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.

	Algoma Geography (BA 4 year) OUAC JBJ Remove	Queen's Physical and Chemical Sciences Pathway OUAC QSP Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	65%“65%+”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of SCH4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	ENG4U 5 other 4U/M courses 65% combined average in top six 4U/M courses	ENG4U MCV4U 1 of SCH4U or SPH4U 3 additional 4 U/M courses	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	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	—	250
What you study	Geology Human Geography Physical Geography	Astronomy Biotechnology Chemistry Mathematics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	A BA in Geography covers the physical Earth — landforms, climate, ecosystems — alongside human systems like culture, economics, and cities. You'll study both natural processes and how people shape and live in different places. It suits students curious about why the world works the way it does and interested in solving real-world problems across environment and society.	This pathway lets you study the fundamental sciences — physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, and biology — together rather than committing to a single discipline right away. You'll take core courses across all these fields in your first year, then gradually specialize based on your interests. The included co-op option means you'll do work terms in research labs or industry, giving you hands-on experience alongside your coursework.	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	earth science geography	chemistry physics	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	7 published, 7 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Algoma University on OUInfo	Queen's University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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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.