All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Successful completion of Level II Science, Health Sciences, or a relevant Level II program. Two years of undergraduate course work – 10 full courses or 20 half courses by August 31, 2025. Only degree courses at an accredited university will be considered.  Any exceptions will need to be reviewed on an individual basis by the BDC Program Office. Please send your questions to bdcprogram@mcmaster.ca.
• While the program is open to applicants from a diverse range of programs, at minimum, applicants must have completed one full year of both first year biology and chemistry.
• Applicants are expected to achieve a minimum (B) average on the OMSAS 4.0 Scale (8/12 on the McMaster Scale) by February 1 (inclusive of Fall term grades) in order to be considered for the program. This information must be provided on the BDC application form. Your grade point average (GPA) is the weighted average based on the grades obtained in all courses taken.
• Complete a minimum of two years of undergraduate course work by August 31 prior to matriculation. Please note that co-op work terms do not count towards the course work requirement.*

*NOTE:  Students who are enrolled in a co-op program are advised to contact the program office regarding admission eligibility.

Required Application Documents – McMaster Level II and III Applicants

• Completion of the BDC application form through LimeSurvey.
• A copy of your McMaster University Unofficial Transcript report (downloaded from MOSAIC and attached as a pdf with your application).  Transcripts must show results for all courses completed at the time of submission, including those completed during the fall term of the current academic year.  In addition, all courses registered for the winter term of the current academic year, must be indicated on the transcript.
• Unofficial transcripts must also indicate registration in a minimum of 10 full courses or 20 half courses.  Any exceptions will need to be reviewed on an individual basis by the BDC Program Office.  Please send your questions to bdcprogram@mcmaster.ca.
• McMaster students can calculate their current GPA using their final grades. For more information on how to calculate your grade point average please visit the Office of the Registrar website. Students may also find this tool, https://gradecalc.info/ca/on/mcmaster/cumulative_gpa_calc.pl useful in calculating their GPA
• Level III students may be able to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and apply to the BDC Program as a second-degree student to obtain a separate BHSc degree. Level 3 students must speak to their Faculty/Program office before applying to the program to inquire whether this is possible. Their BDC degree would be counted as a second degree. Note: applicants applying as a second-degree student must also submit a McMaster Second Degree Application https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/continuing-students-second-degree/  in addition to the BDC application by the deadline.

Required Application Documents – McMaster Level IV and Graduand Applicants

• Completion of the BDC application form through LimeSurvey.
• McMaster second degree students are also required to complete a McMaster Returning Student On-Line Application.
• A copy of your McMaster University Unofficial Transcript report (downloaded from MOSAIC and attached as a pdf with your application).  Transcripts must show the results for all courses completed at the time of submission, including those completed during the fall term of the current academic year.  In addition, all courses registered for the winter term of the current academic year, must be indicated on the transcript.
• McMaster students can access their current GPA in the Mosaic Student Center under the Academic tab, then select the current term for your most up-to-date GPA.  For more information on how to calculate your grade point average please visit the Office of the Registrar website.

Required Application Documents – External Applicants

• Applicants external to McMaster University will apply for admission to the university using the on-line application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC) prior to the February 1 deadline.
• After completing your OUAC application, you will also be required to complete and submit the BDC application form through LimeSurvey by the February 1 deadline.  External applicants will also be required to upload a copy of their unofficial transcript.
• An official interim transcript must be mailed directly from your current university to McMaster prior to the deadline and must show the results for all courses completed at the time of submission, including those completed during the fall term of the current academic year.
• In addition, all courses registered for the winter term of the current academic year, must appear on the transcript. Official transcripts must also indicate registration in a minimum of 10 full courses or 20 half courses by August 31.  Any exceptions will need to be reviewed on an individual basis by the BDC Program Office.  Please send your questions to bdcprogram@mcmaster.ca.
• An overall grade point average of a B (8.0/12 on the McMaster Scale) is required for admission to the program. Your GPA is the weighted average based on the grades obtained in all courses taken. Please use the OMSAS undergraduate grading system conversion table when calculating your GPA. If you are still unclear as to how your GPA should be calculated, please speak to your academic advisor.
• Important Note: Students external to McMaster who have already completed Organic Chemistry I should consider completing Organic Chemistry II at their current university as they may need to take Organic Chemistry I at McMaster, if their Organic Chemistry I course is not deemed equivalent.  More information on course equivalencies can be reviewed here.

