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.

	McMaster Environmental and Earth Sciences Gateway OUAC MEE Remove	Windsor Environmental Science/Environmental Studies OUAC NLS Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–87%“Mid-80s”	70%“70% minimum average”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U MHF4U SBI4U SCH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MHF4U one of SBI4U, SCH4U one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	—	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U 1 of Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U, Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U Applicants without Calculus & Vectors 4U will be required to take an equivalent Calculus course in Level I.	Environmental Studies 70% minimum average ENG4U Environmental Science 70% minimum average +7 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	No	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Environmental Studies, BES, Bachelor of Science, BSc	—
First-year intakewhere published	85	—	250
What you study	Environmental Studies Human Geography Physical Geography	Environmental Studies Geology Human Geography Others in Physical Sciences	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	This program introduces you to how Earth's physical systems — climate, geology, water — interact with human society and geography. You explore environmental challenges through both natural science and social perspectives, rather than focusing on just one. It suits students curious about environmental issues from multiple angles who want hands-on experience through co-op placements.	You study how the natural world works alongside the human systems that affect it. The BES focuses on environmental policy, conservation, and sustainability through social and geographic lenses, while the BSc emphasizes the physical science side: geology, ecology, and environmental processes. Both paths suit people interested in solving real environmental problems through either policy and community work or scientific research and analysis.	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 environmental science	earth science environmental science	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Windsor on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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