Computer science (CS) major programs and plans

E.01. How can I contact a Computer Science advisor? 

There are several possibilities. In order of preference: 

• Email us at csadvisor@uwaterloo.ca. Include your full name and student ID. Advisors strongly prefer that you email from your@uwaterloo.ca email account. 
• Drop by during office hours. 
• Email us for an appointment if you really can't make office hours or have a time-consuming situation. 

In general, the earlier you talk to us, the more options we have to help you. We enjoy helping students, but please do not make extra work for us by contacting several advisors or contacting us in several different ways. 

E.02. What resources does UW provide to help me if I'm struggling? 

E.03. What is the failure limit for CS students?

For students starting in Fall 2014 or later (or using the Fall 2014 University Calendar and onwards), the failure limit is 2.0 units. If you exceed this failure limit, then you may be required to change programs.  

For students starting earlier than Fall 2014, the failure limit is 3.0 units

E.04. I failed a bunch of courses; what should I do? 

See a CS advisor as soon as possible! We will sit to understand your situation and any struggles you may face, and explore your next steps for your academic success.

It could be that petition to the Standings and Promotions Committee is appropriate as well.

E.05. What is the Standings and Promotions (S&P) Committee? How can I submit a petition to the S&P? 

The Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) is the committee that decides when exceptions to the usual rules are appropriate. Examples of exceptions they consider: 

• Taking a sixth course when you have an average less than 80%. 
• Re-admission to the Faculty after an absence of more than four terms. 
• Zero-credit weighting courses you failed because you were ill or had other significant factors beyond your control. 
• Dropping or adding courses after the relevant deadlines. 

You'll need to complete a S&P petition form, include relevant documentation, and see an advisor before you submit the form. 

E.06. I've been told to withdraw from Math Faculty; now what? 

You were likely asked to withdraw because you've accumulated too many failures or you've used up too many course attempts relative to the courses you've passed. See a CS advisor as soon as possible.

Some options for you may include: 

• If there were extenuating circumstances, then file a Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations - Undergraduate Students to the S&P Committee. 
• Leave the University for a period of time. At some later point you might consider appealing or transferring. 
• Attempt to transfer to another program, either at UW or another institution. The Centre for Career Development (CCD) may be a good resource to help identify your next best option. 

Students who are considering transferring to Arts should consult the Faculty transfer to Arts page. 

Other students should follow these steps: 

1. Visit an advisor for the Faculty you would like to transfer to. If they'll accept you right away, great!

   • If not, fill out a Plan Modification Form transferring to Math Non-Degree. Identify the courses that will help you get into the new Faculty, and have that Faculty's advisor sign it. 

2. Complete a Standings and Promotions Petition, indicating your reasons for the transfer, what steps you are taking or will take to ensure your future success. 

3. Submit the transfer and petition forms to the Centre at least one month before the start of the target term. 

If you want to transfer to another program at UW, you may have trouble getting accepted given the failures and/or course attempts on your record. The Math Faculty offers a non-degree term (see below) to allow you to get some courses on your transcript that can help your transfer. 

E.07. What is a non-degree term? 

A non-degree term is when the Math Faculty allows you to take courses for one additional term after you have been withdrawn from studies. This is done purely as a favour to you to give you a chance to make your transcript look more attractive to a program outside of the Math Faculty. See Math Academic standings page (or the Academic Calendar) for more details or contact an advisor for options.

If you are currently enrolled in Honours Math or CS courses, you won't be able to use them towards a Math Faculty degree, so you may want to drop them ASAP and take something that will contribute to another degree. 

E.08. Am I in danger of failing out of my program?

There are several reasons you may be asked to leave CS and possibly the Math Faculty. The official policies are in the University Calendar. In summary: 

• Failing or excluding too many courses. See below (what is the failure limit for CS students or the University Calendar). 
• Having more than 10 unproductive course attempts (failed or excluded courses (including WFs and DNWs), repeated courses, WDs, CLCs, etc.). As of Fall 2018, WDs do not count towards this count 

If you're are in this situation, then please contact a CS advisor.

E.09. Can I take some time off from school? 

Yes, you can be gone from studies for up to three consecutive academic and/or co-op terms. If you're gone for more than three consecutive terms you will need to reapply. If you are in a co-op program, you should contact the Coop Math Advisors as well. 

International students should contact the Immigration Consulting Office within the Student Success Office about taking one or more terms off because of Visa implications. 

E.10 Can I withdraw from the entire term?

For most students, the impact of withdrawing from an entire term is no different than withdrawing from all of your courses individually. Depending on the date, the course won't appear on your transcript at all (first 3 weeks of the term), you'll receive a grade of "WD" or "withdraw" (fourth through tenth weeks), or you'll receive a grade of "WF" or "withdraw failure" (after the tenth week). 

For more information on dropping or withdrawing from a course, see FAQ Section F: Question 22.

International students should contact the Immigration Consulting Office within the Student Success Office about taking one or more terms off because of Visa implications. 

E.11. I'm in conditional (CNDP) or deferred (DEF) standing. What does this mean?

If you are in conditional standing, this means that your CS major average is below 60%. Although you are in a concerning academic standing, you can still continue in the CS program; however, you need to meet one of the following criteria to remain in the program:

• increase your CS major average to 60% or above upon the next term you take one or more CS course(s). If you are able to increase your CS major average to 60% or above, then you are put back into good standing and can continue in the CS program as normal.

• have a term CS major average of 65% to demonstrate significant progress in raising your overall CS major average. This would earn you another conditional term.

Otherwise, if you are not able to meet the above conditions, then you will be removed from CS. You may want to reach out to a CS advisor on advice on how to better manage your academics to ensure your academic success. 

If you are in deferred standing, this means that we are not able to determine your academic standing since you have a grade placeholder (e.g., INC, UR, IP, MM) for one or more of your courses. If your grade placeholder is resolved and your resulting grade(s) place you in conditional standing for that term, then you must meet the requirements noted above to remain in CS the following term (regardless if that term has started or already been completed).

For example, suppose you were granted an INC in CS245 during Spring 2022, were assigned a DEF standing for Spring 2022 and then resolved the INC in following Winter 2023 term. If your grade in CS245 resulted in Spring 2022 begin a Conditional standing, then you would have to meet the above requirements in the term following Spring 2022 to stay in CS.