Machine Intelligence


Engineer: “What is 2 + 2?”

Computer: “I don’t know”

Engineer: “2 + 2 = 4”

Computer: “Okay, 2 + 2 = 4”

Enginer: “What is 3 + 3?”

Computer: “3 + 3 = 4”


What is Machine Intelligence (MI)?

Machine Intelligence is the study, development, and application of computer algorithms that can identify patterns in data and use these insights to make decisions when confronted with new situations. MI can be found everywhere in the world, and is enabling advancements in smart infrastructure, industrial automation, transportation, finance, medicine, marketing, entertainment, and many more fields at an extremely fast rate. The EngSci MI major covers the math, hardware, computer science, and software engineering involved in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics

EngSci MI balances theoretical and applied courses, covering computing (software engineering), information and intelligence (signals, search, optimization), and algorithms and data analytics (learning, statistical reasoning, decision). Students will learn through “first principles,” which establish a strong understanding of the mathematics and modelling behind AI, while also getting solid experience with practical applications of MI. 

Photo by Infralist.com on Unsplash

U of T has always been a pioneering institution in artificial intelligence; in fact, deep learning (a subspace of artificial intelligence) is said to have originated here at U of T. EngSci MI was launched in 2017 as Canada’s first undergraduate program in this field. Courses are taught by faculty members from the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Industrial Mechanical & Engineering, Computer Science, and the Robotics Group from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. Furthermore, the Vector Institute, an AI research institution established in 2017 with connections to U of T , provides students with unparalleled opportunities for internships and research positions in MI. 


Why Choose MI? 

Why Choose This Major?

You’re interested in:

  • the theory or application of computer science and AI
  • a valuable skillset that can be used in any field. In addition to the enormous tech companies which rely on machine intelligence for their products and services, MI can benefit almost every company.
  • entrepreneurship! There are many startups around the world that use machine learning to develop unique products and services. New companies are using machine learning for trading stocks, camera systems for object detection for autonomous vehicles, software for medical diagnosis, sound and music processing, and more.

From learning the inner mathematics of machine learning algorithms, to integrating your knowledge through software engineering, EngSci MI will perfectly prepare you for computer science-related jobs and research, especially those in artificial intelligence. 

Where Can This Major Take You?

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

  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • ETH Zurich
  • MIT
  • UC Berkeley
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Toronto

Sample employers for recent MI graduates include:

  • Accenture
  • AMD
  • Intel
  • Qualcomm


Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Machine Intelligence Engineering

Year 1

ESC103 will introduce linear algebra topics, such as matrices and vectors, before moving on to computation. Computation is the process of using a computer to calculate or approximate an answer, and in ESC103, you’ll learn how to use the MATLAB programming language to automate mathematical calculations. MAT185 will extend your linear algebra knowledge through topics such as eigenproblems. Many topics in computer science and machine learning algorithms are heavily dependent on linear algebra, and computation will be essential when producing and visualizing the results of a machine learning model.

ESC180 will be your first programming course in university. You will learn the Python programming language, which is widely used in scientific computing and machine learning. This course will provide you with a foundation for all your future computer science endeavors.

ESC190 will be your second programming course in university! You will learn the C programming language, which is much more low-level and high-performance (many machine learning libraries and frameworks for Python are programmed in C). Most importantly, you will learn about algorithm development: algorithms are sets of rules that act upon data, such as sorting, building a set with certain properties, or finding a minimum path. Machine learning is built upon algorithms, so ESC190 is indispensable to this major. The course also covers data structures, which are objects that store and organize information on a computer in a useful way; with how data-heavy machine learning is, data structures are important to the field. The course will briefly cover computer hardware; having knowledge of hardware allows programmers to use computers to their full capabilities and make more efficient and useful programs.

ESC101 and ESC102 will require you and your team to identify, frame, and develop solutions for an engineering design opportunity. The course will expose you to working with engineering requirements and various frameworks for representing product functionality, which are important aspects of software engineering theory. Furthermore, groups in the past have been able to incorporate computer programs and even machine learning into their Praxis projects.

Year 2

ECE253 teaches you about how computers operate on a low-level scale. Again, understanding hardware allows MI engineers to take full advantage of their computers when creating fast and powerful software.

ECE286 will teach you all about analyzing data through various mathematical methods. Probability and statistics will be very important when interpreting the results and optimizing the accuracy of your machine learning models.

ESC203 teaches you about the societal and ethical implications of engineering. The ethics and safety surrounding AI is of significant discussion today and will likely shape the future of the field. This course will help you formulate nuanced and informed arguments to articulate your opinions while considering situations from modern and historic perspectives, so that you can contribute to this important debate.


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. 

CSC401: Natural Language Computing

This course covers the algorithms and software behind information retrieval, speech recognition and synthesis, machine translation, summarization, and dialogue. 

ECE444: Software Engineering

This course covers the collaborative software development process in open-source software and web applications, including requirements, development, testing, quality assurance, and maintenance. Plus, you will build some really cool software projects.

ROB501: Computer Vision for Robotics

This course covers the geometry of image formation, image processing, cameras, image feature detection, stereo vision, 3D processing, and more. You will discuss the use of machine learning for applications such as segmentation, object detection, and tracking, and will examine several successful robotic vision systems. 

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


Where To Get Some Experience Before Deciding? 

UTMIST is a team consisting of over 60 undergraduate and graduate students dedicated to clearing “the MIST around machine intelligence for the eager young minds.” Their Academics Department hosts lecture series dedicated to machine learning topics such as introductory workshops with PyTorch and Large Language Model seminars. Their Engineering Department consists of several subteams led by student directors, who submit proposals to recruit their own development team to pursue machine learning research projects in a six-month development cycle (these projects may be selected towards product deployment or academic publications). If you want to immerse yourself in machine learning and gain academic and professional experience, check UTMIST’s website and get involved. 

aUToronto is a student design team dedicated to building a self-driving car. From 2016 to 2021, the team competed and emerged victorious in the GM/SAE AutoDrive Challenge Round I, taking four consecutive wins. Currently, they are working towards a Level 4 autonomous vehicle capable of complete navigation in urban driving environments to compete in Round II. Whether you’re interested in perception and artificial intelligence, or control, electronics, or autonomous vehicles in general, apply to aUToronto

Founded in 2004, UTRA has built robots for all kinds of purposes. Their teams include Sumo, RoboSoccer, Combat, Pacbots, Robonars workshops, and an annual hackathon called UTRAHacks. However, their Autonomous Rover Team is their most popular team and would likely be of greatest interest to prospective MI students. UTRA builds a fully autonomous rover to compete in the annual International Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. Check out their website to learn more about their teams and how to get involved. 


Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info:  


Robotics Engineering


Don’t anthropomorphize robots. They hate it when you do that.


What is Robotics Engineering?

Robotics Engineering is the study of robotic systems, combining circuitry, mechanical design, computer algorithms, and control systems to develop advanced mechatronic systems. Robotics Engineering combines several fields, including aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and material science. Robotics engineers work on a diverse set of technologies, such as self-driving cars, personal electronics, space exploration rovers, large-scale automated logistics systems, and precise robots for minimally invasive surgery. The robotics engineering field and market is in an exciting period of growth and diversification. 

The University of Toronto Robotics Institute is home to the largest and most diversified robotics research program in Canada and unites robotics experts from across the University around the research pillars of autonomous field robotics, healthcare robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Faculty members include Canada Research Chairs in robotics, mechatronics, machine learning, and image analysis. 


Why Choose Robotics Engineering? 

Why Choose This Major?

You’re interested in:

  • Everything to do with robots, including hardware and software, 
  • Working with a vast range of applications, such as aerospace, healthcare, transportation, personal electronics, and more, and 
  • Creating a cutting-edge tech startup with an impact upon the world. 

In Robotics Engineering, you’ll be taught by world-renowned faculty members from the University of Toronto Robotics Institute, the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, and the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, and Computer Science. 

Where Can This Major Take You?

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

  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • ETH Zurich
  • MIT
  • UC Berkeley
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Toronto

Sample employers for recent Robotics Engineering graduates include:

  • Accenture
  • AMD
  • DiDi Labs
  • Google
  • Intel
  • Qualcomm
  • Boston Dynamics

Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Robotics Engineering

Year 1

ESC180 will be your first programming course in university. Your programming skills will help you design the “brain” of your robots.

ESC190 will be your second programming course. This course introduces the C programming language, which is commonly used for interacting with hardware components. This course focuses on implementing various algorithms, which are used for completing various real-world tasks such as pathfinding.

ECE159 will help introduce you to circuitry, which you’ll need to connect the physical systems with the “brains” of your robots. The practicals involve hands-on experiences in which you build and measure the properties of your own circuits. Combined with the theory-focused lectures, this course gives you a strong foundation for all your future ECE courses in Robotics.

PHY180 will cover concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, and interactions within systems. This course will provide a foundation for understanding further advanced physics concepts such as forward and inverse kinematics, which explain robot movement and interactions.

ESC103 will introduce the basics of linear algebra. You’ll use this knowledge, along with that gained from MAT185, in upper-year courses such as Dynamics and Introduction to Robotics. Robotics concepts such as rigid body movement and circuitry are described using matrices. Much of the computing a robot does in its operation is also implemented as linear algebra through code, in programming languages such as MATLAB (which you’ll learn in ESC103).

ESC101 and ESC102 will require you and your team to tackle a real-world engineering opportunity. Although your opportunity and approach towards it will vary, you may have an opportunity to integrate robotics in your solutions.

Year 2

ECE253 bridges the gap between the electrical components that build computers and the programming we do with them. You’ll learn basic logic circuits, logic computation and functions of a simple computer processor. Along the way you’ll learn to program simple processors in the low-level Assembly language. You’ll use some of these principles in upper-year courses.

AER210 combines two concepts. The first half of the course is an extension of Calculus II and focuses on vector calculus; this branch of math is crucial to understanding robot movement. The second half of the course focuses on fluid mechanics, which is the study of the motion of fluids (liquids and gases); this will be useful when designing robots to be as aerodynamic as possible.

ESC204 integrates all your technical and design knowledge into a course-long mechatronics design project based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll learn a lot about building robotic systems for impactful applications.


Interesting Courses in This Major

CSC384 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

This course covers the theories and algorithms that cover a large part of the basis for artificial intelligence. The specific topics include decision-making under uncertainty, learning, classical automation, and logical representations and reasoning. You’ll cover both practical programming applications and theory. 

ROB521 Mobile Robotics and Perception

This course covers the fundamentals of mobile robotics and sensor-based perception. These topics are applicable in self-driving cars, space exploration, unmanned aerial vehicles, search and rescue, and much more. Topics include sensors, localization, mapping, route planning, path tracking and software frameworks. Labs in this course use a mix of software simulations and hardware. This course will be applicable for building any autonomous system. 

