4 programs, side by side

Full	McMaster Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS ☆ Add to planRemove	Western Science OUAC ES ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS ☆ Add to planRemove	Queen's Physical and Chemical Sciences Pathway OUAC QSP ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–87%“Mid-80s”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	ENG4UMCV4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of SCH4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +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	ENG4U MCV4U 1 of SCH4U or SPH4U 3 additional 4 U/M courses
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Yes Unless otherwise noted, required courses must be completed with a minimum average of 70%. Western Integrated Science applicants must submit a supplementary application. More information Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	100	550	250	—
What you study	AstronomyChemistryOthers in Physical SciencesPhysics	Animal ScienceAstronomyBiological SciencesChemistry	AstronomyChemistryGeologyMaterials Science	AstronomyBiotechnologyChemistryMathematics
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.	This is a broad science degree where you choose from fields like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geology, and others. You take foundational science courses in first year, then specialize by selecting which science subjects to focus on. Co-op is available, letting you do paid work terms at science-related employers alongside your studies.	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.	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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	chemistryphysics	biologychemistryearth scienceenvironmental sciencelife sciencesmathematicsphysicsstatistics	chemistryearth sciencephysics	chemistryphysics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	Western University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Queen's University on OUInfo

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.