The following courses are offered in the indicated formats:
Online Learning – Fully online courses that you can complete from the comfort of your home.
Blended Learning – A perfect mix of online and face-to-face sessions to maximize your learning experience.
Students from other institutions wishing to study at McMaster University as a Visiting Student are encouraged to contact sciencerecruit@mcmaster.ca if they have any questions or require further information.
It’s the responsibility of the student to understand the format of the course for which they are enrolling.
Biology
Structure, molecular composition, and function in sub-cellular and cellular systems.
*Both BIOLOGY 1A02 and 1A01 when taken together are equivalent/cross-listed to BIOLOGY 1A03 – Cellular and Molecular Biology. BIOLOGY 1A03 is the in-person offering of our blended BIOLOGY 1A02 and 1A01.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
Chemistry & Chemical Biology
An introduction to organic chemistry with emphasis on the reactions of functional groups and an introduction to spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. This course requires laboratory participation in person.
Modality – Online content with in person labs
An introduction to organic chemistry with an emphasis on structure and bonding, conformations and stereochemistry, and reaction processes around alkyl halide, alkene, and carbonyl centers. Special topics may include spectroscopy, polymers, and/or biomolecules.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
Earth & Environmental Sciences
An introduction to the science of environmental issues and sustainability through the study of the soil, climate and water processes.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
An introduction to human (societal) -environment interactions, mostly through a human geographic perspective. Topicsinclude: the spatial significance of culture and cultural difference; cities as forms of cultural settlements; the rise of urban societies; the meanings of cultural landscapes; geographical perspectives on local and global politics; humans’ changing relationship with the environment; and
contemporary environmental issues.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
An introduction to the study of relationships between people and their environments. The natural, built, social and economic environments are examined through human geography, urban studies, population and development studies, and environmental studies. Topics include: the meaning, and changing signi?cance, of globalization; the causes and consequences of uneven economic and social development; the nature of changes in world population via demographic change and migration; the nature and consequences of global urbanization; and urban planning.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
A study of natural processes including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, river erosion and climate change and their impacts on human populations.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
A discussion of perspectives and approaches to local, regional, national, and global environmental problems.
Modality – Online – all assessments online
The study of the human and physical geographic patterns of the world. Emphasis is placed equally on what makes places and regions different or unique, and the key global issues that relate to one or more regions. Topics include urbanization, economic change, cultural difference, geopolitics, and environmental issues.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
An introduction to environmental issues related to water, including the impacts of climate change, effects of water management projects, pollution, the societal dimensions of these problems, and paths to sustainability.
Modality – Online, with all assessments online
Course will cover the influence of oceans on land and our climate. The course will also focus on the sustainable initiatives from the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
Kinesiology
A foundational introduction to kinesiology and human movement for students from all academic backgrounds. Topics include fundamental principles of how physical activity, exercise, and movement impact human health and well-being across the lifespan. Examines relationships between physical activity, sleep, sedentary behavior, and their effects on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Modality information coming soon
Health psychology investigates how psychological, biological, and social factors interact to influence health and well-being. Students will examine topics such as stress, sleep, habits, exercise, nutrition, relationships, and resilience through an evidence-based perspective.
Modality information coming soon
An introduction to the basic embryology and tissue development and examination of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous, articular, skeletal and muscular systems.
*This course has no lab.
*Note, KINESIOL 2Y03 is offered online during the Spring, but labs are in person.
Modality – Virtual with required in person test twice. *Testing can be done at distance please refer to for more details
An examination of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular, lymphatic respiratory, digestive, renal endocrine and reproductive systems.
*This course has no lab
**Note, KINESIOL 2YY3 is offered online during the Spring, but labs are in person
Modality – Virtual with required in person test twice. *Testing can be done at distance please refer to for more details
Mathematics & Statistics
Vector spaces given by solutions to linear systems. Linear independence, dimension. Determinants. Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and diagonalisation. Complex numbers.
Modality information coming soon
Integral calculus of polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Optimization problems. Applications in Sciences, Social Sciences and Business.
Modality information coming soon
Physics & Astronomy
A first-year course in university physics, taught using examples and applications from many areas of science. Topics include the concepts of force and energy, mechanics, waves and fluids.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
Students completing this course will have a good understanding of the methods, research questions and major areas of psychology. This course would be ideal for students looking to complete an elective requirement without necessarily planning to continue study in psychology. Students considering applying to an Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour program is referred to PSYCH 1X03; for which this course is an anti-requisite.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
This course introduces important themes as the foundations to investigate psychology, neuroscience and behaviour with an emphasis on sensory systems, and behaviours critical to survival. This course would be ideal for students looking to complete an elective. Students considering applying to an Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour programs are referred to PSYCH 1XX3; for which this course is an anti-requisite.
Modality – Online with required in person testing. *Testing can be done at distance
Science Communication
In this course, we will learn and practice the basics of effective written, visual and oral science communication. We’ll create written summaries and blogs, graphics and data visualizations, short talks and social media posts on a range of scientific topics. We’ll also engage with and contribute to the growing field of science communication research.
Modality – Online