ROB498 Robotics Capstone Course

In this course, students apply technical knowledge to solve a challenging real-world robotics problem. Supported by the teaching team comprised of domain experts, students work in groups and have considerable freedom in developing a complete robotic hardware and software system based on the “sense-plan-act” framework. 

Student-built drone from the ROB498 course

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


Interview with chair of the Robotics major 

Check out an interview with Professor Jonathan Kelly, the chair of the Robotics major.


Where To Get Some Experience Before Deciding?

Many extracurriculars offer opportunities to engage with different areas of robotics. Lots of design teams have a circuitry team, programming team, and/or a mechanical design team, so joining any of these would be a great way to gain robotics experience. There are also software and AI-related opportunities to give you experience with programming for robotics. We’ve listed a few that you can check out, but you’ll learn about even more once you get here. 

Founded in 2004, UTRA has built robots for all kinds of purposes. Their teams include Sumo, RoboSoccer, Combat, Pacbots, Robonars workshops, and an annual hackathon called UTRAHacks. If you’re considering the Robotics major, joining one of these teams or sub teams will allow you to explore your specific interests within Robotics. Check out their website to learn more about their teams and how to get involved. 

RSX designs, builds, and tests robots for planetary exploration. They compete in space engineering competitions around the world, notably the International University Rover Challenge (URC) in Utah and the CanSat competition in Texas. Furthermore, they host SEEK (Space Exploration and Engineering Kompetition), which is an annual competition organized by RSX where students gain practical experience with space technologies. Whether you’re interested in the mechanical, electrical, or software aspect of robotics, RSX will have a sub team for you. 

aUToronto is a student design team dedicated to building a self-driving car. From 2016 to 2021, the team competed and emerged victorious in the GM/SAE AutoDrive Challenge Round I, taking four consecutive wins. Currently, they are working towards a Level 4 autonomous vehicle capable of complete navigation in urban driving environments to compete in Round II. Whether you’re interested in mechatronics & infrastructure, control systems, or autonomous vehicles in general, apply to aUToronto.

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


Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info:  


Energy Systems Engineering


Q: What’s a wind turbine’s favorite color?

A: Blew.


What is Energy Systems Engineering?

The Energy Systems Engineering major prepares students to design systems that satisfy the growing global need for the production and distribution of affordable and sustainable energy. You’ll learn how to tackle urgent issues in energy generation, storage, and transmission, while understanding the environmental, political, and economic impacts of your work. The curriculum focuses on clean energy, sustainability, thermodynamics, nuclear energy, control systems, and electric drives. 

The major involves courses in electrical engineering, physics, infrastructure engineering, and more; this enables graduates to design energy systems from the scale of a computer chip to the size of a large city. Many Energy Systems Engineering graduates have gone directly into the industry as consultants, engineers for energy providers, policy analysts for energy regulators, and engineers at new energy start-ups. Others have continued their education in graduate school and research. This major is well-known for producing graduates ready for both employment and academia

Energy Systems Engineering courses are taught by faculty members from the Departments of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, and U of T’s Institute for Sustainable Energy. An exciting new development in the Toronto area is the establishment of the new NRC Advanced Materials Research Facility, where energy researchers will be engaged with clean energy research. 

Photo by Gonz DDL on Unsplash

Why Choose Energy Systems Engineering? 

Why Choose This Major?

You’re interested in:

  • Systems that have a large impact on both people’s lives and the environment. In Energy Systems Engineering, you’ll take public policy courses which connect energy systems with economics and politics. Several of your other courses focus on large-scale energy implementation in buildings, cities and even countries. 
  • Combining physics and engineering design in fields such as optics, energy generation, astrophysics, electronics, climate, geophysics, economics, and more 
  • Studying all levels of energy implementation and how they interact, from particles, computer chips, buildings, smart grids, and the world 
  • The “Science” part of “Engineering Science” 

Many courses in this major involve practical topics such as evaluating energy generators or constructing energy-efficient buildings. Other courses cover pure science such as electromagnetism, algebra, and nuclear energy. 

Where Can This Major Take You?

Recent EngSci Energy Systems Engineering graduates have pursued graduate studies at top universities such as:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • MIT
  • Stanford University
  • UC Berkeley
  • University of Toronto

Sample employers for recent Energy Systems Engineering graduates include:

  • Boston Consulting Group
  • The IESO
  • Ontario Power Authority
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Toronto Hydro
  • Apple
  • Google X
  • Other government agencies

Upper-Year Insights

Martin Staadecker
EngSci Energy Systems 2T3+PEY, incoming MIT Master’s student in the Technology and Policy Program | Interned in electrical grid modelling and electrochemistry

The major has a lot of cool electives! You can focus on nuclear engineering, electrical grid design and protection, building science, or electrochemistry to name a few. My favourite course was Intro to Fusion Energy with Prof. Davis—challenging but so much fun!

This major stands out to me for its tight-nit community and its breadth of courses—electricity transmission, generation, storage, energy policy, and more—that have imparted me with a big-picture view of how our society’s energy systems work and how I might change them for the better. As a graduate, I’m excited to pursue some of the numerous career pathways the major has to offer and I feel empowered on my journey to building a more sustainable future.

Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Energy Systems Engineering

Year 1

PHY180 will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of energy, force, and momentum, which are essential to engineering and will be vital to your future courses.

ESC103 will introduce you to the basics of linear algebra with vectors and matrices. The labs in this course will introduce MATLAB, one of the most popular programming languages for complex computations. When designing large-scale and complex energy systems, you’ll need to use computation to both produce and verify your results. MAT185 will develop your linear algebra skills, which will be important when representing electrical energy systems.

CIV102 introduces structural engineering, a topic which might be further explored in your upper-year courses. The lectures and problem sets often apply these principles to real-world building design problems; when implementing energy systems that interact with buildings, your knowledge of structures and sustainable design will be an asset.

ECE159 will start from the basics of circuitry, eventually covering more advanced circuit analysis techniques. Ultimately, you will learn about power and methods for improving power efficiency. Whether you’re harnessing electrical energy, designing devices for energy generation or capture, or integrating energy systems into buildings and cities, electrical engineering concepts will be extremely valuable to you as an Energy Systems Engineer.

The overall objective of ESC102 is to “effect a verified and validated sustainable improvement in the lived experience of a community.” Sustainability and stakeholder validation will be important in both this course and your future work.

Year 2

PHY294 is divided into two halves, with quantum mechanics and thermal physics in the first and second halves, respectively. The thermal physics part is very important to energy studies: you’ll learn about thermodynamics and temperature and energy distribution, concepts which are used in all levels of energy systems design.

CHE260 is another two-part course. The first part of the course covers thermodynamics, which includes the important concept of mechanical energy; the principles of mechanical energy are used to design all modern engines. The second part of the course covers heat transfer, an important consideration in energy systems design. You’ll learn how an object’s seemingly basic features, such as its dimensions, significantly affect its heat transfer properties.

ECE259 combines fundamental physics with useful techniques from vector calculus to explore features of electricity like electric force, voltage, current, and field strength. Whether you’re harnessing electrical energy, designing devices for energy generation or capture, or integrating energy systems into buildings and cities, electrical engineering concepts will be extremely valuable to you as an Energy Systems engineer.

ESC204 projects Praxis II onto a more advanced global scale. Your goal will be to develop a mechatronics project to positively impact an area of the world based on the Sustainable Development Guidelines by the United Nations. You may get a chance to work on an energy-related project in this course. Furthermore, Energy Systems Engineering is all about developing sustainable improvements for the world, so your experiences from Praxis III will be indispensable for your future career.

ESC203 is all about considering the impacts of your engineering work. Discussions and case studies about environmental impact and equity will form a significant part of the course, and the insights you gain from ESC203 will help inform your future practice of engineering as a whole (especially in Energy Systems Engineering, due to the field’s inherent ties to sustainability and global impact).


Interesting Courses in This Major

Energy Systems Engineering has a large variety of courses. The technical courses focus on petroleum, electrical, and nuclear energy, as well as Earth and building science, with third-year courses having a particular focus on Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Some Energy Systems-specific courses include topics on large-scale energy distribution. We encourage you to see what courses and elective options most strongly interest you. 

MIE303: Mechanical and Thermal Energy Conversion Processes

This course examines the design and functionality of diesel engines and refrigeration systems, based on applied thermodynamics. Topics include heat engines, steam power plants, internal combustion engines, gas turbines and jet engines, fossil fuel and alternative fuel combustion, fusion processes, and fuel cells. 

CIV401: Design and Optimization of Hydro and Wind Electric Plants

This course will cover the engineering behind these plants from first principles to the various types of turbomachines. Topics include fluid mechanics, efficiency coefficients, momentum exchanges, vibration, pumps and turbines, system configuration, case studies, and more. 

ECE520: Power Electronics

This course focuses on the power electronic converters used in applications from low-power mobile devices to electric vehicles, server farms, microgrids, and renewable energy systems. Concepts will include efficient electrical energy processing, energy conversion, power electronic circuits, and controller design. 

CHE568: Nuclear Engineering

This course discusses both fundamental and applied nuclear engineering, from the structure of the nucleus to stability and radioactive decay, flux, moderation, fission, nuclear reactors, poison buildup, and health and safety considerations. 

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


Where to Get Some Experience Before Deciding?

There are plenty of student clubs and design teams you can join to further your skills and knowledge in electronics, clean energy, and sustainability. We will list a few, but you can check out a full list on the U of T Student Life Sustainability Associations page. You can also check out the U of T Sustainability Office to find more sustainability initiatives. 

UTWind

UTWind is a team that unites students across engineering and environmental sciences to design and build a small-scale wind turbine. Their subsystems include aerodynamics, controls, mechanical and manufacturing, power systems, and sustainability. They compete against universities from across the world at the annual International Small Wind Turbine Contest, held at the Hanze University of Applied Science in Delft, Netherlands. In 2022, they won first place overall! If you’re interested, feel free to drop in during a work session in the Myhal Arena. 

Blue Sky Solar Racing

The Blue Sky Solar Racing team has designed, built, and raced solar-powered vehicles since 1995. The cars are highly optimized, weighing less than 1/3 the average F1 car while capable of reaching 100 km/h while running entirely on solar energy thanks to the array of solar panels that cover the cars! They compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and consistently place highly amongst their competition. Whether you’re interested in the mechanical, aerodynamic, electrical, operational, or solar energy aspects of the vehicles, Blue Sky Solar Racing is a great place to learn technical skills and contribute to the future of sustainable vehicles. If you’re interested, attend one of their recruitment sessions. You can even see their cars on display in the Bahen Centre. 

U of T Supermileage (UTSM)

UTSM designs and builds extremely fuel-efficient vehicles. They are currently developing a Prototype Battery Electric Vehicle and an Urban Concept Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (with the only fuel being hydrogen and oxygen, and the only byproducts being energy and water). 

