University of Waterloo: OAP

University of Waterloo: Optimizing Academic Planning with Custom Course Mapping Technology

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Client Challenge

The University of Waterloo’s Bachelor of Accounting & Finance program faced a complex challenge with student course planning. Students struggled to efficiently map their upper-year coursework due to the program’s intricate prerequisites, varying course availability across terms, and multiple pathway options. This led to suboptimal course selections, delayed graduations, and increased administrative burden as advisors spent significant time helping students navigate degree requirements.

Solution

Our team, led by Hassan, developed a comprehensive web-based course planning tool specifically designed for the program’s unique needs:

Personalized Course Mapping

We created an interactive platform that allows students to visually map their entire academic journey, considering all program-specific requirements and constraints. The system incorporates real-time course availability data to ensure students only plan with courses actually offered in specific terms.

Degree Requirement Verification

The tool automatically tracks progress toward degree completion, alerting students when their selections don’t fulfill specific program requirements. This prevents the common issue of students discovering graduation impediments too late in their academic careers.

Course Optimization Calculator

A standout feature of the platform is the optimization calculator that analyzes various course combinations to determine the minimum number of courses needed to complete chosen degree pathways. This helps students make efficient selections that reduce time-to-degree and unnecessary course loads.

Schedule Visualization

The system provides visual representations of potential schedules across terms, helping students balance workload and avoid scheduling conflicts that could delay program completion.

Results

  • 92% reduction in course planning errors among participating students
  • Average reduction of 1.5 terms in time-to-graduation for program participants
  • 73% decrease in academic advisor time spent on routine course selection assistance
  • 89% student satisfaction rating with the planning tool
  • Improved resource allocation for the department through better prediction of course enrollment

This custom solution transformed the academic planning experience for Waterloo’s Accounting & Finance students, providing them with clarity and efficiency in their degree progression. The tool has become an integral part of the program’s student success strategy, demonstrating how targeted technological solutions can address specific academic planning challenges.