Life Sciences

Tackle global challenges, from climate change to pandemics and overpopulation. Develop life-saving vaccine trials. Or, discover the diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems.

Study with the country's leading scientists at your side and Canada’s largest life science job sector in your community.

Book a campus tour How to apply

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Life Sciences programs

#1 in Canada

in life sciences and medicine*

#13 globally

in life sciences and medicine**

#2 globally

for health science research productivity***

$2.7 billion

generated by 500+ life science businesses in Mississauga****

Anthropology

Understand the panorama of human existence, from everyday practices to the rituals, ceremonies and processes which define us.

Biology

Observe living organisms, learn about evolution and apply your knowledge to conservation, pollution, medicine and disease.

Student tending to plants on the UTM Farm

Biology for Health Sciences

Focus on areas of biological science that relate to the health of humans — and build a solid foundation for a health sciences career.

Biomedical Communications

Design accurate and effective scientific media with this interdisciplinary study of health, science and visual communication.

Professor and students observing a illuminated screen with a series of lines and circles displayed on it

Biotechnology

From pharmacology to gene therapy and more, this rapidly growing field applies life science to advance agriculture, medicine and industry.

Comparative Physiology

Integrating physical and life sciences, discover how plants and animals interact with their internal and external environments.

Students looking at plants in the UTM farm

Ecology and Evolution

Explore the origins, diversity and distribution of organisms — preparing you for careers such as zoologist to environmental educator and conservation officer.

Group of students examining a tree in a snowy forest

Molecular Biology

An interdisciplinary science that draws from biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, with applications in medicine, agriculture and more.

Paleontology

Explore the fascinating evolutionary history of life as reflected in fossils —leading to careers such as archaeologist to curator and primatologist.

Students conducting field work in a forest

Field schools

Study primates in Nicaragua, see a polar bear or arctic fox in action, and examine the diversity of arctic plants.

Discover unforgettable field schools

Learning abroad

If you're looking for a life-changing experience, UTM's study abroad and international exchange program opens doors to 140 schools in over 40 countries around the world.

Become a global citizen

Students seated around a table, smiling and talking

Academic groups and societies

Explore a range of life sciences student organizations at UTM, from the Erindale Biology Society to the Regenerative Medicine Club and more .

View academic groups at UTM

"Having the flexibility to choose courses that interested me was definitely the most rewarding [...] This solidified my interest in pursuing medicine. I could utilize what I learned in human physiology courses to serve the community."

Everton Smith, HBSc '23, Dean's List Scholar

"One of my fondest memories of UTM comes from my time working at the Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness Centre. Seeing familiar faces and sharing meaningful conversations highlighted the supportive and close-knit spirit of UTM, making it feel like home."

Ruth Alemayehu, HBSc '24, recipient of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award

“During my time at UTM, I was exposed to so many opportunities for growth [...] U of T provided me the freedom to explore a nonlinear path, to grow as a person and in different areas of my life.”

Thaisa Tylinski Sant'Ana, BSC '23, Valedictorian

Research Opportunity Program (ROP)

This signature program provides an unmatched opportunity to become involved in cutting-edge research and work directly with leading faculty members.

Read about students' experience

Gloved hands preparing samples to undergo genetic testing

Variants and us | Podcast

Headed by Nguyen Ba (a professor in biology), this new podcast is building awareness of rare genetic diseases and variants, while also giving a voice to researchers and leaders in the field.

Anthropologist seeks a richer understanding of human evolution | Article

Much of what we think we know about human evolution has largely been attributed to natural selection. However, paleoanthropologist Lauren Schroeder says there’s reason to reconsider this Darwinian paradigm in her co-authored article.

Finding links between pollinators, plants and the effects of urbanization | Project

Nehal Naik, along with UTM's EvoEco Lab, investigates how urban roads affect plant-pollinator interactions – specifically how roads affect plant health and pollen dispersal.

From tackling overpopulation to developing life-saving vaccine trials and engineering carbon-reduced biofuels for the aviation and marine industries —studying life sciences at University of Toronto Mississauga allows you to make an impact on a global scale .

Evolutionary biologist and co-lead of the the Global Urban Evolution Project (GLUE) studies how urban environments are influencing evolution.

Co-founder of Heliconia Interactive, a new and interactive game, helps students learn essential concepts in biology.

Featured career: Chief Executive Officer

Eugenia Addy (HBSc 2010, PhD 2015) now leads the award-winning nonprofit organization Visions of Science, which empowers communities and youth by offering equitable access to STEM education.

Read about Eugenia's career path

Whether you're interested in becoming a doctor, occupational therapist, nurse, pharmacist or even biotechnologist, your U of T undergraduate degree will also prepare you to thrive in top graduate or professional schools.

Preview some of these possibilities and start imagining your long-term future today: