FAQ

Please refer to the schedule of classes.

If you get a message from Quest indicating that you have a “Service Indicator” or "Hold", it generally means that you have fees owing (course fees, tuition, or parking). To confirm fees owing, click on "Personal Portfolio” and then “HOLD”. If you owe PLAN or ENVS course fees, contact Tiffany Chen to determine the amount to be paid to settle your account. Once the outstanding balance has been paid, it takes about 10 days to process the paperwork to release the hold. It is very important that you pay all course fees before the end of each term to eliminate any enrolment problems, and so you can access your grades.

On Quest, if the requested course is not appearing, it may not be offered, it may be full or the only seats remaining are reserved for other programs. You should refer to the schedule of classes to determine why you don’t have the option to enrol. You can view the class limit, number of students enrolled and whether it’s offered that particular term. 

If you get an error message when trying to enrol in a course, it means that the course has not been added to your schedule and you have not been enrolled in the course. If the course is full, or the seats are reserved for other programs, you must contact the instructor to obtain permission to get into the course.

If you get a course conflict message, it means that the course you are trying to add overlaps with another course, and you must choose a conflict-free course.

If a course is full, you can send the instructor an email to see if you can get into the class, since the instructor is the only person who can increase the class limit for a non-Planning course. You can obtain an instructor's email and contact information through WatIAM or contact their Department. 

If you are successful in obtaining a spot in the class, forward the instructor’s email to the Jessica Debrouwer who will request the registrar's office to add the course to your schedule. Please include the course code and your ID# in the email. If the course is a Planning course, check with school’s undergraduate advisor, rather than the instructor, to see if there is room in the class and if the limit can be increased.

If you are trying to get into a Wilfrid Laurier course that is full, you must contact them directly at 519-884-1970.

This error message means that you are not enrolled in the course, since the only available spots are reserved for other programs. Contact the instructor to see if you can get into the class.

If the instructor approves your request, forward the email to Jessica Debrouwer who will arrange course enrolment.

Generally speaking, you cannot take a course without the required pre-requisite. 

An antireq. is a condition preventing enrolment in a course. The most common antirequisites are courses that have significant overlap. Degree credit will not be granted for both the antirequisite course and a course naming it as such. 

If courses have a lecture/seminar and a tutorial/lab/studio component, students must enrol in both sections. Normally, the total class time is three hours/week.

Some courses are double-weighted and are worth 1.0 unit (i.e. PLAN 313). They count for two courses and fees are paid as such. The course duration does not span over two terms.

Courses can start as early as 8:30 am and as late as 7:00 pm.
The final courses of the day end at 10:00 pm.  

This is your choice! Take elective courses that interest you. Electives can be chosen from any department on campus, as long as there is course availability.

Yes. If you have prior experience with the language, contact the instructor or the Department to see if you qualify for the course. 

If you are short a course, it can be made up during an off term or work term by taking an online course or by taking an extra course in your 4A or 4B term. 

If you are pursuing an option, minor, or specialization, complete a Plan Modification Form and submit to Jess Debrouwer. 

You can view BookLook on the Bookstore website.

Yes! The University of Waterloo email account is considered the official line of communication. If you haven't already done so, please activate your University of Waterloo email account. Instructions on how to link your current email account to your uwaterloo account can be found on the Mapping Analysis and Design (MAD) website. 

When sending any e-mails to staff or faculty of the University of Waterloo use you university email account and include your name and student id number.

Co-op students must maintain a cumulative major average of 75% (all PLAN and ENVS courses) and a cumulative overall average of 65%. A student who does not maintain the required average(s) will be given a conditional term to bring their average up to the required level the following term.

Should the student fail to meet the academic plan requirements at the end of the conditional term, she/he will receive a “failed” standing.  Normally, students in 2A or above receiving a “failed” standing are eligible to apply for re-admission after an absence of two consecutive academic terms. A co-op work term immediately following a required to withdraw standing is not counted toward the two-term absence.

A student who is given a “failed” standing at the end of their second term of study, will, normally, be required to successfully complete the foundation term. (A student still maintains the option to withdraw for two academic terms). A student who continues in her/his studies after either a successful foundation term or an absence of two consecutive academic terms will have her/his record cleared; that is, grades achieved in all previous terms will not be included in the calculation of cumulative averages. Calculation of cumulative averages will begin with the foundation term or upon readmission after an absence of two consecutive terms. Courses taken prior to the foundation term or readmission will remain on the student’s official academic record. Cleared courses with grades over 50% will contribute to the total credits required up to 10.0 units.

