Options, minors and specializations

KI students often choose to take minors from departments all across campus, or lever KI's own specializations, to further their studies.

Add Knowledge Integration to your degree

Students in other programs can connect with the KI experience through a diploma, minor or even a joint honours:

Knowledge Integration Diploma: 4 courses
Gain valuable skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving that are essential in today's workplace. With this diploma, you will become a stronger leader and a strategic thinker, ready to tackle any challenge!

Knowledge Integration Minor: 8 courses
Take your degree to a new level by learning how to analyze complex problems, think outside the box, and leverage diversity to develop equitable solutions. With this minor, you'll not only be ready to navigate uncertainty and readily adapt to change, but also position yourself as a leader who can drive innovation and make a lasting impact.

Joint Honours with Knowledge Integration
KI is an excellent addition to your primary area of focus as it will reinforce your collaboration, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills – making you an agile and competitive candidate for your future career or post-graduate programs.

Collaborative Design Specialization

The Collaborative Design Specialization offers students the opportunity to develop a concentration in design thinking, skills, and practice. It is intended for Knowledge Integration students who want to gain greater knowledge and experience with design and real-world problem solving, beyond their core BKI courses. The Specialization includes design-themed coursework as well as a Collaborative Design Experience.

Students may speak with the Associate Director of Knowledge Integration if they are participating in an exceptional special topic or project course. To be approved for Collaborative Design Experience credit towards the CDS, normally, the following criteria would be met by a special topic or project course(s):

  • taken over 8 months and totalling at least 1.0 credits
  • includes a design project carried out in a group of at least 3 students (who do not need to all be from Knowledge Integration)
  • includes interaction and feedback from an external client (beyond the instructional team)

Learn more about the Collaborative Design Specialization.

Science, Technology & Society Specialization

The Science, Technology, & Society specialization is designed to cover a broad range of issues, including the nature and organization of knowledge and expertise, science policy, and public understanding of science. It is intended for Knowledge Integration students who want to be exposed to a variety of disciplinary perspectives related to the social, ethical, and political dimensions of science and technology, beyond their core KI courses.

Learn more about the Science, Technology & Society Specialization.

Other opportunities at Waterloo you might want to explore:

Visit the Academic Calendar website for the complete list of additional credentials available at Waterloo.