Environment Academic Plans

The School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies in International Development undergraduate plans. As a result, there is a pause on the admittance of new or transfer students. Students currently in these plans should contact the academic advisor for guidance on degree completion.

Advisors: See Faculty of Environment undergraduate advising.

Honours International Development, with a Practice or Research Specialization, is available in the regular system of study only.

Continuing in Honours International Development requires a minimum cumulative overall average of 65% (all courses) and a minimum cumulative major average of 70% (all required and INDEV courses).

Recommended course sequencing is available on the International Development website.  

Successful Completion requires:

1. 20.0 units distributed as follows:
   • ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics
   • ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomics
   • ENBUS 309 Applied Social Marketing
   • ENVS 105 Environmental Sustainability and Ethics
   • ENVS 178 Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
   • ENVS 195 Introduction to Environmental Studies
   • ENVS 278 Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
   • ERS 215 Environmental and Sustainability Assessment 1
   • ERS 315 Environmental and Sustainability Assessment 2
   • GEOG 101 Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
   • INDEV 100 Introduction to International Development
   • INDEV 101 Issues in International Development
   • INDEV 200 The Political Economy of Development
   • INDEV 202 Accounting for Development Organizations
   • INDEV 212 Problem-solving for Development
   • INDEV 302 Development Agents
   • INDEV 308 Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
   • INDEV 387 Global Cities in Global Development
   • One of:
     • INDEV 300/PHIL 227 Culture and Ethics
     • INTEG 221/PHIL 291 The Social Nature of Knowledge
     • PHIL 202/GSJ 222 Gender Issues
   • MSCI 211 Organizational Behaviour
   • PLAN 100 The Evolution of Planning
   • One of:
     • Practice Specialization
       • INDEV 401 International Development Placement 1 (1.5 units)
       • INDEV 402 International Development Placement 2 (1.5 units) (see 4, 5, and 6: additional conditions)
       • INDEV 476 Contemporary Issues in Development Practice
       • 6.0 units: Elective
     • Research Specialization
       • INDEV 404 International Development Theory
       • INDEV 475 Contemporary Development Issues
     • One of:
       • ENBUS 402A and ENBUS 402B Environment and Business Project (1.5 units)
       • ENBUS 403A and ENBUS 403B Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project (1.5units)
       • INDEV 490A and INDEV 490B Honours Thesis Project (1.5 units)
     • 7.0 units: Elective

Additional conditions:

1. If a minimum grade of 65% is achieved in INDEV 101, the Undergraduate Communication Requirement (UCR) milestone will be granted. If the minimum grade is not met, review the Overview of Academic Plan Requirements page and contact the International Development academic advisor.
2. The Environment Academic Regulations section of this Calendar contains information, regulations, and requirements pertaining to undergraduate studies within the Faculty. It is students' responsibility to familiarize themselves with the content of this section.
3. International Development students are required to have at least 13.5 units at or above 200-level to meet Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) degree requirements.
4. To be eligible for field placement, International Development students must meet the following academic requirements:
   
   • Maintain good academic standing. A student must be in good academic standing after their 3B term in order to be eligible to continue into the 4A pre-departure term and participate in the international field placement;
   • Successfully complete all academic coursework up to and including required courses taken in the 3B term.
   
   Students must pass a medical exam and be deemed medically fit for placement by their family doctor(s) or other qualified medical practitioners in accordance with requirements of the placement provider. Normally, this exam will take place in the term prior to pre-departure. Students must meet all other requirements as determined by the placement provider. Medical documentation or facsimiles will not be retained by the University of Waterloo.
   
   Field placement costs are the responsibility of the student and are subject to change without notice. Refunds must be negotiated directly with the placement provider and are subject to their rules and regulations.
   
   Students will not be allowed to take more than a 1.5 unit course load per term (INDEV 401 fall; INDEV 402 winter) while on field placement, without approval by the associate director, undergraduate studies, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development.
5. Students pursuing field placements in French- or Spanish-speaking countries are required to develop or demonstrate at least intermediate-level French or Spanish by fourth year. Students with little or no French or Spanish are advised to begin language preparation in first year. Students pursuing field placements in English-speaking countries will receive training in one of the local languages as part of their in-country orientation.
6. The International Development capstone event is a mandatory component of INDEV 402. The event is scheduled during the last week of April and first week of May.