4 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.

Full	McMaster Computer Science I OUAC MC Remove	McMaster Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS Remove	McMaster Honours Integrated Science OUAC MIS Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	90%“A minimum of 90% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	83–87%“Mid-80s”	87–90%“A minimum of high-80s is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	two of SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U 2 of Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U *Completion of all 3 sciences is strongly recommended.	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes OUAC application deadline: January 15, 2027 To be considered for this program, a mandatory supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	Yes OUAC Application Deadline: January 15, 2027. An online supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Yes NEW: All Engineering program applications require an online video interview. You will receive more information after you apply. An Admission Information Form is also required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school or community, evidence of interest in engineering and strong performance in mathematics, science or engineering-related competitions. Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	Available	No	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	100	65	94
What you study	Computer Science	Astronomy Chemistry Others in Physical Sciences Physics	Biology Chemistry Environmental Studies Interdisciplinary Studies	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering
What it is	Computer Science I is an introductory computer science program where you learn programming, algorithms, and core computational concepts. It differs from some other programs because it includes a mandatory co-op component, giving you paid work experience in tech roles alongside your studies. This program suits students who want hands-on industry experience early and are curious about whether computer science matches their strengths before committing to upper-year specializations.	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.	Honours Integrated Science teaches you how different sciences connect and overlap rather than studying them in separate boxes. You'll take courses across biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and environmental studies, learning how they relate to real problems instead of treating each discipline independently. This suits students who want a flexible foundation in science and aren't certain yet which single specialization they'll pursue.	This program teaches you to design and build complex systems — often combining software, hardware, human behaviour, and business — that solve real-world problems. Unlike a traditional engineering program focused on one discipline, it blends computer science, design thinking, and management so you learn how systems work across multiple fields. It suits students who want engineering skills but prefer understanding how all the pieces fit together and spending time working in industry during their degree.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	chemistry physics	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo	McMaster 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.