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.

	York Environmental Science (BSc) - Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change OUAC YBS Remove	Ottawa Biology (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available) OUAC OUR Remove	Waterloo Environmental Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WSE Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80%	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	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
Prerequisitesas published	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) ENG4U 4U Math 4U Science three additional 4U or 4M courses +5 more on the program page	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U 2 of SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, SES4U A combined minimum average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in science and mathematics. +4 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
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)	—
First-year intakewhere published	25	—	35
What you study	Biological Sciences Physical Geography	Biological Sciences Molecular Biology, Biochemistry	Biological Sciences Environmental Studies Geology Physical Geography
What it is	Environmental Science combines the study of living systems and Earth's physical processes — like climate, water, and soil — to understand how natural environments work and respond to human activity. Unlike a program focused only on biology or only on geology, this degree integrates both to tackle real-world environmental problems. It suits students interested in conservation, resource management, or environmental consulting who want a broad scientific foundation rather than specialization in a single discipline.	Biology is the study of living organisms — from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems. At University of Ottawa, you focus especially on molecular biology and biochemistry, exploring how life works at the chemical level. You can choose a standard four-year degree or add co-op work terms where you alternate between studying and working in research labs or biotech companies.	Environmental Sciences is a degree combining biology, geology, chemistry, and geography to understand how natural systems work and respond to human activity. The co-op version requires you to complete paid work terms at environmental organizations or research facilities alongside your studies, giving you real-world experience before you graduate. It suits students who want hands-on learning and prefer to test career directions in the field rather than only in classrooms.
The door tomajors you reach through it	environmental science	Applied to directly	environmental science
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	29 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	York University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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