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.

	Ontario Tech Data Science (Co-op) OUAC DMO Remove	Waterloo Science and Financial Management (Co-op Only) OUAC WSA Remove	McMaster Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–87%“Mid-80s”	80–87%“Low to mid-80s”	83–87%“Mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U ICS4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	Six 4U/M credits, including English (ENG4U) Advanced Functions (MHF4U) One of Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Physics (SPH4U) or Computer Science (ICS4U). We recommend you take all 3 of these courses. A combined minimum 70% average in prerequisite computer science, math and science courses is required.	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	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op), Bachelor of Science and Management (Co-op), BSc&Mgt (Co-op)	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc
First-year intakewhere published	140	30	100
What you study	Computer Science	Accounting Biological Sciences Biology Chemistry	Astronomy Chemistry Others in Physical Sciences Physics
What it is	You study how to extract useful patterns and insights from large sets of data using computer science, mathematics, and statistics. The Co-op version requires you to complete paid work terms at companies throughout your degree, giving you real-world experience alongside your coursework. The Management option adds business and organizational courses if you want to lead data projects or work in strategy rather than focus purely on technical analysis.	You study science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics alongside accounting and finance courses, learning how to apply scientific knowledge to financial decision-making and business problems. Unlike a straight science degree, you're required to complete paid work terms with employers throughout your studies, alternating between school and jobs. This suits people who want a science background but are drawn to business applications and need real-world work experience before graduating.	This is a first-year science program that teaches you foundational chemistry, physics, and related subjects before you specialize. Unlike going directly into a single honours program, you spend your first year exploring different branches of physical science, then choose your final degree path — either a pure science degree or a combined science and engineering degree. It suits students who are strong in math and science but aren't yet sure whether they want to focus purely on theory or blend science with applied engineering.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	Applied to directly	chemistry physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	3 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Ontario Tech University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo

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