Science and Aviation

Combine studies in science with professional flight training to launch your career in aviation.

Student completing pre-flight check on small aircraft

On this page:

Academics

Aviation

Resources

Contact information

Science & Aviation Academic Advisor: Maureen Wolff, ma2wolff@uwaterloo.ca 

  • For help with academics, degree requirements, course planning, schedule adjustments, sequencing of AVIA courses, resources, supports, and more. Not sure where to start? Reach out to Maureen!

Aviation Programs Manager: Brandon Rodenhurst, brodenhurst@uwaterloo.ca 

  • For help with granting advanced flight credits (e.g., PPL), specific aviation or Transport Canada questions (e.g., issues with medical certificate), additional support if Maureen is out-of-office.

Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre: Stacy Breen (Manager, Client Experience), Daniel Link (Manager, Training & Instructional Delivery), Gayle Campbell (Program Coordinator) Contact list

  • For help with flight training requirements, including ground school and flight lab inquiries.

Geography & Aviation Academic Advisor: Sophie Dallaire, gem-ug@uwaterloo.ca

Degree requirements

Program requirements are generally based on the year students begin their studies in the Faculty of Science. Make sure to view the correct program requirements in the archived calendar for the appropriate year. 

Recommended course sequence

These sequences are intended to help guide course selections.

Course availability, terms of offering, and individual schedules may vary based on course choices, especially after first-year.

Students can use the Schedule of Classes to confirm offerings. 

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Course planning resources and suggestions

After first-year, students are responsible for adding their own courses. This includes AVIA ground school and flight labs. 

Planning ahead can help to avoid missing pre-requisites, scheduling conflicts, and make room for flight training, core requirements, or electives that align with your passions.

Bookmark the resources below and set aside time to map out your course pathway. The earlier you plan, the more flexibility you’ll have.

Remember to give yourself options – make room for a few “back up” course options each term.

Tips for course enrolment

  • There are two phases of enrolment: the course selection period (wish list), and the drop/add period (open enrolment). Learn more about registering for courses.
  • Look for courses being offered on the Schedule of Classes or by searching directly in Quest. This is your primary resource for confirming course offerings. 

  • The Science course terms of offering page outlines the typical schedule for science lectures and labs, including online and on-campus offerings (note: Schedule of Classes is your primary resource, as offering patterns can sometimes change). 

  • Look ahead to upper-year courses (300- and 400-levels) that interest you and then working backward to make sure you meet the prerequisites. Undergraduate Course Search 

  • Review the enrolment problems and course overrides page if receiving an error message during course registration – next steps depend on the academic unit and enrolment error.

  • The important dates calendar outlines all enrolment periods for the Fall, Winter, and Spring term so you can plan ahead.

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Adding a Minor

Science and Aviation students have the opportunity to take electives in any subject at any level. These electives could be extra science or aviation courses, based on interest and career goals. Many students choose to compliment their degree by adding a minor or diploma.

Review the links below and information on modifying your program in Science for details on how to add a minor. 

Flight Training Information

Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) is located at the Waterloo Regional International Airport.

If you are interested in learning more about our program, please attend one of WWFC's information sessions to learn more about the flight centre, meet flight instructors, and tour the facilities. 

Science and Aviation students can view detailed flight training requirements in their WWFC Program Outline and Aviation Student Handbook. 

For students starting Fall 2025 or later: 

Year one:

  • Spring: AVIA 121 + 141, Milestone 1

Year two: 

  • Fall: AVIA 142, Milestone 2 (completion of PPL)
  • Winter: AVIA 222 + 243, Milestone 3
  • Spring: AVIA 223 + 244, Milestone 4

Year three: 

  • Fall: AVIA 245, Milestone 5 (completion of CPL) 
  • Winter: AVIA 324 + 346, Milestone 6
  • Spring: AVIA 325 + 347, Milestone 7

Year four: 

  • Fall: AVIA 426 (completion of flight training) 

Notes:

  1. Milestones are automatically awarded following successful completion of the flight training benchmark associated. Students are not required to enrol in milestones. 
  2. Advanced standing students with a PPL who are assigned transfer credits for AVIA 121, 141, and 142 at the time of admission will begin flight training Year one Fall in AVIA 222 + 243. Milestones 1 and 2 will be automatically awarded. 
  3. Students who receive a deferral from WWFC may follow a different sequence than what is outlined here. 

