Faculty of Environment

Students who have not determined the field or subject in which they wish to concentrate should read the academic plan descriptions in this Calendar or visit the Admissions section of the Faculty website. A greater understanding of a plan's content can be gained by reviewing the description of core courses.

The Calendar is designed to enable students to make an informed decision about plans and courses. Students are encouraged to consult with their high school 's Guidance Counsellor, the Recruitment and Student Engagement Coordinator, or the Undergraduate Officer of the appropriate School, Centre, or Department. The Assistant Registrar for Environment will also respond to inquiries.

Degree Requirements Common to all Faculty of Environment Academic Plans 

The actual number of units required for the awarding of a degree varies with enrichment and emphasis, and depends on the academic plan(s) and system of study selected by the student. See the detailed description under the individual plan sections in this calendar for plan specific requirements.

International Joint Education Programs

The Faculty of Environment has negotiated agreements with several key universities in China to implement joint education programs at the undergraduate level. These programs involve a 2+2 model whereby students spend their first two years at the Chinese university and the final two years at the University of Waterloo. Degrees are awarded by both Waterloo and the partner Chinese university. Current programs include the Bachelor of Envrionmental Studies (BES) in Geomatics or Geography and Environmental Management with Nanjing University, and the BES in Environment and Business with Nanjing University of Finance and Economics. These programs currently are only available to international students at the specified Chinese universities.

Exchange Agreements

Student exchange agreements between the Faculty of Environment and several institutions worldwide have been approved. These include but are not limited to institutions in Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. Under these arrangements, a small number of students can take courses which would be credited towards their degrees at Waterloo, and vice versa. For additional information and criteria for eligibility, contact the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, or visit the International Exchanges section of the faculty website.

Incompatibility of Full-Time Study with Full-Time Employment

Students who by choice or necessity work on non-academic activities more than ten hours per week should, where possible, structure their course/work load so that they can attend fully to their academic obligations.

Access to Plans and Courses

Practical circumstances, such as significant budget shortfalls or the unavailability of qualified personnel, may result in restrictions in the choices available to students. The University reserves the right to limit access to courses or plans and, at its discretion, to withdraw particular plans, sub-plans, options, minors, or courses altogether. In the event that existing resources make it necessary to limit admission to a plan, sub-plan, option, or minor, the admission process will be based on competition for the spaces available.

Course Changes

1. Students may add courses before and during the first two weeks of classes in the term in which the courses begin.
2. Students may drop courses before and during the first three weeks of classes in the term in which the courses begin.
3. The Drop Penalty 1 period commences at the beginning of week four and ends at the end of week ten. Penalty 1 is the automatic assignment of the grade, Withdrew after the drop deadline (WD). No numerical grade is associated with a WD.
4. The Drop Penalty 2 period commences at the beginning of week eleven and continues to the end of the term. Penalty 2 is the automatic assignment of the grade Withdrew/Failure (WF). The grade WF is equivalent to 32% and will be calculated into term and cumulative averages.
5. Students may petition, because of special circumstances, for relief from the consequences of a late drop or withdrawal (see Examinations and Standings; Petitions, Re-assessments, and Appeals).
6. The mark of In Progress (IP) may be assigned to the first half of what is essentially a year course which is listed as two courses (i.e., GEOG 490A and 490B). The mark indicates that the course is in progress and that when completed, a final grade will be assigned to both the A and B halves of the course (usually the same grade). When the second or B half of such a course is dropped as the result of a change or withdrawal, a Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations form must be filed to have the first or A half dropped. Students have one year to complete a course in which an IP grade has been granted. After one year, the grade will be converted to Failed to Complete (FTC) which equates to a grade of 32.
7. Students may request to register for Audit status (AUD) in a course taught on campus if the Faculty of the course allows Audits. No credit is granted for a course in which an AUD grade is awarded. Students interested in an Audit must consult with the course instructor at the beginning of the course to ascertain what conditions are attached to the granting of an AUD by the course instructor. Audits must be approved by the course instructor and the student's advisor during the two week add period. Failure to satisfy the conditions of an Audit will result in the course receiving a grade of WD.
8. Students are encouraged not to enrol for more courses than their plans require unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. An Undergraduate Officer may approve a maximum of 3.25 academic units per academic term. Students wishing to take 3.5 or more units in a term must file a Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations form.
9. On-campus students may take online courses through the Centre for Extended Learning.

Plan Modifications

Students who intend to add a minor, option, or second major (Joint Honours or Concurrent Degree) to their academic studies must receive approval from the Director or Advisor for the second major, minor and/or option, as well as the Undergraduate Officer for their major plan of study. A Plan Modification/Application for Internal Transfer form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the home department prior to the start of Year Three.

Concurrent Degrees

University of Waterloo students pursuing programs in Faculties other than Environment (ENV) may wish to work concurrently toward a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) or a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration (BKI). Following consultation with the Environment Academic Plan Advisor and the Academic Advisor of the home faculty, the student must successfully complete the following to be awarded the BES or BKI:

1. All Program-level requirements as approved by the Environment Academic Plan Advisor.
2. At least 7.5 academic course units (for the Three-year General degree) or ten academic course units (for the Honours degree) over and above the minimum number of courses required for the first degree in the home faculty.

In some instances, a Joint Honours program or a minor in an Environment discipline, where possible, may be preferable, in which case the BES would not be granted. Concurrent degrees with Environment and Business, International Development, or Planning will not be approved.

Students from the Faculty of Environment who wish to pursue the BKI and a BES degree concurrently must meet the requirements as specificed in points 1 and 2 above.

Joint Honours Plans

Many Honours plans may be combined within and between Faculties. However, before embarking on a Joint Honours plan, it is highly recommended that students consult with the Undergraduate Officer of both programs. Students must meet the requirements of both plans as stated in the Calendar, and they should be aware that combining some Honours plans may require more than the normal number of academic terms to complete. Admission to a Joint Honours plan will not be approved prior to Year Two of studies.

Minors

Within Honours Plans in the Faculty of Environment, students may concentrate study in an associated field to the extent that it becomes a Minor (typically 4.0 to 5.0 units; consult the minor requirements for the applicable plan). A minor can be in any area such as Anthropology, Chemistry, Human Resources Management, Management Studies, Psychology, etc.

Options

The Faculty of Environment offers a number of Options for our students or students can elect to take a recognized University option outside the Faculty of Environment with appropriate Department and Faculty approval.

Counting Courses

There will be no triple counting of any course for any academic credit in the Faculty of Environment. Double counting of courses applies as follows: once for the plan, and once for a joint honours or concurrent degree, option, minor, diploma, or specialization. There is no limit on the number of courses that may be double counted unless otherwise stated.