The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo offers three honours undergraduate degrees. The Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree is earned by all graduating undergraduates from: Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Management Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Nanotechnology Engineering, and Systems Design Engineering. The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) degree is earned by students graduating from the pre-professional Architecture plan. The Bachelor of Software Engineering (BSE) degree is earned by graduating undergraduates from the Software Engineering plan, jointly administered by the Faculties of Mathematics and Engineering. The Software Engineering plan is identically described in both the Engineering and Mathematics sections of this Calendar. Except for the specific differences noted in the Software Engineering description or in the introduction, the various items described in this section apply to both the BSE and the BASc students. It should also be noted that in this section, reference to an Engineering student refers to students enrolled in the BAS, BASc, or BSE degree.
Preparation for an engineering or architecture career includes both formal academic studies at a university and intensive training in the practice of engineering or architecture. A similar pattern is to be found in preparation for careers in medicine or law, and is characteristic of any development of professional competence. Co-operative studies for Engineering students at Waterloo provide a completely integrated pattern of academic study and industrial experience in various phases of engineering or architecture with graduation requiring satisfactory performance in both areas. The degree covers almost five calendar years, comprising eight terms each of about four-months on-campus study; alternately with six four-month terms of supervised training in the practical experiences fundamental to the development of the graduate engineer. The total time spent in academic study is the same as that encountered in the usual course of four academic years.
This Calendar contains regulations that must be followed and requirements that must be satisfied to obtain a credential (e.g., degree, option, specialization) offered by the Faculty. All undergraduate students are also responsible for following the University Policies, Guidelines, and Academic Regulations section of this Calendar.