Pursue Undergraduate Program in
Biology
Biology was the pioneer science at York, offering the first undergraduate and graduate programs in the 1960s.
Biology studies living things and the discipline defines a living creature, technically called a living "organism", as one that has a metabolism and reproduces. Biologists study living organisms from many different angles, including behaviour, evolution and ecology as well as cell and molecular biology and genetics. They study all different kinds of species from plants to insects, viruses to humans. Biology can also be combined with other fields. For example, biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology and biopsychology are all important fields related to biology.
Biologists can be found working everywhere — on and off the planet:
- in a variety of environments to investigate ecosystems;
- in the laboratory to examine how organisms work;
- in the microscopic world to explore cells and the submicroscopic to explore molecules in cells;
- in space to study the effect of space travel on organisms;
- back in time to investigate the history of life.
The Biology program, York’s longest-established scientific program, is home to internationally recognized teaching and research faculty. It offers you a diversity of courses from across the discipline, providing you with the flexibility to choose courses from many different areas or to specialize in a particular field of life science. In your upper years, you can choose to specialize in such areas as:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science
- Biophysics
- Environmental Biology
Program Details
Offered By
Faculty of Science
Degrees Offered
BSc, iBSc
Fall Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Winter Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Summer Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Ways to Study
Full-Time, Part-Time
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Use
- Calculus
- Non-Science Requirement
Possible Career Paths
- botanist
- physician
- cancer researcher
- zoologist
- biostatistician
- biologist
- teacher
Viewbooks
Undergraduate
View Viewbook (PDF)
Transfer & Mature
View Viewbook (PDF)
Indigenous
View Viewbook (PDF)
International
View Viewbook (PDF)
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsFaculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Baccalauréat Français
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Bachillerato
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
- Senior-level physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
- Senior-level physics
CAPE
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- 2-unit physics
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- 2-unit physics
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 1 and 2
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 1 and 2
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Chinese High School
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Grade 12 physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Grade 12 physics
Turkish High School
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
GCE
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- A-level physics
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- A-level physics
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Hong Kong
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Twelfth Year physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Twelfth Year physics
International Baccalaureate
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches standard-level
- Applications and Interpretations higher-level
- Standard or higher-level physics
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches standard-level
- Applications and Interpretations higher-level
- Standard or higher-level physics
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Indian High School
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
- Grade XII physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
- Grade XII physics
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 40S
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 40S
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 121 or 122
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 121 or 122
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 3204
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 3204
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- SPH4U
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
OUAC code YSB
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- SPH4U
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
OUAC code YSZ
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
BSc
To be considered a mature student, you must:
be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
iBSc
To be considered a mature student, you must:
be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 621
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 621
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Grade 12 Physics
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Grade 12 Physics
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 30
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Tawjihyah
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
United States High School
- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) - minimum 6 academic courses
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Senior-level physics
Faculty of Science
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
Faculty of Science
iBSc
Requirements for admission:
- Physics 12
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 80s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 73.
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.