Degree requirements and courses can change from year to year. It's important that you know your degree requirements to make the right decisions for your course planning (jump to course planning).
Which academic calendar should I follow?
Unless you are choosing to a follow a specific calendar, it is recommended that you use the calendar for the year that you began your studies in Computing and Financial Management (CFM). For example, if you began your studies in 2024, refer to the 2024-2025 calendar. All of your requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.
In choosing a calendar, it is important to note that...
- You may choose to follow any undergraduate calendar issued during your studies starting from the year that you began at UWaterloo.
- You are required to meet ALL of the conditions and requirements of ONE calendar, including any new academic policies. You may not pick and choose requirements from different calendars.
- The calendar changes each year and defaults to the newest version of the calendar. Make sure to navigate to your calendar in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar under "Archives" (at the top of the page).
Degree requirements
In addition to your course requirements, you must complete the following to graduate.
| Requirements | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Minimum course units [excluding Professional Development (PD) courses] | 20.0 units |
| Minimum co-op work-term units | 2.5 units |
| Minimum PD course units | 2.5 units |
| Minimum work reports | 2.0 units |
| Minimum Cumulative Average (CAV) | 60% |
| Minimum Major Average (MAV) | 60% |
| Minimum Special Major Average (SMAV) | 70% |
| Maximum excluded/failed course units (excluding PD courses and co-op work term reports) | 2.0 units |
| Maximum allowed units of course attempts (excluding PD courses and co-op work term reports) | 25.0 units |
| Minimum number of full-time terms | 8 full-time terms |
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Course changes
The CFM undergraduate calendar has undergone many changes since 2021. See which courses have changed or been removed in recent years.
| Old course requirement | New course requirement |
|---|---|
| AFM 101 - Introduction to Financial Accounting | Became AFM 191 - Foundations for Financial Reporting |
| AFM 102 - Introduction to Managerial Accounting | Became AFM 182 - Foundations for Management Accounting. This is no longer a required course for students as of the 2021-2022 calendar |
| AFM 121 - Introduction to Global Financial Markets | Became CFM 101 - Introduction to Financial Markets and Data Analytics |
| AFM 131 - Introduction to Business in North America | Became AFM 132 - Introduction to Business Stages |
| AFM 231 - Business Law | No longer a required course for students as of the 2021-2022 calendar |
| AFM 275 - Corporate Finance | Became AFM 274 - Introduction to Corporate Finance |
| AFM 372 - Corporate Finance 2 |
New courses
For the 2021-2022 calendar
| Course code | Course description |
|---|---|
| CFM 101 - Introduction to Financial Markets and Data Analytics |
This course introduces financial markets and institutions, commonly used financial big data, and data schema and visualization therein. It covers fundamental functions of financial institutions and their usage of large data, and basic financial data management techniques. The course will focus on buy side institutions and stock market data. |
| CFM 301 - Intermediate Financial Data Analytics* |
This course covers financial data analytics in the areas of asset pricing, securities trading, and portfolio management. It covers data usage and application in basic testing of asset pricing theories, trading algorithms and strategies, back-testing techniques, and aspects of portfolio management associated with trading strategies. |
| CFM 401 - Topics in Financial Data Analytics* |
This course explores how FinTech innovations are transforming financial markets, addressing traditional challenges, and introducing new risks. Through interactive lectures, diverse readings (textbook, research papers, and business cases), and hands-on technical assignments, you’ll gain valuable insights into the evolving finance industry—knowledge that will benefit your career. Did you know that some peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms are more likely to lend to iPhone users than Android users? Or that Bitcoin’s value might be overestimated? Explore these questions and more. |
* Note: If you began your studies before 2021 and want to take CFM 301 and/or CFM 401, do not change calendars. We will credit these courses as equivalent to your AFM 300 or AFM 400 arts electives.
For the 2023-2024 calendar
| Course code | Course description |
|---|---|
| CS136L - Tools and Techniques for Software Development | This course builds on the techniques and patterns learned in CS 135 while making the transition to use an imperative language. It introduces the design and analysis of algorithms, the management of information, and the programming mechanisms and methodologies required in implementations. Topics discussed include iterative and recursive sorting algorithms; lists, stacks, queues, trees, and their application; abstract data types and their implementations. |
Course planning
If you are curious to know what courses and co-ops are come in your academics; or you're thinking of making a change to your normal sequence of studies by adding a minor, international exchange, or co-op opportunity; you can refer to our course planning resources.
Choose the year of the undergraduate studies academic calendar that you are following below and find the following resources to help you plan your courses and sequence:
- Recommended sequence of courses
- Pre-requisite sequence of courses
- Limited-term course offerings
Undergraduate calendar year
Not sure which calendar to follow? Find out.