Entrepreneurship Option in Engineering

Students who took the Entrepreneurship Option working on their venture

Complement your engineering degree with the business skills you need to move your ideas from concept to commercial and social success.

What is the entrepreneurship option? 

The entrepreneurship option is designed for Waterloo Engineering students who want to explore entrepreneurship by taking courses to enhance their technical background with business skills. The option consists of six academic courses in business and entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial experience. 

Any undergraduate student currently enrolled in an engineering discipline in the Faculty of Engineering can pursue the entrepreneurship option (students in other faculties are eligible to pursue the Minor in Entrepreneurship).

Requirements 

The entrepreneurship option requires the successful completion of six courses and an experiential milestone. 

Three core courses, recommended in the following order:  

  • BET 100 Foundations of Entrepreneurial Practice 
  • BET 320 Entrepreneurial Strategy 
  • BET 340 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Planning and Execution

Electives (choose three courses from this list):

Experiential Milestone:

Students must participate in a milestone related to entrepreneurship. One possible milestone is an Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) credit or a capstone-style project, thesis, major project course, or senior course containing a major assignment that could lead to a corporate enhancement or social contribution. Approval of experiential milestones as an appropriate entrepreneurial experience will rest with the Minor Coordinator.

For the option to appear as a designation on your transcript, you must achieve an average of 60% in your Option courses and a grade of at least 50% in each of the courses for your option.

How to declare the entrepreneurship option

You may register and take courses for the option right away, as you pursue your engineering degree. The BET option courses must be taken as electives. You must declare the option, by contacting your academic advisor, before you begin your experiential milestone. 

You are encouraged to meet with the Option Coordinator to ensure that you meet the requirements of the option, and for the approval of your technical electives and experiential milestone. 

Questions?

Further questions can be directed to Marc Hurwitz, Option Coordinator and Associate Director, Undergraduate Studies at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.