undergraduate calendar

2007/2008 undergraduate calendar Editor Carmen Roecker Assistant Editor Joan Marshall Assistant Editor, Undergraduate Course Descriptions Sheila Brubacher Art direction and design Jan Weber, Graphics, UW Photography Chris Hughes, Graphics, UW

2 Undergraduate Calendar 2007-2008 The Undergraduate Calendar is published once a year by the Office of the Registrar. The Calendar provides official information about courses, programs, related policies, and regulations for both students and applicants, as well as general information about the University. Course description information is accurate as to intention at the time of publication. However, actual course content, the type of instruction, and terms offered may vary somewhat from that listed. The on-line Calendar is the official up-to-date record of courses offered. The course listings and academic programs/plans described in the Calendar represent Senate-approved requirements and electives for completion of degree requirements. Practical circumstances, such as significant budget shortfalls or the unavailability of qualified personnel, may restrict the actual choices available to students when compared with those listed in the Calendar or in other University publications. The University reserves the right to limit access to courses or programs/plans, and, at its discretion, to withdraw particular programs, plans (including 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. In such circumstances the University will endeavour, to the best of its ability, to enable students to complete their degree requirements in a satisfactory manner. Prospective students or new registrants are advised to consult the most current information available from the University and its various Faculties in printed or electronic form, as well as the schedule of classes and academic advisor(s), before making decisions on registration, programs, or courses. Information, or links to information, on tuition and other fees applies (except as may otherwise be indicated) to the 2007-2008 fiscal year of the University which commences May 1, 2007. Information relating to academic courses and degree requirements is that for the Fall/Winter/Spring academic cycle which commences in September 2007. Detailed information is provided in the relevant chapters of the Calendar. Academic regulations and requirements listed in this Calendar apply to those students commencing their studies in their chosen plan in September 2007, January 2008, or May 2008. Students are normally governed by the regulations current for their academic plan at the time they commence studies in that plan, except when plan selection is required only after a specified period of registration. Students who select a plan within the time limits specified by the Faculty will be governed by the regulations current in the term in which they entered the Faculty. When degree requirements change, a student may continue to be governed by the set of regulations as specified in the preceding paragraph or can elect to be governed by the new set of regulations, unless the Faculty specifies otherwise when the change is introduced. Inquiries concerning the contents of the Calendar may be directed to the Registrar. The University reserves the right to require a student to withdraw from a course or courses for academic or other reasons. In the event that the University must take decisions in face of major disruptive events beyond its control, it will do so on the direction of medical or other authorities as appropriate, and will use its best efforts to minimize the academic consequences to its students. The Senate and Board of Governors of the University of Waterloo reserve the right to invoke changes in this Calendar, in either its printed or electronic forms, at any time without prior notice. TB Skin Test Newly admitted students who have been living and/or pursuing their education outside Canada must have documented evidence that they have had a recent TB skin test before undertaking studies at the University of Waterloo. In addition, students who have travelled outside Canada or the USA for four weeks or longer must have similar test results. Upon arrival or while attending the University, students must be prepared to present documentation if requested by a University official. This documentation must include the type of skin test taken, the date performed, and the number of millimeters of induration. Students who are requested to provide documentation but are unable to do so, or students who are unsure about the safety of the needles and/or injection procedures in their previous country of residence, must report to Health Services upon arrival on campus. Where applicable, Health Services will administer the TB skin test at a nominal cost. Persons With Disabilities The University has developed a number of services to assist persons with disabilities. For more information, refer to www.studentservices.uwaterloo.ca/disabilities/.

