At the end of your 2nd year of EngSci, you will select a major in which to specialize. There are a total of eight majors that are very diverse and cover a plethora of engineering disciplines. Choosing your major can be difficult, but there is plenty of information to help you make the right decision!
The Roadmap
Throughout your first two years (the “foundation years”), you will learn more about each major and figure out which areas of engineering excite you the most. Your coursework will span every major, and in second year winter term you will attend Major Option Talks, hosted by the Chairs for each major. You will select your major during second year winter term, through an online tool called Degree Explorer.
Some Common Myths
Selecting your major is important, so let’s dispel some common myths:
Some students think that they will be gated from specific majors based on limited space, the major’s popularity, or their grades. This is untrue; all EngSci majors are open to all EngSci students provided they maintain a clear academic standing as per U of T Engineering guidelines. You do not need to compete with anyone for major spots, and you can select whichever major you want!
Some students believe that their career path for the rest of their lives will be strictly dictated by their major. EngSci’s Academic Advisor for Years 3 & 4, Brendan Heath, dubbed this idea as the “golden straight jacket”. This is not true!
Each major provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in a specific field, including coursework particularly specialized for that field. Therefore, EngSci graduates are particularly prepared to work in their field of study. However, the wide range of knowledge taught during the foundation years, the overlap in certain topics between majors, the transferable skills developed throughout your extracurriculars, the ability to customize your degree with technical electives, minors, and certificates, and the inherent interconnectedness between all disciplines of engineering, open the door to really diverse career paths (in engineering and otherwise) for EngSci graduates! From starting successful companies, becoming doctors and lawyers, and revolutionizing their specific academic field, EngScis put their degrees to work in ways which you might not expect. Read more about our alumni here.
For more information on the EngSci foundation and upper years check out the EngSci Overview.
Some 1st year EngSci students may view the diverse 2nd year curriculum as an obstacle in specializing in their desired major, since Core 8 students take major-specific courses starting in 2nd year. While this may result in you learning certain concepts later than your Core 8 counterparts, this “disadvantage” will not persist beyond 2nd year.
Firstly, the 2nd year curriculum is broad because it covers relevant courses from each major. For example, the 2nd year EngSci courses of ECE253, MAT292, ECE259, ECE286, and ESC204 are similar to Core 8 ECE courses. Remember: Core 8 students may be taking specialized courses earlier, but you are learning things in 2nd year that they are not. Furthermore, every other course has deep connections to ECE, providing a strong understanding of many broad, yet relevant concepts. Alternatively, say you are interested in a major such as MSF, and you believe that some of the 2nd year curriculum will not show up in your career. On the contrary, having knowledge of various other fields will put you at an advantage when applying for jobs within that field. Finally, you will very quickly catch up with all of your major-specific courses in 3rd year, so do not worry!
Tips for Choosing Your Major
We understand that many of you have already given a lot of thought to your preferred major. However, even if you feel confident in what you want to specialize in, we encourage you to keep an open mind—many students discover new interests in first and second year! As a first-year EngSci, you have the luxury to explore all of our majors. By the major selection deadline, you may be even more confident in your original choice. Alternatively, you may have discovered an entirely new area of interest and choose a different major than you had previously thought.
So, to aid you in your exploration of the available majors during your foundation years, here are some tips from those who came before you:
Your Interests
Identify what areas of engineering interests you. For instance, when looking at a machine, are you more curious about the forces experienced by the physical parts or do you wish you could look through the code that controls its behaviour? Subsystems of machines will almost always directly relate to one or more specific types of engineering, which can help you figure out where your interests lie.
Courses you Enjoy
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Courses you Excel at
Foundation year courses provide a strong background regardless of your chosen major and can help you decide which major suits you best. For example, if you enjoy ECE159 in your first year, the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) major may be a good fit for you. However, it’s important to also consider the courses where you excel. These may align with your interests but could differ. Finding a balance between what you enjoy and what you excel at is important as you prepare for your future career in your chosen major.
Join Design Teams
While design teams are not mandatory, joining at least one can be a great way to gain hands-on experience in your preferred engineering field. Typically, you will join a subteam within the larger team that specializes in a certain area, such as, mechanical, electro-mechanical, software, etc. Working on longer-term projects with these teams can help you confirm if a related major aligns with your long-term goals and provide valuable experience to showcase when applying for jobs in the industry.
ESEC
Every year, the Engineering Science Education Conference (ESEC) is held exclusively for EngSci students, providing a unique chance to meet with leaders from various engineering sectors. Listening to their unique career stories and diverse experiences can help you discover your own passion, and even make a decision about your major!
Friends & Family in the Industry
Reach out to friends and family who may be working in industries you’re interested in. Hearing their career stories and discussing your ideas with them might help you make a decision and also establish some connections in the industry at the same time.
Do Your Research
Once you have a shortlist of majors you are interested in, it’s time to do some research. Look into the courses offered in each major, professors who are doing research in the industry, job prospects and our alumni network. Talking to upper years in your preferred major can also be a great way of getting advice, understanding the workload, and discovering career paths that you may not have considered.
Talk to your Advisors
If you are considering multiple majors, it is always good to discuss your plans and get a second perspective. While discussing with peers and upper-years is valuable, consulting your Academic Advisors, Stephen or Irma (Year 1 & 2) is especially helpful since they’ve helped many students before you choose their paths and have seen where those choices lead. Towards the end of your 2nd year, you can also reach out to your Year 3 & 4 Academic Advisor Brendan if you have specific questions about the majors you are considering, such as, courses, electives, etc. Additionally, if you have a specific interest in a niche industry, your Advisors can help you align your studies with your career goals.