Modifying your program

Looking to change or modify your program within or outside the Faculty of Science?

Select the link below that most closely aligns with your intended outcome.

Program changes within the Faculty of Science:

Program changes involving a different faculty

View "How to Electronically Fill Out Plan Modification Form" on YouTube

Be sure to read through the nuances of the processes applicable to your change.

General information applicable for any changes you plan to your plan:

  • Acquire advisor signatures before submitting your form for processing. Submissions without signatures delay the approval process.
  • Approved changes will be made to your Quest account in approximately 2 – 3 weeks, unless the change cannot happen until current term grades are official.

Within a Science program

Changing Science program (first-year student)

Consult Consult with a Science Undergraduate Office Academic Advisor regarding the program you want to transfer into, ensuring that you are eligible.
Note

Program change requests are reviewed for the current term if submitted prior to: 

  • October 31 (Fall)
  • January 31 (Winter)
  • June 30 (Spring)

After the above deadlines, wait until grades for the current term are available prior to completing the plan modification form.

Exceptions:

  • Registration in your desired program is needed for upcoming course selection or enrolment.
  • Requests to move to co-op from regular are only reviewed after 1B (i.e., in May).

Decisions are usually made once term grades are available. If approved, the Registrar's Office will change your program in Quest.
Submit 

Submit the Plan Modification Form prior to enrolment in the next academic term.
Questions? Email science.advisor@uwaterloo.ca if you have further questions. 
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Changing Science program (upper-year student)

Consult Consult with a program advisor for the program you want to transfer into to confirm eligibility.
Deadline

Requests can be reviewed for the current term if submitted prior to the following dates: 

  • October 31 (Fall)
  • January 31 (Winter)
  • June 30 (Spring)

After the deadline, please wait until grades for the current term are available to complete the plan modification form. The exceptions, where a change can be made to the subsequent term of registration, are:

  • No active courses, i.e., spring term off, work term.
  • Moving from co-op to regular.
  • Registration in a program is needed for upcoming course selection or enrolment.
Submit

Plan Modification Form must be submitted prior to enrolment for the next academic term.
Submission Notes
  • Fill out the Plan Modification form and email to advisor of the desired program for approval.
  • If requiring more than one approval, send it to one advisor at a time for their signature.
  • Once the form is completed and signed, either
    • The signing academic advisor will submit your request via email on your behalf OR
    • You'll submit the form to The Centre as per the form instructions.

Decision  notes

 Decisions are usually made once term grades are available. If approved, the Registrar's Office will then change your program on Quest. 
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 Changing co-op sequence

Confirm
  • When proposing a change to your co-op sequence, ensure your program requirements can still be met.
  • Lay out your future sequence in a Word or Excel doc, indicating when you will take the remaining courses.
  • Share the sequence plan and the Sequence Change Form with your academic advisor.
Consult
  • Consult with your program advisor before agreeing with an employer to make a change to your sequence.
    • Note your PD course requirements when obtaining approval. 
    • Applying to a job outside your co-op sequence and without a sequence change approval constitutes a renege, to which penalties apply.
Extension Notes
  • Science rarely approves an 8-month work term for WT1 and WT2 as it often has a negative impact on future sequencing and course availability.
    • If you are interested in an 8-month work term but scheduled for 4 months, have a conversation with your academic advisor prior to applying. Most work/study sequences have an 8-month work term later in the progression, so 8-month work opportunities need to wait until this part of your sequence. A sequence with two 8-month work terms is even less likely to be approved.
  • Similarly, 12–16 month work terms have an impact on your sequence. Connect with your academic advisor well in advance prior to applying for these jobs.
Deadline Sequence changes are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Speak with your academic advisor for additional details.
Submit

Complete the Sequence Change Form and send it to your academic advisor.

If you have laid out your plans for your future terms, send this as well to help your academic advisor approve your plan quickly.

Submission notes

Your academic advisor will forward the documents to the appropriate Co-operative Education advisors.

Once submitted, it may take up to 14 business days to be processed.

 
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Sequence changes that impact a first work term

I want to: What do I need to know? Who should I talk to?
Defer my first work term to later in my sequence

Connect with your co-op advisor within WaterlooWorks to discuss your job search strategy, and customizing and expanding your job search.

If you applied for jobs via WaterlooWorks for your first work term, you will not have access to WaterlooWorks for the deferred work term. You will need to find your own job and submit an Arrange Own Job form.

If you did not find a job in WT1, consider participating in Waterloo Experience Accelerate (WEA).

  • Develop in-demand skills
  • Learn from industry collaborators
  • Work in teams on real-world projects to gain experience and earn a flexible work term credit.

The Faculty of Science does not recommend deferring first work terms unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • Speak to your academic advisor about the implications of moving your first work term. Working with your academic advisor will help you create an updated plan to complete your degree.
  • Good questions to explore include:
    • What impact will this have on your course sequencing?
    • Will you still be able to fit 5 work terms into your sequence?
  • Contact the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning Advisor to learn how deferring your first work term impacts your PD requirements.

