Accreditation

Academic Unit (AU) and Graduate Attribute (GA) information for required courses and technical electives

AU and GA data for each program is listed below,

Geological Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Architectural Engineering

Graduate Attributes (GA) and Performance Indicators (PI)

Graduate attribute

Performance indicator

("_____ graduates from UWaterloo should be able to…")

Knowledge Base

1a. Demonstrate understanding of concepts in mathematics

1b. Demonstrate understanding of concepts in natural science

1c. Demonstrate understanding of engineering fundamentals

1d. Demonstrate understanding of specialized engineering knowledge

Problem Analysis

2a. Formulate a problem statement

2b. Develop models to solve engineering problems including identifying approximations, assumptions and constraints

2c. Critically evaluate solutions of engineering problems

Investigation

3a. Create1 investigative studies of complex engineering problems

3b. Gather information from relevant sources2 to address complex engineering problems

3c. Synthesize information from multiple sources to reach valid conclusions

Design3

4a. Define design requirements and specifications for complex, open-ended engineering problems4

4b. Critically evaluate and compare design choices

4c. Generate and refine potential solutions to complex, open-ended design problems

Use of Engineering Tools

5a. Select appropriate engineering tools5, considering their limitations

5b. Modify and/or create appropriate engineering tools, identifying their limitations

5c. Use engineering tools appropriately

Individual and Team Work

6a. Contribute as an active team member or leader6 to complete individual tasks

6b.Collaborate with others to complete tasks effectively7 as a team

Communication skills

7a. Orally present information within the profession and to society at large

7b. Communicate in a written format within the profession and to society at large

7c. Interpret information, including instructions

Professionalism

8a. Articulate the roles and responsibilities of the professional engineer in society with reference to the protection of the public and its interest

8b. Describe the importance of codes, standards, best practices, laws, and regulations within engineering

Impact of Engineering

9a. Identify the relevance of and uncertainty associated with the different aspects (social, cultural, economic, health, safety, legal, environmental), of an engineering project

9b. Analyze the social, health, safety, and environmental aspects of an engineering project, incorporating sustainability considerations and environmental stewardship in making decisions

Ethics & Equity

10a. Identify ethical and unethical behavior in professional situations

10b. Identify how an engineer is accountable to multiple stakeholders in engineering practice

10c. Identify equitable and inequitable situations or behaviors

Economics & Project Management

11a. Apply project management techniques and other business practices in engineering projects, with attention to risk and change

11b. Perform economic analyses of engineering projects with attention to uncertainty and limitations

Life-long Learning

12a. Identify gaps in their knowledge, skills and abilities

12b. Obtain and evaluate information or training from appropriate sources

12c. Reflect on the use of information or training received

1Identifying factors that affect a system, and planning studies/experiments to determine their relationships
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2Experiments, field data, literature, and other sources
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3The design process can be iterative and may require going back and forth between any of these performance indicators
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4Including health and safety risks, applicable codes/standards, economic, environmental, cultural, and societal considerations as appropriate
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5‘Tools’ is defined broadly, to include physical tools and to also include software, hardware, techniques
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6A leader can lead by example, not necessarily in the leadership role
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7Effective collaboration includes conflict management and fair distribution of tasks
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Download GA table (PDF)

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