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 Honours Science (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WS Remove	McMaster Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway OUAC MPS Remove	Waterloo Science and Financial Management (Co-op Only) OUAC WSA Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–83%“Low 80s”	83–87%“Mid-80s”	80–87%“Low to mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U	—	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	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc	—
First-year intakewhere published	130	100	30
What you study	Biology Chemistry Materials Science Molecular Biology, Biochemistry	Astronomy Chemistry Others in Physical Sciences Physics	Accounting Biological Sciences Biology Chemistry
What it is	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.	This is a first-year science program that teaches you foundational chemistry, physics, and related subjects before you specialize. Unlike going directly into a single honours program, you spend your first year exploring different branches of physical science, then choose your final degree path — either a pure science degree or a combined science and engineering degree. It suits students who are strong in math and science but aren't yet sure whether they want to focus purely on theory or blend science with applied engineering.	You study science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics alongside accounting and finance courses, learning how to apply scientific knowledge to financial decision-making and business problems. Unlike a straight science degree, you're required to complete paid work terms with employers throughout your studies, alternating between school and jobs. This suits people who want a science background but are drawn to business applications and need real-world work experience before graduating.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	chemistry physics	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

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.