Author: orientation

Is EngSci For Me?

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Photo of Spring Convocation
Spring Convocation 2024; Photo by: Neil Ta

Given that EngSci is a direct-entry program with a heavier course load than other engineering programs at U of T, many incoming students question whether it will be the right fit for them. If you’re feeling the same way, know that you’re not alone. Some students have found that EngSci is exactly where they belong, while others have discovered that their passion lies elsewhere. Both choices are completely valid! 

Common Reasons for Transferring Out of EngSci

You may have heard about EngSci having a high ‘drop out’ rate. So first, let’s clarify terms: When people talk about “dropping out” they usually mean leaving a program (or even the university) because they failed academic courses in the program. This is very different from transferring from one program to another. In fact, the vast majority of students who leave EngSci are transferring to another program by choice, not because they did not meet the academic standards. Some of their reasons include: 

Some students decide they want to focus on a specific field of engineering directly rather than waiting two years before specializing. This is the most common reason for transferring out of EngSci. After some exposure to different engineering topics in first-year courses, students transfer into a different U of T Engineering program because they discover that they are simply more interested in that program.

Note: You have to do this before the transfer deadlines. If you’re thinking about transferring at any point in your first year, book a meeting with your Academic Advisor (Stephen or Irma), they are here to help you navigate what that process would look like.

Others want to better balance academics and extracurriculars*. EngSci is an academically challenging program, so while you may be doing well marks-wise, you may still want some more time to join more clubs, hold a part-time job, or practice a skill/hobby.  

*Note: This does not mean that you will not have time for extracurriculars in EngSci. In fact, many EngSci students are heavily involved in design teams, clubs, and the Skule community. You just have to manage your time better since you have six courses instead of five. 

Some students may have misunderstood what engineering is, since it is a subject that is not usually taught in high school. This means quite a few students enter engineering programs without a very deep understanding of the discipline. Once they take some engineering courses, they may realize that they are more interested in pure math or science than they are in engineering. Since EngSci offers lots of exposure to these fields, a student may realize they want to study one of them directly. 

Overall Success Rate 

94% of first-year U of T Engineering students – including EngScis – continue into their second year within U of T Engineering and ultimately complete their engineering degrees at U of T.  

It is quite common for first year students in engineering, or in any other university program to change their direction. As you explore new topics, you will discover what excites you and what leaves you cold. That’s why there is flexibility built into first-year curricula. If it seems like EngScis’s retention rate is lower than the Core 8’s, keep in mind that students can transfer between Core 8 programs during and after first year, while EngSci is a “direct entry only” program, meaning it is extremely difficult to transfer into EngSci from another program. This makes it seem like EngSci has more people leaving than other programs, which is not really accurate. There are simply fewer people transferring into EngSci compared to other engineering programs.

Remember – You were admitted to EngSci for a reason!

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering puts all applicants through a rigorous admissions process. The admissions team selects students who they think will be successful in the program and in their work after graduation. You are one of these students and everyone here wants to help you succeed in your academic journey! To explore the student supports available at U of T visit Engineering Science Advising and Support. 

If you discover that EngSci isn’t the right fit for you, whether for academic or personal reasons, you will certainly be successful in another university program should you choose that path. Our academic advisors are here to help you, as they have done for many students before you. 

Time Management Strategies 

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Sleeping Positions of Different Students

Given the well-known busy schedule of EngSci, Despite your busy schedule, proper time management will allow you to not only sleep well, but have time leftover for extracurriculars, health/wellness, and socializing! 

How You’ll Spend Your Time in EngSci

First-year EngScis have an average of 6.5 hours of class (including lectures, tutorials, and labs) per weekday. 

Let’s assume that every weekday, you’ll need an hour to get ready and have breakfast, an hour to eat lunch, an hour for dinner, and an hour to commute. Finally, factor in an additional 4 hours for self-directed studying on weekdays (this covers learning material, completing labs and assignments, and preparing for midterms). Note that this is an estimate and will vary wildly depending on the day/week.  

Added together, at the busiest estimate we get 14.5 total hours a day spent on classes, studying, and eating/getting ready. That leaves at least 9.5 hours every day for relaxing, self-care, clubs/design teams/sports, socializing, and sleeping. Note that this doesn’t even include weekends, so you’ll have much more time than you think. 

Time Management Tips 

Open your phone and check your screen time. Seriously, do it now! Think to yourself: “With a busy EngSci schedule, can I really afford to spend this much time on my phone? Imagine how much work I could get done in that time!” Try everything in your power to mitigate distractions, whether caused by your phone or otherwise. Set goals for yourself and hold yourself accountable; you might surprise yourself with how easily you can achieve these goals! While your methods may vary, the result should hopefully be an increased amount of time to pursue academics, extracurriculars, hobbies, or sleep. 

Use a calendar, whether physical or digital. With a digital calendar, you can import your timetable from ACORN and build upon that. Afterwards, block off certain sections of your day for eating, commuting, studying for different classes, etc. This will hold you accountable to work on certain tasks and avoid procrastination. Try and update your daily tasks every day. 

