www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
TABLE OF CONTENTS Why We Love U of T Engineering 2 Toronto: A World-class City for a World-class University Your Community
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A Week in the Life of a First-year Engineering Student
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Academics 10 Leadership & Entrepreneurship
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Work Experience and Your Future Career
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Helping You Succeed
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Financing Your Education
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Stay Connected
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WELCOME TO U OF T ENGINEERING Your journey began with a passion for exploring the engineered world and revealing the patterns and systems that give it beauty and order. That curiosity has led you to this moment: an offer from one of the most highly regarded engineering schools in the world, and the finest in Canada. U of T Engineering attracts top students like you who want to find sustainable solutions, lead companies and shape the future. Students who want to stand out, and stand apart, in a field of excellence. To help you do that, we offer a variety of interdisciplinary courses and opportunities, including carefully crafted minors and certificates that let you hone the skills and knowledge to succeed. Outside of your courses, we provide a world of activities that connect you with peers, communities and an extraordinary city. Through our unique, year-long, optional paid internship program called the Professional Experience Year, research opportunities and hands-on projects, you will gain meaningful engineering experience. You will also develop leadership skills with programs unmatched anywhere in Canada. Your undergraduate education here will leave you firmly grounded in the fundamentals of engineering and prepare you for any path you choose to take after graduation. If you are looking for a challenging degree with impact, you have earned yourself a perfect opportunity, here, with us. And it’s never been a more exciting time to become part of U of T Engineering. In 2014, we are breaking ground on the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship — a future hub of innovative cross-disciplinary learning, teaching and research collaboration. Congratulations once again. I look forward to welcoming you to our engineering community this fall. It is the next stage of your boundless journey.
Cristina Amon, Dean
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WHY WE LOVE U OF T ENGINEERING
“Toronto offers incredible opportunity to engineering students. Being downtown means you’re close to industry, important networks and potential career connections. It’s a hub of activity for social innovation, entrepreneurship, industry and not-for-profit organizations like Engineers Without Borders Canada. I also love Toronto for its diversity in people, cuisine and neighbourhoods.” SABRINA TANG
“Coming into and adapting to a brand new environment is tough, but U of T Engineering has great support systems to help. I volunteer as a mentor for new students within my department. I want to support them the same way I was supported in first year.” JASON SUKHRAM
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Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
“U of T Engineering provides infinite opportunities to grow and expand your horizons, both personally and professionally. Last summer, I had an unforgettable experience doing research in Germany. I gained cultural perspective while expanding my international network.” MADONNA KHALIL
“Engineers are fuelled by the challenges facing our planet. My education is giving me the skills, knowledge and perspective I need to become an adaptable leader to help address those challenges.” LORNE MLOTEK
“The Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering has helped me realize my potential by nurturing and supporting my growth as a leader. I have a greater understanding of myself.” TAMEKA DEARE
Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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TORONTO: A WORLD-CLASS CITY FOR A WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY The energy and opportunity of Toronto draws people from around the world. This international enthusiasm is fuelled by people from diverse backgrounds, professions, cultures, interests and experiences. The St. George campus — home to U of T Engineering — is in the heart of Toronto. The university is surrounded by friendly neighbourhoods, award-winning architecture, shopping, entertainment, international food markets, industry, world-class healthcare facilities and more. U of T Engineering mirrors the diversity of the city, allowing you to work with and learn from peers and professors with different backgrounds and perspectives — an important experience to have upon graduation in a marketplace where companies and institutions are looking to expand, recruit and compete globally.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST CITIES With approximately 2.8 million people, Toronto is North America’s fourth largest city and one of the safest on the continent. In 2013, Toronto received top marks in many global rankings, including second in the world for reputation (Reputation Institute) and fourth in the world for livability (The Economist Intelligence Unit). The Intelligent Community Forum also ranked Toronto as one of its top seven ‘Intelligent Communities of the Year’ in 2013.
WHETHER YOU’RE WALKING, CYCLING OR TAKING TRANSIT, TORONTO IS EASY TO NAVIGATE The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a network of subways, buses and streetcars that get you everywhere you need to go. If you don’t have your own bicycle, rentals are available on campus and across the city as well. For travel outside of Toronto, GO Transit and VIA Rail are great options. As a U of T student, you’ll benefit from discounted TTC, GO Transit and VIA Rail rates, making transportation convenient and affordable.
