The COVID-19 pandemic has made several items listed below subject to change. We’ll be updating this page as soon as new information becomes available.
Helpful links: University of Waterloo Information on COVID-19, Required Courses, Student Success Online Learning (STEM), Getting Ready to Learn Online, and Centre for Extended Learning - Learn Online.
Welcome...
to the Faculty of Science! Congratulations on your admission and decision to attend the University of Waterloo. We want to provide you with information and connect you with resources to be successful as you begin studies this Fall.
Grab your beakers and buckle your seat belts because you're about to start an amazing journey!
Timeline and Checklist (Exact dates are subject to change)
May
Early May, 2020
Prepare to Apply for Residence (suggested)
June
June 8, 2020
Get Waterloo Ready!
Waterloo Ready is a new program to help you prepare for becoming a Waterloo Warrior! You’ll get to connect with other students, prepare academically, and learn about what to expect in your first year.
June 22, 2020
Activate your UWaterloo Email
Beginning June 22, all messages from the University of Waterloo will be sent to your new Waterloo Email address. After this date, you must activate your UWaterloo email account. Step 1: Change your password through WatIAM, Step 2: Access your Office 365 account.
Apply for OSAP (suggested; if applicable)
The 2020-2021 applications for full-time students will open in the spring (April to June). Apply early to get an estimate of the amount of grants and loans you can receive. For any questions about OSAP and any other provincial funding, please refer to our Student Awards & Financial Aid homepage. If you are coming from outside of Ontario and within Canada, look up your out of province student aid here.
Get to Know your Advisors
You will find your first year academic advisors in the Science Undergraduate Office.
July
July 1, 2020
Select your courses
Review your required courses and familiarize yourself with course selection. Course selection is between June 30 and July 9, 2020. The process is not first-come, first-served.
July 7, 2020
Review and Accept your Residence Contract (if applicable)
Residence contracts will be sent to your UWaterloo email account starting on July 7 and running until as late as mid-August. You must accept the residence contract by the assigned deadline specified on your contract.
July 8, 2020
Participate in the Waterloo Ready Science Webinar
Save the date for Wednesday, July 8 to learn more about the academic life of a Science student at Waterloo. You’ll also get to meet some of your classmates virtually and learn from our upper-year students at this event.
Confirm Your Transfer Credits (suggested and if applicable)
If you have high school transfer credits (e.g. IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), A-levels, or CAPE unit 2 courses), now is the time to ensure you have sent your final grades to the Registrar’s Office.
Access LEARN
Your UWaterloo instructors will use LEARN to give you access to some of your course materials, and is a tool for submitting assignments and completing quizzes LEARN is a component of on-campus courses and a platform for exclusively online courses. As a new Science student, you will be added to a community called “SciSpace”. This is where you will get the latest opportunities, reminders, or events related to the Faculty of Science.
August
August 13, 2020
Become Fees Arranged
Fall fees will be posted to your Quest account in late-July. The fee payment deadline is August 25, 2020.
Explore UWaterloo Portal
UWaterloo Portal is your digital assistant for all the information you need to make life easier on campus. Download the UWaterloo Portal app and customize your experience.
Complete WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
All students in the Faculty of Science must complete WHMIS before their first lab. Students can enrol on LEARN through the "Self-Registration" link and selecting the course "Student Safety Orientation / WHMIS 2015". Be sure to print your certificate or proof of completion and bring it to each of your labs!
September
September 1 to September 7, 2020
Attend Virtual Orientation
Orientation will take place online from September 1 to September 7. We encourage all incoming students to participate in Orientation as it's a great way to get involved with the Faculty of Science community and to meet new friends! An email in mid-August will be sent by the University to invite students to register for virtual Orientation.
September 2020, (TBD)
Blue Goggle Calculator
*Fall 2020 Update: Updates will be posted on our Blue Goggle Calculators page by the end of the second week of lectures regarding calculator usage and pick-up opportunities.
September 24 and 25, 2020
WUSA Clubs and Societies Days (suggested)
Looking to get involved? Check out the numerous clubs and societies at the University of Waterloo! There are over 250 clubs offered by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and you can learn more about many of them at this event, in the Student Life Centre (SLC) Great Hall.
September to November, 2020 (TBD)
Select your Winter 2021 Courses
Please monitor the important dates page for updates regarding dates for course selection. Your required courses will already be selected for you. Your academic advisor will provide more details and, let you know if anything else is needed.
