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.

	Western Computer Science OUAC ECS Remove	Ottawa Biotechnologie (biochimie et génie chimique) (Double grade – 5 ans) OUAC OSX Remove	Waterloo Life Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WLS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	78%	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of ICS4U, MDM4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of ENG4U, FRA4U two of SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Advanced Functions, MHF4U One of: Biology, SBI4U +5 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	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op), Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—
First-year intakewhere published	500	—	570
What you study	Computer GamesInformation ServicesSoftware Engineering	Biotechnology Chemical Engineering Chemistry Genetics	Animal Science Biological Sciences Biology Biotechnology
What it is	Computer Science at Western teaches you how to write programs, build software systems, and solve problems using computers and code. You choose a focus — such as game development, managing information systems, or engineering robust software — based on your interests. The program includes paid work terms alongside your studies, letting you apply classroom learning in real jobs and build professional experience before you graduate.	This five-year program combines biotechnology and chemical engineering, so you study both how to manipulate living systems at the molecular level and how to design and scale up chemical processes. Unlike a straight biochemistry degree, you learn practical engineering skills for industrial production and apply them through mandatory co-op work terms. It suits students who want to bridge pure science and hands-on problem-solving in fields like pharmaceuticals, food processing, or biofuels.	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	computer science	Applied to directly	biochemistry biology life sciences microbiology neuroscience
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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