I have had lots of meetings with admin lately, and I am trying to get student feedback regarding issues like 8-month work terms, field coordinators, TA critiques and WatPD courses so I can share the student view, not just my own. Please contribute to these discussions at http://engsoc.uwaterloo.ca/forum/2 (Engsoc website->Services->Discussion Forums).
Wat PD-Engineering/PD Eng
The projected in-service date of WatPD-Engineering is January 2011. As of the time of print, the proposals are being reviewed for the new curriculum. If a proposal is successful, and it appears by late August the course can be implemented in time, incoming students will be taking WatPD-Engineering 20 as of Winter 2011, not PDEng 15.
Disclaimer 1: While incoming students will only have 3 work reports, all existing students will need to complete their degree requirements (that is, 4 work reports)
Disclaimer 2: The following is 2/5 through the approval process and is therefore not guaranteed. However, it passed stage 2 (FUGS) with flying colours and an emergency EFC meeting (stage 3) has been called for July to pass it. The administration seems somewhat accepting of breaking their own rules to expedite the changes through stage 4 and 5 in September and October. Eric Cousineau (A-Soc VP Ed) and Jay Shah (Senator) will presumably let you know if admin needs additional persuasion.
Disclaimer 3: The changes to WatPD are subject to staff scaling, so make sure engineers are applying to WatPD positions for Winter 2011 and beyond.
For those who have completed PDEng 15 and PDEng 25: You must complete three electives from PD Eng 35-55 and/or Wat PD 3-7.
For those who have completed PDEng 15, but not 25: You may complete
a) PDEng 25, then three electives, or
b) complete PD 1, 2 and then 2 electives
For those who have completed neither PDEng 15 or 25: complete WatPD 1, 2 and then 3 electives
For those who fail a course: You may request to take the course on a subsequent academic term
For those who are more than one course behind: Talk to Dwight Apelvich, PDEng director to create a catch-up plan. As of January 2011, this discussion may also happen with WatPD.
For those of you who wish to take advanced WatPD courses but have already completed PD Eng: Not our priority right now, especially with staffing concerns. No official policy as yet, but it doesn’t seem implausible.
For those wishing to take a WatPD course on passing the PEO exam: not a priority, but hopefully can be produced in parallel with PD 20/21. Hopefully by Winter 2012, but don’t count on it.
A summary of the WatPD electives will be available in the next issue. For now, visit http://www.watpd.uwaterloo.ca/about/courses.html
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