines and fees (fall 2027 entry)

• Route (the applications and forms page): most applicants use the OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre) application, whose base fee covers the first three university or program choices (see the OUAC website for the amount). Current or previous TMU students, applicants to part-time programs, special students and re-admission applicants use the TMU Application, which has a fee of $90 paid through the OUAC and covers two program choices. International applicants can use the TMU International Application (the international how-to-apply page gives an application fee of $150 CAD, for applying to TMU only) or the OUAC application (for applying to several Ontario universities); international students at an Ontario secondary school applying for September must use the OUAC application.
• Dates (the application dates page): for fall 2027 the guaranteed consideration date for all programs is February 1, 2027; complete applications and amendments received by then get equal consideration. The Ontario requirements page says the OUAC has a January deadline while TMU keeps accepting applications for equal consideration until February 1, and many programs accept applications after that. The international page adds that programs may close before the deadline because of space, and that later applications, amendments and documents are reviewed subject to space. Admission requirements must be completed by June 30 unless your offer says otherwise, and Ontario students' Grade 11 results can be used in early admission.
• Is the program still open: in the fall 2027 tab of the domestic program status page (updated October 21, 2026), Biology is listed as accepting applications (including advanced standing); in the September 2027 table of the international program status page, Biology shows OPEN. Statuses change, so check again before you apply.
• Documents: after applying you upload transcripts through the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal; unofficial transcripts can be uploaded first and TMU asks for official ones if you are admitted. Biology is a Grades-Only program, so admission decisions are based on academic performance. There is also an optional supplementary form (not available to current Ontario secondary school students) for your academic history and why you chose the program. Whether an essay or reference letters are needed is not stated on the pages read here; please confirm with TMU admissions.

4. Prerequisites and grades

Ontario high school (the Ontario requirements page and the Biology program page)

• Minimum requirements: the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD); six Grade 12 U or M courses with an overall average of at least 70%; and these Grade 12 U courses on the program page, each with a minimum of 70%: English (ENG4U / EAE4U preferred), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Physics (SPH4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Biology (SBI4U).
• Admission average: the program page says an overall average of 70% is required for consideration, but the average needed varies each year with the number of applications and places; the "grade range" at the top of the page, representing the average required in previous years, is 75-80%. The average uses the best six Grade 12 U or M courses (repeated or upgraded marks allowed) to two decimal places without rounding. Grade 12 U English is required for all programs and cannot be replaced by ESL courses or a language test. Meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission.

Other Canadian provinces

• The Canadian secondary school requirements page lists requirements by province. For the Faculty of Science row "Science (Biology, Chemistry, Medical Physics)" with Biomedical Sciences: British Columbia (the BC page) needs five academic Grade 12 courses, one of English Studies 12, English 12 First Peoples or Literary Studies 12, Calculus 12 or Pre-Calculus 12, and two of Physics 12, Chemistry 12 or Anatomy and Physiology 12. Alberta (the Alberta page) needs English Language Arts 30-1, Math 31 or Math 30-1, and two of Physics 30, Chemistry 30 or Biology 30. Requirements for other provinces and Quebec are on separate pages that were not read here; check the Canadian requirements page. TMU adds that grades in these subjects are normally in the 65-75% range.
• IB Diploma: grades of 4 or higher in three Higher Level and three Standard Level subjects with a total of 28 or higher. AP exams with grades of 4 or higher may earn transfer credit.

International curricula

• In the international prerequisites by faculty page, the Faculty of Science row "Science (Biology, Chemistry, Medical Physics)" with Biomedical Sciences lists, for the American curriculum, English, senior-level math with calculus, and two of biology, chemistry or physics; for the IB, English, math (AA HL or SL, or AI HL or SL) and two of biology, chemistry or physics; for British-patterned education, English, math and two of biology, chemistry or physics; and for "other education systems", English, math with calculus and two of biology, chemistry or physics.
• American curriculum: graduation with minimum B grades in the program-specific subject prerequisites and a B overall average, with higher grades possible under competition and subjects preferably at AP or Grade 12 senior academic level. British-patterned A Level route: at least two A Level subjects, one with a predicted and final grade of B or higher and another with C or higher (GCSE and other requirements also apply; see the page).

5. International students, including applicants from China

English requirements for international students (the English language requirements page)

• Exemptions: four years of full-time high school before starting at TMU in Canada, in a country or territory on TMU's list where English is the first language, or at a school where English is the primary language of instruction; or specified AP, CSEC, GCSE / A Level, IB English A (a 4 or higher; HL English B is not acceptable) or NCUK results. China is not on TMU's list.
• Test scores (the column for all Science programs except Computer Science and Architectural Science; TMU says only overall scores matter, there are no minimum band scores, and the table is a guideline): IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL iBT 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026 and 4.5 for tests taken on or after that date; Duolingo 120; PTE 60; CAEL 60; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180 and above. Results must be sent by the testing service; TMU's TOEFL institution code is 0886. For fall 2027 the deadline to provide a test score is April 1, 2027.
• All applicants need a senior-level English course (equivalent to Grade 12 U English in Ontario). Students whose scores fall short can use the English Language Institute pathway programs; TMU lists fall 2027 costs of $16,900 to $32,900 CAD for the ESL Foundation Program and $9,895 CAD for English Boost, among others (see the fees page).