3 Inquiries General inquiries should be directed to: The Registrar University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1 Telephone (519) 888-4567, ext. 35378 Fax: (519) 746-2882 Email: registrar@uwaterloo.ca The Registrar s Office is located on the second floor of Ira G. Needles Hall. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inquiries from applicants should be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions: Undergraduate Admissions University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1 Telephone (519) 888-4567, ext. 33106 Fax: (519) 746-2882 Email: myapplication@uwaterloo.ca Online: www.findoutmore.uwaterloo.ca/thenextstep The Federated University and Affiliated Colleges: Conrad Grebel University College 140 Westmount Road North Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6 (519) 885-0220 Renison College 240 Westmount Road North Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G4 (519) 884-4404 St. Jerome s University 290 Westmount Road North Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G3 (519) 884-8110 St. Paul s United College 190 Westmount Road North Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G5 (519) 885-1460 CONTENTS General Information Page 4 Glossary of Terms 5 Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines University Services Chapter 1 The University of Waterloo 2 Admissions 3 Fees 4 Awards and Financial Aid 5 Co-operative Education & Career Services Undergraduate Programs Chapter 6 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences 7 Faculty of Arts 8 Faculty of Engineering 9 Faculty of Environmental Studies 10 Faculty of Mathematics 11 Faculty of Science 12 Social Work Undergraduate Course Descriptions Chapter 13 Index Chapter 14 Page Numbering System Pages are numbered sequentially in the General Information section. In the subsequent chapters, the digits preceding the colon indicate the chapter number and the digits following the colon indicate the page number within the particular chapter.

4 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Glossary of Terms A comprehensive Glossary of Terms list is available at www.quest.uwaterloo.ca/help/glossary.html. Academic Plan A set of courses, a number of which may be mandatory and of a specialized nature, leading toward a particular degree, option, or minor. Antirequisites A condition preventing enrolment in a course. The most common antirequisites are courses that have significant overlap. Degree credit will not be granted for both the antirequisite course and a course naming it as such. Class Enrolment The process of selecting and enrolling in courses via Quest prior to final date for fee arrangement, having them approved, and recorded with the Registrar s Office. Some programs or plans may require mandatory core courses to be entered by the Registrar s Office. Deadlines apply (see Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines). Corequisite A course that must be taken concurrently, if it has not been taken in a prior term. Course A unit of study relating to a specific academic discipline, and identified by a course name and number. Credential A degree, diploma, or certificate. Cross-Listed Courses Courses which are listed under two departments and which can be taken for credit from either department, but not both. Cross-Registration An arrangement between the University of Waterloo (UW) and Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) which enables students of either University to take courses at the other institution; the purpose is to provide access to courses which are not offered at a student s home institution. Tuition and related fees, including fees for cross-registered courses, are payable at UW. Students are responsible for additional costs to WLU specific to course(s), such as costs for Distance Education courses. Distance Education Course(s) offered via web, audio, and/or print format, allowing a student to study off campus. Elective A course not specifically required for a degree but counting towards it, to be chosen freely by the student either from within a specified group of courses or more broadly from courses offered anywhere across the University. Fee Arrangement The process of paying tuition, housing, and other applicable fees to the University for a specified four-month term. If a student anticipates that these fees, or a portion thereof, will be covered through a third party, s/he must provide proof of this amount, along with a signed Promissory Note (and payment of the balance, if applicable) by the deadline indicated for that term. Detailed information and forms are available through the Finance website at www.adm. uwaterloo.ca/infofin/. Full-Time Student A student is