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	Algoma Geography (BA 4 year) OUAC JBJ Remove	Lakehead Geography and the Environment (includes Environmental Science and Studies) (Thunder Bay and Orillia) OUAC AU Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–83%“Low 80s”	65%“65%+”	70%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U	ENG4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, 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	ENG4U 5 other 4U/M courses 65% combined average in top six 4U/M courses	Geography (Arts): ENG4U Geography (Arts & Sciences): ENG4U Geography (Environmental Science): ENG4U, MHF4U Geography (Environmental Studies): ENG4U Geography (Science): ENG4U, MHF4U, 2 from MCV4U, MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U +2 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	No	No
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Arts, BA, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering Science, BESc, Bachelor of Environmental Studies, BES
First-year intakewhere published	250	—	—
What you study	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science	Geology Human Geography Physical Geography	Environmental StudiesFacilities ManagementGeology Human Geography
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.	A BA in Geography covers the physical Earth — landforms, climate, ecosystems — alongside human systems like culture, economics, and cities. You'll study both natural processes and how people shape and live in different places. It suits students curious about why the world works the way it does and interested in solving real-world problems across environment and society.	You study how human activity shapes the natural world and how landscapes, climate, and ecosystems affect people and cities. The program offers multiple routes depending on your interests: a general arts degree, a combined arts and sciences track, an engineering focus for environmental systems, or a specialized environmental studies degree. It suits students curious about climate change, resource management, urban planning, or environmental policy who want both scientific and human perspectives.
The door tomajors you reach through it	chemistry earth science physics	earth science geography	geography
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	7 published, 7 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Algoma University on OUInfo	Lakehead University on OUInfo

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