In UTSM, you can expect to gain a deep understanding of efficient vehicles and sustainable energy. UTSM competes annually in the Shell Eco Marathon Americas competition and placed first in 2015! 

Sustainable Engineers Association (SEA)

SEA works to increase general interest and awareness about sustainability, defining the term as “planning our usage of resources in order to meet our future environmental, social, and economical needs.” With their many events, seminars, career fairs, and competitions, SEA educates students on the technical aspects of sustainable design and supports students to develop and implement their ideas. 

U of T Nuclear Energy Association (UTNEA)

UTNEA seeks to spark student interest in nuclear energy and build a professional network of experts in the field. They host lectures and workshops and connect students with professionals in industry and research to spread information and awareness of the latest innovations in nuclear energy. 

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


Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info:  


Biomedical Systems Engineering


Q: What do you call an organic compound with an attitude?

A: A-mean-o acid.

What is Biomedical Systems Engineering?

Biomedical Systems Engineering (a.k.a. Biomed) combines life sciences, engineering, and physical sciences to solve fundamental biological questions and challenging healthcare problems. Biomedical Engineers design artificial organs and prosthetics, create biomaterials for drug delivery, use machine learning to improve medical imaging, and more. 

The major includes four focus areas

  • Regenerative medicine and biomaterials
  • Systems and synthetic biology
  • Neuro sensory and rehab engineering
  • Sensors, nano/microsystems and instrumentation.

EngSci’s Biomedical Systems Engineering major is offered in collaboration with U of T’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), a world-renowned multidisciplinary research facility. Through this partnership, the major lets you learn from and work with professors, researchers, and graduate students working at the leading edge of biomedical engineering. They also have close links to many major hospitals and other U of T departments, which provide incredible opportunities for student experience in the field


Why Choose Biomedical Engineering? 

Why Choose This Major? 

You’re interested in: 

  • Areas of biotech, like biological systems and synthetic biology. 
  • Fields related to medicine and rehabilitation
  • Micro and nano technologies
  • Developing life-saving artificial organs (like 3D printing artificial hearts), to reduce dependency on limited donors.

Where Can This Major Take You? 

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

  • Columbia University 
  • ETH Zurich 
  • Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology 
  • Johns Hopkins University 
  • Stanford University 
  • University of British Columbia 
  • University of Toronto 

Sample employers for recent Biomed graduates include: 

  • Baylis Medical 
  • Microsoft 
  • GE Healthcare
  • Apple Health

EngSci Biomed graduates have also started companies such as Xpan and LSK Technologies


Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Biomedical Engineering

Almost everything you learn in the foundation years can relate to Biomedical Systems Engineering. For example, you might design electronics and software for prosthetics, in which case courses such as ECE159 (Fundamentals of Electric Circuits), ESC190 (Computer Algorithms and Data Structures) and ECE253 (Digital and Computer Systems) will be important. If you’re interested in biomaterials, then MSE160 (Molecules and Materials) will be of particular interest. Below are just a few examples of relevant courses and their applications to Biomedical Systems Engineering. 

Year 1

MSE160 teaches you about key concepts in chemistry and materials science, and their applications to current applications in biological and chemical engineering.

ESC101 and ESC102 are built around design projects, which are a huge part of the Biomed major. Biomed design projects often arise in our Praxis courses and are a great way to practice your skills in the design process. Some examples of Biomed-based Praxis projects are redesigning the naloxone kits used to treat overdoses, and improving hospital waiting rooms. Through interacting with communities, you’ll get exposure to consulting with healthcare professionals and patients.

Year 2

BME205 is a review and extension of high school biology. While reviewing things like cell biology and anatomical systems, you’ll also be exposed to various fields in biomedical engineering, like medical devices. The biology labs that are part of this course will give you experience for future practicals in the Biomedical Systems Engineering major.


Interesting Courses in This Major 

The courses in the BME major are vast and span categories from molecular biology to organ systems, to medical device design, and even computer science. As mentioned earlier, you can customize your degree based on the technical electives you choose. Below are just a few examples. For a complete list, please visit the EngSci Calendar Website

BME410: Regenerative Engineering

This course is about the integration of regenerative medicine, clinical engineering, human biology & physiology, advanced biomaterials, tissue engineering, and stem cell and developmental biology, to create new therapies. Beginning with stem cell biology, the course works its way up to complex tissues and organs. The first half of the course involves 2D and 3D tissue and organ development, while the second half involves the integration of medical devices, technologies, and treatments into healthcare, also discussing clinical trial logistics, ethics, and processes. Students will participate in workshops, seminars, and research facility tours for projects and assignments.

MIE439: Biomechanics I

This course applies principles of mechanical engineering, such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics, to living systems, discussing cellular mechanics, blood rheology, circulatory mechanics, respiratory mechanics, skeletal mechanics, and locomotion. A major, integrative group project applies these topics to biomimetic and biomechanical design.

ECE448: Biocomputation

This course is about computer algorithms that find patterns in biological data. Topics include molecular cell biology, sequence alignment, deep learning, phylogenetic prediction, structure-based computational methods, and gene finding and annotation.

BME595: Medical Imaging

This course covers magnetic resonance, ultrasound, x-ray, and clinical optical imaging, and nuclear medicine, emphasizing the physics and mathematics behind each modality and the role of each in a clinical setting. The labs will involve image reconstruction and analysis for the various imaging modalities, including a live animal imaging session.

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


Where To Get Some Experience Before Deciding? 

CUBE offers events like the Biomedical Engineering Competition (BMEC), where participants work together in teams to come up with solutions to solve health problems. These solutions are judged by people from industry and research fields

They also host a lab skills workshop series, where students can develop key lab skills such as pipetting, microscopy, and general lab safety. You also have the chance to go on field trips to see a biomedical laboratory where real researchers and scientists work

CUBE also hosts seminars, such as the summer research seminar for networking with Master’s and PhD students in BME. You can also attend the Professor Mixer with professors from BME, or the Industry Mixer with industry professionals from biomedical companies. 

iGEM is a student association that will help you learn more about synthetic biology. Every year the team designs a synthetic biology research project and competes with other schools at the annual iGEM Grand Jamboree
 
iGEM also hosts seminars and discussions throughout the year, as a space for students interested in synthetic biology to gather and learn more about biomedical engineering design. These seminars also offer a way for you to interact with industry professionals and U of T Engineering alumni. 

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


Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info:  


Aerospace Engineering


Why was the aerospace engineer always calm during turbulence? 

They knew how to stay grounded… 

What is Aerospace Engineering?

Aerospace engineering involves the science, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, satellites, rocket-propulsion systems, and robotic systems operating within or beyond earth’s atmosphere. In addition, aerospace engineers might work on cars, wind turbines, unmanned aerial vehicles, telescopes, and more. 

Aerospace engineering requires knowledge of mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science and engineering, material science and civil engineering, energy systems, physics, and more. There is exciting work being done such as research in autonomous flight, superlight materials, experimental energy sources, and low-cost space travel. You will enter a technologically advanced and challenging field, where you’ll be responsible for advancing human exploration and transportation on earth and beyond. 

The Aerospace Engineering major offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing dynamics and aerodynamics, control systems, structures, propulsion, robotics, and aeroacoustics. It provides instruction on both aircraft and spacecraft design and flight, emphasizing fundamental science and engineering principles. Additionally, courses cover topics such as sustainable aviation, environmental considerations, and space exploration, and you have a wide range of technical electives with which you can focus your degree. 

Aerospace Engineering Major Art by EngSci 2T6 Leah Bel Ben-Tzur (instagram: @leah.bentzur)

Why Choose Aerospace Engineering? 

Why Choose This Major?

You’re interested in: 

  • Research areas such as computational and experimental fluid dynamics, with applications ranging from spacecraft to race cars.
  • The science behind propulsion, combustion and fusion energy.  
  • Aircraft and spacecraft flight systems and controls.  
  • Developing autonomous terrestrial and space robotic systems that can function for extended periods in demanding conditions.  
  • Planes, rockets, drones, satellites, and so much more! 

In the EngSci Aerospace Engineering major, many of your professors will be from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). UTIAS is devoted to aerospace graduate studies and has a long history of innovation and aerospace research with top industry and institutional partners.  

Where Can This Major Take You? 

EngSci Aerospace Engineering graduates have pursued graduate studies at top institutes and universities such as: 

  • UTIAS 
  • Caltech 
  • Cambridge University 
  • ETH Zurich 
  • MIT 
  • Stanford University 
  • University of Michigan 

Sample employers for recent Aerospace graduates include: 

  • Space Agencies such as NASA and CSA 
  • Bombardier 
  • MDA Space Missions 
  • Honeywell 
  • Pratt & Whitney Canada 
  • Safran Landing Systems 

EngSci Aerospace graduates have also started companies such as Kepler Communications, Aerovelo, and 2XL Games


Upper-Year Insights

Nat Espinosa Quintero
EngSci 2T5 + PEY (Aerospace), Aerodynamics Lead @ UTAT Rocketry

“Getting involved in the aerospace field has been one of the biggest challenges in my career and the steepest learning curve I’ve experienced. After lots of constant effort, choosing this major and being exposed to the industry, I look back and I see how much I’ve grown since I got to my first day of university. Acknowledging every little effort you put into your career and seeing it bloom day by day toward your dreams has been my most memorable experience!” 

“Make sure you really enjoy aviation and/or space! Being passionate about aerospace has definitely made my journey through EngSci Aero the most exciting and challenging experience. This being said, finding yourself a group of friends who share your interests is also important. Don’t be afraid of making connections, develop your social skills and make lots of long-lasting relationships with everyone around you.” 

Courses in Year 1 and Year 2 That Relate to Aerospace Engineering

Almost everything you learn in the foundation years can relate to the Aerospace Engineering major. For example, as an aerospace engineer, you might design firmware systems for drones or satellites, in which case courses such as ECE159 (Fundamentals of Electric Circuits), ESC190 (Computer Algorithms and Data Structures), and ECE253 (Digital and Computer Systems) will be extremely important. If you’re interested in aerodynamics, then PHY180 (Classical Mechanics) and AER210 (Vector Calculus and Fluid Mechanics) would be especially useful. Below are just a few examples of relevant courses and their applications to Aerospace Engineering. 

Year 1

CIV102 will teach you concepts in structural engineering relating to the design and material selection of strong structures, which directly relate to aerospace engineering. For example, loading a bridge is like keeping a plane wing straight, and vibrations in buildings are similar to airplane turbulence.

PHY180 covers kinematics, dynamics, and other concepts to provide you with a strong foundation in physics.

