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.

	Ottawa Music and Biology (5-year double degree) OUAC OUD Remove	Waterloo Honours Science (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WS Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75%“75 %”	80–83%“Low 80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U 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	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	ENG4U or FRA4U MCV4U MHF4U 2 among SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, SES4U A minimum combined average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in science and mathematics. +1 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	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	Yes Audition Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	No	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Arts, BA, Bachelor of Science, BSc	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	130	250
What you study	Biological Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies Music	Biology Chemistry Materials Science Molecular Biology, Biochemistry	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	You study both music and biology as full degree programs over five years instead of the usual four. This double degree means you earn two separate degrees — one in each subject — rather than majoring in one and minoring in the other. It suits people who are genuinely committed to both fields and want advanced training in each, not those looking for an easier path or trying to keep options casually open.	This program lets you study science broadly — chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, and related fields — at university level. Unlike a specialized honours program in a single science, this one gives you flexibility to explore multiple areas before focusing deeper. The co-op option lets you alternate study terms with paid work in science-related industries. It suits students who are strong in math and sciences but not yet sure which direction to specialize in, or who want practical work experience alongside their degree.	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	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	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo 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.