considered a full-time student when her/his course load reaches or exceeds 1.5 units in a four-month term. Full-time students are assessed applicable co-operative and incidental fees if their on-campus course load reaches or exceeds 1.5 units in a four-month term. Letter of Permission A document permitting a student to take specified courses at another university to be considered for credit toward a particular University of Waterloo degree. Major The area(s) of academic emphasis selected in either an Honours or a General plan. Details of course and average requirements are given in the Calendar. Minor A group of approved courses taken by a student in an Honours or a four-year General plan in a subject outside the major area. Details of course and average requirements are given in the Calendar. Option A specified combination or grouping of courses which provides a secondary emphasis in certain plans. The emphasis may be in another academic subject or in a career-oriented area. Part-Time Student A student is considered a part-time student when her/his course load is less than 1.5 units in a four-month term. Practicum Supervised placement time in a work setting exercising practical routines and techniques related to a particular academic plan or option. Prerequisite The requirement(s) that must be met in order to be eligible to enrol in a course, i.e., passed or in-progress course(s), registration in a specific program or plan, academic level, or academic standing. Priority Enrolment For courses designated as priority enrolment, preference in scheduling is given to students who require such courses to satisfy specific degree requirements. Specialization A specified combination or grouping of courses which provides primary emphasis within a plan. Term A particular four-month period within which sessions are defined and fees are arranged: Fall term September to December; Winter term January to April; Spring term May to August. Also used with reference to work terms for students in the Co-operative system of study. Unit The credit value associated with a course. Unit weights are used in the calculation of averages for academic standing. Most courses have unit weights of 0.5, but some have weights such as 0.25, 1.0, 2.0.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACADEMIC DEADLINES 5 Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines The following symbols and abbreviations are used throughout this table: Days of the week: (M) Monday, (T) Tuesday, (W) Wednesday, (R) Thursday, (F) Friday, (S) Saturday, (U) Sunday N/A Not Applicable TBD To Be Determined Undergraduate Studies Academic Term Deadlines Fall 2007 Winter 2008 Spring 2008 Sept.-Dec. Jan.-Apr. May-Aug. Pick Your Plan Week Feb. 26-Mar. 2 (M-F) N/A N/A Class Enrolment Appointments Begin June 11 (M) TBD TBD for Continuing Students Class Enrolment Appointments End June 23 (S) TBD TBD for Continuing Students Class Enrolment Period July 16-29 (M-U) N/A N/A for New Students On-Campus Open Class Enrolment Begins July 30 (M) Oct. 29, 2007 (M) Apr. 7 (M) Co-operative Work Term Begins* Aug. 27 (M) Jan. 2 (W) May 5 (M) Fees Due Date Aug. 27 (M) Dec. 17, 2007 (M) Apr. 28 (M) spring (cheque/money order/fee arrangement) term; June 24 (T) Late Fees Begin Aug. 28 (T) Dec. 18, 2007 (T) Apr. 29 (T) spring (cheque/money order/fee arrangement) term; June 25 (W) Fees Due Date (bank payments) Sept. 5 (W) Jan. 2 (W) May 1 (R) spring term; June 27 (F) Late Fees Begin (bank payments) Sept. 6 (R) Jan. 3 (R) May 2 (F) spring term; June 28 (S) Lectures Begin Sept. 10 (M) Jan. 7 (M) May 5 (M) spring term; July 2 (W) Distance Education Open Class Enrolment Ends Sept. 14 (F) Jan. 11 (F) May 9 (F) On-Campus Open Class Enrolment Ends Sept. 21 (F) Jan. 18 (F) May 16 (F) Deadline to Drop or Withdraw from Courses with Sept. 28 (F) Jan. 25 (F) May 23 (F) 100% Tuition Refund Drop, No Penalty Period Ends Sept. 28 (F) Jan. 25 (F) May 23 (F) Final Date for Fee Arrangements Sept. 28 (F) Jan. 31 (R) May 30 (F) spring term; July 11 (F) Drop, Penalty 1 Period Begins Sept. 29 (S) Jan. 26 (S) May 24 (S) Deadline for 50% Tuition Refund Oct. 26 (F) Feb. 22 (F) June 20 (F) Reading Week N/A Feb. 18-22 (M-F) N/A Drop, Penalty 1 Period Ends Nov. 2 (F) Feb. 29 (F) June 27 (F) Drop, Penalty 2 Period Begins Nov. 3 (S) Mar. 1 (S) June 28 (S) Lectures End Dec. 3 (M) Apr. 7 (M) July 30 (W) spring term; Aug. 12 (T)