Simultaneously, make sure to be flexible and don’t be too tied to your original plans! Plans can change at the last minute due to a variety of factors, so make sure you have appropriate backup plans for how you’ll spend your time.

Not all tasks are created equally. Depending on your own priorities/values, you may choose to spend less time on calculus problems than design team projects, for example. Deadlines approach fast, so keep those in mind; you might want to consider working on a difficult task with an approaching due date as opposed to something due at a much later date. It may or may not be optimal to pour hours into an assignment with a small weightage. It is important that you make and optimize your own plans. 

Know when to leave something for later and move on to the next task. In high school, many of us were used to pouring time into a challenging task until we finished it. In EngSci, you will have more challenging tasks that you must complete in less time. If you’re struggling to finish your calculus problems, you might want to meet with your ESC194 TA the next day and instead move on to the CIV102 problem set. This strategy will save you time in the long run, and you will likely learn better, too. 

When you do get blocks of free time (like at the start of a semester or right after some midterms), balance relaxing with working ahead. You may be tempted to leave off studying for a few days if you have little due that week, but then you may have to work non-stop later. Balance your work and fun each day and you will find a happy medium. In fact, an article punished by John’s Hopkins University on school-life balance states: ”School-life balance is important for optimal academic functioning.” We highly recommend learning to pace yourself if you want a good school-life balance and healthy sleep habits. 

Managing Sleep & Staying Healthy 

Your life will be busy, but you should (and can) set aside time for sleeping. Tell yourself that this time is non-negotiable. Set up a sleep routine and stick to it. This will ensure you are getting enough sleep, i.e., 7-9 hours per night. Here are some tips that can help with this: 

Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, regardless of what time you have class the next day. Our bodies are wired to work on routines and schedules, so this is very important. It will help you feel more rested and productive.  

Wake up at a reasonable time on weekends. You might be tempted to sleep in, but a few more waking hours in the morning can help you avoid staying up late on a Sunday night.  

Account for wind-down time. Most people are unable to switch from studying to sleeping in just a few minutes, especially if they are stressed. Your mind and body need time to calm down before you can drift off to sleep, so make sure you build that wind-down time into your schedule and sleep routine. Otherwise, you will be promising yourself eight hours of sleep and getting less, every time. 

Burning off energy during the day by working out, playing sports, or just going for walks will help to keep your sleep schedule regular and consistent. Try getting involved in one of our intramural or varsity level sports, or go out and use one of the many athletic facilities on campus. 

Of course, all this is easier said than done. We would be lying if we said we had it all figured out ourselves. Setting up a sleep routine takes time and practice, but if you start early, chances are you’ll succeed early, too! Try it out, iterate, improve – just like with everything else in EngSci. You can also talk to and learn from your fellow EngScis. There are lots more lessons, tips, and strategies upper-year students (such as GEARS mentors) have learned and are willing to share with you to help make your time in EngSci just a little bit easier. 

If you are struggling to maintain a good sleep schedule or manage your time, you can reach out to your Academic Advisor or the Engineering Learning Strategist through the engineering portal website. U of T Student Life also has some resources that may be of interest. 

Making Friends

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U of T’s Engineering’s Plunge a Professor event from 2018 [Left] and annual Cannonball dance open to all engineering students [Right]

You might have heard “EngScis have no social life!” We’re glad to say this is not true at all. Like any other program, your social life is your own choice, regardless of your discipline. You’ll have many opportunities to hang out with your friends, and meet new people in EngSci. Here are some factors that contribute to social life in EngSci.

In EngSci, you’ll share at least 23 courses with all your peers in the foundation years. You’ll be in the same lectures as at least half the class, and will share tutorials with about 30 classmates, making it very easy to make friends in EngSci. You can form your own teams and study groups, or simply talk to someone new on the way to/from class. Remember, it’s up to you to reach out to people and start a conversation!

You can always find a vibrant EngSci community outside of class. Want to build a real satellite, star in a comedy review, play in a jazz band, or race a solar car across Australia? We’ve got clubs for that and much more! EngScis are very involved in extracurriculars, allowing you to easily find classmates and other engineers in all sorts of design teams and Skule™ affiliated clubs. Also, there are many clubs open to all U of T students. It’s easy to start a conversation at a team/club, because everyone has a shared interest. Weekends or breaks are great opportunities to catch up with your friends from high school or outside the U of T community.

Members of the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad at Varsity Stadium [Source]

The EngSci Common Room is a student lounge open exclusively to EngScis! Here you can find EngScis across all years eating lunch, playing video games such as Super Smash Bros., playing foosball, chatting, or studying. This is a super comfortable space for you to reach out to your classmates and upper-years, and immerse yourself in the EngSci community. Tip: if you’re nervous about talking to upper-years, a good conversation starter is to just ask them about their experiences in first-year courses. Upper-years don’t bite, we promise!

EngSci Club hosts large annual events such as the EngSci Dinner Dance and Nocturne Talent Show, in addition to frequent, smaller get-togethers. These events are great places to spend quality time with friends and make new ones! Make sure to follow @engsciclub on Instagram to stay updated regarding special events.

