This is the page for current BBA/BCS Double Degree undergraduate students. If you are a high school student or a prospective student, then visit the Future Undergraduates section for more information on the program, admission requirements, etc.
Welcome BBA/BCS Double Degree students!
As BBA/BCS Double Degree students, we recommend that you look over the information below and to explore the pages of our site to set yourself up for success while studying at the University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University.
Message from BBA/BCS Founding Director
Welcome to the BBA/BCS program, a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to obtain two degrees in two fascinating and practical fields of study with courses from two outstanding universities. This co-op only program offers students as well the opportunity to participate in today's workforce, to experience the application of their studies in computer science and in business administration.
Computers are in the middle of any economic transaction these days. Some of the higher level computer technology that you may learn about in your BCS computer science courses that is changing the face of business today includes:
- data mining and pattern discovery, to enable real-time changes in business models and products and to facilitate improved business decision making;
- models to enact privacy and security of information to support such uses as customized online advertising;
- sophisticated interfaces to promote collaborative computing, allowing for multi-authored business documents;
- distributed computing platforms and models for wireless computing that enable access at any time to any device to promote effective business teamwork;
- creating intelligent software agents to represent human organizations in electronic marketplaces, leading to more effective business contracts;
- understanding the social implications and ethical challenges introduced in the face of growing technology in the workplace.
Whether you are focused on learning about business administration, desiring in-depth knowledge of the computer science that will arise in your organization or you are focused on computer science, desiring in-depth knowledge of how to project that discipline into today's technological workplace, the BBA/BCS program will offer an exciting opportunity to emerge with a wealth of experience, as you look towards a future beyond the undergraduate degree.
Robin Cohen
Founding Director, BBA/BCS program
BBA/BCS Double Degree Requirements
Below includes the BBA/BCS Double Degree program's academic requirements, handy checklists that you can use to keep track of your progress in both degrees, and ways to enhance your studies with minors/specializations.
Program Requirements
Each university has their own University Calendar, which is the official source on courses, programs and plans, related policies, and regulations for students.
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the policies, regulations, general information, and specific requirements contained in the Calendar for both Universities.
Below is a summary of program requirements for a BBA/BCS student to graduate. You must complete 52.5 courses within a minimum of 9 full-time terms, while meeting the academic progression requirements from both universities.
| Requirement | Waterloo Requirements | Laurier Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses |
|
|
| Required electives | 4 additional CS electives chosen from CS 340-CS 398 or CS 440-CS 489, with at least 2 from CS 440-CS 489. | 7* additional BUS/ENTR electives at the 300- or 400- level. |
| General electives | 4 electives taken at either university, which can include additional CS / BUS / ENTR courses. | |
*Students who started prior to September 2023 have 3 required ECON courses and 6 required BUS/ENTR electives the 300- or 400- level.
Enhance your degrees: add a specialization, concentration, or minors
With you being in two world class programs, you also have the option to enhance one or both of your degrees.
For your BCS degree, you may add a specialization, change your major to BCS Data Science, or add another minor at UW. The process for is identical for double degree and single degree Computer Science majors.
Adding a specialization is NOT a requirement for you to graduate from BBA/BCS. The addition of specialization(s) and/or a minor, or change to the BCS Data Science program, would have further requirements and constraints that may extend the duration of your education. Advanced planning on when to take courses for these plans is strongly advised.
The BBA degree allows the addition of concentrations and minors at WLU. Please contact the WLU BBA Advisors for more information.
Checklists
The University calendars can be confusing to read, so we've made a handy checklist to help outline the requirements for your BBA/BCS program. You can use the checklists to determine which courses you still need before you can graduate.
To choose the correct checklist below, select the checklist based on the academic year you've started in the BBA/BCS program. e.g. if you started school between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024, then your academic year is 2023/2024.
Academic Progression Requirements
As a BBA/BCS student, you must meet academic progression requirements for both the BBA and BCS program. Failure to meet the progression requirements may result in removal from the BBA/BCS program.
The BBA academic progression requirements tend to have a firmer deadline compared to that of the BCS program, specifically the completion of courses by the end of each year of study. As an example, if you started school in Sep 2024, then your first year requirements must be met by Aug 2025, your second year requirements must be met by Dec 2026, etc.
Below is a summary of academic progression requirements for each year of study.
| Year of Study | Waterloo Policy | Laurier Policy |
|---|---|---|
| First year |
Ideally you should complete
|
By August 31 of your first year you must complete of 10 distinct courses (5.0 units), including
with maximum 3 repeats in total and maximum 1 repeat for any course. You must also have achieved a minimum GPA of
|
| Second year |
|
By December 31 of your second year, you must complete 20 distinct courses (10.0 units) including
|
| Third year |
By December 31 of your third year, you must complete 30 distinct courses (15.0 units) including the third year BU core courses (BU352, BU354, BU393, BU362, BU375 and BU398). |
|
| Fourth year onwards |
By August 31 or December 31 of your fourth year (depends on your co-op sequence), you must have completed 40 distinct courses (20.0 units) including all remaining BU courses. Make sure you are on track to graduate with 52.5 courses. |
If there is a question of interpretation or a discrepancy between the information below and other sources, the University Calendars for UW and WLU always takes precedence.
How to calculate your Waterloo CAV/MAV and your Laurier GPA
Co-op requirements
For Waterloo-based students and Laurier-based co-op students, your co-op requirements and regulations will differ depending on your home institution.
- Waterloo-based co-op students must complete four or five credited work terms.
- It is not possible to take a sixth co-op term as a Waterloo-based double degree student.
- Laurier-based co-op students must complete three or four credited work terms.
Co-op sequences
All double degree co-op students are enrolled into SEQ 5DD. For the first three-years of study, the co-op sequences per home institution are as follows.
| Year | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S |
| Waterloo-based SEQ 5DD | 1A | 1B | WT1 | 2A | WT2 | 2B | 3A | WT3 | 3B | 4A | WT4 | 4B | WT5 | 5A | 5B |
| Laurier-based SEQ 5DD | 1A | 1B | off | 2A | WT1 | 2B | 3A | WT2 | 3B | 4A | WT4 | 4B | WT4 | 5A | 5B |
Laurier-based students notably have their first Spring term off (e.g. cannot have a work-term directly after your 1B block).
Customizing your sequence is flexible after the completion of your 3B block.
- Waterloo-based co-op student may contact the BBA/BCS Advisors to have a sequence change approved.
- Laurier-based co-op students should check with the WLU BBA Advisors.