UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM PROPOSAL
OF
DEGREE(S)
IN
XXX (PLEASE FILL IN)
Submitted to the
Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance
VOLUME I - PROPOSED BRIEF
DATE (MONTH/YEAR)
Template - Proposed Brief
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION: Learning Objectives and Outcomes.. ................................. 3
1.1 The Program ................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Method used for Preparation of the Brief ..................................................... 3
1.3 Objectives of the Program ........................................................................... 3
1.4 Admission Requirements ……………………………………………………….. 3
1.5 Structure ...................................................................................................... 3
1.6 Program Content ………………………………………………………………….3
1.7 Mode of Delivery ......................................................................................... 4
1.8 Assessment of Teaching and Learning ........................................................ 4
2. HUMAN RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 4
2.1 Resources for the Proposed Program ......................................................... 4
2.2 Resources for Undergraduate Programs ..................................................... 4
2.3 Quality of Faculty Members …………………………………………………….. 4
3. PHYSICAL RESOURCES .................................................................................... 5
3.1 Library Resources ........................................................................................ 5
3.2 Laboratory Resources ................................................................................. 5
3.3 Computer Facilities ...................................................................................... 5
3.4 Space .......................................................................................................... 5
4. CURRICULUM .................................................................................................... 5
4.1 The Intellectual Development and the Educational Experience
of the student ....................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Program regulations ……………………………………………………………… 6
5. PROJECTED ENROLMENT ............................................................................... 6
6. FINANCIAL PLAN ............................................................................................... 7
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Template - Proposed Brief
1.
INTRODUCTION: Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Academic units are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from Centre for
Teaching Excellence in completing sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7 and 1.8. Units should
work with Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) in preparing sections 2.1, 5 and
6.
1.1
The Program
[Will this program charge regular fees? Will this be a co-op program, regular
program, or both?]
1.2
Method Used for Preparation of the Brief
[Specify involvement of faculty, staff and possibly potential students; provide dates
at which it was approved at the Department/School level, Faculty, Senate
Undergraduate Council and Senate.]
1.3
Objectives of the Program
[Describe the consistency of the program with the University of Waterloo’s mission
and academic plans.
Also describe the program’s requirements and associated Learning Outcomes in
addressing the University of Waterloo’s undergraduate Degree Level Expectations,
and the degree nomenclature.]
1.4
Admission Requirements
[Describe the program’s admission requirements for the Learning Outcomes
established for completion of the program.
Explain alternative requirements, if any, for admission into an undergraduate or
second-entry program, such as minimum grade point average, additional languages
or portfolios, along with how the program recognizes prior work or learning
experience.]
1.5
Structure
[Describe the program’s structure and regulations to meet specified program
Learning Outcomes and Degree Level Expectations.]
1.6
Program Content
[Describe the ways in which the curriculum addresses the current state of the
discipline or area of study.
Identify any unique curriculum or program innovations or creative components].
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Template - Proposed Brief
1.7
Mode of Delivery
[Describe the proposed mode(s) of delivery to meet the intended program learning
outcomes and Degree Level Expectations.]
1.8
Assessment of Teaching and Learning
[Describe the proposed methods for the assessment of student achievement of the
intended program learning outcomes and Degree Level Expectations.
Detail the plans for documenting and demonstrating the level of performance of
students, consistent with the institution’s statement of its Degree Level
Expectations.]
2.
HUMAN RESOURCES
2.1
Resources for the Proposed Program
[Provide evidence of participation of a sufficient number and quality of faculty.
Members who are competent to teach and/or supervise in the program.]
[Provide evidence that there are adequate resources to sustain the quality of
scholarship produced by undergraduate including library support, information
technology support, and laboratory access.]
2.2
Resources for Undergraduate Programs
[Evidence of and planning for adequate numbers and quality of:
(a) Faculty and staff to achieve the goals of the program; or
(b) Of plans and the commitment to provide the necessary resources in step with
the implementation of the program;
(c) Planned/anticipated class sizes;
(d) Provision of supervision of experiential learning opportunities (if required); and
(e) The role of adjunct and part-time faculty.]