One of the easiest ways to make new friends is to just go through life normally and talk to people! If you’ll be living at a student residence, we strongly encourage you to chat with people in the dining hall, in the gym, or even the elevator. You never know who you’ll meet; they might share a certain background or hobby with you, and this can catalyze the formation of connections. If you’ve become acquainted with someone, feel free to greet them if you see them somewhere, even if it’s as simple as a: “Hey, what’s up?”

Upper-Year Insights

Darya Tavvafi | EngSci 2T6

“EngSci requires you to sacrifice a lot of time and energy if you want to do well, but you can still maintain a social life if you’re smart with how you manage your time. I had a small friend group during first semester, and I managed to gain more friends and acquaintances during my second semester. Although I primarily hung out with these people in class, I was still able to spend time with them outside of EngSci in activities such as, shopping, eating out, and going to the movies. If I didn’t invest in a social life during my first year, my mental health and wellbeing would suffer a lot. While you definitely won’t be partying every weekend, the connections you make will become an essential part of your support system.”

“There are several ways to go about meeting people. I was fortunate enough that there was an extracurricular I did in high school (quiz bowl) that I could continue doing in university, so I just joined that. While I haven’t actually joined any design teams, lots of my friends have met people through them.”

“I think the most important thing, however, is realizing that when you start first year, there is a period of about 2-3 weeks when everyone is trying to meet each other. I am a pretty introverted person and hated doing it, but I just forced myself to talk to people. I met one of my friends just by randomly starting to talk to someone in the line for dinner at Chestnut. Basically, everyone is in the same boat as you and you just have to trust that other people are also sitting/standing around and hoping someone will talk to them.”
Ben Chapman | EngSci 2T5

Libraries

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The U of T library system is the largest academic library in Canada with 44 libraries spread across our three campuses and of those 44, 42 are on the St. George campus!

We highly recommend you explore this huge library system to find the resources you need for your projects and the many cool study spaces and common areas that fit your personality and study style. The librarians themselves also offer many helpful services that students rarely take advantage of. This includes giving tips, holding workshops, or any general help you may need with things like research or writing papers.

Engineering & Computer Science Library

Main Study Area [Source]
Group Study Room [Source]

Located on the second floor of Sandford Fleming, this library both Engineering and Computer Science students. There’s a main study area with lots of seating on the main floor, individual seating and the quiet study area on the second floor. The library has 29 computer workstations, including four design space stations, and printers. 

This is a great place for quiet study, and it is probably the closest library if you are in any engineering building. If you prefer physical books over PDFs, you can look for Engineering textbooks and reading material here. As Engineering students, you can book study rooms equipped with a monitor, HDMI cable, and whiteboard markers and erasers. You can prepare for finals with your EngSci friends here! 

Gerstein Science Information Centre

Wallace Room right by the entrance [Source]
Gerstein Reading Room [Source]

Gerstein is just east of King’s College Circle, less than a five-minute walk from Sandford Fleming. There are group study rooms available for booking and computer stations for individual use.  

Gerstein has an extensive science and engineering collection from textbooks to research papers, and more. You can browse the collection on their website, find physical copies on the basement floors, or ask a librarian for help with research.  

Gerstein also has a 3D printing studio located in the Mobile Application Development Lab (MADLab), the service is available for all valid University of Toronto TCard holders.

Robarts Library

Exterior of Robarts Library [Source]
Individual Study Spaces [Source]

Robarts (pronounced ROW-barts) is located at the intersection of St. George Street and Harbord Street. It contains the largest single collection of the University of Toronto Libraries. Here you can find Robarts Commons, which is a study space open to all U of T students 24 hours a day. 

Robarts also has dedicated quiet study spaces spanning two floors. These spaces don’t require booking and are available on a first-come first-served basis. The large study space on the 4th floor has tons of natural light and ergonomic desk chairs, which make it ideal for long study sessions.  

Robarts also has an in-building food court, along with restaurants such as Stone Oven Pizzeria, So Sushi, and Starbucks. Multiple food trucks are usually parked right at the front entrance as well. Most of these restaurants are closed on weekends, so, if you are planning on studying here over the weekend, make sure to pack some lunch and/or snacks.  

Library Resources Available 

The first thing you can do in libraries is borrow books of course! Using your TCard, you can take out up to 50 items at a time, with a loan period of 14 days. The system will also try to automatically perform a renewal if possible, so you can avoid being fined. You can search for all books, including ebooks, on the library website. You can download many textbooks, research papers, and international standards here. 

It’s also common for Praxis I instructors to explain to the class how to properly search online for credible resources and how to properly cite those resources. So make sure you pay attention in that class because those skills will be useful all throughout your degree. 

Other than books, you can also borrow chargers, board/video games, laptops, calculators, and more from libraries! 

Another thing you can do at libraries is book study spaces. You can study with your friends, work on projects, or have team meetings in these rooms. Many of them have TVs or whiteboards, which is great for collaborative studying! 

As a first year engineering student, you will be assigned a Personal Librarian at the end of September. They are an amazingly useful support! You’ll get research advice and tips as well as answer any of your questions about library resources, services, and research. In addition, they also hold workshops on things like how to properly cite work and create bibliographies.

