Regulations, policies, and procedures | School of Planning

Illness or incapacity

Students who become ill or otherwise incapacitated during the academic term to the extent that classes will be missed and/or assignments will not be completed should notify the undergraduate advisor at the earliest opportunity, in writing, indicating the general nature of the problem, the expected duration of the incapacitation and the courses that will be affected. Normally, the respective instructors should also be notified by the student as to the general circumstances and the implications for completing course work.

If required by your professor, and if you were seen at health services for your illness they will verify missed:

midterm examinations
final examinations
major papers
major assignments

Leave of absence

A leave of absence may be granted under certain circumstances (e.g. prolonged illness, family issues, emotional problems, etc). Leave of absences require the approval of the undergraduate advisor.

Withdrawal policy

Involuntary withdrawals

Students who receive a "Required to Withdraw" decision must withdraw from their plan of study for a minimum of eight months. Such students may apply to any other program at any time but will not be considered for re-admission to the original program for eight months. To re-apply, an Application for Re-admission Form must be completed, and this form can be found on the Registrar's website. Withdrawal due to disciplinary actions, including cheating, etc., will be noted in the student's file.

Voluntary withdrawals

Students may voluntarily withdraw from their plan of study without incurring academic penalty, provided that a Notice of Withdrawal Form is completed, received, and signed by the undergraduate advisor prior to or during the first three calendar weeks from the start of classes.

After the deadline, students who withdraw will normally be held responsible for the term's courses in the sense that such courses will normally be recorded with grades of "WD" (withdrew), etc. (see "Exams and Grades" for explanation).

The statement "Voluntary Withdrawal from Term (effective date) - no Academic Penalty" will be noted on official transcripts when the effective date is after the first three weeks of lectures or for online learning students after the first assignment is due.

Students who voluntarily withdraw may be eligible for tuition fee and residence refunds depending on the effective date of withdrawal. (See the calendar of important dates.) Students enrolled in online courses should be aware of the similar regulations which are found on the Centre for Extended Learning website.

Final exams

Student travel plans are not considered acceptable grounds for granting an alternative examination time.

Students must present their photo identification card at each examination sitting.
In the event that the University is closed during examinations, the examinations will be rescheduled on the next available day, including Sunday, on which examinations have not been scheduled. Specific make-up dates will be announced on the University of Waterloo website.

If your examination schedule contains one of the following conditions, the University will ensure relief by making alternative scheduling arrangements:

Writing two examinations in a row.
Writing in the last period on one day and the first period on the next day.
Writing more than two examinations in one day.

If you wish to request alternative scheduling arrangements, please complete the Final Examination Timetable Conflict Form by the required deadline.

Program requirements and student responsibilities

Students have the final responsibility to ensure that they are taking:

the required core and elective courses in each year,
the appropriate number of units in each year,
the required prerequisites for courses in future years, and
all requirements necessary for graduation.

Students must normally satisfy the requirements set out in the undergraduate calendar for the calendar year in which they first entered the School, or they may choose to satisfy the requirements specified, subsequently, if changes are made to the plan. The School reserves the right to make changes to the curriculum as necessary.
Students in the Planning School are normally expected to carry a load of 10 courses (5.0 units) every year. Class enrolment for fewer than five courses (2.5 units) or six courses (3.0 units) per term may only be done with the undergraduate advisor's approval.
In order to proceed to subsequent years, students must also obtain minimum courses/units as follows:
- Year one - 10 courses (5.0 units);
- Year two - 20 courses (10.0 units);
- Year three - 30 courses (15.0 units);
- Year four - 40 courses (20.0 units).
All core courses are to be taken in the year indicated, unless special permission has been granted by the undergraduate advisor.
No more than 10 courses (5.0 units) at the first-year level will be allowed toward the 40 courses (20.0 units) required to graduate.
Some courses that are listed under separate labels or numbers have overlapping content. Only one of these courses may be taken for credit. These are designated with notes after the courses and would indicate one of the following:
- the courses are cross-listed,
- credit will be granted only for one of a pair of courses,
- a course was formerly designated with a different number and/or label, or
- students should consult their undergraduate advisor.

If you would like to change your academic plan (major), add a minor or option, or transfer to another program, you must submit an approved Plan Modification Form (PDF) to the School’s undergraduate advisor.

Academic standing

To be in good standing in Honours Planning, students must obtain a minimum average of 65% in their cumulative overall average, and 75% in their major average (PLAN and ENVS courses) throughout their academic plan. All courses taken, whether passed, failed or repeated, are included in the cumulative overall and major averages. To be considered in good standing in Honours Co-op Planning, in addition to maintaining the required minimum cumulative averages, co-op students must complete four satisfactory work terms and work reports. Co-op students are also required to complete a minimum of five professional development courses (modules).

If a student’s average(s) falls below the requirement, a conditional standing may be granted at the discretion of the School, which permits a student to proceed to a subsequent term. Should the student be permitted to continue on a conditional standing due to average and/or an incomplete (INC) grade or course standing, and if the required averages are not met by the end of the following term or INC’s not cleared, withdrawal from Planning may be required.

A student who is given a failed standing at the end of her/his second term of study, normally will be required to successfully complete the Foundation Term. A student maintains the option to withdraw for two academic terms.

A student who continues in his/her 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 academic 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.