Advisors: See Faculty of Science, academic advisors.
The Honours Science and Aviation program is designed to provide a strong science and technology base for careers in a very diverse array of aviation and aerospace industries. It consists of a Science degree combined with a Commercial Pilot Program that provides advanced flight training, leading to a private and commercial pilot licence.
This program is offered in the regular system of study with the option to choose one of the following specializations:
- Honours Science and Aviation (Earth Science Specialization)
- Honours Science and Aviation (Physics Specialization)
The Science and Aviation program includes several Science and program electives, as well as several Geomatics courses. The aviation component of the program consists of the Professional Pilot Program delivered by the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC).
The WWFC component of the program provides advanced flight training leading to a commercial pilot licence. Coursework includes the essentials of aviation, as well as private and commercial pilot training, an instrument rating, and a multi-engine rating. This instruction is provided by eight courses in flight training as outlined on the University of Waterloo Aviation web page. Costs related to the flight-training component are assessed as a separate fee paid directly to the WWFC.
Applicants must satisfy a screening process by WWFC that includes attending an intake briefing and obtaining a Category 1 Aviation Medical. Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certification is required for admission to Year One and all subsequent years. This requirement is monitored by the WWFC.
Transfer Candidates
Transfer consideration of previous flight training or Professional Pilot Program courses will be at the discretion of the WWFC and is not determined by the University of Waterloo.
Students will be granted advanced credits up to and including a Private Pilot Licence. Program hours will be granted up to licence sign off and the remaining hours will be logged as career, not program hours. Students who have flight training beyond the Private Pilot Licence or who have acquired a Night Rating, are ineligible for transfer into this program. Students entering the program with a Private Licence will be required to attend WWFC’s Flight Management Basic Courses as a review. Students who apply with the flight qualifications that meet the standards set by WWFC are eligible for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree upon successful completion of the Science and Aviation program curriculum and transfer of credit for the AVIA flight courses.
Maintaining Program Status
In order to continue in the Aviation program, students must maintain the University of Waterloo academic standards for Honours Science and Aviation as well as continue to achieve credit for successful completion of AVIA flight courses.
Students are expected to maintain passing grades (70%) in all WWFC flight courses in order to receive credit. Students may be allowed to achieve this by using a "competency-based" approach, provided they achieve the established benchmarks on time.
Honours Science and Aviation
Continuing in Honours Science and Aviation requires a cumulative overall average of 65% and a cumulative Science average of 65%. Students who are no longer enrolled in the Science and Aviation program, may transfer into any other Science program for which they are qualified; however, the AVIA flight training courses (AVIA 101, 102, 203, 204, 205, 306, 307, and 408) will not be eligible for transfer. AVIA flight training courses with IP (in progress) grades must be completed within one year of start of the course or a grade of NCR (no credit) will replace the IP. The student will need to enrol in the course again to attempt to earn the credit.
To be eligible for the Dean’s Honour List in a given term, students must achieve a minimum term average of 80% in the recommended University of Waterloo term courses and obtain no failures.