Athletic Facilities

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Whether you want to work out alone, exercise with friends, or participate in an organized sport, there is a place for you at one of U of T St. George Campus’ three indoor athletic facilities or two outdoor fields. Every indoor facility has different features and offers a variety of classes and equipment. Each has its own atmosphere and it’s important that you find a place that is comfortable for you. You will have access to these facilities as long as you’re enrolled in classes – and if you aren’t enrolled during the summer, you can purchase a discounted student summer membership in order to access them.

If you are looking for something fun to do, attending a Varsity Blues game with friends is a great way to spend an evening. 

Varsity Blues game

Hart House

Upper gym at Hart House with a running track [Source]

Hart House Fitness Centre is a welcoming oasis of wellness for all students looking to improve their health. It is a beautiful historic, smaller-setting gym where everyone is welcome regardless of fitness level.  

Some of the main amenities at Hart House include a weight room, basketball court, pool, indoor running track, dedicated spin bike room, and Pilates reformer rooms. You also have access to locker rooms, showers and towel service. 

Hart House offers registered fitness classes and drop-in classes for all fitness levels. They include aquatics and swimming, Pilates, strength and weight training, and yoga. Some of these classes are also affiliated with specific clubs, such as the Hart House Archery Club.  

You can also purchase personal training sessions with one of the Hart House personal trainers, each specializing in different areas of fitness. These sessions are great if you are looking for a more individualized experience. If you have never trained with a personal trainer before, you can also book a fitness consultation session to understand your own strength and areas of opportunities.  

Athletic Centre

Picture of the facilities in the athletic center
Athletic Centre [Source]

In contrast to the smaller Hart House, the Athletic Centre is the biggest athletic facility on campus. It has a wider variety of equipment and more of each type of machine. The Athletic Centre is located on the west side of the campus, right at the intersection of Spadina Ave. and Harbord St – almost right next to Robarts Library.

Some of its main amenities include an indoor track, an Olympic sized pool, dance studio, fencing salle, pedal zone, squash courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, and table tennis courts. You also have access to lockers and change rooms with both open and private cubicles for showering.  

The Athletic Centre has amazing drop-in classes ranging from racquet sports to skating. If you’re looking to learn something new, you can also register for their Learn to Move program that offers beginner-level instruction on swimming and court sports, weightlifting exercises, group fitness activities and more! 

Looking to work out with a group of friends or meet students from different programs with the same fitness goals? Try the group fitness workouts, including barre, yoga, and HIIT to boxing and olympic weightlifting classes!

Note that some of these programs require pre-registration and an additional fee, while others are free for registered students and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Athletic Centre houses the largest number of exercise machines/equipment on campus that you can use at your own pace. The open gym areas at AC are the Strength & Conditioning Centre (SCC), Bruce Kidd Field House Periphery and the Weightlifting Zone (WLZ). You can access these spaces for free as a registered student.  

In addition, SCC and WLZ also offers Women-Only Hours & Programs. Open Gym hours are updated for each term here. 

If you want to learn a new sport or improve your skills, you can sign up for an instructional class that matches your level. Classes are available from beginner to advanced in sports like tennis, gymnastics, parkour, trampoline, fencing, skating, and more! 

If you are looking to be part of a more competitive team environment, you can also join a club, intramurals or the Tri-campus league. For more information on all sports and clubs offered, check out the KPE website here. 

Goldring Centre for High-Performance Sports

Goldring Centre for High-Performance Sports is the gym that facilitates training for most Varsity Blues athletics programs. It has a 2,000-seat, internationally rated fieldhouse for basketball, volleyball, and other court sports. It is close to one of the outdoor fields, and it has nice big windows, that provide a beautiful view while exercising. It is also used as a teaching facility and includes a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning centre, fitness studio, sports medicine clinic, and research and teaching laboratories. 

Many programs and classes offered at the Athletic Centre are also offered at the Goldring Centre. When browsing programs on the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education KPE’s website, check the Location(s) and Schedule sections to see if a particular program is offered at the Goldring Centre. 

Gym at Goldring Centre with views of Varsity Centre [Source]

Chestnut Residence Gym

Chestnut Gym [Source]

Many engineering students live at Chestnut Residence. A huge perk of this residence is that it has its own small gym in the basement! Nothing too fancy, but it’s perfect for a quick workout that’s close to home. 

International Student Resources

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Front entrance of the Centre for International Experience located at 33 St. George Street (across from Bahen Centre) [Source]

Centre for International Experience (CIE)

The Centre for International Experience is the main hub of information for international students. They offer a range of services and programs to support your transition to U of T.   

Throughout the summer, the CIE offers online Q & A sessions about documents required to enter Canada. You can also find information about immigration, the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), and more. They provide a roadmap for international students all the way from pre-arrival documents to transitioning out of university.  

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) provides mandatory health care coverage for registered international and exchange students in Canada. As a registered international student, you will be automatically enrolled in UHIP for a 12-month period, (September 1st – August 31st). For more information on UHIP, you can attend the Health Services Overview or the UHIP 101 events organized by the CIE.  

