INTEG 220Nature of Scientific Knowledge
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
- Subject
- Knowledge Integration
- Cross-listed
- PHIL 290
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 examines how knowledge is produced in scientific disciplines, including the nature of inquiry, as well as types of evidence and expertise across different fields. The course features significant input from scientific practitioners in the form of guest lectures.
Prerequisites
- Students must be in level 2A or higher
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5626 | 16 / 20 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
90% liked it41% easy79% useful
From 29 ratings and 9 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Great course! The readings were quite heavy but Katie does a great job of explaining them during class.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
One of my favourite courses ever! The readings are sometimes technically challenging but very interesting and applicable for people interested in science, philosophy or knowledge translation in general. I like using perusall to do the readings because I can look back on past notes. Professor Katie Plaisance is an incredible professor, the course is very well organized and paced in a way that is manageable to the students. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun and interesting elective!
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Super interesting course, though there is a fair bit of reading and some of them are a bit tedious. But overall really engaging and relevant content, and Katie is a great prof!
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
You do readings outside of class on Perusall, leave 3 comments per reading. Readings aren't that long and you really only have to read until you make your three comments. In class you do group discussions. Final group project at the end of the term but you have lots of creative freedom and it's not that much work.
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is really really interesting if you actually do the readings and attend class. Classes were mainly discussion based and often included activities that really helped us all explore course concepts in a deeper way. The readings are all through Perusall, and your comments count towards your engagement grade. The biggest assessment is a group assignment which is very open ended. You get to choose a unique topic that just has to be somewhat related to the course, and the product your group creates is also totally up to you. I will say that this course has a lot of different components, with things like course engagement activities happening in the background so if you're not paying…
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention INTEG 220, October 2017 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.
Winter 2022
Some “useful” arts or STEM faculty courses to take? 6 points, 12 comments
“Edit: you all have been incredibly helpful, thank you ╰(´︶)╯♡ I’m currently a 2nd yr Legal Studies and English (RMPC) student who’s about to take some courses for the first time irl this spring …”
u/zeph-yr: “… Also I'm a bit biased but INTEG 220/221 are really useful courses on learning about how knowledge is created and obtained, 220 in particular has some really relevant content on vaccine hesitancy, manufactured scientific controversies, etc. …”
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.”
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 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 IS 202 IS 203 IS 204 …”
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