2.3
Quality of Faculty Members
[Define and provide indicators that provide evidence [faculty members CVs should
be provided in a standardized format, such as the used by one of the Tri-Councils]
of quality of the faculty (e.g., qualifications, research, innovation and scholarly
record; appropriateness of collective faculty expertise to contribute substantively to
the proposed program)].
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Template - Proposed Brief
3.
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
[Describe the administrative unit’s planned utilization of existing physical and
financial resources, and any institutional commitment to supplement those
resources, to support the program.]
3.1
Library Resources
[This section is written by a representative of the University Librarian, using a
standard format. Additional material can be added regarding any special library
collections available to the program (e.g. from a college library or a local reading
room at another location: however the University Librarian or his/her delegate
needs to see this information before submission).]
3.2
Laboratory Resources
[Major facilities currently available or anticipated to be available, if applicable.]
3.3
Computer Facilities
[All faculty and undergraduate students are provided with an account on the
university computing system. This account provides access to email, internet, other
relevant software (describe). Describe access to computers and printers in the unit
housing the program.]
3.4
Space
[Describe current faculty, laboratory, undergraduate student and general research
office space, and commitments/plans for next seven years.
E.g. the [unit] is located in the [name] building(s). An approximate total of [X]
square metres is available for undergraduate support and faculty offices. Faculty
members have access to private offices with phone and computer. Also describe
arrangements for adjunct and cross-appointed faculty.]
4.
CURRICULUM
4.1
The Intellectual Development and the Educational Experience of the Student
[Describe how the program will foster the development of students, and the quality
of the learning experience. Describe how this will achieve the program objectives,
and the learning objectives.]
Comment on:
 how seminars and departmental workshops (e.g. research presentations,
safety workshops, etc.) will contribute to learning
 orientation provided for new students at the unit or Faculty level

on the role of experiential learning in the curriculum if applicable]
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Template - Proposed Brief
4.2
Program Regulations
[Describe admission standards and admission policies; course requirements,
examination and evaluation procedures; thesis evaluation procedures; language
requirements (if any); milestones and other requirements; residence regulations.
For co-op placements, internships or practica explain the relevance of the
placement to the program’s content and curriculum, and the procedure and
standards for evaluation.
A Student Handbook – if available – can be provided as an appendix (and if not
available at time of program approval, should be provided to reviewers when they
come to visit).
If there are alternative methods of fulfilling the degree requirements (thesis, major
research paper, coursework only), explain these. What are the requirements for
progression required to remain in good academic standing?]
5.
PROJECTED ENROLMENT
[Describe projected enrolment for the next 7 years, full and part-time, co-op and
regular, projected domestic and international students. For online programs, and
programs with special fee arrangements (per course, higher than normal fees, etc)
a business plan must be prepared in conjunction with Institutional Analysis and
Planning, for approval by the Provost. This is not included in the brief presented for
academic approval.]
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Template - Proposed Brief
6.
FINANCIAL PLAN
[All new programs must prepare a financial plan, which must be prepared in
conjunction with Institutional Analysis and Planning, for approval by the
Provost. This is not included in the brief presented for academic approval.]
Note: The financial plan approval process runs parallel to the early stages of
the new program academic approval process. All new programs must prepare a
financial plan in conjunction with IAP. The financial plan is submitted to the Provost
for approval prior to the new program proceeding to the reviewer stage.
The financial plan is not included in the brief presented for academic approval.
IAP will provide templates for preparing the enrolment projections and the financial
plan.
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Template - Proposed Brief
Appendix 1:
External Reviewer(s)’ Report
[Please insert the External Reviewer(s)’ Report here.]
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Template - Proposed Brief
Appendix 2:
Institutional Response to the External Reviewer(s)’ Report
[Please insert the institution’s response to the External Reviewer(s)’ Report here.]
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