ESC103 will introduce you to linear algebra — which is an essential branch of mathematics for aerospace engineering as it relates to structures, electronics, and more. It will also introduce the MATLAB programming language, to automate your mathematical computations. MAT185 is a pure linear algebra course which will strengthen your skills from ESC103 and introduce more advanced topics.

Year 2

CHE260 is split into two halves: thermodynamics and heat transfer. In aerospace, a knowledge of thermodynamics is crucial when building engines and dealing with gases. During the heat transfer portion, you’ll learn about how heat moves through materials; a common problem in aircraft design is keeping your materials hot or cold enough when moving through the atmosphere at high speeds. If you’re interested in Aero, pay attention in CHE260.

AER210 is another two-part course. The first half focuses on vector calculus, which involves differentiation and integration in vector fields in 3D space. You’ll use this in the fluid mechanics half of the course, which introduces ways to analyze and predict the motion of fluids in different situations. The principles from fluid mechanics are invaluable for anything to do with aerodynamics, speed, and flight.

MAT292 gives you a solid foundation in modeling different physical systems mathematically with ordinary differential equations (ODEs). For example, heat-related systems in plane engines can be modeled with ODEs.


Interesting Courses in This Major

AER302: Aircraft Flight

This course discusses everything about aircraft flight. Topics include the atmosphere, equations of motion, airspeed measurement, drag, thrust and power, climb, turns, pull-up, takeoff, landing, flight envelope, static stability and control, and dynamic stability.

AER407: Space Systems Design

This course teaches real-world space system design with a hands-on approach, led by engineers from MDA and Microsat Systems Canada. Students work in teams on different aspects like operations, systems, mechanical, electrical, control, and science. The course will include lectures, workshops, and assessments like the Preliminary Design Review and Final Report.

AER515: Combustion Processes

This course takes CHE260 to the next level and goes in-depth into the thermodynamics, chemistry, kinetics, and calculations of combustion. Combustion will also be discussed with respect to rockets, reciprocating engines, gas turbines, furnaces, and the environment.

AER525: Robotics

This course is about analytical robotics and the design and control of industrial robots and their instrumentation. Topics include forward, inverse, and differential kinematics, inverse and forward dynamics, screw representation, statics, motion and force control of robot manipulators, actuation schemes, task-based and workspace design, mobile manipulation, and sensors and instrumentation in robotic systems. Experiments will be held in the Robotics Laboratory.

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


Where to Get Some Experience Before Deciding?

University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT)

UTAT is an award-winning design team of undergraduate and graduate students working on aerospace-related design projects. UTAT has several divisions that you can join, with Rocketry, Aerial Robotics, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), Space Systems, Outreach, and Aerospace Policy. Each division consists of subteams including mechanical, electrical, software, propulsion, control, and much more. There are many ways to get involved with UTAT, so consider joining their team

Robotics for Space Exploration (RSX)

RSX designs, builds, and tests robots for planetary exploration. They compete in space engineering competitions around the world, notably the International University Rover Challenge (URC) in Utah and the CanSat competition in Texas. Furthermore, they host SEEK (Space Exploration and Engineering Kompetition), which is an annual competition organized by RSX where students gain practical experience with space technologies. 

U of T Formula Racing (UTFR)

UTFR is an award-winning team that designs and builds an electric formula race car and competes in various Formula Racing competitions around the world. Their subteams develop the electrical, autonomous, and mechanical aspects of the race car; prospective Aerospace Engineering students might want to consider joining the aerodynamics subteam, which is dedicated to making the car go fast. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for their recruiting cycle. 

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


Check out the EngSci majors website here for more info:  


EngSci Club

What is the EngSci Club?

EngSci Club is the official discipline club for all Engineering Science students, including you! It is made up of upper-year students who are passionate and excited to give back to the community. They run the EngSci Dinner Dance, Nocturne (EngSci talent show), and many common room activities throughout the year. They are also here as a resource and point of reference for anything you might need, from personal lockers on campus, to navigating the university’s resources and supports. 

What does EngSci Club do?

EngSci Club does everything from advocating for your academic needs to planning board game nights, all with the goal of making your EngSci experience the best it can be. 

EngSci Club logo: stick figure wearing a hard hat and holding a trident. The figure and trident make out the Greek letters N and psi
EngSci Club Logo [Source]

On the academic side, EngSci Club works with class representatives—a role you can apply for as a first year—and first- and fourth-year chairs to communicate concerns regarding courses and instructors to the faculty. EngSci Club also helps students connect to useful academic resources, including course-specific google drives with plenty of useful resources, within the Division of Engineering Science and the broader Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. 

EngSci Club manages the Common Room and runs socials for EngSci students, which often occur in the EngSci Common Room. Past socials have included game nights, holiday celebrations, town halls, and the annual EngSci Dinner Dance and Talent Show. EngSci Club also manages locker rentals, which are a great asset to first-year students who don’t want to carry around their textbooks and other school supplies throughout the entire day. 

Additionally, EngSci Club ensures equity in all club activities, and works with commuter and international students to improve their university experience. They push for mental health and wellness to always be front of mind. 

Finally, EngSci Club is an amazing resource for information about all things EngSci, FASE, and U of T. You can follow their Instagram @engsciclub, check out their website engsci.skule.ca, and stay tuned for their fun emails all throughout the year! 


Meet the EngSci Club Team

The EngSci Club team works to give all EngScis the best possible experience both in and out of the classroom. The team is made up of elected executive members (Chair, Vice Chairs, and Vice Presidents) and 18 appointed directors with a variety of roles. If you’re interested in becoming a member of EngSci Club, make sure to look out for their recruitment cycles. Even as a first-year, there are numerous roles in which you can get involved and have your voice heard! 

The executive team currently consists of Darya and Riann, who are Vice President Academic and Vice President Communications, respectively.  

Darya Tavvafi, Vice President Academic
EngSci 2T6 Aerospace
Riann Po, Vice President Communications
EngSci 2T6 Aerospace + PEY

More from the Team

Our main goal this year is to foster community and ensure everyone feels like they belong in EngSci. EngSci is really challenging but it can also be very fun and rewarding, which is what we’re hoping to highlight across our events and initiatives. We’re also hoping to improve the safety, utility, and cleanliness of the common room to ensure that all EngScis have access to a safe location that serves as both a productive study space and a fun social area to meet each other! 

The EngSci Dinner Dance! It’s a fun formal night out for EngScis with a full course meal, dancing, and photobooths 📸. This is also where we show the EngSci Dinner Dance Movie.  

Students watching the dinner dance movie at the EngSci Dinner Dance 2023 (Photo Credit).
Skule Band (Bnad) playing at the EngSci Dinner Dance 2023 (Photo Credit).

Nocturne! This is EngSci’s annual talent show hosted in the Spring, where Professor Davis is the MC and EngScis show off all their incredible talents.

Professor Guerzhoy performs at the annual EngSci Nocturne Talent Show

The Common Room! Our office is located here so drop by and say hi 🙂 this is the central hub for all EngScis.

EngSci Club office found in the Common Room by the foosball tables

We have more exciting surprises up ahead so follow @engsciclub on Instagram


Glossary


While EngSci is a small program, U of T is a rather large school, and this means that we have a lot of unique terms that students use in everyday speech. Since we have incorporated these terms into our blog posts, here is a list for your reference. 


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


A

ACORN

ACORN, or Accessible Campus Online Resource Network, is an online platform that stores all your records – including academic history/current courses, tuition fees and financial statements, and personal documents — and links you to other campus resources. 

Accreditation 

Accreditation is the process by which engineering programs are officially recognized as meeting certain educational and curriculum standards established by a regulatory board for engineering, such as Professional Engineers Ontario.

Aero/AER 

Aero is short for “aerospace engineering”. It could refer to the EngSci Aerospace Engineering major, or the field of aerospace engineering as a whole. EngSci courses related to Aero have the course code “AER”. 

Academic Advisor 

Academic advisors are faculty of the EngSci office who will guide you through EngSci, helping you with course enrolment, timetables, petitions, academic planning, and more. 

AP

AP, or Advanced Placement, is a program offered for high school students around the world which provides an enriched and challenging education. AP courses involve college-level curricula and examinations.  

ASX

The Astronomy & Space Exploration Society (ASX) is a non-profit organization run by the University of Toronto undergraduate space community. ASX’s purpose is to educate, excite, and inspire students, professionals, and the general public about astronomy and space. 

aUToronto 

aUToronto is a student design team dedicated to building a fully autonomous car to compete in the GM/SAE AutoDrive Challenge. 


B

BA

The building code for the Bahen Centre for Information Technology. It is one of the main engineering buildings on campus, and houses the EngSci common room, EngSci Office, and the Department of Computer Science. 

BME

BME is an abbreviation for “biomedical engineering”. It could refer to the EngSci Biomedical Systems Engineering major, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (the official graduate unit for biomedical engineering at U of T), or the field of biomedical engineering as a whole. The term “Biomed” may be used, however, “Biomed” could also refer to the broader biomedical sciences field. “BME” is the course code for BME courses.  

Blue Sky Solar Racing 

Blue Sky Solar Racing is a student design team dedicated to building energy-efficient solar-powered vehicles, to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 


C

Certificate 

A certificate is like an extra “mini-minor” completed alongside your degree, through which you can explore a certain specialized field of engineering by completing a particular set of three courses.  

CGPA

CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average and refers to your overall GPA across all semesters. It is calculated by averaging the GPAs from all your courses (adjusting for weight if necessary).  

ChemE/CHE 

The Department of Chemical Engineering. “CHE” is the course code for chemical engineering courses. 

Chestnut Residence 

Chestnut is a common student residence for first-year engineering students. Located just over a kilometer from campus, it houses almost 1150 students from all U of T faculties and colleges, with 75% of residents being first-year students. Chestnut also houses the most engineering students and international students compared to other residences. 

CivMinE/CIV 

CivMinE is the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering. “CIV” is the course code for civil engineering courses. 

Class Representative 

Class Representatives are students that represent a particular year’s class for a particular discipline to EngSoc and FASE. Early in the year, you will be able to run for and elect two students to represent the EngSci class of 2T8. They handle matters such as assignment conflicts/extensions, and social activities. 

Commuting/Commuter 

A synonym for traveling to and from a certain place. A commuter usually refers to a student who lives somewhere other than a U of T student residence, and travels to and from campus. Commuters could live near or far from campus. 

Co-op 

Co-ops, or cooperative education programs, allow students to gain real-world work experience through internships as part of credit/degree requirements. 

CS

CS stands for Complementary Studies, which refers to studies in humanities, social sciences, arts, management, engineering economics, and communication that complement the technical curriculum of an engineering program. CS could refer to U of T’s Computer Science major, or the field of computer science as a whole. 

CSC 

CSC is the course code for computer science courses at U of T. 

CUBE

The Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering is a student-run club whose mandate is to promote biomedical engineering at the undergraduate level.  


