Director's Welcome
On behalf of the faculty, staff and students in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED), I am truly delighted to welcome you to the University of Waterloo and to the Master of Environment and Business program (MEB). We hope your time and efforts here will be enjoyable, productive, and satisfying.
The MEB program provides you with a tremendous opportunity to enhance your existing professional knowledge and skills through in-depth examination of management concepts and theory integrated with sustainability considerations. Your professors are all leading thinkers in their respective fields and work extensively with private sector enterprises, the government, the not-for-profit sector and other academics to continue to develop and define the tools and strategies to realize a more sustainable future. You will also have many opportunities to hear and learn from business leaders who are at the forefront of bringing environmental and social considerations to bear in their business environments and in the broader marketplace. Perhaps the greatest learning opportunity you will have in this program, though, is to learn from one another. Each of you was admitted into this program on the strength of your professional and academic experience, and I believe we are extraordinarily privileged to have each of you as part of the program. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the knowledge of your program colleagues and to be generous in sharing your knowledge with others.
The MEB handbook includes important information on our School, Faculty and University services, as well as current degree requirements. The handbook is revised each year and is available to all new graduate students, and to faculty members to assist in advising their students. Please read the handbook as soon as possible because it will likely answer many of your questions. Instructors and staff expect you to be familiar with the handbook and refer to it repeatedly as you proceed through the program. Please note that the handbook is an informational supplement for our students, not a replacement for the University of Waterloo Graduate Calendar which dictates the formal policies concerning registration, fees, grading, degree requirements, etc. The official calendar can be found by visiting the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) homepage.
Through the orientation sessions held during ENBUS 601 while you are on campus, we will attempt to make your transition to graduate school and the university as smooth as possible. We strive to create a supportive and stimulating learning environment for all members of our department.
My colleagues and I hope we can make your graduate studies a rewarding and successful experience.
Director, SEED
Faculty and School Organization
The School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) is one of five academic units within the Faculty of Environment, which is one of six faculties at the University of Waterloo.
Dr. Jeffrey Wilson is the Director of SEED and Dr. Heather Hall and Dr. Jason Thistlethwaite are the Associate Deans for Graduate Studies.
Dr. Komal Habib is the Master of Environment and Business (MEB) Academic Director.
SEED faculty and staff offices are located on the fourth floor in the Environment 3 building (EV3).
| Name | Title and Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Doucet | MEB Graduate Program Coordinator and Advisor EV3-4221 519-888-4567, ext. 42520 meb-mdp-medi.graduatestudies@uwaterloo.ca |
|
Dr. Jeffrey Wilson |
Director, SEED |
| Jennifer Nicholson | Administrative Manager EV3-4211 519-888-4567, ext. 43444 jsnichol@uwaterloo.ca |
|
Dr. Heather Hall |
Associate Director, Professional Graduate Programs (MEB, MDP, MEDI) |
| Dr. Jason Thistlethwaite |
Associate Director, Sustainability Management (MES and PhD) |
| Dr. Komal Habib | MEB Academic Director 519-888-4567, ext. 40569 EV3 4247 komal.habib@uwaterloo.ca |
Important Websites
Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is the main contractual document between the student and the University.
QUEST – Resources and Information
LEARN – Resources and Information
Resources and Support for Graduate Students Enrolled in Online Programs
Master of Environment and Business (MEB) Home Page
School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) Home Page
E-mail Accounts and Online Learning Computer Requirements
E-mail Accounts
Graduate student email accounts are created automatically when a student is matriculated (made active) as part of the admission process. All email addresses take the form username@uwaterloo.ca.
As a graduate student, you access your graduate uwaterloo.ca email account by using the ‘Connect’ icon. Log in using your WatIAM user ID and password.
It is important to check your graduate uwaterloo.ca email regularly. The program and the University of Waterloo will ONLY be communicating with you through this email account.
Please refer to the following webpage for additional information on your email account:
If you require technical assistance, please contact Environment Technology and Instructional Support (ETIS).
Online Learning Computer Requirements
Waterloo LEARN courses are designed to function in a variety of operating systems and web browsers. While courses generally function well in many computer configurations, only some are formally supported and tested. Please see the latest Centre for Extended Learning computer requirements.
Registration and Tuition Payment Procedures
Quest
You have already used Quest for various purposes, such as to uploading your application documents, checking your application status, and reviewing your offer of admission. Quest is also used to enroll in courses, obtain your fee statement, view any financial aid, change personal information, view your unofficial transcript for grades, and view course schedules. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Quest system.
