INTEG 120The Art and Science of Learning
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
- Subject
- Knowledge Integration
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course introduces students to cutting-edge scientific research on learning and cognition. We will discuss how to develop "smart" goals, reduce cognitive biases, cultivate a growth mindset, and improve self-regulation to become a more effective learner. These strategies are essential for maximizing your ability to learn effectively and efficiently, but they are not the whole story - you will also discover how your physical health, mental well-being, and social connections affect your ability to learn, remember, create, and problem-solve. By taking this course, you will develop sought-after skills such as critical thinking, create a personalized learning strategy that benefits you personally and professionally, and learn how to thrive in university, both inside and outside the classroom.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5621 | 22 / 45 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it84% easy82% useful
From 67 ratings and 20 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
kinda pointless, but its a ELPE equivalent.
John is an amazing professor. Wouldn't recommend, but it was not a complete waste of time. Totally comprised of KI kids, so expect to be spoken over and made to feel awful about your intelligence.Dec 2014 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
IMO this is the perfect elective to take for any student in first semester. It's extremely useful if you pay attention to all the information, while also being quite easy to get 90+.
Jan 2026 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I took this course in Fall 2025 with Katie, and had a wonderful experience! I found the course content very useful for how I actually applied strategies to my learning as a 2nd year student, and wish I could've had the opportunity to take this class in my first year. I would advise that first years and 2A students take this course when they can, as it gives some really good tips and learning on how someone can improve their learning. Assignments are quite simple and easy to complete, a lot of personal writing and reflection which makes the course content easy to capture and makes you apply your learning to your own thinking right then and there! Definetly one of my favourite courses taken…
Feb 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A good foundational course for any university student. If you are interested in philosophy or cognitive science at all this course is for you! I finished with a mark in the mid 90s, and would say the course work is very manageable. Also if you are exploring personal knowledge management systems/brain doubling for university or just life purposes this course will definitely give you a jumping off point. The work was mainly lectures, readings and personal reflections :)
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
I had Katie for my first year, first term and absolutely loved it! She was very organized with all of her lectures and was so approachable to ask any questions. She made her content relate to the real world and I learned so many concepts to apply to my learning in all my other courses. The course load was managable, but if you listened in class and did the readings you would be perfectly fine. The class discussions were a lot of fun if you participated. Would 100% recommend this class to KI students and non-KI students.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
15 posts and comments in 11 threads mention INTEG 120, October 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
SCI 206 - Yea or Nah? 3 points, 10 comments
u/The_Summer_Triangle: “… Also, secondary question: Currently, I've alreadu got two courses on both of the days SCI 206's lectures are, making for an English course, INTEG 120, and SCI 206, two days of the week. …”
Spring 2021
Elective choice for 2A mech 0 points, 8 comments
u/The_meme_fairy: “… My current other options are plan 100, music 140, and integ 120. Also, is it a good idea to start taking courses towards an option/specialization yet? …”
Spring 2020
Has anyone taken a Cognitive Science/Urban Studies minor? 3 points, 7 comments
“Basically what the question says. I'm interested to see whether the degrees would be a good fit for me. …”
[deleted]: [deleted]
u/zeph-yr: “No, I haven't. The most I've taken would be sociology and self-studying psychology, although I'll be taking a taste of all of that in my program with INTEG 120, INTEG 220 and INTEG 221.”
Spring 2019
Thoughts on knowledge integration program? 10 points, 17 comments
“Bachelor of knowledge integration sounds very sexy but what does it mean?”
u/TheFinnstagator: “… In first year you take integ 120, where you learn about knowledge and thought processes as well as networks, followed by 121, which is a hands on design class with a series of projects. …”
u/-MrGoose-: “Courses mentioned in this thread: INTEG120”
Spring 2018
Acceptances Megathread [Fall 2018 Incoming Students] 142 points, 1,897 comments
“Hi all, This thread is specifically for those who got accepted to UW to discuss different issues (residences, courses, student life, etc.) and celebrate the hard work and efforts of those who have …”
u/Lebrassasaurus: “How was INTEG 120/121, in terms of both usefulness and difficulty?”
u/mssgmx: “Check uwflow for ratings on courses Integ120 and Integ121. Most people don't touch it unless they're in KI though, curious why you're interested in it?”
Winter 2018
Knowledge Integration 3 points, 4 comments
“I have a few main ideas although still basically don't know what I want to do so I've been looking through course requirements for different programs, etc. …”
u/TheFinnstagator: “Hey! I’m in Knowledge Integration. If you want to message me about it feel free! Switching programs isn't too difficult, a number of my friends only switched into the program in second year and are …”
u/TheFinnstagator: “… - In first year you take integ 120, where you learn about knowledge and thought processes as well as networks, followed by 121, which is a hands on design class with a series of projects. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… INDEV 401 INDEV 490A INDEV 601 INDEV 602 INDEV 604 INDEV 606 INDEV 609 INDEV 611 INTEG 10 INTEG 120 INTEG 121 INTEG 220 INTEG 231 INTEG 320 INTEG 375 INTEG 420A INTEG 420B INTEG 452A INTEG 475 INTST 101 IS 101 IS 102 IS 103 IS 104 IS 105 IS 106 IS 107 IS 108 IS 109 IS 110 IS 201 …”
Fall 2016
Help me pick an elective my dudes 2 points, 26 comments
“Need to take an elective, got denied CHINA 102 due to conflict with CS 240. Criteria: 1. Preferably taking place late afternoons Tuesday or Thursday. But as long as its not Monday it's fine. 2. …”
u/EthanTheHeffalump: “INTEG120, or 121”
Winter 2015
What are the "must take" courses taught by amazing lecturers at UW. I want to broaden my horizons a bit. 17 points, 54 comments
“I'm a grad student at UW, and I feel like I focus too much on my subject matter and therefore want to experience some great and intriguing lectures. …”
u/100bands: “… She also first taught INTEG 120 and made it great. She's got degrees from everywhere (fine art, math, kin, psych) and is so interesting to listen to. Her classes cross boundaries like no other. I see you are a grad student though, so I will suggest COGSCI 600. …”
Spring 2012
Integ 120 a good bird course? 5 points, 4 comments
u/lccarson: “… Far be it from me to make that call for you about INTEG 120, but you could check a recent syllabus http://uwaterloo.ca/knowledge-integration/current-undergraduates/course-offeringsINTEG%20120 That'll give you some idea if the topics and skills interest you, and if the …”
u/sriracha5: “INTEG 120 is taught by Linda Carson who is one of the most interesting professors at UW. She gives awesome lectures and always has an interesting story or two :) I would definitely recommend a class with her.”
Fall 2011
What on earth is this new fangled thing called Knowledge Integration? 5 points, 8 comments
u/waxyjaywalker: “Who's gonna teach this kinda programs? Actual technical profs aren't gonna waste their time on this, so I can only assume academics who specialize in "management" etc are taking the task of teaching …”
u/MrSourz: “… INTEG 120 was such a fascinating course because of her. ... Ed Jernigan, BS, MS, and PhD all from MIT, former chair of the Department of Systems Design Engineering and now the Director of KI. ... …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them