3 programs, side by side

Rows marked with a dot are where these differ. Everything is each university’s own published wording; the “your average” row is yours, calculated the way each program does it.

	Carleton Engineering – Software OUAC CES Remove	Western Science OUAC ES Remove	Waterloo Life Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WLS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75–80%“75–80% (regular and co-op)”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	Advanced Functions (MHF4U) Calculus (MCV4U) Chemistry (SCH4U) Physics (SPH4U) 2 best 4U/M courses +3 more on the program page	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +7 more on the program page	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Yes Unless otherwise noted, required courses must be completed with a minimum average of 70%. Western Integrated Science applicants must submit a supplementary application. More information Usually closes before January 15	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	550	570
What you study	Artificial Intelligence Computer Engineering Software Engineering	Animal Science Astronomy Biological Sciences Chemistry	Animal Science Biological Sciences Biology Biotechnology
What it is	You study how to design, build, and maintain software systems and applications, from the coding and logic to the architecture that makes programs run. This program includes hands-on projects in artificial intelligence and computer engineering alongside core software development. The co-op placement is required, meaning you alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms at companies, giving you real workplace experience before you graduate.	This is a broad science degree where you choose from fields like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geology, and others. You take foundational science courses in first year, then specialize by selecting which science subjects to focus on. Co-op is available, letting you do paid work terms at science-related employers alongside your studies.	Life Sciences is a broad study of living organisms, their cells, genetics, and chemistry at the molecular level. You'll take core courses in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, then choose a focus like microbiology, biotechnology, or human biology depending on your interests. The co-op option lets you alternate between school and paid work terms in research labs, hospitals, or biotech companies, giving you real experience alongside your degree.
The door tomajors you reach through it	software engineering	biology chemistry earth science environmental science life sciences mathematics physics statistics	biochemistry biology life sciences microbiology neuroscience
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Carleton University on OUInfo	Western University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

Also compare with

Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

Ranges are what each university publishes, not guaranteed cutoffs, and limited-enrolment programs often admit above them. Confirm anything you are about to act on with the university; each column links to its source.