4 programs, side by side

Full	Waterloo Life Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WLS ☆ Add to planRemove	BU Brock Biochemistry OUAC BCH ☆ Add to planRemove	Western Science OUAC ES ☆ Add to planRemove	Queen's Earth and Environmental Science Pathway OUAC QSE ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–83%“Low 80s”	73–77%“Mid 70s”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	SCH4U	ENG4UMCV4U	ENG4UMCV4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of MCV4U, MHF4U two of ENG4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	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	MHF4U (min. 70%) or MCV4U (min. 70%) SCH4U (min. 70%) 2 from SBI4U, SPH4U, SES4U, a second 4U Math or ENG4U ENG4U is strongly recommended Alternative Offers +1 more on the program page	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +7 more on the program page	ENG4U MCV4U 2 of SBI4U, SCH4U, or SPH4U 2 Additional 4 U/M courses
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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	570	—	550	—
What you study	Animal ScienceBiological SciencesBiologyBiotechnology	Chemistry	Animal ScienceAstronomyBiological SciencesChemistry	Biological SciencesBiologyBiotechnologyChemistry
What it is	Life Sciences is a broad study of living organisms, their cells, genetics, and chemistry at the molecular level. You'll take core courses in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, then choose a focus like microbiology, biotechnology, or human biology depending on your interests. The co-op option lets you alternate between school and paid work terms in research labs, hospitals, or biotech companies, giving you real experience alongside your degree.	Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes inside living cells and organisms, combining chemistry and biology to understand how life works at a molecular level. This co-op program includes work terms where you apply what you are learning in paid jobs with employers, giving you real workplace experience alongside your studies. It suits students who want a science degree with both theory and hands-on professional experience, and who are interested in how molecules, reactions, and life interconnect.	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.	You study the natural systems that support life on Earth — combining biology, chemistry, geology, and geography to understand ecosystems, environmental problems, and how living things interact with their physical surroundings. This pathway is structured to integrate multiple science disciplines rather than focus narrowly on one, and it includes mandatory co-operative work terms where you apply classroom learning to real environmental jobs. It suits students curious about how nature works across scales, from molecules to landscapes, who want hands-on experience before deciding on a specific environmental career.
The door tomajors you reach through it	biochemistrybiologylife sciencesmicrobiologyneuroscience	biochemistry	biologychemistryearth scienceenvironmental sciencelife sciencesmathematicsphysicsstatistics	earth scienceenvironmental science
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 1 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	None published by average
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Brock University on OUInfo	Western University 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.