Each term, a variety of new courses are offered for the first time. Below is a centrally-maintained list of such courses, submitted by various academic units on campus.
Click the course link to see the full course description in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar. Browse through the list for course details and check back often for updates.
Fall 2026
Last updated: June 2, 2026
CS 497 - Multidisciplinary Studies in Computer Science
Topic details: AI Transformation in Organizations: Healthcare
Despite the rapid proliferation of AI technologies, the adoption of AI solutions in organizations remains challenging. In many work contexts, it is unclear what problems AI can/should help solve and how AI solutions fit into workflows. There is an increasing demand for AI transformation experts (or forward deployed engineers), who understand not only technical aspects of AI implementation, but the process of integrating such technologies into workflows and institutional environments.
CS497 is a project-based course that teaches students how to tackle AI transformation challenges in organizations. In Fall 2026, CS497 will be held with HLT480 - CS and Health students form teams and work with health organizations (e.g., hospitals, primary care clinics, rehabilitation centers, retirement homes) to co-create AI prototypes. Students will have the opportunity to interact with clinicians, administrative staff, patient advocates from a variety of healthcare settings. You can find the course outline here: CS497-AI Transformation in Organizations: Healthcare.
Intended Audience: CS students in 3A and above (if you are in 3A and can't add the course on Quest, then please contact a CSadvisor@uwaterloo.ca for an override). Eligible Engineering students may be able to enroll if they meet the criteria to take a CS course, there’s available space, and instructor consent.
ENVS 459 - Energy, Governance and Sustainability
Topic details: Do you want to learn more about our current energy systems and how we can transition to a more sustainable future?
Do these types of questions interest you?
- Why aren’t renewables doing more?
- What powers my air conditioner?
- Should AI get access to energy first?
- Do I have to choose wires or pipelines?
- What does energy justice mean?
- The mayor, the premier, the prime minister – same/different on energy?
If so, consider enrolling in this course, which combines lectures, discussions, and local field trips to understand 'energy as a socio-technical system’ (at multiple scales from the local to the global). We look at what those systems are, and what they could be.
Course details:
- 3A and above ENV students
- One weekly three-hour meeting (for 12 weeks)
- At least three ‘local energy field trips’ (on campus; within Waterloo Region)
- Guest speakers
- Lectures by Professor Ian Rowlands (SERS) and active discussion involving all
- Builds on initial course offering run in Spring 2025
ENVS 474 - Special Topics in Environment
Topic details: Happiness, Well-being and Sustainability
ENVS 474/674 is a new in-person course that explores different conceptions of and practices for cultivating happiness, well-being, and sustainability.
Holding the tensions between increasingly turbulent and uncertain global conditions and the pursuit of a happy and equitable future for all, students will participate in a learning journey where they co-sense, co-heal, and co-create novel imaginaries for collective flourishing.
Drawing insights from diverse epistemologies–including science, philosophy, and wisdom traditions–students will explore new ways of seeing and being that foster conditions for collective flourishing.
ENVS 474/674 focuses on collective, participatory, and contemplative learning processes. Given the strong experiential focus of this in-person course, class size will be kept intentionally small (~30 people) and will be available to both undergraduate and graduate students.*
Together, participants will learn practical tools for cultivating happiness and wellbeing and insights for how these skills can be leveraged for positive systemic change.
ENVS 474/674 will be offered in Fall 2026 by Dr. Kira Cooper who specializes in inner-outer sustainability transformations in a time of polycrisis. For more information about this course, please contact: kcooper@uwaterloo.ca.
This course is made possible through the generous support of the Rekhi Foundation.