What is first year like At The University of Waterloo

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Every university has a slightly different first year of a science program. In some programs, the first year is a general one where everyone takes the same required classes and the second year’s electives are used to explore different major options. Other programs will require you to declare your major in your first year, giving you the greatest opportunity to learn the science you are most interested in. You must choose the program type that best suits your needs because both have advantages and disadvantages.

You can anticipate taking five courses at Waterloo with one or two associated labs in each of your two terms. The complexity of your time in the labs can definitely increase, but students who earn a bachelor’s degree in science note how much better prepared they are for the workforce because they have strong time management skills and have had more opportunities to engage in hands-on learning.

Common questions

What is an Honours Bachelor of Science?

An honours degree requires more courses (typically five courses per term, with two terms per year, for four years) and a higher grade point average (GPA) than a general degree, which takes about three years to complete. However, a general degree may be your goal if you intend to leave your undergraduate university early to attend a professional school, such as medical school.

What science programs does Waterloo offer?

At Waterloo, we offer 20 science majors (within the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Health, and the Faculty of Environment) and two professional programs: Doctor of Optometry (OD) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).

What high school classes are needed?

Although requirements vary from university to university, you’ll typically need math, English, and at least one of the core sciences in high school.

For the Waterloo , admission requirements differ from major to major so be sure to review them well before you apply.

How long is a BSc program?

Most bachelor’s degrees take three or four years to complete as a full-time student, based upon on whether you earn a general degree or an honours degree.

It’s possible, depending on the institution you attend, to earn your degree online while working, which can take longer if you take only one or two courses a term.

What is a Bachelor of Applied Science?

At Waterloo, students graduating from the Faculty of Engineering receive a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in their major, e.g., Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, etc.

Students graduating from the Faculty of Science receive a Bachelor of Science degree.

Is psychology a Bachelor of Arts or Science?

It can be either. Many universities offer a Bachelor of Arts and a BSc in psychology. Many of the required psychology courses will be the same. Your electives would tend to be either in the sciences or the humanities and social sciences.

Is computer science a science?

Some universities offer a Bachelor of Arts or a BSc in Computer Science. At Waterloo, you can earn either a Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS).

Ready to learn more?

Download a brochure to learn about programs in the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Health, or Faculty of Environment.
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