Tuition Fee Information
Hard copy fee/tuition bills are NOT mailed to you from Finance. Your up-to-date fee statement will be available on Quest.
Please note that fees for the MEB program are charged per course, and fees do not post to your Quest account until you have enrolled.
Selecting Courses
Each student is expected to follow the MEB course sequence schedule unless they have gained approval from the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator and the MEB Academic Director for an exception.
MEB students enroll in courses via Quest.
Enrolment Regulations
Familiarize yourself with the regulations in the current graduate studies academic calendar.
By registering and paying fees, students assume responsibility for knowing the regulations and pertinent procedures as set forth in this handbook and the University of Waterloo Graduate Calendar.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have met coursework and all other requirements to complete your degree. The MEB Graduate Program Coordinator can assist you with this process. Some of these regulations are listed below.
Students are expected to maintain continuous registration (in each of the three terms/year) and must register for at least one course per term. Failure to register and pay fees each term could results in being discontinued from the program and having to re-apply for admission. Re-admission is not guaranteed. Special permission is required to change your enrolment status from full-time/part-time to inactive. If you request inactive status, you must complete a Change of Enrolment form and submit to the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator. A rationale explaining the reason for the request must be included. Requests for inactive status are not always approved.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Academic Term Deadlines and Holidays/University Closures
Schedule of Due Dates and Late Fees
MEB Policies
Late Assignments
All assignments are due on the date and time indicated (or 11:55 PM Eastern Time Zone on the given date if no time is specified). Late assignments (without penalty) are permitted only when specifically allowed by the instructor. A late assignment will be penalized by 20% for the first week it is late and by 50% if submitted prior to the end of the course. Permission may be obtained in advance for submission of late assignments (with no penalty), but this permission must be received by email at least three days PRIOR to the assignment deadline.
Assignment Submission
All assignments are to be submitted through the course website.
Citation Style
All MEB courses use the American Psychological Association (APA) style, latest edition.
Instructor Response Time
Instructors are expected to respond to emails within 48 hours, not including weekends.
Academic Integrity and Ethics
In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to conform to the highest standards in scholarship and research.
Please review the following websites and complete any tutorials provided to learn more about what constitutes an academic offence.
Additional information on Ethics is found at the Office of Research Ethics webpage.
University Policies Regarding Courses
Course Enrolment Period (drop/add classes)
During this period, you can enroll yourself in classes using Quest, and can also drop classes using Quest. The start/end dates of the course enrolment period are available on the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Calendar.
If you missed the enrolment period, the approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies will then be required in order to be added to any course. You would be required to completea Graduate Studies Course Drop/Add form which can be submitted to the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator.
Incomplete Courses
An incomplete grade status (INC) submitted by an instructor may remain on a student's academic record for at most two terms of enrolment following the term in which the course was taken. A student may seek a one-term extension by submitting a petition to the SEED department and course instructor, prior to the end of the two terms. If a grade has not been submitted by the end of the second term and an extension has not been granted, the INC will automatically convert to a failure to complete (FTC). For average calculation, FTC value equals 0. An FTC status may be reverted to an INC on the academic record only if a petition from the student is approved by the School/Department, Faculty, and the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Such a petition is granted only in exceptional circumstances. A failing grade in any course will necessitate a review of the candidate's status by the MEB Academic Director, and a review may result in the requirement to withdraw from the program.
Academic Integrity and Ethics
The University of Waterloo recognizes that its graduate students come from a variety of cultural and educational backgrounds, and that expectations about academic integrity can differ from one institution to another. To satisfy this need for consistency across graduate programs and to inform and support our graduate students, the university has created the Graduate Academic Integrity Module (AIM).
Graduate AIM is an online course that all graduate students are required to take through Waterloo LEARN. The Graduate AIM is not visible in LEARN until the first day of classes each term. Students must read the information about academic integrity and then receive a mark of at least 75% on the online quiz. The quiz must be successfully completed within the first 8 weeks of the term.
Graduate students are only required to complete this module once - they do not need to repeat it. Credit for this module will appear at the END of the term in Quest.
Content found in the Grad AIM includes:
- University policies on academic offences, intellectual property, student discipline, etc.
- Common violations of academic integrity such as:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized collaboration
- Fabrication and falsification
- Resources offered campus-wide to help you act with integrity in all aspects of your university life
The goal of the Graduate AIM is to ensure that all graduate students are given resources and information so that they are able to personally display academic integrity in their work.
What is Academic Integrity? Additional information can be found by visiting the academic integrity and its related policies webpage.
All other information on ethics is found at the Office of Research Ethics webpage.