“ Mumbai is known as the commercial and entertainment centre of India. After living in Toronto for some time now, it is obvious to me that Toronto shares a similar status. Most importantly, the people of Toronto are diverse in their own right, as well as helpful and friendly.” RAHUL KRISHNAN
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A HANDFUL OF TORONTO’S HIGHLIGHTS
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1. Royal Ontario Museum Contains more than 40 galleries of culture and natural history 2. Little Italy A neighbourhood known for its Italian restaurants and shops 3. Church Wellesley Village A LGBTQ-oriented community; home to one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations
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4. Kensington Market A multicultural neighbourhood with great food, coffee and groceries
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5. Chinatown An enclave known for its Chinese restaurants, grocers and shops
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6. Art Gallery of Ontario A Frank Gehry-designed building with spectacular collections 7. Toronto Eaton Centre A shopper’s paradise; one of Ontario’s largest malls 8. Queen Street West An area to explore music, fashion, performance and the visual arts
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9. Financial District Canada’s business hub 10. Entertainment District Theatres, restaurants, bars, clubs and more 11. Rogers Centre A multipurpose stadium for concerts, special events and professional sports 12. CN Tower A communications and observation tower that is 553 m tall; one of the world’s tallest structures 13. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada A 12,500 square-metre facility; home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals from around the world 14. Union Station Toronto’s inter-city transit station with access to subways and trains (GO Transit and VIA Rail)
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15. St. Lawrence Market An enormous indoor market filled with local produce and products 16. Toronto Islands Charming islands with sprawling parkland accessible by ferry; great for a day trip and incredible views of Toronto’s skyline
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YOUR COMMUNITY When you become a U of T Engineering student, you join a community comprised of fellow students, helpful staff and supportive professors. You can count on specially designed resources and services, and an impressive network of alumni who are making a difference across the world. The result? A rich and collaborative environment where you will thrive — whatever your interests, goals and passions. Speaking of passion, we are known at the University of Toronto for our school spirit. Everyone takes part — even professors are known to jump into a round of Guitar Hero or Ultimate Frisbee during orientation for first-year students. Whether you’re playing the drums in U of T Engineering’s Lady Godiva Memorial Band, racing your team’s solar car against other university teams or helping a fellow student in your study group, you’ll share the pride of belonging to one of the oldest engineering schools and universities in Canada.
“ Students here enjoy not only a worldclass education, but also an unparalleled extracurricular experience. With over 80 student clubs ranging from design teams to cultural and arts groups, U of T Engineering students can take advantage of all the opportunities available at a large, diverse university, while still being part of one of the most tight-knit communities on campus.” MAURICIO CURBELO PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING SOCIETY
Built in the early 1900s, Convocation Hall (pictured above) is an iconic dome-shaped building in the middle of St. George campus. This building plays a very important role in the lives of engineering students at U of T. It’s where your first lecture will take place, and where you’ll receive your degree when you graduate.
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WAYS TO GET INVOLVED STUDENT GOVERNMENT
DESIGN TEAMS
Our student government, the Engineering Society (called EngSoc for short), is the first and largest of its kind in Canada (founded in 1885). EngSoc serves and represents all U of T Engineering undergraduates. Through special events, resources and support to student clubs, EngSoc’s mission is to enhance your experience as a student, both academically and socially.
Design is at the heart of what engineers do. Passion for design often trickles into activities outside the classroom, resulting in canoes made from concrete and race cars powered by solar cells. Many of our design teams compete internationally. In June 2013, two alumni — Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson — collaborated with U of T Engineering students to make aviation history by winning the Sikorsky Human-Powered Helicopter Prize. When Todd and Cameron were students, they founded the U of T Engineering HumanPowered Vehicle Team, which continues to build amazing vehicles like Vortex, a bicycle that travels at 117 kilometres per hour.
SOCIAL SERVICE & COMMUNITY Engineering requires a strong cultural perspective and sensitivity, as well as an ability to respond to social issues while creating viable solutions. To help you explore the global community and social issues that concern engineers, you’ll have access to a range of clubs and groups, including Engineers Without Borders Canada and Women in Science and Engineering.
ATHLETICS As a U of T student, you’ll have access to magnificent on-campus athletic facilities and fitness classes — making it easy to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Within the engineering community, you can take part in any number of athletic activities, from our award-winning dragon boat team to rock climbing.
CULTURAL & SPIRITUAL GROUPS Diversity is one of the things that makes the University of Toronto experience unique. Several of our student groups provide you the opportunity to celebrate and explore that diversity with your classmates.
The Sikorsky Prize went unclaimed since its debut in 1980. That changed in June 2013 when alumnus Todd Reichert piloted the world’s first successful human-powered helicopter flight.
ARTS & MUSIC Engineers often combine their technical abilities with creativity and artistic vision. If you, like many of our students, are an aspiring musician, artist, photographer, actor, dancer or writer, the U of T Engineering community is the perfect place for your talents to thrive. You’ll find bands, orchestras, arts festivals, a photography club, a sketchcomedy group and even a juggling club. Whether you are a seasoned performer or exploring an activity for the first time, there’s an opportunity for you here.