D

Dean 

The head of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. 

Dean’s Honours List  

A recognition of academic achievement for students who receive a weighted term average of 79.5% or higher (while meeting the minimum credit loads for full-time or part-time students). 

Design Team 

A student organization (of the Engineering Society) that works on engineering design projects. Design teams often pit their creations against those of other universities in competitions or publish the process and results of their work. 


E

EAA 

Engineering Athletics Association. The EAA creates and runs intramural sports teams for all engineering students. 

ECE

ECE is an abbreviation for “electrical & computer engineering”. It could refer to the EngSci Electrical & Computer Engineering major, the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (the official unit for undergraduate and graduate studies in ECE at U of T), the Core 8 Electrical & Computer Engineering major, or the field of Electrical & Computer Engineering as a whole. The terms “EE” and “CE” may be used to refer to either electrical or computer engineering, respectively. “ECE” is the course code for ECE courses 

EDI 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Adhering to EDI concepts and policies can help create welcoming environments in which all individuals from all backgrounds can succeed and are appreciated. 

EngSci/ESC 

Engineering Science. This is the amazing program you’ve decided to join! ESC is the course code for some EngSci-specific courses such as Praxis I (ESC101). 

EngSoc

Engineering Society. This is the student government group for all U of T Engineering students. They provide correspondence to students, academic services (such as old exam archives), student club funding, and extracurricular opportunities.  

ESEC

Engineering Science Education Conference. This annual one-day conference aims to broaden our students’ horizons through engagement with world leaders in a wide range of sectors corresponding to our program’s majors. 

ESROP

Engineering Science Research Opportunity Program. These competitive programs provide funding for EngSci students with the opportunity to work on engineering research projects over the course of the summer. ESROP – U of T is for students who have found their own placements with U of T faculty; ESROP – ExOp is for students who have found their own placements at non-U of T institutions; ESROP – Global is arranged by the Division of EngSci, and allows students to apply to a number of non-U of T partner institutions; ESROP – E4TW (Engineers for the World) is arranged by the Division of EngSci, and allows students to work on research related to the social, ethical, political, and human rights impacts of technology. 

ESRRO

Engineering Student Recruitment and Retention Office. This is the office responsible for sending many recruitment and transition resources for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.  

EWB UofT

Engineers Without Border U of T Chapter. The largest student chapter of EWB in Canada, the club works both locally and globally to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. 


F

FASE

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. This is the amazing faculty you’re a new member of.  

F!rosh Week 

An event-filled, weeklong orientation program for incoming engineering students, run by upper-year engineering students. 

Frosh 

A frosh is a first-year student. From September to May of the upcoming school year, you will all be frosh! 


G

GB

The building code for the Galbraith Building. It is one of the main engineering buildings on campus, and houses the Office of the Registrar and the Math Aid Centre. 

GEARS

Guided Engineering Academic Review Sessions. GEARS are like free tutoring sessions with successful upper-year EngScis. GEARS sessions run multiple days per week and are great opportunities to connect with upper-years who can help you review course content and prepare for exams, as well as answer your questions about course content, student life, and opportunities. 

GPA

Grade Point Average. Used alongside percentage and letter grades as a way to gauge your academic performance. The types of GPA are sGPA and cGPA, which are calculated by taking the average letter grade you receive in your courses, and converting it to a number from 0.0-4.0 using a scale. 

GTA

Greater Toronto Area. This officially means the City of Toronto and four surrounding regional municipalities: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. 


H

HA

The building code for the Haultain Building. One of the engineering buildings on campus. Houses small classrooms which may be used for tutorials and midterms.  

Hackathon 

An event often organized by engineering or computer science groups, where individuals or teams compete to create the best software, hardware, or conceptual project, based on certain themes and criteria. 

Hart House 

The student community center at U of T. Hart House houses athletic facilities, the U of T Art Museum, a restaurant, a live theatre, and much more. 

Hatchery 

The U of T Engineering Startup incubator. If you have a startup idea that you want to take to the next step, or if you just want to learn more about entrepreneurship, you should consider applying to the Hatchery’s programs! 

Hi-Skule  

A student-led engineering outreach club, dedicated to educating and engaging high school students in engineering. 

HPVDT 

U of T’s Human-Powered Vehicle Design team. They are a record-breaking team that builds vehicles such as superfast bikes and planes, powered entirely by people. 

HSS

Humanities and Social Science Elective. HSS courses are a subset of Complementary Studies courses, and they refer to electives offered through the Faculty of Arts and Science. The accreditation board requires you to take a certain amount of these courses for graduation.  


I

IB

IB, or International Baccalaureate, is a program offered for students around the world which provides an enriched and challenging education. IB courses involve college-level curricula, projects, and examinations.  

ID 

Iron Dragons is the dragon boating team at U of T engineering. ID consists of casual and competitive teams, and are open to all students with an interest in dragon boating and physical activity! 

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. There exists a student branch here at U of T, which builds cool technological projects, hosts professional development and technical skills workshops and hackathons, amd more! 

iGem

International Genetically Engineered Machine. iGEM Toronto is a student design team which develops a synthetic biology research project and competes in the annual iGEM jamboree. 

Intramurals

Casual or semi-competitive team sports in which you can play against other faculties and colleges at U of T. Intramurals are organized by the Engineering Athletics Association (EAA), and there are 23 teams across ten different sports! 


L

LEC

Lecture code on timetable. These are where you and your cohort(s) will be in large lecture halls, learning new content from the professor.  

LFF/MYFab  

Myhal Light Fabrication Facility. The facility is equipped with 20 workbenches, a variety of hand tools, and basic power tools and allows for light-duty fabrication with materials such as timber, foam, plastics and soft metals. There is also equipment for electronics work and 3D printing. 

LGMB 

Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad. As Skule’s most noisy, chaotic band, the LGMB loves to show up to events (uninvited) and blast their tunes for all to hear! 


M

MB

The building code for Lassonde Mining Building. Houses the Mining Hall of Fame and classrooms for some of your classes.  

MC

The building code for the Mechanical Engineering Building. Features a large lecture hall, which is one of the most spacious lecture halls you’ll see in your first year, as well as a machine shop (MC78) and thermodynamics laboratory.  

MI

MI is an abbreviation for “Machine Intelligence”. It refers to the EngSci Machine Intelligence major. 

MIE

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. “MIE” is the course code for mechanical & industrial engineering courses. 

Minor

A minor is like an extra “mini-degree” completed alongside your degree, through which you can explore a vast field of specialized engineering disciplines by completing a particular set of six courses. 

MSE

Department of Materials Science & Engineering. “MSE” is the course code for materials science & engineering courses. 

MSF 

MSF is an abbreviation for “Mathematics, Statistics, and Finance”. It refers to the EngSci Engineering Mathematics, Statistics, and Finance” major. 

MY

Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship. One of the main and newest engineering buildings on campus, with an enormous lecture hall, many classrooms and study spaces, a fabrication facility, the Robotics Institute, the Hatchery, and much more! 

MYFab/LFF  

Myhal Light Fabrication Facility. The facility is equipped with 20 workbenches, a variety of hand tools, and basic power tools and allows for light-duty fabrication with materials such as timber, foam, plastics and soft metals. There is also equipment for electronics work and 3D printing. 


N

NSBE

National Society of Black Engineers. This group’s mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. 

NSERC 

The National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. NSERC is a federal agency which funds research in the fields of natural sciences and engineering, by providing research grants to university faculty and students. 


O

Office Hours 

Instructor-specific sessions during which students can have their questions about course content answered by professors and teaching assistants. 

OSAP 

The Ontario Student Assistance Program provides grants and student loans to financially assist Ontario residents in funding their university education. 


P

PEY Co-op

Professional Experience Year Co-op. A paid twelve-sixteen-month co-op program offered to engineering students that have completed third year. Students that have completed second year are eligible for a summer-long PEY. 

PRA

Practical code on timetable. Hands-on sessions held in lab settings, which will be a component to many of your courses throughout your degree.  

Prof

Professor. Professors run your lectures and run weekly office hours. 


R

Robo/ROB 

Robo is short for “robotics engineering”. It could refer to the EngSci Robotics Engineering major, or the field of robotics engineering as a whole. EngSci courses related to Robo have the course code “ROB”. 

Robotics Institute 

The U of T Robotics Institute is the official unit for robotics research and innovation at U of T. 

RSX

Robotics for Space Exploration is a student design team which builds Mars rovers. RSX competes at competitions such as the University Rover Challenge, and even hosts an engineering design competition about space exploration. 


S

SEA

Sustainable Engineers Association. This student club is fueled by the drive to increase interest and awareness about sustainability, and they run many events throughout the year where students can meet and engage with industry professionals.  

SF

The building code for the Sandford Fleming Building. As one of the main engineering buildings on campus, SF houses lecture halls, research labs, and many EngSoc-run services such as the Engineering Stores and Hard Hat Cafe. 

SGPA

Sessional Grade Point Average. sGPA can be thought of as the GPA you earned in each semester, based only on courses from that semester. 

Skule™

An incorrect spelling of the word “school” in honor of a longstanding joke that Engineers can’t spell. Skule™ refers to the name of our student community at U of T Engineering! That said, no single definition encompasses what it is. Skule™ actually refers to a diverse set of statements: 

  • the spirit of what it means to be a U of T Engineering student, where we value fairness, honesty, diversity, inclusivity, and above all, respect for yourself and your fellow peers. 

  • a community of people referred to as Skuligans! 

  • a place where bright minds come together to collaborate, celebrate, and care for each another 

  • a network of over 56,000 alumni and a community that’ll last beyond your undergraduate years 

Skule Nite 

A beloved, renowned engineering student-run musical theater production which performs at the end of March in Hart House Theatre. As a F!rosh, you’re eligible for a free ticket to this production! 


T

TA

Teaching Assistant. Teaching Assistants are third/fourth-year, Masters, or PhD students that run your tutorials, help grade exams and assessments, and often run their own office hours.  

TCard

Your TCard will be your Student Identification Card throughout your time at U of T. It includes your photo, UTORid, student number and a barcode. It provides access to services and facilities such as the common room, libraries, athletic facilities, exams, meal plans, online learning portal, printing services, and more. 

Troost ILead 

Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering. The institute provides various courses, programs, and workshops to help train the next generation of engineering leaders – that’s you! 

TUT

Tutorial code on timetable. TUTs are smaller sections run by a TA, that allow you to learn more about and practice concepts introduced during lectures.  


U

UHIP

University Health Insurance Plan. This is a mandatory medical insurance plan for all international students. It is also offered for domestic students who don’t have their own medical insurance. Everyone is automatically enrolled in this plan, but domestic students who have their own medical insurance such as OHIP (Ontario’s mandatory health plans), can opt out. Read more about the insurance plan at the StudentCare webpage

U of T Time

“U of T Time” refers to the practice of starting lectures, labs, and tutorials ten minutes after their scheduled hour. For example, if a lecture is scheduled for 2:00pm on your timetable, the prof. won’t actually start giving the lecture until 2:10pm. This buffer time allows students ample time to get to their next class without missing anything. 

UT BIOME 

UT BIOME is a student design team that develops medical devices, and hosts conferences and competitions related to biomedical engineering. 

UTACE 

U of T Association of Chinese Engineers. ACE is a student-run group dedicated to promoting Chinese culture on campus. They also work towards fostering friendship and communication between members. 

UTAT

U of T Aerospace Team. An award-winning design team that works on aerospace projects such as rockets, satellites, and much more.  

UTFR 

U of T Formula Racing is an award-winning student design team that designs, builds, and competes with a fully-electric formula racecar. Every year, the team develops the mechanical, electrical, and autonomous aspects of a new car. 

UTEFA

U of T Finance Association. An educational organization which aims to provide students with extensive knowledge about the financial industry by engaging them in investing activities. 

UTESCA 

U of T Engineering Consulting Association. UTESCA connects engineering students with real-world consulting projects, and hosts various networking and professional development events. 

UTM

University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. Located in Mississauga, this is one of U of T’s three campuses.  

UTMIST

U of T Machine Intelligence Student Team. This team works on research projects all about machine learning and software engineering. 

UTORid

University of Toronto Identity. Your UTORid is your key to several services like your email, enrollment services and Wi-Fi on campus.  

UTRA

U of T Robotics Association. UTRA designs and builds various types of robots to compete in international competitions such as the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition and RoboGames. 

UTSC

University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. Located in Scarborough, this is one of U of T’s three campuses. 

UTSG

University of Toronto, Saint George Campus. Located in Downtown Toronto, this is one of U of T’s three campuses. As an engineering student, this will be your campus! 

UTSM 

U of T Supermileage. UTSM is a student design team that designs and builds extremely fuel-efficient vehicles. They compete annually in the Shell Eco Marathon Americas Competition. 

UTSPAN

University of Toronto Sports Analytics Student Group. UTSPAN is an award-winning student team that conducts sports analytics research challenges using mathematical methods and machine learning. 

UTSU

University of Toronto Student Union. The official student government of more than 38,000 students at the University of Toronto. UTSU was founded in 1901.  


W

WISE U of T

Women In Science and Engineering U of T. WISE is a student club that promotes the education of women in the fields of science and engineering. 


Y

YNCN

You’re Next Career Network. This club provides professional opportunities to students through career development programs, corporate and startup career events, and massive career fairs in the fall and winter. 


Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in EngSci

Where do you call home?

U of T Engineering is home to students from over 100 countries. Each person brings a unique combination of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, lived experience and perspectives that make our community such a vibrant place. This fosters a wonderfully rich learning environment that will expand your horizons and make you a better engineer. After all, engineers design products and processes for people coming from different lived experiences and from widely ranging circumstances. Thus, having diverse voices yields engineering solutions that support all people in the community.  

As you join the U of T Engineering community, you will begin to understand why this place is so important to so many people. Over the next four or five years, you will not only build a foundation for your career but also form friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. You will have experiences you will recount years from now. You’ll join a global community of over 60,000 alumni who have gone before you and have a strong emotional attachment to Skule™ for those same reasons.   

U of T Engineering students at the 2023 Pride Parade [Source]
Engineering Students at Godiva Week

We want every single community member—staff, students, professors, and alumni—to feel a strong sense of belonging and support. We want everyone to achieve their full potential through an environment of mutual respect for the dignity and worth of every person.    

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are core values that we all embrace, promote, and put into action. For definitions of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, check out this page. 

You have an important role to play in achieving this goal! We hope this post will help you understand your role in helping U of T and EngSci create a unique and supportive community.  You’ll learn how our engineering student body has evolved, what it looks like today, and our goals for the future.  


History of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in U of T Engineering

Today, U of T Engineering is represented by a highly diverse student body, but this wasn’t always the case.  

Engineering has exclusionary origins. Historically, the engineering profession was primarily open to white males in the middle or upper class. The term “engineer” actually has origins in the military, which was, of course, a very male-dominated domain.  

As social norms changed, so did engineering schools in Canada, albeit slowly. The first woman to graduate with an engineering degree from U of T was Elsie Gregory MacGill in 1927. Our Faculty’s first female permanent academic staff was Marion Bassett in 1958. Students and academics from racial and ethnic minority groups also started to enter the profession. Since then, we have made great progress towards gender equity and greater representation of many cultures and minority groups. Our first-year class is now approximately 40% women. It is also culturally and ethnically diverse with about a third of students coming from outside of Canada.  

Photograph of the past Cannon Guard [Source]
Historically, the engineering profession was male-dominated.
Women in the School of Practical Science [Source]
Gradually, more women enrolled & graduated from U of T Engineering.
Photo of U of T Engineering students at a recent Pride Parade [Source]
There is now a much greater representation of genders (binary and non-binary), as well as racial and ethnic minority groups within U of T Engineering.

What Is the Mission? Where Are We Going? And How Will We Get There?

Diversity is necessary in engineering.

It is important to remember that engineers design solutions for real-life problems.  Their work impacts everyone.  If engineers do not represent the lived experience of diverse populations, they are unlikely to address everyone’s needs in their work, or even know what problems need addressing in the first place.   

In our view, there are three main reasons why diversity is essential to successful engineering.  

Access to fulfilling and lucrative careers should in no way be restricted by race, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, religion or any other identity factor, both visible and hidden. Opportunity and success should be a truly level playing field based on abilities and character. And on the flipside, all communities should benefit from engineers who understand and address their specific challenges.  

Second, we need more engineers and should recruit the best talent from the broadest pool possible. Engineers are in very high demand and we have not been educating enough engineers to replace those retiring, let alone expanding the field at large! Diverse groups must be welcomed into the profession for the benefit of society, the economy, and our collective human technological capabilities.    

Finally, creativity is key to engineering innovation and diverse groups are more creative. Engineers are called on to design solutions to new, never-before-seen problems for diverse stakeholders every day. Creativity relies on one’s ability to draw connections between previously unconnected knowledge and ideas. Engineers from different backgrounds bring diverse skills, experiences, values, priorities, and knowledge to the table.  The more unique the connections that can be drawn, the more creative we can be. And innovative and creative thinking is what engineering is all about. Anyone can read a manual; not everyone can write it. 

Diversity in engineering represents justice, progress, and success in allowing equal opportunity for all people, regardless of externalities. Canada needs diversity in engineering to generate the innovation necessary for effective leadership. 


Your Role

Student Participation in ESEC 2020 [Source]

No matter your background or identity, we are all responsible for treating each other with respect and support, and to speak up when we witness disrespectful behavior.  

Be curious and educate yourself through U of T Engineering’s tookits. You’re going to meet people who are not like you or who are from places very different from your home community.  Use this chance to learn from them and about their experiences.  This will help you grow as a person and as an engineer, and will help you avoid misunderstandings, e.g., while doing teamwork. U of T Engineering has many ways for you to learn about the experiences of your classmates from different backgrounds. (E.g., check out the Black Cultural Competencies Toolkit (BCCT) or the Indigenous Cultural Competencies Toolkit (ICCT)). 

Familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct. U of T Engineering is a professional faculty. Your degree will qualify you to join the engineering profession.  You are expected to develop professionalism during your time here, which includes learning how to interact courteously with anyone you meet. 

Get involved in student groups, technical projects or social initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion. Join the Engineering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Group  

Above all, be respectful, supportive, and inclusive of all your peers in engineering to help make this community even better. 

All of us can play a part in calling out disrespectful actions. We encourage you to speak up. There are several ways you can make a confidential (and anonymous) disclosure about bias, discrimination, harassment, or unprofessionalism.   

Sharing this information helps us not only to address specific incidents, but also to better understand where there are recurring issues or gaps in education, supports, etc.  

The EngSci office encourages you to use any of the methods below to make a disclosure.   

If you happen to experience or witness potential incident(s) of discrimination, harassment or harmful unprofessionalism in our community, you can choose your level of involvement:  

  1. Use the U of T Engineering confidential disclosure form.  There are many options for your level of contact.  You can share information anonymously, e.g., “I thought you should know this happened but don’t want you to take action”, or include your name for follow-up, or request personal assistance and action.  
  1. Contact your academic advisor.  
  1. Contact U of T Engineering’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism or one of U of T’s Institutional Equity Office.   
To learn more, visit the Faculty’s EDI page and EngSci’s EDI page. If you are a member of an underrepresented group we hope that the resources highlighted in our other EDI post are helpful for finding community and support. 

Clubs


This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

At U of T there are over 1000 clubs about topics from bee keeping to vegetable eating. Joining a club can be a great way to relax and have fun while meeting new people and potentially developing new skills. There’s a club for everyone at U of T, and you can even start your own!  

We’ve compiled by category some engineering-related clubs that you might want to check out. This is in no way a comprehensive list, so check out the Engineering Society’s site for all Skule-affiliated clubs. For a full list of all 1000 clubs at U of T you can scroll through this very long list on the Student Organization Portal

Music

There are many musical groups that you can join as a U of T student, and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has a few distinct options for engineering students. Whether you are interested in singing, classical music or songs that involve choreographed dancing, there is a group for you! 

Skule Nite is an engineering student-run musical theater production which performs at the end of March in the Hart House Theatre. This musical and sketch comedy is beloved by thousands, and watching it is a great way to de-stress before exams. Even better, as a F!rosh, you’re eligible for a free ticket! If you want to go a level further than watching Skule Nite, you can also get involved with the production: 

  • Cast: Skule Nite features acting, singing, and dancing; by joining the cast, you can expect to be doing all of those things on stage simultaneously! This is a great way to showcase your singing abilities and learn some cool dance moves. Auditions are held in the fall. 
Skule Nite Performance [Source]

If you feel less comfortable on a stage, there are other positions you can hold: 

  • Band: If you play a musical instrument, you should consider joining the stage band. They play all the accompaniments to the acts and really help to bring the entire show together. 
     
  • Creative team: Skule Nite doesn’t write itself! They’re always looking for choreographers, vocal coaches, producers, and sketch writers. 
     
  • Sets, costumes, props: If you want a lower-key commitment, this is still a great way to get involved in Skule Nite and have your work displayed to the audience. 
  • Stage crew: During the show itself, you’ll be managing the technical aspects of the whole production, such as audio and lighting. This behind-the-scenes role is crucial to the success of the production. 