CIE offers several programs for meeting with international advisors or peer mentors. If you have questions, why not ask your fellow upper-years who have gone through the same thing? Schedule a one-on-one chat on Career and Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx) with International Student Experience (ISE) Ambassadors! They are current U of T international students who are here for you. 

For help with anything related to your study- or work-permit, you can connect with International Student Immigration Advisors (ISIAs). They can clarify document requirements, answer your questions in Q&A sessions, and locate additional appropriate services and resources. You can also reach out to them throughout the academic year as your academic success is connected to your study-permit. 

The CIE also helps coordinate international experiences, such as programs for studying abroad and global research fellowships for graduating students. 

Faculty of Applied Engineering and Science (FASE)

EngSci’s Academic Advisor for International Students

Your international academic advisor, Irma Berardi, can refer you to different resources, such as immigration advisors or mentorship programs. She can help you grow your intercultural understanding and global awareness through exploring your cultural and global identity, recognize how culture impacts behavior and expectations, and apply frameworks of intercultural communication in team collaboration. 

E-Buddy Program

In this program, upper-year engineering peer mentors provide support to you through structured workshops and events. You can ask them about anything, and they are more than happy to share their experiences. Register for online E-Buddy workshops and summer meetups here. 

Irma Berardi
Academic Advisor, Years 1 and 2 (International)

Other Important Buildings

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While you won’t have any classes in them, these buildings contain valuable facilities and resources. (We have separate blog posts for athletic facilities and libraries.)

U of T Bookstore 2nd Floor [Source]

U of T Bookstore

Whether you’re finding a textbook for a class, need to do some last-minute holiday shopping, or just want to get some nice clothes for yourself, the U of T Bookstore has you covered. You can go in-person to check out various physical books and clothing items. The website is a full digital catalogue, and your professors will direct you to the appropriate links to purchase course textbooks, if applicable. The Bookstore is also in the same building as the original Koffler Student Services Centre (whose services have has been temporarily relocated while the space is being renovated).

Convocation Hall

One of U of T’s most iconic buildings, Convocation Hall (CH) will be the first and last building you enter as a U of T student (during matriculation and graduation, respectively). Some popular ArtSci courses are also held here, so depending on which Complementary Studies (CS) or Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) courses you take later on, you might have classes here.

Fun fact: The final mathletes competition from Mean Girls (2004) was filmed inside this very building!

CH as seen from front campus [Source]

U of T Student Life Centre

800 Bay Street, where most of the services offered by the Koffler Student Services Centre are located [Source]
Temporary location of the Health & Wellness Centre at 700 Bay Street [Source] For more information and updates, visit uoft.me/renovation

The Student Life offices are the primary student centre on the U of T St.George Campus. It is currently located at 700 and 800 Bay Street at the intersection of Bay St. and College St., about a 10-minute walk from Bahen. Its permanent home is right next door to Bahen at the Koffler Student Services Centre, but it is currently under renovation. 

The Health & Wellness Centre is temporarily located at 700 Bay St. The new Health & Wellness Centre, which is currently under renovation at 800 Bay St., will offer spacious meeting rooms, offices for consultations, a smudging room, and indoor gathering spaces.

It houses a variety of student services such as the T-Card Office, the central U of T Career Centre, the Health & Wellness Centre and more. This is most likely where you will be picking up your T-Card unless you have made alternative arrangements. You can find more information about their departments and services on the Student Life website. 

Here is a list of services offered by U of T Student Life, all located at 700 and 800 Bay St.: 

  • Academic Success 
  • Communications 
  • Career Exploration & Education 
  • Housing 
  • Information Technology 
  • Office of the Chief Administrative Officer 
  • Student Crisis and Student Progress & Support 
  • Student Experience 
  • Student Life Programs & Services 
  • Student Success 
  • TCard Services 

Cumberland House

Front entrance of the Centre for International Experience located at 33 St. George Street (across from Bahen Centre) [Source]

Located in between the Galbraith and Wallberg Buildings on St. George St, Cumberland House is where you can find the U of T Centre for International Experience (CIE). As described by the CIE, “the CIE is a meeting place for a diverse community of international students coming to U of T and domestic students looking to go abroad.” To learn more, read our post about International Student Resources.

Hart House

Hart House is essentially U of T’s community center. It houses a large fitness centre, restaurants (The Arbor Room and Gallery Grill), U of T’s official chess club, a courtyard, a theatre (where Skule Nite is performed!), and more. You will most likely have your final Praxis II design showcase in the Great Hall at Hart House. Hart House Circle was recently landscaped for better walkability and greenery.

Hart House

Academic Accommodations

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To find information about the Accessibility Services registration process, please see Accessibility Services registration & documentation requirements. 
 
The deadline for submitting the Student Intake Form to receive academic and practical accommodations at the start of the Fall 2024 term was July 12, 2024.     
 
However, you can still submit your student intake package after the deadline. Late submissions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and can get you registered for at least the Fall 2024 final exams or the Winter 2025 term. 