PROFESSIONAL
From acting and music to direction and writing, every aspect of the annual Skule Nite production is a success because of the talents of U of T Engineering students. This variety and comedy show was a sold-out hit in 2013.
There are also plenty of ways to build your professional skills and network through student associations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Rational Capital Investment Fund Club. Our students also participate in professional competitions around the world. In 2013, a team of U of T Engineering students received a secondplace finish in the international Wharton Undergraduate Consulting Competition, beating out teams from Harvard and Northwestern for the third consecutive year.
Kazem Kutob, Layan Kutob, Tarek El Fadawy and Alberto Picard-Ami created a winning strategy at the 2013 Wharton Consulting Challenge. They came up with a way to reduce a bank’s annual operating expenses by more than $1 billion over three years. Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING STUDENT You’ll have about 25 hours of class per week as a U of T Engineering student. That leaves you with enough time to study, stay healthy and get involved in clubs and activities outside of the classroom. Here’s a quick look at what your week might look like when you start at U of T Engineering.
Note: This timetable reflects the schedule of a first-year electrical engineering student.
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“ Extracurricular activities are a necessity! They have given me the opportunity to meet many people that I would have never met. They give me a different perspective on the world and make me a more well-rounded person.� KRISTIN FOSTER
Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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ACADEMICS We’re preparing engineers of tomorrow — like you — to develop as global engineering leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. That preparation starts with exceptional academic programs taught by award-winning educators and world-renowned experts. Through your courses and projects, you’ll gain a holistic perspective on engineering while building your design, technical, analytical, teamwork and communications skills. One of the hallmarks of a U of T Engineering education is our collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to learning. This is especially true of our minors and certificates. These optional programs explore specialized areas that intersect with engineering in important ways. Outside of your engineering education, you can also choose from hundreds of minors offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science — from art history to Italian. This kind of flexibility means creating a customized academic path to meet your specific passions and interests. At the end of your journey, you’ll graduate as a dynamic engineer, equipped with the tools and perspective to tackle just about any challenge placed in front of you.
ENGINEERING MINORS & CERTIFICATES BIOENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Thinking about an engineering career in bioinformatics, the pharmaceutical industry or agriculture? Through the Bioengineering minor, you’ll explore areas such as bioprocess engineering, biomaterials, biomechanical engineering, nanotechnology related to medicine and the environment, as well as engineering design for human interfaces.
Environmental awareness is an essential part of being an effective engineer. This program examines topics such as ecology, water and wastewater treatment, environmental microbiology, preventive engineering, design for the environment, and the social and environmental impact of technology.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
ROBOTICS & MECHATRONICS
NEW
Health care and engineering converge in many important ways — from therapeutic technology and medical devices to healthcare delivery and policy development. New for 2014, the Biomedical Engineering minor will prepare you for an industry ripe with possibility. You’ll tackle topics such as bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging, rehabilitation technologies and cellular engineering.
Building upon the strength of our Institute for Robotics & Mechatronics, this minor is a collaborative effort between several areas of engineering, from aerospace and biomedical to computer and industrial. Through courses in everything from nanotechnology to systems control, you’ll explore the technologies that render robotic and mechatronic systems into viable consumer products.
ENGINEERING BUSINESS
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Engineering and business make a powerful combination, which is why U of T Engineering partnered with the Rotman School of Management to offer this minor. You’ll take courses in economics, finance, business management and marketing. By studying how modern engineering business functions, you’ll gain access to a range of global business opportunities upon graduation.
The need for more sustainable energy resources is critical — as is the need for more engineering expertise in sustainability. If you’re passionate about the future of our planet, this minor will explore all aspects of energy, from its use and storage to public policy relating to sustainability.
CERTIFICATES If you want to explore topics outside your main area of study, consider pursuing our undergraduate certificates in: Engineering Business; Engineering Leadership; Entrepreneurship; Global Engineering; Mineral Resources; Nuclear Engineering; Preventive Engineering & Social Development; and, Renewable Resources Engineering.
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Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
No matter which route you take at U of T Engineering, each year of your program adds depth and experience to your foundations. Every academic and non-academic opportunity you embrace within U of T Engineering and the larger University of Toronto community brings new perspective.
GENERAL FIRST YEAR
CORE PROGRAMS
ENGINEERING SCIENCE
Through a wide range of courses, discover which Core Program is right for you. After first year, you’ll transition smoothly into second year of your selected Core Program.
Enter directly into: Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Materials Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; or Lassonde Mineral Engineering.
Your first two years will build a solid engineering foundation while your last two years focus on one of eight specialized majors.
