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 Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS Remove	Brock Chemistry OUAC BJC 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	83–87%“Mid-80s”	73–77%“Mid 70s”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	SCH4U	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of MCV4U, MHF4U two of ENG4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of SCH4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	MHF4U (min 70%) or MCV4U (min. 70%) SCH4U (min. 70%) 2 from SBI4U, SPH4U, SES4U, a second 4U Math or ENG4U Strongly recommended subjects: ENG4U and a second 4U Math Alternative Offers +1 more on the program page	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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education, BSc/BEd	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	100	—	—	250
What you study	Astronomy Chemistry Others in Physical Sciences Physics	—	Astronomy Biotechnology Chemistry Mathematics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	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.	Chemistry at Brock is the study of matter, reactions, and the properties of substances. You learn how atoms and molecules interact, and gain hands-on lab experience. The BSc/BEd option combines chemistry with teacher education so you can qualify to teach high school science. The co-op option lets you alternate semesters of study with paid work in chemistry-related jobs, giving you real workplace experience before you graduate. This suits students who want a practical understanding of how chemistry works in industry or education.	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	chemistry physics	chemistry	chemistry physics	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 1 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	Brock University on OUInfo	Queen's University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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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.