The hiatus (however brief) is over! We’re back again this week with the second installment of our exploration of pre-med undergraduate programs, and this time we’re focusing on one many of our readers may be eyeing.

From the largest university in all of Canada comes a program dedicated to the study of living things; the Life Sciences (HBSc) program at the University of Toronto. Targeting how the human body works, the evolution of our species over time and the diversity of life on Earth, this program offers students a gateway to exploring the many facets of the living world.

What is it?

Students are admitted to the general Life Sciences admission category, and are not enrolled in a specific program during the first year. This allows freedom to explore a number of different areas of study. At the end of the first year, you can apply to a program (e.g. major in psychology), with the option of combining programs from outside of your program (excluding Rotman Commerce).

https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/future/ready-apply/admission-requirements/ontario-high-school

What makes it unique?

Diverse major options

Life science is made up of various fields ranging from molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology, to comparative physiology, neurology, and health science, to palaeontology, ecology, evolution, and extending to biomedical communications. Even if you don’t have a particular area of interest when you are admitted, you will have the first year to explore and experiment with where you’d like to go from there.

Research opportunities

As early as second year, students may be able to assist their professors with research. The Research Opportunities Program is open to students in Life Sciences and has full credit courses in which second- and third-year students can participate in a professor's research project. The Research Excursions Program allows third-year students an opportunity to get involved in experiential learning outside of the classroom and sometimes even abroad. It should be noted that the status of such opportunities may have changed due to pandemic protocols.

https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities

University of Toronto- Mississauga

Located separate from the main campus, U of T’s Mississauga campus is known for its relatively friendly and tight-knit community. The smaller campus setting allows students to learn in small class sizes (sometimes fewer than 35 students) and get to know their professors. If this is an environment that interests you, applying here instead of the main campus may be a consideration.