FIRST YEAR
Build your engineering foundations through math, programming and design courses. Join a club and get to know the U of T Engineering community.
Start EngSci with classical mechanics, math and circuits. You’ll also work with a team to solve a real issue in Toronto through your engineering design course, Praxis.
SECOND YEAR
In second year, many students add a minor to their studies and consider opportunities to study or work abroad.
Diversify your knowledge through more foundational courses and prepare to select a major for the last two years of your studies.
THIRD YEAR
Focus your studies further and think about how the Professional Experience Year might fit into your journey.
Delve into your major and consider the Professional Experience Year internship program.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE YEAR (PEY) OPTIONAL INTERNSHIP
If you choose to participate in the Professional Experience Year internship program, you’ll take a break from your studies for 12 to 16 months to work in a full-time engineering position. This is your opportunity to put your education to work while adding invaluable experience to your resume and earning a great salary. See page 14 for more information.
FOURTH YEAR
We offer two distinct undergraduate degrees: The Core Programs lead to a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc), and Engineering Science leads to a BASc in Engineering Science.
Apply the skills and knowledge you’ve developed with the opportunity to complete a design or research project.
Showcase your knowledge, skills and talents through a team design project and an individual research thesis.
UPON GRADUATION
UPON GRADUATION
Earn a BASc degree
Earn a BASc in Engineering Science
Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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LEADERSHIP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP One of the major advantages of studying at U of T Engineering is the virtually unlimited opportunities ahead of you. An outstanding education coupled with unique leadership, entrepreneurial, study-abroad and research opportunities means you’ll graduate as part of a worldwide network of engineers.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Where others see limitations, engineers imagine what could be. They take the lead when it comes to seeking solutions, innovating and making change. To strengthen students’ leadership skills, U of T Engineering created the Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (ILead). Unique in Canada, this centre helps to develop students like you into technically savvy professionals who can inspire and motivate others.
Entrepreneurs are innovators who understand how to capitalize on opportunity. Some of history’s greatest entrepreneurs are engineers. In fact, many of our professors, researchers, alumni and students have started their own companies as a result of an idea sparked by creative thinking at U of T Engineering.
ILead is built on the belief that leadership education empowers engineers to contribute more effectively to positive social change and innovation. Through courses, seminars, workshops and certificates, you’ll develop your personal leadership style and understand how to put your enhanced skills to work both inside and outside of the classroom.
STUDY AND WORK ABROAD Through our exchange program, you can study for a semester or even a full academic year at one of 160 partner universities in 60 countries. You can also take a selection of courses abroad during the summer; some of which are taught by U of T Engineering professors. Going on exchange will give you a fresh perspective on your studies and career while developing your international contacts. Employers see students who have studied abroad as self-starting, willing to embrace challenges, independent and able to cope with diverse situations. Similarly, the optional Professional Experience Year (PEY) internship program allows you to acquire global engineering experience by working for a company in another country. Being able to immerse yourself in a professional environment for a year or more in a new culture brings exceptional value to your education and resume. Read more about the PEY internship program on page 14.
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If you’re a budding entrepreneur or want to boost your business know-how, you’ll enjoy our Entrepreneurship certificate and Engineering Business minor. Outside of the classroom, The Entrepreneurship Hatchery is a way for you to bring your ideas to life and learn from experienced mentors who have started their own successful companies.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES Your classes are taught by professors who are industry innovators, entrepreneurial experts and researchers working on the next breakthrough. They also author textbooks used by university students worldwide. Imagine being able to work alongside your professors and contribute to their ongoing research — the very same research that gets published, receives acclaim around the world and changes lives. Hundreds of our students take part in summer research opportunities each year. Not only do these opportunities give you exposure to cutting-edge research, they also let you apply your education to real-world situations. While most of these opportunities exist on campus, some students travel abroad during the summer months to gain a global perspective on their research interests.
This colourful pattern comes from a new lighting system developed by two students at U of T Engineering’s Entrepreneurship Hatchery. Anastasiya Martyts, an engineering student, and her business partner Tiange Li created Modly, a battery-powered panel of lightemitting diodes controlled by a mobile application. The system is meant to give amateur photographers a simple, low-cost device to create impressive lighting effects. The team presented their product at the Hatchery’s Demo Day in September 2013 and beat out eight other teams to win the inaugural $20,000 Lacavera Prize.
“ Start-ups were always interesting to me, but I never thought I’d get the chance to initiate my own. I joined The Entrepreneurship Hatchery last summer, and it was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. It’s structured to build on your engineering problem-solving skills and teach you how to turn business ideas into reality. It provided me with a risk-free environment in which to learn and test ideas, along with incredible mentorship and networking opportunities. It was a lot of fun starting up Sonar with my business partner Jane Guo. Sonar is an online video-conferencing service that puts mental health practitioners in touch with those who need counselling services. With the continued support of the Hatchery, I’m sure Sonar will continue to thrive.” BENJAMIN SLATER
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WORK EXPERIENCE AND YOUR FUTURE CAREER Gaining work experience as a student is an important part of your development. It helps give context to your education and often provides a better sense of your professional interests. The Professional Experience Year (PEY) internship is no ordinary work experience program. This is your opportunity to join the workforce as a young professional after your second or third year of study. You’ll lead projects, contribute to corporate success and learn directly from industry professionals for 12 to 16 months — all while earning a great salary. It’s an invaluable stepping stone to your future career, and a program that is unique to the University of Toronto. Employers across Canada and around the world hire our students through the PEY program each year. Big or small, local or international, organizations that participate as PEY employers are consistently impressed with the calibre of our students for their abilities, knowledge and passion. It’s the reason so many of our students — approximately 70 per cent — return to U of T Engineering to complete their degree with a job offer in hand. The PEY program opens doors, even if entering the workforce after graduation is not your aspiration. Professional work experience, a well-connected network and an excellent reference go a long way if you’re interested in further studies or starting your own company after graduation. While it’s never too early to start thinking about how a PEY internship might fit into your journey at U of T Engineering, you won’t need to register for the program until your second or third year.
WHICH COMPANIES HIRE PEY STUDENTS? Each year, students have access to more than 1,000 internship opportunities from companies and organizations of every size, type and industry — from multinational companies and local start-ups to hospitals and banks. Some examples include: ——African Copper (in Botswana) ——Apple ——Bombardier Aerospace ——Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) ——Daimler AG (in Germany) ——Environment Canada
——Google ——Hospital for Sick Children ——IBI Group (in the United States) ——IBM ——JGC Corporation (in Japan) ——Procter & Gamble Inc.
“Because of the length of time PEY interns are available to work, they make a valuable contribution before their term is complete.” GEOFFREY ENGELBRECHT ALSTOM POWER, SWITZERLAND
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IT PAYS TO DO PEY
$72,800
HIGHEST SALARY EARNED
Last year, the highest PEY salary earned was $72,800.
15%
HIGHER STARTING SALARY
Even better, new grads with PEY experience typically negotiate a starting salary at their first full-time job that is 15 per cent higher than those without PEY experience.
70% Approximately 70 per cent of PEY students return to finish their degree with a job offer. All U of T Engineering students can participate in PEY, but you don’t need to register for the program until your second or third year.
WHERE YOUR U OF T ENGINEERING DEGREE CAN TAKE YOU A U of T Engineering degree gets noticed by employers and top academic institutions around the world. It means you are a creative and collaborative thinker, with the teamwork, design, communications and research skills to lead in any realm. You are skilled technically and can think through challenges with social and global awareness. Whatever your interests and passions, your U of T Engineering degree can take you where you want to go. Here are just a few examples of the paths our alumni take:
ENTER THE WORKFORCE
GO TO PROFESSIONAL PURSUE GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDIES
START A BUSINESS
CAROL KONG Class of 2012 Transportation Planner, HDR, Inc.
DANIEL DANIELE Class of 2006 Associate, Norton Rose
MARINA FREIRE-GORMALY Class of 2011 Graduate Student, U of T
SOMEN MONDAL Class of 2002 Co-founder and CEO, Field ID
When Carol started university, she knew she wanted a job that would continually challenge her and expose her to new experiences. She kept her options open by balancing her technical course load with business courses, eventually leading to a PEY internship. That internship turned into a full-time position with HDR, Inc., a global engineering, architecture and construction consulting firm. Today, she applies her unique combination of skills toward the development of major urban transit projects. “I considered my PEY internship as a year-long interview. It gave me an edge over other young professionals,” she says.
After earning his U of T Engineering degree, Daniel combined his passion for engineering and his interest in law to become an intellectual property lawyer for the leading international firm Norton Rose. His engineering background gives him the expertise he needs to argue the validity of new pharmaceutical patents in court. “An engineer analyzes a problem from multiple perspectives and can tackle any complex issue that may arise in today’s global economy. And all engineering students share an intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore challenging issues. For that reason, they tend to excel in all professions after graduation,” he says.
“U of T has a strong focus on innovation, so there are many opportunities to explore research as an undergrad,” says Marina. The topic of sustainable energy captured her attention in first year, and a PEY internship at Ontario Power Generation gave her first-hand insight into the implementation of major engineering projects in the field. Upon graduation, she joined a research team at U of T studying ways to reduce carbon dioxide concentration by capturing and storing it underground. After earning her master’s degree, she’ll continue her research in either academia or industry. “U of T Engineering is very entrepreneurially focused and provides a unique perspective on how engineers can initiate change in society,” she says.