Yume Yamamoto
EngSci 2T6 Robo. Currently working with robotic prosthetic, exoskeletons, and wearable medical devices

“I am a part of the lighting crew at Skule Nite. I joined since I used to do stage crew during high school, and I love having a place to do creative work outside of my usual engineering life. You’ll meet a fantastic and welcoming group of people in Skule Nite who don’t mind putting in hours for the show.”

“[If you get involved with Skule Nite], know and prepare for busy weeks ahead of time, have a supportive group of friends, and just be responsible for your work. You should have confidence that you can be academically successful and put on a great show at the same time – it is definitely possible and a lot of fun!”

Comprised of 54 musicians from across U of T, Skule Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra based in Skule. They hold weekly rehearsals and various events throughout the year such as concerts, clinics, socials, and trips to music events.  

Whether you play a string, percussion, or wind instrument, you can get involved with the orchestra. To join them, you’ll need to pass an audition on the instrument of your choosing. For more information, check out their website here.  

Long supporting Skule™’s tradition of spelling-related tomfoolery, the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad is a “musical” organization that brings the hype to (crashes) many Skule™ events! The best part about the Bnad is that you don’t need to know how to play an instrument to join. Although there are trumpets, trombones, saxophones, flutes, and other instruments in the band, there are also many cowbells, maracas, fire bells, washboards, bed pans, and wet floor signs with which you can make some noise! Anyone is welcome to join the Bnad, talent not required. In the Bnad’s own words, fun comes 1rd, music comes 2st. 

Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad Performance

For those interested in singing, there are also acapella groups across campus. Chestnut Residence has an in-residence acapella group called “Chestnotes.” There are several other groups throughout U of T — they are a fun way to meet other students and enjoy making music together! 

You are also free to join other musical ensembles across the U of T campus. Many colleges on the St. George campus hold yearly musicals. Auditions happen throughout the first semester. 

Skule Choir [Source]

If you have an academic interest in music, the FASE offers the Engineering Music Performance Minor and the Certificate in Music Technology. These are valuable if you are interested in learning more about musical techniques and theory, as well as the science and technology behind music. Check out the requirements on the Faculty website


Athletics

The most competitive (and time-consuming) level of sports is the varsity level, for which you’ll either be recruited out of high school, or you can try out. If you have top-of-the-line athleticism and the competitive drive to perform at a high level, then varsity sports might be for you. A varsity sport will require a significant time commitment on top of EngSci. However, if you’re an excellent athlete and passionate about your sport, consider playing for the Varsity Blues; to make the team (if you weren’t already recruited from high school), you’ll have to excel in an open tryout. Our varsity teams successfully and proudly represent U of T at competitions against universities across Canada and the world!  

To help manage the demanding schedules of student athletes, the Varsity Blues’ Academic Support for Athletes Program (ASAP) offers various services, including Blues Engineering. This program provides community and peer tutoring, weekly study sessions that align with practice schedules, and more, aiming to help student athletes achieve their academic and sporting goals. 

Carter Buck (EngSci 2T5 MSF)
U of T Varsity Blues Men’s Swim Team

“A typical week as a student athlete is a busy one. On top of a demanding academic schedule, I train for upwards of 20 hours per week, while also ensuring I put aside time for adequate recovery.” 

“Outside of the classroom and pool I am a VP at the EQUATE Fund (a traditional and quantitative finance club at FASE), and a chair at Blues Engineering, which is a support group targeted towards engineering student athletes.” 

“The support I receive from the EngSci office, [such as] planning with my academic advisor to build a schedule, enables my success both in the classroom and in the pool. The best experience so far in my student-athlete journey was winning USPORTS national championships this year, a goal of mine since coming to U of T.” 

If you’re not ready for the varsity level but are still interested in taking your sport to the next level, check out U of T’s tri-campus league, in which students from the St. George campus compete against students from the Scarborough and Mississauga campuses in fully officiated matches.  

Finally, if you’re looking for a relatively casual experience through which you can have fun and stay in shape without an enormous time commitment, you should consider joining intramural teams. These teams offer a fun way to meet other engineering students and compete against other faculties and colleges at U of T. The Engineering Athletics Association (EAA) creates and runs all intramural teams for engineering students. They have 23 teams playing ten different sports (including single-gender and co-ed teams). If you’re not interested in intramurals, there exist various sporting clubs such as Skule Badminton Club and Skule Ski Club.   

Iron Dragons deserves a special mention. ID is a co-ed dragon boating team consisting mainly of U of T engineering students. They have competitive and recreational teams, and compete at – and often win — local, national, and international competitions. If you’re interested in an intense (or less-intense) athletic experience alongside an incredible and successful team, consider joining ID! 

Whole team after winning 5 bronzes & 1 silver at Milton Regatta
Quote by Joseph Yeh (EngSci 2T7)

“I joined ID because I wanted to do something that was [unrelated to] school; I stuck with it because of the people and the sport. You create so many bonds with the fellow engineers on the team and become fitter than you’ve ever been before. Dragon boating [the sport] is amazing, and it’s organized in such a way that within a couple months of beginning, you can be on a world-class team! At first, I was apprehensive about trying out for the ID competitive team, but the coaches are great, and once you touch a paddle and ride on the water, you just can’t go back.” 
 
“During the fall we have a weekly team gym session to stay fit. It’s not that serious [and is mostly about] having fun and keeping each other accountable (though you are encouraged to exercise on your own). ID [became an outlet, and] helped me maintain and improve my physical health as school got tough. During the winter we had tryouts and began indoor paddling, with the same time commitment as before. Being part of ID [helped me] keep my grades up because it allowed me to recharge my mental battery. In the summer, ID becomes your life, with 3-4 practices per week and competitions on most weekends. Although this seems like a lot, practices are scheduled to give you time for work and summer classes; even with ID, I [am doing] a summer research internship and a class, so don’t worry. Hope to see you in the ID gym!” 

Sports teams aren’t the only way to stay active at U of T. Make sure to check out our Athletic Facilities page to learn about the gyms open to you as a U of T student. You also can get involved in a variety of other active clubs and groups including University of Toronto Outing Club, Skule Dance Club, and depending on your stance on esports being real sports: University of Toronto Esports Club.


Professional Development

EIA is committed to building pedestrian footbridges for rural communities in Africa and South America, which are geographically isolated due to obstacles such as rivers and ravines. From bridge design to construction, EIA members help improve the lived experiences of thousands of people through their engineering knowledge; since 2015, they have partnered with other North American universities to construct 9 bridges in communities in Bolivia, Eswatini, and Guatemala. To take your engineering design and building skills to the next level, while learning about and practicing the positive global impacts of engineering, you should check out EIA. They have plenty of opportunities from general membership to leadership and project management positions. 

CUBE promotes biomedical engineering at the undergraduate level and was recently awarded the U of T Student Life “Program of the Year” for Promoting Innovation and Collaboration. The Toronto chapter is the oldest and largest club of its type and is open to all students with an interest in biomedical engineering. On the professional development side, CUBE hosts career fairs, information sessions and fireside chats for careers and research, mentorship programs (connecting undergrads with biomedical engineering alumni), and networking opportunities. CUBE also hosts biomedical-themed hackathons, wet and dry lab workshops, laboratory tours, and much more! 

With numerous portfolios and initiatives, EWB provides leadership opportunities and projects to students, to foster a community dedicated to social and systemic change. Some of their portfolios include Youth Engagement, Sustainability & Environmental Justice, Cyber Ethics & Digital Rights, and much more. If you are interested in any of the above topics, be sure to check out the club here

SEA works to increase general interest and awareness about sustainability, defining the term as “planning our usage of resources in order to meet our future environmental, social, and economical needs.” With their many events, seminars, career fairs, and competitions, SEA educates students on the technical aspects of sustainable design and supports students to develop and implement their ideas. 

UTNEA seeks to spark student interest in nuclear energy and build a professional network of experts in the field. They host lectures and workshops and connect students with professionals in industry and research to spread information and awareness of the latest innovations in nuclear energy. 

Omar Shousha, EngSci 2T7
Chair @ UTNEA, Interested in Aerospace. Enjoys Nuclear Science, Propulsion, F1, and Tennis

“At UTNEA, we welcome students who are interested in nuclear energy and want to learn more from industry experts, expand their network in the nuclear field and work on exciting projects with collaborative teams. No prior experience is required, just a passion for nuclear science!”
 
“UTNEA mainly did guest lectures with nuclear experts in its founding year and as the club is growing, we are aiming to continue with our guest lecture format as well as potentially compete in design competitions, have networking events with industry experts, go on trips to nuclear power plants and companies, and contribute to research conferences”

The ASX’s main purpose is to educate and excite people about astronomy and space. ASX holds over 10 events each year with hundreds of attendees, with their biggest event being the Annual Symposium (which has attracted up to 500 people). ASX has invited many prominent professionals in astronomy and related fields as speakers, including Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield! You can find recordings of some of their past events here. 

Looking to get your foot in consulting? UTESCA combines engineering design with the consulting industry to help provide solid solutions for local organizations, while engaging its members in mentorship and professional development events. UTESCA members get to work on real consulting projects, network with industry leaders and top companies, compete in case competitions, and much more. To learn more about how you can strengthen your skills in consulting and business alongside a talented group of peers, learn more about UTESCA here. If you’re interested in U of T’s main consulting club (not focused on engineering), check out UTCA here

UTEFA teaches students about the financial industry through engaging investment activities. As of 2021, UTEFA has 60 active members, with over $14,500 in cash and equity. UTEFA hosts weekly meetings where you can learn about Capital Markets, compete in stock pitches, network and learn from experienced industry professionals, and more. To learn about their upcoming events, check out their schedule here

Sarah Chen, EngSci MSF 2T6

“I initially joined UTEFA purely out of curiosity and eagerness to meet new people. I’ve always found financial markets intriguing and soon realized that there’s so much potential for people in quantitative fields to advance this industry. Upon joining the club, the exec team was incredibly welcoming and I found a supportive group of peers who shared the same passions and ambitions as me.”

“[…] This year, I’ll be the president of UTEFA and am excited to lead a group of extremely talented individuals. The exec team focuses on organizing various networking opportunities and workshops for engineering students interested in entering the finance industry. We are proud to have a vast network of alumni who are always happy to help the club grow and often come back for our events.”

“UTEFA invites alumni from different sectors to speak at multiple panels throughout the year. Our execs will also be hosting workshops on different asset classes, technical skills, and career growth strategies.
Our largest event, however, is the Stock Pitch Superday, which execs help teams prepare for so no prior experience is required! This year we’ll be starting two new programs – an internship and a mentorship program – learn more about all of our events/programs on our website UTEFA”

Hobby Clubs

At Skule (and U of T as a whole), if you’re interested in something, there’s probably a club for it. If not, why don’t you go ahead and make one yourself? Here are just a couple examples of fun things to do at Skule. 

Brew of T is dedicated to making all sorts of fermented food and drinks. Members will receive hands-on brewing experience and gain industry connections with breweries and people. As a general member, you’ll get to engage in various brewing activities. You can also join their Research & Development team (R&D) to source the most optimal ingredients and processes for brewing. Furthermore, if you have an interesting recipe, feel free to send it to them! 

If you’re a Minecraft fan, then SkuleCraft might be the club for you. They host Skule’s official Minecraft server, on which you can see some awesome builds, play some survival with friends, and network in their wonderful virtual world. For a preview of some of their activities, check out their Instagram page


Culture and Identity Clubs

There exists a diverse array of clubs centered around a particular cultural/identity group, some of which are highlighted below. For a complete list, check out skule.ca. 

The U of T chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) was established to empower cis and trans women in STEM fields (including 2-spirit and non-binary individuals who feel comfortable in women-centered spaces). With over 700 members, WISE focuses on various professional development, mentorship, and outreach initiatives throughout the year, such as networking events, career nights, annual conferences, and much more. By being a part of WISE, you will have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, network with industry professionals, give back to the community, and inspire diverse opportunities in STEM. 

Sarvnaz Ale Mohammad, EngSci 2T6 + PEY, Analyst @ McKinsey Canada
Conference Co-Chair @ WISE and Software lead @ iGEM | Winner of the McKinsey Canada Women in STEM Scholarship

“I joined the WISE conference team as a competitions director in my first year, panels director in my second year, and will be the co-chair this year. Being on WISE has been an incredible journey and a highlight of my last two (soon to be three!) years at the university. The WISE conference is an annual two-day event attended by 400+ delegates, featuring panels, workshops, competitions, a career fair and graduate fair, and much more. I’ve really enjoyed working with people from all across UofT to make WISENC happen. I find the fact that our events are entirely student-ran to be very inspiring.”

“On balancing extracurriculars with school, I would encourage all incoming students to experiment until they find a routine that works for them. Personally, though I highly value academics, I am never willing to entirely cut my most personally valued extracurriculars out of my day to day. Instead, I try to find balance holistically. I may spend some days only studying, and some days entirely focused on a club. As long as holistically across a week I have achieved most of what I was supposed to do for both, I am satisfied. I find that extracurricular involvement has also pushed me to become a more efficient student, since I am trying to find more time for things outside of school!”

The U of T chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) was founded in 1999 with the aim of increasing the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. Today, NSBE U of T is the largest chapter in Toronto, hosting various professional development events such as the NSBE National Convention and NSBEHacks. By becoming a member of NSBE, you will not only get the chance to participate in all these initiatives, but also become part of a network of diverse engineers and scientists, gain access to jobs, internships, scholarship opportunities, and much more. 

QueerSphere is the U of T Engineering 2SLGBTQIA+ student group that hosts various social and fun events throughout the year. Their aim is to involve people in the LGBTQ+ community and make engineering at U of T a more welcoming and inclusive place for all. Some of their annual events and activities include Pride Parties, Gingerbread Bridge Building, Pride Float Building and attendance groups, LGBTQ+ event groups, EDI training modules for F!rosh Week and EngSoc, etc. Even if you are unsure about your time commitment, if you are passionate about making change and building an inclusive community, you can join QueerSphere as a general member, attend their events, volunteer, or apply to be on their executive team! 

Students from across Canada attended the inaugural EngiQueers Canada conference, held in Toronto from January 27–29, 2023 [Source]

Engineering Society

In a category of its own, the Engineering Society (EngSoc) is the student government for engineering students at U of T. To learn all about EngSoc and the various ways in which you can get involved, check out their website at skule.ca

Kennice Wong, EngSci 2T7, EngSci Year 1 Class Representative 2023-24
Intended Major: Biomedical Systems, loves listening to Huberman Lab podcasts, reading mystery novels and taking cold showers!

“I was passionate about hosting creative events, addressing student concerns, and making the class’ first-year eng sci experience as memorable as possible. I also wanted to find equally stimulating activities outside the technical realm of studying and design teams. Being a class rep allowed me to build a sense of community, talk to more students and profs, and help others and myself navigate our new engsci identities.”

“[… As a Class Rep] I acted as liasons between students and professors, addressing student concerns such as coursework deadline clashes and TA grading inconsistencies. On the fun side, we organized events exclusive to our EngSci class including a karaoke night with the talented Prof. Guerzhoy and a campus-wide capture the flag game. We attended regular meetings (with free food) and represented our class on the Faculty Council, Eng Sci Club Academic Portfolio and EngSoc, where we discussed course concerns, curriculums and student body bylaws.”

MY – Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the newest of the 14 engineering buildings on campus. Opened in April 2018, the building is named in honor of George and Rayla Myhal, prominent supporters of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. It has nine floors of working space and is located just north of the Galbraith Building on St. George Street.  

Myhal Centre seen from St. George Street [Source]

Notable Classrooms

Margaret Lau Auditorium (MY150)

On the 1st and 2nd floors you will find the Margaret Lau Auditorium (MY150). This is where Praxis I and II lectures are normally held. Other courses may occur here as well because of its collaborative and interactive lecturing environment.

MY150 is designed for students to interact and work together on problems and activities presented during lectures. Students are seated at tables of four instead of individually, and each table is equipped with a microphone so that anybody in the room can be heard while speaking to the class. 

MY150 Praxis Lectures [Source]
MY420 Tutorial Room [Source]

Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) Rooms 

The Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) rooms on the 3rd and 4th floors are where many of your tutorials will be conducted. Most Praxis studios occur in these rooms. These rooms contain multiple TV screens used to follow along on lecture slides or worked examples. Some rooms also contain multiple whiteboards, which is great for collaborating with your peers. Another interesting feature is the tables: you can change their height electrically for more ergonomic seating.   


Study Spaces

5th floor atrium (left) and 2nd floor study spaces (right) [Source]

The 2nd floor of Myhal has a wide open area with many tables and chairs great for eating, studying, and hanging out in groups. It is surrounded by large windows on two sides, with a beautiful view overlooking St. George St. Conveniently, there are entrances to MY150, one of our main lecture halls here as well, so many students decide to do some work, or hang out in the area until lecture starts.

Similar to the 2nd floor, the 5th floor of Myhal has an incredible study space known as The Atrium. It is essentially a large open space with many tables and chairs, perfect for group study sessions, or meetings with your Praxis groups. There is also a closed off room for quiet studying or more private meetings. Due to the placement of the many windows, lots of natural light enters the 5th floor area, which makes it a beautiful study spot.

The 6th and 7th floors contain group study spaces and offices, which are useful if you need a contained space to work with a team. Some professors might also hold office hours in these spaces.  

The 8th floor of Myhal also has a nice quiet study space with tables and chairs. In addition, it contains an amazing outdoor area known as the Dr. Woo Hon Fai Terrace. The terrace has a spectacular view of campus and downtown Toronto. It also contains an outdoor study space. 

Picture of 8th Floor Study Space
Study Space on the 8th Floor
Picture of the Dr. Woo Hon Fai Terrace
Picture of the Dr. Woo Hon Fai Terrace

Nearby Food Spots

Several campus buildings, including Myhal, house a Second Cup Coffee. Since it’s right outside the MY150 lecture hall, you can easily grab a drink or a quick snack between consecutive classes. 

Picture of the Second Cup
Second Cup on second floor

Myhal has a dining area in the basement, next to the ECF lab. The dining area has microwaves, a kitchen sink, and vending machines.  

Picture of the dining area
Myhal Dining Area
Picture of the dining area
Vending Machines in the Dining Area

Notable Facilities

Students working in the Myhal Fabrication Facility (MyFab) [Source]

The 4th floor of Myhal contains the Light Fabrication Facility (a.k.a. LFF or MyFab). Following some mandatory safety training, you can use this space for designing and prototyping. This is one of the most useful features of the building for you as a first-year engineer. You will have access to many tools and materials for hands-on prototyping, or you can use 3D printing and laser cutting services for computer/digital design. This is invaluable for project work in every Praxis course, so make sure you complete your safety training as soon as possible. You will also have access to the lockers in Myhal to store your design projects. You can visit the fabrication facility’s website to learn more about safety training and booking lockers for your materials.   

Picture of the MyFab Room
MyFab Room

Right across from the Myhal Fabrication Facility on the 4th floor, you will find a locker room with tables and chairs overlooking large windows. There project lockers are available for students to rent free of charge on an as-needed basis, or until the end of the semester. There are multiple sizes of lockers meant for different sizes of projects or prototypes, thus you will most likely be able to store whatever you need to.

Picture of the Locker Room
Inside the Locker Room
Picture of the Locker Room
Another Angle of the Locker Room

The Engineering Society Arena’s located in the Myhal basement. This is a large design space where many design teams and clubs meet to work on projects. It has both wide-open ground space and a high ceiling for both land and aerial projects!   

Along with GB and SF, an ECF lab is also located in the basement of the Myhal building. The workstations in this lab are Windows-based, and you will likely use them for MATLAB lab sessions for ESC103 in your first year and MAT292 in your second year.  

Myhal also offers spaces to student clubs and design teams outside of the Engineering Society Arena. These offices are located right beside the ECF lab and support over 100 student clubs and design teams, including those focused on aerospace, vehicle design, and more. 


Notable Institutes

Design Space in the Engineering Society Arena [Source]

The Entrepreneurship Hatchery provides resources for student startups, including mentoring, funding connections, and prototyping equipment.

The Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics (IRM) fosters collaboration on projects ranging from medical robots to unmanned vehicles.

The Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) and Institute for Water Innovation (IWI) work on advanced research in clean energy and water technologies. 

Troost ILead provides leadership training and development for engineering students. You can find out more about the leadership workshops and programs they offer here

Focused on addressing major global challenges, CGEN encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving. CGEN provides research and scholarship opportunities, along with courses towards the Certificate in Global Engineering. They have also sponsored over 30 capstone design projects in the past where teams of 4-5 students from across all engineering disciplines engage in global development projects under the supervision of CGEN-affiliated faculty. 

UT-IMDI, located in the Myhal Centre provides students with real-life education/training opportunities by involving them in practical, industry-based projects. 

The Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education & Practice supports the integration of leadership and team-learning into core courses across U of T Engineering. They also offer several courses focused on engineering leadership, communication and socio-technical thinking. ISTEP also offers tutoring in communication (written, oral, etc.) with their Engineering Communication Program. Through this program, you can have your written work, assignments, lab reports and more reviewed by a tutor online for free!


  • Address: 55 St. George St, Toronto, ON M5S 0C9

  • Types of Classes Held: Lectures, Tutorials, Practicals

  • Building Facilities: Myhal Light Fabrication Facility (MyFAB), ECF Computer Labs, etc.

  • Important Offices: The Entrepreneurship Hatchery, Troost Institute, etc.