Overview

U of T Accessibility Services provides accessibility accommodations to help students with suspected disabilities who may be experiencing difficulties in their learning. Below, we have compiled a non-exhaustive list of accommodations offered to U of T students. Accommodations depend on the impact of the disability within a particular program of study.

Visit this U of T Accessibility Services page for a comprehensive list of academic accommodations.   


The following content is based on the U of T Engineering Accessibility Services page and on the Accessibility Undergraduate Student Handbook. The Handbook is a great resource — we highly encourage you to check it out!   

Register for accessibility services if you think you might need them! They will check to see if you are eligible, so don’t worry. Eligibility may include undiagnosed and suspected disability. However, Accessibility Services receive a high volume of emails, so ask early. Moreover, don’t worry about accommodations being an unfair advantage: you will only be given those accommodations you need, and you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to (e.g. deadline extensions). 

Classrooms, Labs, and Coursework Accommodations

These accommodations may include (but are not limited to):   

  • Sign language interpreters;
  • Reasonable extensions on individual assignments and papers;
  • Access to materials in alternate formats (e.g., Braille, large print digitized text, voice-activated software, assisted-hearing devices).  

Test and Exam Accommodations

These services are coordinated by U of T Accommodated Testing Services. Information about these services can be found in the Student Guide: Writing Quizzes, Tests, Exams, and Online Assessments with Accommodations and at Accommodated Testing Services – Information for Students. 
 
Test and exam accommodations may include (but are not limited to):  

  • Arranging a space in which accommodations may be provided for tests and exams (e.g., fewer distractions, additional time, breaks);  
  • Access to alternate formats like large print or braille; 
  • Use of adaptive furniture and equipment (e.g., using a keyboard for writing or screen-reading software).  

Accommodations for Practicum and Placements 

Practicum and placement accommodations focus on accommodating your needs during U of T internship or work programs. For Engineering students, this may include accommodations for PEY, capstone courses, or field courses (i.e., survey camp). If you have any questions about possible accommodations for experiential learning, please connect with your Accessibility Advisor. 

Outside of the Classroom 

U of T also provides accommodations to support students outside of the classroom environment. These services may include but are not limited to:   

  • Working with residences regarding disability-related housing needs; 
  • Offering peer mentoring and co-curricular programming;  
  • Connecting you with student and community support and discussion groups. 

Accessibility Services

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What is Accessibility and Why is it Important? 

Accessibility is the practice of making things available to and usable by as many people as possible. It is based on ensuring equity among the student body by recognizing that everyone has different circumstances which require different support. Facilitating an equitable environment allows everyone to access the necessary resources they need to thrive and succeed. 

Accessibility Services at U of T 

U of T Accessibility Services support students who experience difficulties that affect their learning in lectures, tutorials, practicals and academic evaluations. They provide a variety of resources to support students including but not limited to residence accommodations, accommodated testing, note-taking support, and a variety of workshops, a few of which are highlighted below. For a full list of programs and services and how to access them, please refer to the Programs and Services sections of the Accessibility Services webpage here.  

This program is open to incoming students entering their first year at any post-secondary institution in Canada who self-identify as having disabilities. Moving Forward is a one-day program that supports students living with disabilities by: 

  • helping you navigate academic accommodations at the post-secondary level 
  • introducing you to online, hybrid, and in-person learning, lectures and note-taking 
  • giving you strategies for managing life in and out of the classroom (including tips for virtual and hybrid learning) 
  • teaching you university-level academic learning strategies and skills 
  • connecting you with a community of peers and Accessibility Services staff 
  • helping you transition to the next stage of your academic career 

This program is offered several times throughout the summer. Moving Forward offers general programming for students at any study level, and specific programming for: 

  • incoming students on the Autism Spectrum 
  • incoming students who are international/living outside of Ontario 

In these sessions, you can get in-depth information on all the accessibility and accommodation services offered throughout the year, along with a series of workshops, panels, and strategy sessions. For detailed information on program eligibility and event dates, you can check out the Moving Forward Program overview here. 

The Access Us Peer Mentorship Program pairs students who are new to Accessibility Services or new to U of T with a peer mentor and gives them access to a supportive community that includes 

  • mentorship by an upper-year student 
  • social events throughout the semester 
  • academic workshops led by a learning strategist or other professional (e.g. time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking, etc.) 
  • leadership, professional, and career development opportunities 

You can read more at U of T Accessibility Services – Access Us Peer Mentorship Program. 

Accessibility Services offers the ASD Peer Connections for Women & Trans Students program for women and trans students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the ADHD Peer Connections program for students who currently have a diagnosis of ADHD or suspect that they do.  

The Peer Connection programs provide eligible students an informal space to connect and discuss topics relevant to their disability and identity. For detailed information on program eligibility and registration, check out the Accessibility Services page on Peer Connection programs here. 

If you are registered with Accessibility Services, you can meet with their in-house learning strategists individually or in small groups. These sessions are designed to help you develop strategies for achieving your academic goals and addressing any challenges your disability may pose to your learning.  

An adaptive technologist can help students with disabilities find ways in which technology can support them in their learning. If you are registered with Accessibility Services, your accessibility advisor can refer you to an adaptive technologist for an assessment. 

Accessibility Services aims to provide a culturally supportive environment for Indigenous students with disabilities. If you are an indigenous student who satisfies the eligibility criteria listed here, you can book a consultation with the Accessibility Services Indigenous Liaison, Erin Martin, to discuss available pathways, the registration process, and documentation requirements.  

U of T provides an optional registration process for service animals to minimize the need for producing health documentation and allow seamless integration into campus life. Students can register their service animal to receive a TCard sticker that notifies others that their animal qualifies as a service animal under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). For more information about life on campus with a service animal, you can check out the Service Animals Guideline page here.  

Note: There may still be circumstances where a service animal may need to be excluded from certain spaces. Please refer to the guidelines on the Service Animal Registration page here.  

If you require residence accommodations, you are encouraged to register with Accessibility Services as soon as possible. For important dates and deadlines regarding residence applications, you can refer to the Student Life Housing page here.  

If you require accommodation for course assessments, such as quizzes, tests, exams, and online assessments, you will have to first register with Accessibility Services and request approval to write your assessments with accommodations. Once approved, you will then have to register with Accommodated Testing Services (ATS). For more details on the process, check out the Accommodated Testing Services page here.  

If you require assistance with notetaking in class, you register to receive peer-written notes for certain classes. 

If you are not registered with Accessibility Services, you may want to become a volunteer notetaker! As a volunteer notetaker, you will help contribute to others’ academic success and an equitable learning environment. All you need to do is sign up to become a volunteer (usually at the beginning of the semester) and then upload your class notes to a portal. Based on certain conditions, your volunteering may be eligible for a co-curricular record. To learn more, visit the Accessibility Services page on Volunteer Notetaking. 

Contacting Accessibility Services 

If you have any questions or concerns about registering with U of T Accessibility Services, or about the programs they offer, feel free to reach out to their office. Their friendly staff is here to support you with your transition into and time in university. To book an appointment with your assigned accessibility advisor, an adaptive technologist, or a learning strategist, please contact reception (contact information provided below and on the Accessibility Services webpage here).  

If you are not yet registered with Accessibility Services and would like to have accommodation in place for the start of classes in Fall 2024, the early registration deadline is July 12, 2024 by 5 p.m. To have accommodations in place for the Fall final exam period, you must register by 5 p.m. on October 11, 2024. For a regularly updated list of registration deadlines, please refer to the Accessibility Services Registration page here. 

You can sign up for academic accommodations with Accessibility Services at any point during your time at U of T after you’ve accepted your admission offer and have your UTORid or JOINid. However, it’s essential to complete your registration by the deadlines specified above to ensure accommodations are available at the start of each semester and during exam periods. 

You can follow the three steps below to register with Accessibility Services; more details can be found on the Accessibility Services registration & documentation requirements page here. 

1. Gather the necessary documentation and obtain your UTORid. 

2. Fill out the online Student Intake Form and include all required documentation. 

3. Schedule and attend an intake appointment. 

Accessibility Services Reception

Contact Information

Address: 455 Spadina Avenue, 4th floor, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2G8 

Phone: 416-978-8060 

Email: accessibility.services@utoronto.ca 

Accessibility Services reception is available by phone and by email Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone lines close at 4:30 p.m. 

Accessibility Services will be closed: 

  • Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. for scheduled staff meetings 
  • Friday, June 28, 2024 – Presidential Day  
  • Monday, July 1, 2024 – Canada Day 
  • Friday, August 2, 2024 – 4:00 p.m. 
  • Monday, August 5, 2024 – Civic Holiday 
  • Friday, August 30, 2024 – 4:00 p.m. 
  • Monday, September 2, 2024 – Labour Day 
  • Friday, October 11, 2024 – 4:00 p.m. 
  • Monday, October 14, 2024 – Thanksgiving Day 
  • Tuesday, December 24, 2024, to Friday, January 3, 2025 – U of T Holidays 

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Posted on by orientation

Q: Why do programmers frequently confuse Halloween and Christmas?

A: Because OCT 31 = DEC 25

What is Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)?

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) underpins the foundation of many of the modern technologies we use every day. The “electrical” half involves concepts like signals, materials science, and power, and the “computer” half involves programming, computer science, and computer hardware. The ECE major offers opportunities in a diverse range of industries and research areas; ECEs create signal processors for wireless systems, tools for medical diagnostics and imaging, control systems for automated manufacturing, consumer electronics, high-speed communication systems on Earth, underwater, and in space, and more! 

The major includes five focus areas:

  • Photonics and semiconductor physics
  • Control, communications, and signal processing
  • Electromagnetics and energy
  • Computer hardware and networks
  • Software

The major offers a broad range of technical electives. Courses are taught by world-renowned professors from U of T’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science – two of the largest and top-ranked departments in Canada. Students have access to advanced facilities and close research collaborations between professors and global partners, including the Fujitsu Co-Creation Research Laboratory. Students also benefit from the university’s affiliation with organizations like the Vector Institute, U of T’s SciNet supercomputing consortium, and the vibrant tech and startup landscape in Toronto. 

Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash

Why Choose ECE? 

Why Choose This Major?