Required Application Documents – Indigenous Applicants

• To ensure equitable admissions we have a facilitated admissions process for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants.
• Admission into the BDC Undergraduate Program normally requires a minimum of two years of undergraduate course work with a B average (8/12 on the McMaster scale). Indigenous applicants whose average may fall slightly below a B, but demonstrate other outstanding qualifications are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration.
• In accordance with the Self-Identification policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) applicants who wish to apply through this stream must complete the supplementary Self-identification Application. Information on the policy, application requirements and the online application can be found at: https://ishs.mcmaster.ca/admissions/self-identification.
• In addition to the supplementary Self-Identification application, Indigenous applicants are also required to complete the BDC application form through LimeSurvey.

• GPA is the weighted average based on the grades obtained in all courses taken.
• McMaster’s definition of Cumulative GPA is:
• Cumulative GPA Units: The total number of course units you have earned, throughout your entire career, excluding courses with non-numeric grades that are not factored in the GPA calculation; i.e. P, NC, AUD or COM. 
• Note: for McMaster students, only courses that have been completed at McMaster are counted in your cumulative GPA. 
• No courses on Letter of Permission are to be counted in your cumulative GPA.
• A grade point average of B (8.0/12 on the McMaster Scale) is required for admission to the program.  External students should refer to the OMSAS grade chart to determine how to convert their GPA to McMaster’s grading scale.
• If you are still unclear as to how your GPA should be calculated, please visit this web page for assistance https://gradecalc.info/ca/on/mcmaster/cumulative_gpa_calc.pl.
• Misrepresentation of your GPA will result in dismissal of your application.

*Please note that meeting this minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee admission.

There is no expectation for students to have any background in business prior to entering the BDC program.  The business courses are designed for non-commerce students where they will learn fundamental concepts in finance, marketing, accounting and organizational behaviour.

There are no specific science requirements with the exception that at minimum, applicants must have completed one full year of both first year biology and chemistry.

• It is strongly recommended that students complete both organic chemistry courses CHEM 2OA3 and CHEM 2OB3  prior to entering into the BDC program.
• If not completed prior to entering the program, students must complete CHEM 2OA3 (by the end of level 3) and CHEM 2OB3 (by the end of level 4) in order to fulfill their degree requirements.

• Graduates from the BDC undergraduate program receive an Honour Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree (BHSc)

• To access the BDC application form, click on the hyperlink here.  Read and follow the instructions provided to ensure you are filling it out correctly.
• Once you submit your application, you will no longer be able to access it, so please be sure your application is complete and accurate before submitting.
• Once complete, press the “Submit” button located on the bottom right hand corner of the page.  A new page will appear with the message “Thank you!  Your BDC application has been successfully submitted“.
• That message will serve as confirmation of your submission.
• If you have any questions regarding the application process, contact bdcprogram@mcmaster.ca.

Students who have previously applied and were not offered admission, must complete a new application with updated information.

Yes. Level III students may be able to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and apply to the BDC Program as a second degree student to obtain a separate BHSc degree.  Level 3 students must speak to their current Faculty/Program Office before applying to the program to inquire whether this is possible.  Their BDC degree would be counted as a second degree. Note: applicants applying as a second degree student must also submit a McMaster Second Degree Application https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/continuing-students-second-degree/ in addition to the BDC application by the deadline.

Note that the fees and tuition for the undergraduate programs change yearly.  Please refer to the following for more information:

Click here and then select HEALTH SCIENCE – (HONOURS) to view.

• To calculate the cost of tuition, please note that full-time students complete a minimum of 30 units each academic year.

Letters of recommendation will not be accepted.

Applicants are only required to submit:

• The BDC application form
• OUAC application or the McMaster Returning Students application if applicable
• A transcript