2 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.

	Ottawa Biotechnologie (biochimie et génie chimique) (Double grade – 5 ans) OUAC OSX Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	78%	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of ENG4U, FRA4U two of SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	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	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
Co-op	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op), Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	250
What you study	Biotechnology Chemical Engineering Chemistry Genetics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	This five-year program combines biotechnology and chemical engineering, so you study both how to manipulate living systems at the molecular level and how to design and scale up chemical processes. Unlike a straight biochemistry degree, you learn practical engineering skills for industrial production and apply them through mandatory co-op work terms. It suits students who want to bridge pure science and hands-on problem-solving in fields like pharmaceuticals, food processing, or biofuels.	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	Applied to directly	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Ottawa 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.