Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Software Engineering Specific Degree Requirements

The Option in International Studies in Engineering provides an enriched educational experience by focusing on the global nature of engineering. It provides a background in the engineering aspects of international trade and a wider appreciation of cultural diversity. It includes work abroad, or study abroad, or both to achieve a result that is not possible in the classroom alone. The Faculty Option will normally require extra academic material on campus, in addition to the overseas experience of work or study or both. It will result in a life-long benefit for those students who are inclined and able to seek enrichment in their education.

The Option consists of study terms or work terms, or both, at overseas locations, of at least eight months, together with academic requirements. To be accepted for the Option designation of International Studies in Engineering, the complete package must be approved by the Co-ordinator of the Option. It includes:

• Academic requirements: this component may involve language and cultural studies (history and literature) as part of an integrated plan for the individual student. The subjects studied before the overseas experience would normally be related to the language, literature, and culture of the country of destination. The subjects studied upon return would normally be directed towards integrating the experience into the broader perspective through courses in international economics, history, or politics. Approved non-technical courses taken abroad may also be counted towards the Option requirement at the discretion of the Option Co-ordinator.
• Study terms, or work terms, or both, in overseas institutions and industries; normally, at least two terms will be spent abroad.

Option Requirements

There are three specific requirements for a student to complete the option:

1. An overseas experience of at least eight months.  This may include study terms, work terms, and terms spent as an intern with a non-government agency, such as Engineers Without Borders, to a total of two terms in a foreign country.  Normally this experience should be gained after the completion of 2B.
2. Six courses approved by the option coordinator.
   1. No more than three of the courses may be language skills courses.
   2. Courses may be taken during normal academic terms or online from the University of Waterloo, or at overseas institutions while the student is on exchange or during a foreign work term. Language courses given by such organizations as the Goethe Institute may be included.
   3. There is a list of approved University of Waterloo courses for the option; most courses on the list are also approved as Complementary Studies electives; deviation from the list may be approved by the option coordinator.
   4. In concept three of the courses should be completed before the international experience, and three afterwards, but in practice considerable flexibility in timing is allowed.
   5. This course component of the option is waived for students who complete the Renison University College Certificate in East Asian Studies.
3. Enrolment in and completion of the requirements for GENE 303.  This consists of a report that is compiled after completion of the overseas work/study component of the option.  The report may include discussion about technical, non-technical, and professional aspects of the foreign residence experience, or socio-economic aspects of life in the foreign country.  It may compare and contrast conditions in the country or countries involved in the international experiences, or trace the social or political histories of those countries.
   
   In all cases, the report must include information addressed to the needs of other students considering a similar experience.  A general guideline for the report is that it should not be smaller than a co-op work report.

For further information regarding this Option, contact the Faculty of Engineering, Exchange Office, CPH 1320E.