4 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.

Full	York Physics & Astronomy (BSc, Co-op available) OUAC YSP Remove	Brock Physics OUAC BJP Remove	Carleton Science – Honours (4 years) OUAC CT Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	73–77%“Mid-70s”	73–77%“Mid 70s”	78%	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SBI4U SCH4U SES4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SBI4U SCH4U SES4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MDM4U MHF4U SBI4U SCH4U SES4U SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) ENG4U SPH4U MHF4U MCV4U +6 more on the program page	MHF4U (min. 70%) or MCV4U (min. 70%) SCH4U 2 from SBI4U, SPH4U, SES4U, a second 4U Math or ENG4U Strongly recommended subjects: ENG4U, SPH4U Alternative Offers +1 more on the program page	Honours in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Linguistics, Neuroscience and Mental Health, Psycholinguistics and Communications Differences, Psychology, and Gateway (Physical Sciences and Life Sciences): Advanced Functions (MHF4U) Two credits from Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), Earth and Space Science (SES4U), or Physics (SPH4U) 3 best 4U/M courses +7 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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	40	—	—	250
What you study	Astronomy Physics	Materials Science Others in Physical Sciences	Audiology and Speech Language PathologyBiotechnology Chemistry Environmental Studies	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	You study the laws that govern how matter and energy behave, from subatomic particles to stars and galaxies. Physics focuses on fundamental forces and motion, while astronomy applies those principles to space objects and the universe. The co-op option lets you work in labs or observatories alongside your classroom learning, which suits students who want practical experience in research or want to explore whether a physics career fits them.	Physics is the study of how matter and energy behave — from tiny atoms to huge stars. At Brock, you'll combine classroom learning with paid work terms in labs, companies, or research facilities, giving you real-world experience alongside your degree. This program suits students who want hands-on skills and industry connections before graduating.	This is a four-year science degree where you specialize in one of many fields — from chemistry and physics to biology, geology, audiology, linguistics, or environmental science. The honours designation means you go deeper into your chosen subject than a general science degree would. The program includes optional co-op work terms, letting you gain paid professional experience alongside your studies, which suits students who want both classroom learning and real workplace practice in their field.	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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	physics	physics	biochemistry biology chemistry earth science environmental science life sciences neuroscience physics	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	29 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 1 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	York University on OUInfo	Brock University on OUInfo	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo 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.