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 Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove	Western Science OUAC ES Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–87%“Mid-80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	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	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +7 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	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
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	100	250	550
What you study	Astronomy Chemistry Others in Physical Sciences Physics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science	Animal Science Astronomy Biological Sciences Chemistry
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.	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 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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	chemistry physics	chemistry earth science physics	biology chemistry earth science environmental science life sciences mathematics physics statistics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Western University 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.