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.

	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove	Western Science OUAC ES Remove	Queen's Physical and Chemical Sciences Pathway OUAC QSP Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–83%“Low 80s”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of 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	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +7 more on the program page	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
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	250	550	—
What you study	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science	Animal Science Astronomy Biological Sciences Chemistry	Astronomy Biotechnology Chemistry Mathematics
What it is	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.	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	chemistry earth science physics	biology chemistry earth science environmental science life sciences mathematics physics statistics	chemistry physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 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	Western University on OUInfo	Queen's 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.