Students are allowed to have only one foundation term or failed standing on their transcript while in their ENV program. Students not achieving their program averages for a second time will be unable to continue in Planning or in the Faculty of Environment.

University is a challenging time, there are many services offered on campus to assist you. Below is a list of the most common services that range from study help to counselling.

• Jess DeBrouwer, your academic advisor, is available to see you regarding any issues that you may be concerned about or struggling with.  Her office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30.  An appointment isn’t necessary; you can just drop by her office in EV3-3209.
• Instructors and/or teaching assistants can provide support (and possibly recommend tutors) for your course issues. You may feel intimidated about approaching one of them, but they are REAL people who are there to help you, and their goal is for you to succeed in their class.
• Counselling Services can provide you with individual counselling, and you can arrange an appointment in Needles Hall (NH), room 2068 or by calling 519-888-4567, ext. 32655.
• The Student Success Office is here to help guide you through your time at Waterloo, whether it’s supporting you in your first-year experience, connecting you to leadership and development opportunities or helping you adjust to Canadian culture as an international student. You can find them on the second floor of South Campus Hall.
• Study skills are also available through the Student Success Office on a variety of topics such as: study skills, writing skills, time management, preparing for and writing exams, cramming, etc.
• Workshops are also offered through Counselling Services on areas such as: managing your mood, stress management, coping skills, procrastination, and depression.

• Tutor Connect an online tutoring board that connects students tutors with students who need a tuto

• If you are experiencing financial pressure, you may be eligible to apply for a bursary through Student Awards.
• If you are concerned about your writing skills, the Writing Centre can help you with the necessary skills for academic success.
• The Centre for Career Action can also provide a list of jobs (summer, part-time, work placement, volunteer, etc.) which are available to all students. They offer a variety of workshops such as: interview skills, success on the job, working effectively in another culture.
• Health Services provides on-site family physicians for registered students which includes urgent care and walk-in care.
• The Federation of Students runs a food bank. It's a place students can get free groceries when things get tight, especially at the end of term.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the free services above that students find very helpful. Our goal is that each and every one of you succeeds and enjoys your experience at Waterloo!

Application to graduate forms due online:

• March 1 for Spring Convocation (completing requirements in the winter term);
• December 1 for Spring Convocation (completing requirements in the fall term);
• August 1 for Fall Convocation (completing requirements in the spring term).

Forms must be completed online through the registrar's office "forms" link.

Graduation photos - appointments are booked online through Lifetouch. Grad photos are taken in the Student Life Centre (SLC) year round. Please see Lifetouch's website for your specific class composite deadline. Grad photo questions can be directed to Lifetouch using the contact form.

For more information on graduate photos, see the Registrar's Office website under "Frequently asked questions about convocation"

The School of Planning is delighted to offer all graduates of the Planning program an official School Ring which will be presented at our Graduation Ceremony following convocation.

Please ensure that you have all course and library fees, parking fines, etc. paid by the end of the term. 

To determine if you have  fees owing, check on Quest under “Personal Data” and select “Service Indicators”.

It is important to confirm that your mailing and home addresses, as well as your current email address, are accurate on Quest in case the Registrar’s Office needs to get in touch with you immediately regarding your program requirements or graduation.

The University of Waterloo holds two convocations each year - one in mid-June and the other in late October.

Please see the Registrar's Office website for Convocation details.  

Our programs are recognized by the CIP for membership eligibility purposes. Membership is managed by CIP affiliates such as the OPPI. Graduates from Waterloo's degree programs must apply for Provisional member status and complete a minimum of 24 months of post-graduation experience in the Planning profession to be eligible for full membership. Candidates must also complete log books that detail relevant work experiences. Once the log books have been approved by OPPI, candidates must pass an oral examination (Examination A) that focuses on ethics and professionalism. Members of OPPI are also automatically members of CIP. Full members in Ontario are called Registered Professional Planners (RPP), and are entitled to use the initials "MCIP, RPP" after their names.