6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACADEMIC DEADLINES Fall 2007 Winter 2008 Spring 2008 Sept.-Dec. Jan.-Apr. May-Aug. Drop, Penalty 2 Period Ends; Last Day to Drop a Class Dec. 5 (W) Apr. 9 (W) Aug. 4 (M) Without a Petition Co-operative Work Term Ends* Dec. 21 (F) May 2 (F) Aug. 29 (F) * Co-op work-term start and end dates. Actual dates may vary depending on employer or student requirements. Co-operative employment interviews will continue during this period. The dates for Social Work differ than that specified above. Renison Social Work (BSW) students should consult the Renison Calendar at www.renison.uwaterloo.ca/social-work/about/important_dates/index.shtml for relevant dates in the Spring term. Additional important dates information is available at www.quest.uwaterloo.ca/undergraduate/dates.html. Examination Dates Fall 2007 Winter 2008 Spring 2008 Sept.-Dec. Jan.-Apr. May-Aug. Pre-Examination Study Days Dec. 4, 5 (T, W) Apr. 8, 9 (T, W) July 31-Aug. 4 (R-M) On-Campus Examinations Begin Dec. 6 (R) Apr. 10 (R) Aug. 5 (T) spring term; Aug. 13 (W) Distance Education Examination Days Dec. 7, 8 (F, S) Apr. 11, 12 (F, S) Aug. 8, 9 (F, S) Grades Due Δ Dec. 13-21, 2007 (R-F) Apr. 17 - May 1 (R-R) Aug. 12-29 (T-F) and Jan. 3, 2008 (R) spring term; Aug. 29 (F) On-Campus Examinations End Dec. 20 (R) Apr. 24 (R) Aug. 16 (S) Unofficial Grades Begin to Appear in Quest Dec. 21 (F) Apr. 25 (F) Aug. 17 (U) Standings Available in Quest Jan. 28, 2008 (M) May 26 (M) Sept. 22 (M) English Language Proficiency Examination (PAC) Sept. 5 (W)* Sept. 6 (R)* Dec. 5 (W) Apr. 9 (W) Δ Grades for on-campus courses are due in the Registrar s Office throughout this period. Due dates for specific courses are normally scheduled seven days from the date of the final examination. Grades for courses without a scheduled final examination are normally due 14 days after the start of examinations. Grades for Distance Education courses are due on the last date of the periods specified above (i.e., January 3 for Fall, May 1 for Winter, and August 29 for Spring.) * Visit http://elpp.uwaterloo.ca for Faculty/Program split. Convocation Dates Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Convocation Convocation Nov. 10 (S) (subject to change) Last Day to File an Intention to Graduate Form Aug. 1, 2007 (W) June 11-14 (W-S) Dec. 1, 2007 (S) If degree requirements are being completed during the winter term, March 1, 2008 (S) deadline applies. Additional convocation information and ceremony dates are available at www.registrar.uwaterloo.ca/convocation/index.html. Convocation ceremonies are held in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACADEMIC DEADLINES 7 Holidays and University Closures Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Holidays Fall 2007 Winter 2008 Spring 2008 Sept.-Dec. Jan.-Apr. May-Aug. Sept. 3 (M) Oct. 8 (M) Dec. 24 31 (M-M) New Year s Day Jan. 1 (T) Easter weekend, University closed; no examinations scheduled March 21, 22 (F, S) Victoria Day Canada Day Civic Holiday Some University Departments may be open for limited service on these days. The List of University Holidays is available at www.hr.uwaterloo.ca/pay/holidaylist.html. May 19 (M) July 1 (T) Aug. 4 (M) UW Committees and Meeting Dates UW Committee and Councils: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/committees/committees.htm Senate Executive Committee: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/committees/senate/sec.htm University Senate: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/governance/senate.htm Board of Governors: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/governance/bog.htm Senate Graduate and Research Council: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/committees/senate/sgrc.htm

8 CALENDARS 2007 January April 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 29 30 31 29 30 February May 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 March June 1 2 3 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2008 January April 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 February May 1 2 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 March 1 June 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 29 30 2009 January April 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 February May 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 March June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 28 29 30 July October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 28 29 30 31 August November 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 September 1 December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 July October 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 1 2 November 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 30 September December 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 July October 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 1 November 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 29 30 September December 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 31