With a lifelong interest in computers and software, Somen knew he wanted to solve people’s problems using technology. His first consulting job gave rise to a cloud-based, online safety compliance and inspection management system for web and mobile devices called Field ID. In 2007, Field ID took off as a company that has turned into a multi-million dollar enterprise that serves more than 250 global clients. “An engineering degree gives you the ability to look at all aspects of a business from a very analytical point of view, which is extremely important in sales, marketing and finance,” he says. For his innovative thinking, Somen earned the title of Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Emerging Entrepreneur category.
Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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HELPING YOU SUCCEED Our students are a big part of what makes the U of T Engineering experience unique. Each brings their own interests, strengths and abilities to classes and extracurricular activities. That gives you an amazing spectrum of people to learn with and from. Support is woven through every layer of the U of T Engineering experience. You’ll find it in the mentorship upper-year students provide to first-year students, and in the extra time professors spend to help with a particularly challenging concept or topic. Beyond a supportive network of students and professors, U of T Engineering also provides specialized services designed to meet your needs as an engineering student. For instance, the First Year Office can help you transition smoothly into U of T Engineering through advising, workshops and information sessions. Best of all, as a U of T student, you also have access to university-wide services and resources. The following page provides a brief overview of just some of the ways the University of Toronto will support your success.
“Coming from Dubai to study at U of T Engineering, I found myself in a totally different environment, and this shift was a little overwhelming at first. But that’s where the First Year Office came in. They gave me helpful tips on adjusting to university life and answered the many questions I had about my program. They gave me the support I needed to get a great start.” TRISTAN PEREIRA
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Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
SUPPORT SERVICES ACROSS U OF T SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS
A SAMPLING OF SERVICES FOR ALL U OF T STUDENTS
FIRST YEAR OFFICE With dedicated first-year advisors, the First Year Office can help you make a successful transition to a new and exciting learning environment at U of T Engineering. The office also runs a series of free summer courses and sessions to help orient you to U of T Engineering before you start in the fall. www.firstyear.engineering.utoronto.ca
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTRE This centre offers a wide range of lectures and workshops that can help you gain more from your classes, take better notes, read your textbooks more effectively, manage your time, prepare for exams and conquer procrastination. www.asc.utoronto.ca
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR This is your resource for all administrative aspects of your education, including course registration, scheduling, student records, appeals and graduation. The office also coordinates access to specialized counsellors, from academic success and learning skills to health and wellness. You can also seek admissions and financial aid counselling here. www.uoft.me/engregistrar DEPARTMENTAL COUNSELLORS Every engineering department has a counsellor to help you with course selection and a range of other matters related to your academic area. You’ll meet your departmental counsellor when you begin your studies. ENGINEERING CAREER CENTRE Our career experts work hard to prepare you for your future through workshops, seminars, career fairs and job listings. The centre also coordinates the Professional Experience Year (see page 14) and other work experience opportunities. www.engineeringcareers.utoronto.ca ENGINEERING COMMUNICATION CENTRE Communication skills are an essential part of being an effective engineering professional. The Engineering Communication Centre will help you improve your written and presentation skills, which can lead to better grades on your projects and reports. www.uoft.me/ecc ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRANSITION As a first-year international student, you’ll have the opportunity to meet upper-year engineering student ambassadors at special events in the fall. Throughout your time at U of T Engineering, you can meet with an International Transition Advisor to address any questions you may have, from cultural adjustment to finding study support. www.uoft.me/internationaltransition
HEALTH SERVICES Health Services is like your family doctor’s office, but is geared toward your needs as a student and is located right on campus. Services include comprehensive medical care, health information for travellers, immunization, sexual health care, counselling and referrals. www.uoft.me/healthservices COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Counselling and Psychological Services offers assessment, treatment and referrals for students with emotional and psychological concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, eating and body image issues, attention and concentration problems, as well as issues related to sleep and substance abuse. www.uoft.me/caps ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES Accessibility Services is committed to supporting students with a documented disability, be it physical, sensory, a learning disability or a mental health condition. Temporary and long-term services include note taking, sign language interpretation, alternative test-taking arrangements, adaptive technology and assistive devices, on-campus transportation, as well as a variety of workshops and seminars on disability-related issues. www.accessibility.utoronto.ca CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE The Centre for International Experience assists international students with everything from work permits and passport issues, to cross-cultural counselling and English conversation programming. www.cie.utoronto.ca
Curtis Norman, First Year Student Success Specialist (right), helps engineering students navigate their first year. In addition to advising students, he also organizes special events like Exam Jam and transition programming for incoming first-year students. Curtis is just one member of the First Year Office team that supports the needs of all first-year engineering students at U of T.
Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
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FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION University is a big transition: new friends, a different environment and, for many, the first time you’ll be responsible for managing your own finances. You probably have a lot of questions about financing your education, and we are happy to help you. As a starting point, you can estimate your expenses and explore your financial resources to begin mapping out a budget.
ESTIMATING EXPENSES
EXPLORING FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Below is an estimated snapshot of your main expenses for first year based on last year’s fees. We encourage you to visit www.fees.utoronto.ca for details.
SCHOLARSHIPS
DOMESTIC
INTERNATIONAL1
TUITION
$12,3632
$39,5803
INCIDENTAL FEES
$1,475 4
$1,475 4 5
RESIDENCE & MEAL PLAN
$7,630–$16,899
$7,630–$16,899
BOOKS & SUPPLIES
$1,500–$2,000
$1,500–$2,000
1. International students are not eligible for need-based financial aid 2. 2013–2014 academic fees 3. 2014–2015 proposed academic fees (subject to Governing Council approval) 4. 2013–2014 incidental fees; 2014–2015 fees are subject to change 5. International students are also required to purchase Health Insurance through UHIP (roughly $700 per year)
Upon accepting your offer of admission, you are not required to pay a deposit, but your first tuition installment will be due on August 31, just prior to the start of classes. We will send you detailed information about how to pay tuition at a later date. If you plan to live on campus, you may need to pay a residence deposit. Your residence will send you more information if a deposit is required.
* All fees listed in Canadian dollars
When you applied to U of T Engineering, we automatically considered you for several entrance scholarships. If you qualified for a scholarship, we either included that information in your offer letter or will notify you in May, in advance of the deadline to accept your offer. We award scholarships on the basis of academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. The majority of scholarships we award are for one year of study. At U of T Engineering, you will continue to be considered automatically for scholarships at the end of second, third and fourth year.
STUDENT LOANS There are two kinds of government student loans: federal (Canada Student Loans) and provincial. To be eligible for a Canadian student loan, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person (convention refugee). For details and a list of Canadian student loan websites, visit www.uoft.me/engstudentloans. Generally, you can apply for a student loan after you have an offer of admission from a university. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can get an estimate of how much financial assistance you may be eligible to receive at www.uoft.me/utaps. Here, you can also learn about the University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students (UTAPS) program — a unique financial aid program for U of T students. If you are an international student, you may want to explore scholarships or funding opportunities available in your home country. Keep in mind that international students are also eligible to work part time in Canada while studying. You may be interested in exploring U of T’s Centre for International Experience website for details: www.cie.utoronto.ca. We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about financial matters: www.uoft.me/engstudentloans.
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Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DO I NEED TO SEND IN MY FINAL TRANSCRIPT?
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT WHAT RESIDENCE I AM LIVING IN?
If you are a current Ontario high school student, you don’t need to send us your final grades; we receive your grades directly from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). For all other admitted students, you will need to send your final transcripts as soon as they are available from your school. Be sure to review your offer of admission to determine what documents you need to send us and by when they should arrive at U of T.
Residence offers are made on an ongoing basis. You can track the status of your application by visiting the MyRes website (myres.utoronto.ca). If you have any questions about your residence placement or if you have not received an offer by June 15, 2014, please contact Housing Services at res.communications@utoronto.ca. Your residence will let you know your move-in date and time.
HOW DO I SUBMIT IB OR AP RESULTS? Your final results from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program or the Advancement Placement (AP) examinations should be sent electronically from the issuing body directly to the University of Toronto.
I RECEIVED AN OFFER BASED ON MY GRADES RIGHT NOW. WHAT IF MY MARKS DROP BY THE END OF THE YEAR? We understand that your grades may change between midterms and finals. However, if your final grades fall below the conditions stated in your offer of admission, you should contact us as soon as you know your results. U of T Engineering can withdraw your offer and cancel your registration if you do not meet the conditions of your offer or submit final documents by the date specified. If there were factors affecting your performance, you should submit a letter of explanation, along with any supporting documentation (e.g., medical records). Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis and after your final results have been released. If you are an international student, we strongly encourage you to contact us before your arrival in Canada.
CAN I DEFER MY OFFER OF ADMISSION? The Admissions Committee will consider requests to defer your offer of admission for one academic year. We cannot grant a deferral until we’ve received your final results or transcripts. Be sure to accept your offer of admission by the deadline stated in your letter. To request a deferral, please send us a letter explaining why you need to defer and what you plan to do during the deferral period. If you have received a scholarship, please include a request in your letter to defer your scholarship. Please note that you cannot engage in any academic activities during your deferral year.
