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 Science – Major (4 years) OUAC CK Remove	Ottawa Géologie-physique (4 ans) OUAC OZX Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	74–76%	75–80%“75%; co-op 80%”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MHF4U SBI4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	two of MCV4U, SCH4U, SES4U	one of ENG4U, FRA4U two of SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	Biochemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Physics. MHF4U 2 of MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U or SPH4U 3 best 4U/M courses For all programs in Physics, SPH4U is strongly recommended. +3 more on the program page	FRA4U or ENG4U MHF4U MCV4U 2 of SPH4U, SCH4U, SBI4U, SES4U A combined minimum average of 70% is required for all prerequisites in science and mathematics. +3 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	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	No	Available	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	—	250
What you study	Environmental Studies Geology Molecular Biology, Biochemistry Others in Physical Sciences	Geology Interdisciplinary Studies Physical Geography Physics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	A Science Major is a four-year degree where you study one science subject deeply — such as physics, biology, geology, or environmental science — along with complementary courses in math and other sciences. It differs from a specialized honours program in that you focus on breadth within your chosen field rather than pursuing a single narrow specialization. This program suits students who want solid grounding in a science discipline without committing to professional training like engineering or medicine.	You study the structure, composition, and processes of the Earth's rocky layers and landscapes, combining geology with physics and geography. Physical geology focuses on how rocks form, break down, and move, rather than on finding mineral deposits or fossils. The co-op option lets you do paid work terms with industry or research employers alongside your studies, giving you real experience in the field.	Physical Sciences is a broad first-year program where you study foundational chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology before choosing a specialization in second year. The co-op option means you alternate between study and paid work terms at companies or research labs, giving you real experience in your field. This program suits students who are strong in math and science but not yet certain which specific physical science direction — from astronomy to polymer chemistry — they want to pursue.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	Applied to directly	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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