For students starting Fall 2024 or later: 

Year one:

  • Spring: AVIA 101

Year two: 

  • Fall: AVIA 102 (completion of PPL)
  • Winter: AVIA 203
  • Spring: AVIA 204

Year three: 

  • Fall: AVIA 205 (completion of CPL) 
  • Winter: AVIA 306
  • Spring: AVIA 307

Year four: 

  • Fall: AVIA 408 (completion of flight training) 

Notes:

  1. Advanced standing students with a PPL who are assigned transfer credits for AVIA 101 and 102 at the time of admission will begin flight training Year one in AVIA 203.
  2. Students who receive a deferral from WWFC may follow a different sequence than what is outlined here. 

AVIA Flight course equivalencies

Starting in Fall 2025, AVIA flight course codes were updated to reflect the nature of the courses (ground school, and flight labs). 

Most students will continue with the calendar requirements for the year they started the program. If you are a student who switched calendar requirements after starting the program, consider the equivalencies below. 

Old Course Code (F24 and earlier) Units New Course Codes (F25 and later) Units WWFC Code
AVIA 101 0.75 AVIA 121 + AVIA 141 + Aviation Milestone 1 0.50 + 0.25 UWFM1 + UWFL1A
AVIA 102 0.50 AVIA 142 + Aviation Milestone 2 0.25 UWFL1B
AVIA 203 0.50 AVIA 222 + AVIA 243 + Aviation Milestone 3 0.50 + 0.25  UWFM2A + UWFL2
AVIA 204 0.75 AVIA 223 + AVIA 244 + Aviation Milestone 4 0.50 + 0.25  UWFM2B + UWFL3
AVIA 205 0.50 AVIA 245 + Aviation Milestone 5 0.25  UWFL4
AVIA 306 0.75 AVIA 324 + AVIA 346 + Aviation Milestone 6 0.50 + 0.25 UWFM3 + UWFL5
AVIA 307 0.75 AVIA 325 + AVIA 347 + Aviation Milestone 7 0.50 + 0.25 UWFM4 + UWFL6
AVIA 408 0.50 AVIA 426 0.75  

Total Credits: 5.00 → Total Credits: 5.00 

Notes: 

1. Milestones are automatically awarded following successful completion of the flight training benchmark associated. Students are not required to enrol in milestones. 

2. When both courses are offered in the same term (e.g., AVIA 204 and AVIA 223/244), they are taught together, and students will be in the same class regardless of which course code they are enroled in.

Getting to Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC)

Students are responsible for getting to WWFC. We recommend students consider the following: 

Ways to get involved

Clubs or intramural activities can provide great opportunities to meet other people, add to your résumé, and even a chance to represent our program. 

Aviation: Connect with your fellow aviation students at University of Waterloo Aviation Society

Science: As an undergraduate Science student, you are automatically a member of the Science Society (SciSoc)! 

  • Interested in representing Science and Aviation? Consider applying for the Science Ambassador team! 

Sports and other clubs: Waterloo has a ton of student activities, no matter your interest. Learn more about WUSA student clubs

Scholarships, funding, and part-time work

We know that university, and flight training, are a big investment in your future. Professional Pilot and Preparatory Ground courses are not counted towards course load, and are not eligible for OSAP funding. To help offset some of these costs, consider the following options. 

Learning supports

Time management

Studying for tests and exams

Tutoring

Health and well-being

Science counselling services are available at no cost to all registered students.

The Wellness Navigators in the Science Undegraduate Office can help navigate the various supports and resources available to you, both on and off campus. These appointments are free and confidential. Students can book in-person or virtual appointments and learn more on the Science Counselling Services site.

University of Waterloo Counselling Services offers personal counselling to address any concerns that impact your success at university. There is no charge to registered students and it's absolutely confidential and voluntary. Counsellors are available for one-on-one support. 

If personal issues are getting in the way of your success, you may want to attend one of the many groups or workshops offered through Counselling Services.

  • Pre-recorded workshops and seminars, including Coping Skills seminars online
  • Group therapy, including Cognitive Behavioural and Dialectical Behavioural Therapies and Family Group
  • Workshops, including mindfulness meditation, healthy boundaries communication and stress management programs

Groups and workshops change each term. Please check the Group Therapy and Workshops webpage for a current listing.

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