You’re interested in:

  • everything to do with computers, including both the hardware and software sides
  • research related to electricity and magnetism, on topics such as superconductive materials, wireless systems and signals, and electromagnetic radiation
  • modern technology such as self-driving cars, personal electronics, and more.
  • a flexible major that will allow you to follow almost any field you want and has a diverse range of applications across nearly every industry
  • creating a cutting-edge tech startup with an impact upon the world

EngSci ECE is quite different from the Core 8 Computer Engineering and Core 8 Electrical Engineering majors. In EngSci, the foundation years enable you to learn more advanced topics later. Furthermore, the core courses in EngSci ECE cover fundamentals of both the EE and CE majors, so that EngSci ECEs can legitimately claim the “ECE” label! 

Where Can This Major Take You?

Recent EngSci ECE graduates have pursued graduate studies at top universities such as: 

  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Cornell University
  • Columbia University
  • MIT
  • Stanford University
  • UC Berkeley
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Waterloo

Sample employers for recent ECE graduates include:

  • AMD
  • Apple
  • Google
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Meta
  • RBC
  • Toronto Hydro

EngSci ECE graduates have also started companies such as SoundHound and Ergeon. 

Upper-Year Insights

Rishabh Iyer
EngSci ECE 2T4 + PEY, Summer Researcher @ U of T, Electrical Lead @ Blue Sky Solar Racing

“The EngSci ECE major is structured such that you get a broad exposure to various subfields within the discipline. In my third year, I was required to take core courses that covered every fundamental aspect of ECE, giving me a [deep and broad] understanding of the field. Having the ability to appreciate a system at all its different levels – from the semiconductor level to the hardware and up to the software level – has been perhaps the most rewarding experience for me. This holistic understanding allows me to see how each component and layer interacts and contributes to the overall functionality of a system.”

“One of my favorite courses was ECE350 (Semiconductor Electronic Devices). These devices are the fundamental building blocks for almost all the electronics that we use. I find the intricate and complex design of these nanometer-sized structures incredibly fascinating.“

Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Electrical and Computer Engineering

Year 1

ESC180 will be your first programming course in university. This course gives you an introduction to programming using Python, which will open up the world of computer software.

ESC190 will be your second programming course. This course introduces the C programming language, which is much more low-level; as you learn C, you’ll learn more about computers themselves, including memory management and runtime complexity, as well as many algorithms and data structures found in modern software.

ECE159 will start from the basics of circuitry such as DC circuit analysis with different methods, before eventually leading to more intermediate topics such as Op-amps, transient circuit analysis, and AC circuits. The practicals are very hands-on and will require you to build many interesting circuits and analyze them with a variety of electrical measuring instruments. Combined with the theory-focused lectures, this course gives you a strong foundation for the hardware side of ECE.

Year 2

ECE253 combines features of circuits with programming, bridging the gap between the small electrical components that build computers and the programming we use the components for. You’ll learn everything from basic logic circuits to logic computation to computer processors. You’ll also learn to program simple processors in the ultra-low-level Assembly language.

AER210 combines two concepts. The first half of the course is an extension of Calculus II and focuses on vector calculus, which is math in higher dimensions. Electrons, wires, insulators, and other objects in electronics exist in three dimensions, so this math is crucial.

The second half of the course covers fluid mechanics, which is the study of the motion of fluids (liquids and gases). Many things in fluid mechanics are analogous to things in electricity. For example, conservative fields appear in both fluid mechanics and electric field theory.

ECE259 combines fundamental physics with useful techniques from vector calculus to explore features of electricity like electric force, voltage, current, and field strength.

Interesting Courses in This Major 

ECE421: Introduction to Machine Learning 

This course introduces the theory, algorithms, and computational toolboxes of machine learning, balancing the practical and theoretical approaches, along with experience with relevant software packages. Supervised and unsupervised learning models will be covered. 

ECE446: Sensory Communication 

This course covers everything related to acoustics, such as signal processing, electroacoustic transducers (such as speakers and microphones), speech processing and recognition algorithms, noise and hearing, and electrical models of acoustic systems. Fun fact: this course can be counted towards a Certificate in Music Technology! 

ECE463: Electric Drives 

This course discusses how electric drives comprise electric machines, alongside power electronic actuation, to enable the control of mechanical motion. Topics include electro-mechanical mechanisms for torque production, DC machine analysis, motion control, and much more. 

ECE532: Digital Systems Design 

This course covers practical applications of advanced topics in digital systems design, such as embedded processors, hardware/software interfacing and interactions, software drivers, embedded operating systems, and much more. You’ll implement significant design projects on FPGA development boards. 

See the full course listing for each EngSci major in the academic calendar.

Where To Get Some Experience Before Deciding? 

There are so many clubs involving ECE that we couldn’t list them all. For example, almost all design teams have sub teams for circuitry and programming, so if you’re interested in ECE, you can join just about any design team and get relevant experience. Your choices can include software and AI-focused teams that’ll give you experience with programming. Here’s a short list of design teams, all of which have strong ECE components.  

Visit the Skule Clubs and Design Teams pages to find more extracurriculars. 

Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info: