What is an alternate pathway?
In Environment, we understand that the transition to university academics can be challenging. You have the option to take a reduced courseload in your first year. Two courses that you would normally take in 1A and 1B (one from each term) will be relocated to the spring term, instead of taking the spring term off. Courses in the spring term will be offered online (with the expection of Knowledge Integration, see below).
What would my schedule look like?
Below is an example of your course sequence in an alternate pathway. Your courses may look different than what is listed. Speak with the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor if you have any questions about your course sequence.
| Plan | Fall - 1A | Winter - 1B | Spring (online) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environment and Business |
PLAN 100 ECON 101 GEOG 101 INDEV 100 |
ECON 102 INDEV 101 Elective Elective |
Elective (relocated from 1A) ENVS 195 (relocated from 1B) |
| Environment, Resources, and Sustainability |
ERS 100 ENVS 178 Elective Elective |
ERS 101 ERS 102 ENVS 200 Elective |
ENVS 195 (relocated from 1A) Elective (relocated from 1B) |
| Planning |
PLAN 100 PLAN 102 PLAN 107 ENVS 195 Elective |
PLAN 103 PLAN 110 PLAN 133 ENVS 178 Elective |
ENVS 195 (relocated from 1A) Elective (relocated from 1B) |
|
Geography and Environmental Management |
GEOG 100 GEOG 101 GEOG 178 Elective |
GEOG 181 ENVS 278 ENGL 109 or EMLS 129R Elective |
Elective (relocated from 1A) GEOG 102 (relocated from 1B) |
| Geomatics |
GEOG 187 ENVS 178 CS 115 or CS 135 MATH 114 or MATH 106 |
GEOG 281 GEOG 101 GEOG 102 CS 116 or CS 136 |
GEOG 181 (relocated from 1A) ENGL 109 (relocated from 1B) |
| Geography and Aviation | See below | ||
| Climate and Environmental Change |
GEOG 101 (relocated from 1B) EARTH 121 ENVS 178 MATH 104 or MATH 127 |
GEOG 207 ENGL 109 or EMLS 129R ENVS 278 PHYS 111 or CHEM 120 |
GEOG 102 (relocated from 1A) GEOG 181 (relocated from 1A) |
| Knowledge Integration | See below | ||
Eligibility and when to decide
All first-year Environment students are eligible to take an alternate pathway. Once you begin your 1A term, you can reach out to the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor to arrange for an alternate pathway.
If you were unsuccessful in your 1A midterms, you may consider reducing your course load with an alternate pathway. Monitor drop deadlines and speak with the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor if you are interested in an alternate pathway.
What are the benefits of an alternate pathway?
Manage stress
You can ease into university academics with a reduced course load, and have more time to focus on other vast changes in your life as a student (living alone, finances, making friends, getting to know campus, etc.)
Focus on academic skills
A reduced course load allows you to focus on honing academic skills most valuable to your academic progression.
Distance education
We understand that many students do not have housing accommodations in Waterloo during the spring term. The alternate pathway ensures that your spring term courses are offered online (with the exception of Knowledge Integration, see below).
Can I still apply for OSAP?
Students who are in 1.5 units or more are considered a full-time student. Anything between 0.25-1.25 is considered part-time. Students registered with AccessAbility Services may be considered full time with a minimum of 1.0 units.
If you plan to take an alternate pathway, you may be considered eligible for part-time OSAP and government aid in the spring term. To receive funding in the spring, you must submit the Spring Extension form.
Please visit the Student Awards and Financial Aid website for more information regarding OSAP.
Geography and Aviation and Knowledge Integration students
Geography and Aviation students have unique alternate pathway options, dependent on their flight training. Please speak with the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor to arrange an alternate pathway best for you.
Knowledge Integration students have a variety of alternate pathway options. However, due to in-person breadth courses, you may be required to stay on-campus during the spring term. Please speak with the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor to arrange an alternate pathway best for you.
Contacts
Contact the student transition and engagement officer or your academic advisor if you have any questions.