Other Important Policies and Regulations
Degree Time Limits and Extensions
All requirements for the MEB degree must normally be completed within the following time period (beginning with the term of initial registration):
- Part-time: 9 terms (3 years)
- Full-time, two-years: 6 terms (2 years with an August residency)
- Full-time, one-year: 3 terms (1 year with an August residency)
Inactive terms are not included.
You will receive notification if you are nearing your time limit and must complete a "Request for Extension of Time Limit" form indicating your plan of completion. This form must be signed by you, the MEB Academic Director, and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. You have until the registration deadline to complete this form. Students who register but fail to have their extensions approved may be asked to withdraw.
Students who have been granted an extension of time limit are considered to be on probation and can be asked to withdraw from the program if progress is not deemed to be satisfactory.
Student Advising
Questions related to logistics, University of Waterloo policies, and program policies should be addressed to the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator.
Policies on Student Petitions and Grievances
If you have a question about an academic decision, you are strongly encouraged to first speak informally with the course instructor.
A student can also to speak to the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator.
The formal petition and grievance processes are set out in Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances.
A petition is a request by a student seeking exception to or relief from normal faculty or University rules and regulations. Typical examples include, but are not limited to, adding or dropping a course after the deadline, or removing a WD/WF grade for late drop.
While in a petition a student acknowledges that the rules were applied fairly and they are asking that an exception be made, the fundamental criterion for initiating a grievance is that a student believes that a decision of a university authority or the action of a faculty member or staff member of the University affecting some aspect of their university life has been unfair or unreasonable. Typical examples include, but are not limited to, a student questions a grade, or the instructor deviated substantially from the course outline without reasonable notice.
Note: A grievance alleging a human rights violation such as harassment or discrimination based on race, colour, sex, etc. should be handled under Policy 33, Ethical Behavior. For guidance on the applicable policy, a student should contact the Conflict Management and Human Rights Office or the Student Resource Office.
MEB Graduate Program Description and Degree Requirements
The MEB program is aimed at meeting the growing need for business sustainability professions as a distinct group of knowledgeable, skilled, confident and motivated individuals with the information, tools and expertise to integrate environment with business in very practical ways.
MEB is a course-based program and was designed to be completed either full-time or part-time (1-3 years). There are ten (10) courses in total. Students complete their first course while on-campus during a two-week residency (held in August). After completion of the on-campus residency in August, students then take one course per term (Fall, Winter, Spring). These courses are online courses. The final capstone project course for the program includes an on-campus three-day residency (held in June). In addition to the courses and residencies, the degree requirements include participation in two professional conferences over the course of the program.
For all students, continuous registration for each term of the program is required.
Access to reliable high-speed Internet service is highly recommended in order to have the best experience with our online courses.
Curriculum
The MEB program consists of two foundation courses, four core courses, two elective courses and a capstone project, which counts as two courses. An additional requirement is attendance of at least two designated scholarly or professional conferences.
While in the program, students should expect to spend 8-10 hours per week on each course. In general, part-time students will have one course per term.
The Centre for Extended Learning delivery format will provide opportunities for students to interact with content, with faculty members, and with each other. Courses will incorporate small group discussions, as well as opportunities for larger discussions. In addition, online course features may include reflective activities, animated content delivery, and self-evaluating quizzes.
Course Requirements and Offerings
The minimum course requirements are:
- Graduate Academic Integrity Module (AIM) - which MUST successfully completed within the first 8 weeks of your 1st term.
- Required courses - term of offer is indicated in brackets after each course listing.
- Foundation courses:
- Core courses:
- Elective courses:
- Students must complete 2 elective courses; a minimum of 1 of the following ENBUS courses must be completed:
A listing of ENBUS elective options and pre-approved non-ENBUS elective options are available on the SEED elective courses webpage. Note: MEB students are able to take a non-ENBUS elective from another graduate program with the guidance of the MEB Graduate Program Coordinator.
- Capstone Courses:
- 1st Conference Attendance and Report and 2nd Conference Attendance and Report
- Students must participate in at least 2 professional conferences, or equivalent, with the approval of the MEB Academic Director.
Students must maintain an overall average of 75% in the program, with individual course scores of at least 60%.
A failing grade (59% or lower) in any course will necessitate a review of the candidate's status by the department and may result in a candidate being required to withdraw from the program.
MEB Milestones – Conference Attendance and Post-Conference Reports
As noted, an additional requirement for the MEB program is attendance at a minimum of two multi-day scholarly or professional conferences, events, or training initiatives.