Applicants from China (the China entry on the international requirements page)

• Qualification: the Senior High School (Upper Middle School) Graduation Diploma; at least five Senior 3 / Grade 12 level academic courses, including the prerequisite subjects; an overall 80% average with at least 80% in each prerequisite subject; higher grades may be required for competitive programs.
• Documents: current students submit a transcript with Senior 1, Senior 2 and any available Senior 3 mid-term results, with the grading scale; completed students arrange for the school to send a final official transcript for Senior 1 to 3, plus a Verification Report of China Secondary Education Certificate through China Credentials Verification (CSSD-Parchment Portal Service, linked to chsi.com.cn). Those with college or university study also submit that transcript and a China Higher Education Certification Report.
• Gaokao: the page does not say whether or how Gaokao results are used; this is not stated on the pages read here, so please ask TMU admissions. It says applicants may submit SAT, ACT, AP and similar scores to be considered in the assessment, but TMU will not accept standardized test scores in lieu of the qualification requirements above.
• International high schools: students at private international high schools, international divisions of public schools or international high schools for international students must submit a Chinese high school diploma recognized by the Chinese ministry or municipal education department, and/or proof of graduation from an accredited international curriculum school permitted to operate in China.
• Interviews and a dedicated China page beyond this entry are not stated on the pages read here.

6. Transfer students

• The transfer requirements page lists formal pathways, and Chemistry and Biology are not among them. Other university or college transfer applicants are assessed on overall academic performance and on the minimum grades in the subject prerequisites; the cumulative GPA needed depends on the program and the level of competition each year, enrolment is limited, and you must be eligible to continue at your previous school. On the domestic program status page, Biology has an advanced-standing column showing that applications are accepted.
• Transfer credit: applicants can apply through MyServiceHub; courses with no existing rule need a course outline and are evaluated only after you accept an offer; before applying you can look at ONTransfer (not a complete list). At least half (50%) of the program must be completed at TMU. Courses from institutions outside Canada can also be assessed after you accept an offer.
• Current TMU students changing program submit a TMU Application and the supplementary form; changing plan within a program (for example Biology to Medical Physics) follows the MyServiceHub instructions. The page also describes a Fresh Start transfer program for students who were required to withdraw.
• Transfer deadlines and the Faculty of Science's GPA requirement for transfer students are not stated on the pages read here; please check the program status page and ask TMU admissions.

7. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition (the Biology program page and the tuition and fees page, both for 2026-2027): Faculty of Science full-time, $7,397 to $9,958 for Ontario students, $9,197 to $12,481 for out-of-province students and $38,702 to $38,762 for international students. TMU says this information is updated each July for the academic year starting in September, so 2027-2028 figures are not stated on the pages read here; please check. Other cost estimates: on-campus accommodation $9,000 to $15,100+ plus a meal plan, off-campus rent $15,000 to $21,000+ for 12 months, books and supplies $1,500 to $6,700 depending on program, and a TTC monthly pass at $128+.
• Entrance scholarships (the scholarships and awards page): for students admitted for 2027-2028 who are currently in a Canadian secondary school, entering post-secondary for the first time with a final average of 86% or higher, TMU guarantees a renewable entrance scholarship: for 95% and up, $3,000 in year one (renewable, potential total $12,000); 90 to 94.99%, $1,500 ($6,000); 86 to 89.99%, $750 ($3,000), with renewal depending on annual CGPA. The page says Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and international students are all eligible, but you must be enrolled full-time in a Canadian secondary school (at least three Ontario Grade 12 U/M courses or the provincial equivalent) and submit a complete application by September 1, 2027. Other awards include the BMO Financial Group Diversity Scholarships (applied for through AwardSpring once you are a student; 80% average and financial need) and the H. Graham Walker Awards (for Ontario-resident Canadian citizens and permanent residents). Which entrance scholarships an international student from a non-Canadian school can receive is not stated on the pages read here; check the international scholarships page.

8. A few reminders

• Where a date on a page has no year, check that it is for 2027 entry; this guide follows pages that say fall 2027.
• The previous-years range on the Biology program page (75-80%) is above the 70% minimum, so treat it as the competitive guide; the calendar says prerequisite grades are normally around 70 percent subject to competition, consistent with the program page's 70%.
• Whether the Biology degree has streams (such as ecology or molecular) and whether it has professional accreditation are not stated on the pages read here; please ask the Faculty of Science.