Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the ability of engineering students at the University of Waterloo to take elective courses, particularly those outside of their engineering curriculum. Participants explore the structure of the curriculum, the types of electives available, and personal experiences related to course selection.
Discussion Character
Main Points Raised
- One participant claims that the engineering curriculum at Waterloo appears to be full, suggesting that there are no elective courses available for engineering students.
- Another participant counters that there are "complimentary studies" (CS) options available outside of engineering, which include courses in engineering economics, ethics, and technical writing, as well as some humanities and social sciences courses.
- A participant expresses interest in taking music courses, specifically mentioning a desire to take at least five such courses.
- Another participant, from a similar engineering program, indicates that while they had the option to choose one non-engineering elective, it was limited to a small selection of courses, implying that taking multiple music courses may not be feasible without extending their study period.
- The original poster considers the possibility of staying an extra term to accommodate additional courses.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of electives for engineering students at Waterloo. There are competing views regarding the extent and nature of elective options, particularly concerning non-engineering courses.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference their personal experiences and the structure of similar engineering programs, which may not fully represent the specific policies at Waterloo. There is also uncertainty regarding the exact number and type of electives available to engineering students.