Purpose:
The purpose of our milestone conferences (in order of importance) is:
- Networking and connecting in person with other MEB students in your cohort and in other cohorts
- Networking with environment and business leaders
- Learning the leading edge conversation
- Experiencing an MEB endorsed professional conference and determining how to make the most of this type of event
- Seeing how the larger movement continues to stay informed and network
Requirements and Potential Alternatives:
Each MEB student must complete the equivalent of two multi-day conferences/events (ie two full milestones). Two separate one-day conferences/events can be combined to equal one full milestone.
At least one-half milestone (ie a one-day conference/event) must be an MEB sponsored event. The others can be a pre-approved conference, workshop, training or initiative. Attendance at the same event in two different years is acceptable. Please submit the pre-approval form to request permission to attend a non-MEB sponsored milestone conference/event. Please ensure you submit your request for approval well in advance of the event (at least 2-3 weeks is preferred) in order to allow sufficient time for your request to be reviewed.
Option 1: June MEB sponsored event.
- MEB students will be provided with an opportunity each June to complete a full milestone or a half milestone.
- for capstone students, attendance on the Friday session (before the residency) is a 0.5 milestone, but the Saturday is part of the ENBUS 690B Residency requirements and not worth an additional milestone.
- for early year MEB students (i.e., not enrolled in the capstone but attending the residency for milestones) will get a 0.5 milestone for the Friday session and a 0.5 milestone for Saturday, which is when the ENBUS 690B presentations are being held.
Option 2: Other MEB sponsored event.
- The MEB will endeavor to provide an opportunity for students to participate in an additional one-day event. This event will be considered a half milestone.
Option 3: Globe Conference in Vancouver - MEB sponsored event – February 2020 (and every two years after)
- Globe, which takes place every two years is being re-evaluated for 2026.
Option 4: Propose a non-MEB sponsored event, training, or initiative.
- Other half or full milestones can be pre-approved conferences, workshops, trainings or initiatives related to the student’s interests and the MEB degree. If it is a one-day event it is a half milestone (0.5). If it is multi-day event (or training), then it is a full milestone (1.0). Please submit the pre-approval form to request permission to attend a non-MEB sponsored milestone conference/event. Please ensure you submit your request for approval well in advance of the event (at least 2-3 weeks is preferred) in order to allow sufficient time for your request to be reviewed.
Sign-up Procedure:
- MEB sponsored events (i.e. June residency event), please indicate your attendance through the MEB Community Group via LEARN. There are generally other registration forms you need to fill in as well, but the wiki gives us an indication of interest well in advance (and enables you to see who else is planning to attend).
- Self proposing an event, training or initiative not sponsored by the MEB, please complete the pre-approval form. Please ensure you submit your request for approval well in advance of the event (at least 2-3 weeks is preferred) in order to allow sufficient time for your request to be reviewed.
Post-Event Procedure/Instructions:
- For self-proposed events, training or initiatives not sponsored by the MEB, students are required to make a post on the appropriate MEB Community Group discussion board telling about their experience. Posts for the self-proposed event, training or initiative must be at over 250 words. You should provide a brief summary of the event, detail sessions you found particularly interesting, and discuss the relevance of the event to your career and to the MEB program. The post should be completed within two weeks of the event.
- For MEB sponsored events (i.e. June residency event), a discussion board will be created and students are required to post on the appropriate discussion board by creating their own post (reflecting on the conference/event) and commenting on other posts. The post should be completed within two weeks of the event.
Additional Information about the University of Waterloo
Online Learning and Graduate Student Support
The University of Waterloo offers support to students completing online programs.
- Urgent Help
- AccessAbility Services
- Student Success Office
- Centre for Career Action
- Campus Wellness
- LEARN Help
- Quest help
- Writing and communication
In addition, there are other services online students can access:
Libraries
There are two main libraries on campus. The Dana Porter (DP) Library is located in the center of the campus and offers resources for the arts, humanities, social sciences, and houses government publications. The Davis Centre (DC) Library is located in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre and offers resources for engineering, mathematics, and science.
A WatCard (student ID card) is the University's comprehensive photo ID, and is needed for many of the services provided by the University. New students must apply for a card and are required to upload a photo for use on their WatCard. Students must have access to their UWaterloo email account before applying for their WatCard.
Given that MEB students are fully online and considered a remote student, you can Request the digital option.
More information is available regarding accessing online library resources from off-campus and including a link to the login webpage.
Retail Services
The University of Waterloo has a number of business operations and/or support services operations.
Directions to UW and Campus Map
An interactive campus map is also available.