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 appropriate person in the department of the minor, option, or second major as well as the academic plan advisor for their major plan of study. A Plan Modification or Internal/Faculty Transfer Form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the home department/school 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 plan advisor of the home Faculty, the student must complete a Plan Modification or Internal/Faculty Transfer form to officially declare the concurrent degrees. Failure to officially declare may result in the concurrent degree not being granted at time of graduation.
Successful completion of the following is required to be awarded a BES or BKI concurrent degree:
- All Program-level requirements as approved by the Environment academic plan advisor.
- At least 7.5 academic course units (for the Three-Year General degree) or 10 academic course units (for the Honours degree) over and above the minimum number of course units 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 Practice Specialization, 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 specified 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 academic plan advisor of both plans. 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.