WHEN DO I REGISTER FOR COURSES? As an engineering student, you’ll be automatically registered in your first-year courses.
MY OFFER OF ADMISSION DIDN’T MENTION WHETHER I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE CO-OP PROGRAM. WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I GOT INTO CO-OP? At U of T Engineering, all students are eligible to gain paid work experience through the Professional Experience Year (PEY) internship program. Unlike a traditional co-op program, PEY students work for 12 to 16 months continuously either after their second or third year of study. You don’t need to worry about being accepted into the PEY program at this stage. In fact, you’ll only register for PEY after you become a student.
IS PEY THE ONLY WAY TO GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE? PEY is one of the best — and most popular — ways to gain work experience as a U of T Engineering student. It enables you to work for a year or more as a full-time employee, giving you the opportunity to build your experience, network and knowledge before heading back to school to complete your degree. We also offer four-month internships through the Engineering Summer Internship Program. And many students choose to spend their summers conducting research on campus or abroad. In all cases, you don’t have to decide on work experience opportunities until you become a U of T Engineering student. To learn more about PEY, see page 14 or visit www.uoft.me/discoverpey.
DON’T FORGET! Check your enclosed offer letter for the deadline to accept. August 31: Your minimum tuition payment or fees deferral deadline.
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STAY CONNECTED VISIT OUR WEBSITE
WATCH US ON VIMEO
We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about what U of T Engineering has to offer. www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
Watch short videos that feature your future professors and their amazing research. You can also watch current U of T Engineering students share their experiences on transitioning to first year, PEY, graduation and more. www.vimeo.com/uoftengineering
CHECK THE ENGINEERING APPLICANT PORTAL The Engineering Applicant Portal will keep you current on information relating to your application to U of T Engineering. If you have questions about your application or offer of admission, use the “Contact Us” link in your Student Profile Form to connect with the Admissions Office. www.apsc.utoronto.ca/myportal
ATTEND WELCOME TO ENGINEERING ON SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2014 Save this date for our day-long event designed just for students like you who have received an offer of admission. You can look forward to meeting students and professors, learning more about academic and extracurricular opportunities, as well as taking part in fun, hands-on, student-run activities. There will also be special sessions just for your parents. Stay tuned — an official invitation will follow closer to the date.
PARTICIPATE IN DEEP SUMMER ACADEMY If you are interested in experiencing U of T Engineering before you enter your first year, consider participating in DEEP (Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program) Summer Academy this July. Developed for high school students around the world with an interest in engineering, science, technology and business, DEEP Summer Academy offers hands-on, week-long courses in some of the most interesting areas of research at U of T Engineering today. Courses are taught by graduate students and range from bioengineering and environmental engineering to mechatronics and entrepreneurship. www.deepsummeracademy.com
TAKE A TOUR If you haven’t had the chance to explore the St. George campus yet, now is a great time. Come by for a campus walking tour; they happen every day, except Sundays and holiday weekends. Please visit www.uoft.me/sgtours for details. While you’re on campus, let us show you around the U of T Engineering neighbourhood. You can request your engineering tour online: www.uoft.me/engtours
ASK US QUESTIONS This is a very exciting time for you, and we’re sure you have lots of questions. We are happy to help in any way we can. You can call us at 416-978-3872 or email engineering@ecf.utoronto.ca.
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Welcome to Engineering | www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
YOUR FUTURE COMMUNITY From the labs where innovation happens every day to the spaces where our students unwind, U of T Engineering’s classrooms, services and research centres span 15 buildings on campus — all within walking distance of each other — and one (U of T’s Institute for Aerospace Studies) off campus. The map identifies a few of the buildings you’ll encounter when you come for a tour, including the site where our newest building, the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CEIE), will be built. For an interactive campus map, please visit map.utoronto.ca.
Front Campus
ST. GEORGE STREET
KING’S COLLEGE ROAD
Convocation Hall
FI
COLLEGE STREET
BA
Bahen Centre for Information Technology
MC
DC
Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research
Mechanical Engineering Building
PT
D.L. Pratt Building
EA Engineering Annex
RS
Rosebrugh Building
EL
Electrometallurgy Lab
SF
Sandford Fleming Building
FI
Fields Institute
WB
Wallberg Building
GB Galbraith Building HA
Haultain Building
MB
Lassonde Mining Building
CEIE Future site of the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Web: www.discover.engineering.utoronto.ca
Engineering Applicant Portal: www.apsc.utoronto.ca/myportal
Email: engineering@ecf.utoronto.ca (general inquiries)
admissions@ecf.utoronto.ca (admissions-related inquiries)
Phone: 416-978-3872 (general inquiries)
416-978-0120 (admissions-related inquiries)
Twitter: @uoftengineering
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/uoftengineering
Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoveruoftengineering