University of Waterloo
Overview
The University of Waterloo (UWaterloo or UW) is a public research university located in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the top-ranking universities in Canada, known for its cooperative education (co-op) programs, which allow students to integrate their education with applicable work experiences. The university operates the largest post-secondary co-op program of its kind in the world, with over 20,000 co-op students enrolled annually.
History
The University of Waterloo was established on July 1, 1957, with the passage of The University of Waterloo Act. The university's founding was largely due to the efforts of local business leaders and institutions who wanted to establish an institution to address the skills gap in the post-World War II workforce. The university's first classes were held in 1957 with 74 students enrolled in engineering programs.
Academics
The University of Waterloo comprises six faculties and twelve faculty-based schools. The faculties are the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, Faculty of Mathematics, and Faculty of Science. Each faculty operates semi-autonomously, with its dean reporting to the university president.
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences focuses on physical and mental health, with programs in public health, recreation and leisure studies, kinesiology, and health studies. It is known for its research in health promotion, injury prevention, and health systems.
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is the university's largest faculty and offers programs in the humanities, social sciences, languages, and fine arts. It is home to the School of Accounting and Finance and the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business.
Faculty of Engineering
The Faculty of Engineering is one of the world's largest engineering schools and is known for its programs in software engineering, computer engineering, and mechatronics engineering. It is home to the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.
Faculty of Environment
The Faculty of Environment offers programs in geography, environment and resource studies, planning, and environmental science. It is known for its research in climate change, sustainability, and urban planning.
Faculty of Mathematics
The Faculty of Mathematics is the only faculty of its kind in North America, with programs in mathematics, computer science, and statistics. It is home to the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science.
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science offers programs in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, physics and astronomy, and psychology. It is known for its research in quantum computing, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.
Research
The University of Waterloo is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. The university operates several research institutes, including the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Institute for Quantum Computing, and the Water Institute. The university's research output and its high-quality programs contribute to its reputation as a leading comprehensive university.
Campus
The main campus of the University of Waterloo is located on 404 hectares of land in Waterloo, Ontario. The campus is home to numerous academic buildings, research centres, residences, and athletic facilities. The university also operates satellite campuses in Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford.
Student life
The University of Waterloo is home to more than 30,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers a wide range of student services, including counselling services, health services, and career services. The university's Federation of Students represents the undergraduate student body, while the Graduate Student Association represents the graduate students.
Athletics
The University of Waterloo's athletic teams, known as the Waterloo Warriors, compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. The university offers a variety of sports, including football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. The university's athletic facilities include the Physical Activities Complex, Columbia Icefield, and Warrior Field.
Notable alumni
The University of Waterloo has over 195,000 alumni around the world. Notable alumni include Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut; Mike Lazaridis, co-founder of Research In Motion (now BlackBerry Limited); and Prem Watsa, founder of Fairfax Financial.