Note: future course offerings are subject to change.
Forfeit my first work term to take an academic term or an off term

Impact:

  • Science requires students to secure 4 work terms. With 5 work terms, you have a buffer in case something doesn’t go to plan. When you forfeit a work term to take academic courses, you have used your buffer.

The Faculty of Science does not recommend changing first work terms to academic terms or off terms unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • Speak to your academic advisor about whether you could change your sequence to still include five work terms.
    • Whenever possible, the Faculty of Science recommends keeping all 5 work terms in your sequence.
    • As you progress in your degree and have further experience, you may be in a better place to forfeit a later work term to take an academic or off term.
  • Contact the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning Advisor to learn how forfeiting your first work term may impact your PD requirements.

If you’re an international student, taking an off term can have implications on your immigration status. Speak to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in the International Experience Centre to learn more.

 
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Changing from regular to co-op

Step 1
  1. Understand the co-op process, fees, and preparation for working as a co-op student.
  2. Note which requirement category applies:
  • Previously in a co-op program with no work term or PD course completed and removed due to not meeting program requirements, Good Standing (70% overall average) in last academic term
  • Previously in a co-op program with work term(s) and PD course(s) completed and removed due to not meeting program requirements, Satisfactory Standing in last academic term
  • Started in a regular program, end of first year, Good Standing (70% overall average)
  • Started in a regular program, second year or higher, Good Standing (70% overall average) and viable work study sequence.
Consult

Consult with the academic advisor for the co-op program you are requesting.

  • There should be no incomplete (INC) courses.

  • Students beyond 1B will be considered on a case-by-case basis as there is a need to ensure a viable work and study sequence.
Deadlines

Winter term: December 15

Spring term:  April 15

Fall term:   August 15
Forms
  • Fill out the Plan Modification Form and obtain an approval signature from the appropriate program advisor. 
  • Fill out the Request for Co-op form attaching:
    • Your signed Plan Modification Form 
    • Your current resume
International student Co-op work permits Students who are not issued a co-op work permit upon entry to Canada can apply for a co-op work permit once in Canada. If a request for co-op is approved, students should apply as soon as possible to ensure the co-op work permit is in hand before beginning work terms.
Submission

If your request for co-op is approved, the Science Undergrad office (SUO) will work with Co-op Experiential Education (CEE) to map your co-op sequence and will inform you of the outcome.

 
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Changing from co-op to regular

If you are considering changing from coop to regular, and are in a current PD course, contact your academic advisor and/or the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning Advisor (j4harris@uwaterloo.ca) to determine if the change will affect your PD course.

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Declaring or changing specialization

Consult Consult with the academic advisor for the program with the specialization.
Deadline

Declaring or changing specializations can be made anytime and can be approved immediately.
Form

Plan Modification Form with the appropriate advisor approval and signature. 
Submission paths

Two submission paths:

  • The signing academic advisor will submit your completed request via email on your behalf OR
  • You'll submit it to The Centre as per the form instructions.
 
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Adding a minor or option

Review

Review degree requirements on the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar. 

Typically, at least two courses for the minor/option need to be completed before the request will be considered.
Consult Approval must be granted by the academic advisor from the department where the minor/option is being taken.
Deadline Adding a minor or option can be submitted anytime. 
Form

Plan Modification Form 
Submission paths

Two submission paths:

  • The signing academic advisor will submit your completed request via email on your behalf OR
  • You'll submit it to The Centre as per the form instructions.

*Students interested in a joint honours program should consult the Undergraduate Calendar for more details.

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Withdrawing from a term

Consult Consult with your program advisor or with an advisor in the SUO.
Deadline The withdrawal form outlines details around timing.
Form

Complete and submit the Undergraduate Notice of Withdrawal Form

 
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Outside of a Science program

Transferring to Science from a different faculty

Review
Consult Science transfer advisor Maureen Wolff. Completing and submitting the Transferring to Science form will trigger an appointment. Maureen will reach out after reviewing the submitted form.
Deadline Transfers for the upcoming term will be considered up to the final day of classes of the current term.
Form The web form associated with the Transferring to Science page must be submitted before any conversation can take place. 
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Transferring from Science to a different faculty

Review
  • Understand your motivations to transfer out of Science
  • Determine which faculty you wish to be in and which program you want to take.
  • Review admission requirements for your chosen faculty and program.
Consult

Speak with both
Deadline The desired faculty will establish the timeline.
Form Faculty Transfer form.
Submission

Faculty transfer instructions may vary by faculty. Read each faculty's instructions carefully. 

Additional transfer details can be found on the transfer pages for Health, Arts, Engineering, Environment, and Math respectively.
Decision notes A decision will be made once your current term grades are available. You will then be notified of the decision and can proceed, if approved, to choose your courses during your enrolment appointment. 
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