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	Waterloo Geography and Environmental Management (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WG Remove	Ottawa Géosciences environnementales (4 ans) OUAC OWP Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–87%“Mid-80s”	77–80%“High 70s”	75–80%“75%; co-op 80%”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	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	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U two of 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.	Any Grade 12 U English (min. 70%)	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
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)
First-year intakewhere published	85	41	—
What you study	Environmental Studies Human Geography Physical Geography	Environmental Studies Human Geography Physical Geography	Environmental Studies Geology Physical Geography
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 people interact with the natural environment, combining physical geography (climate, landforms, ecosystems) with human geography (cities, cultures, economics) and environmental problem-solving. The co-op option requires you to complete four paid work terms alongside your degree, giving you real-world experience in environmental consulting, urban planning, or conservation. This suits people who want to understand environmental challenges from both scientific and social angles and who value applying classroom learning in professional settings.	You study how Earth's physical systems — rocks, soil, water, and climate — interact with living things and human activity. This program combines geology, geography, and environmental science rather than focusing on just one. The co-op option lets you do paid work terms with employers in the environmental or resource sector alongside your coursework, giving you real experience before you graduate. This suits people interested in understanding environmental problems and possibly working in conservation, resource management, or environmental consulting.
The door tomajors you reach through it	earth science environmental science	geography	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

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