Resources for Undergrads

ECE Iris is a curriculum visualization tool that helps you see the various connections between courses within our flexible curriculum and the paths your degree may take in your third and fourth years. It's an interactive, user-friendly desktop app with course descriptions presented dynamically by focus area. (Note that the app is not configured for mobile devices.)

Learn more about ECE Iris in this short introduction and demo video.
Read the video transcript (PDF).

Learn more

With ECE Iris, you can also filter your course selection by frequently cited and trending application areas in the field, including:

Wireless / optical / future communications (5G & 6G)
Smart grid / renewables / power electronics
Internet-of-Things (IoT)
Digital/analog and integrated circuit design
Robotics / control systems
Digital health
Electric / autonomous / connected vehicles
Quantum computing
Cybersecurity / privacy / trust in networks
Human interface technology / biomedical / photonics / displays
Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Big data

Planning your degree with Magellan

Magellan is an ECE software tool that has been developed in-house. It helps you plan your program and verify CEAB (Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board) requirements by automatically calculating your academic units (AUs) throughout your four years. (CEAB is important should you eventually choose to register as a professional engineer.)

Note: Magellan does not guarantee a conflict-free schedule.
Please consult the Faculty's Academic Timetable.

Magellan login

Learn about ACORN

Review the 2023–2024 Magellan Presentation

Magellan allows you to save up to 30 test profiles as you determine your third- and fourth-year courses. These test profiles give you an opportunity to experiment with different plans. Refer to the Magellan Manual for detailed instructions (including screenshots) as you follow these steps:

Set up a profile on Magellan.
Choose your ECE courses.
Evaluate your test profiles to ensure they meet Graduation Eligibility Requirements.
Select an evaluated profile to be your Main Profile. The ECE courses you select will be registered in ACORN for you.
Register for your non-ECE courses (i.e., electives, APS and CSC) through ACORN when it opens in July.

Communication & Writing Help

Strong communication skills are essential for successful engineers. The demands of the curriculum mean that you may have to actively seek outside help to strengthen your presentation or writing skills for reports, essays, theses or other media you might use to communicate your ideas. The Engineering Communication Program (ECP) is here to help!

At ECP, you can get help you with all aspects of report writing and oral presentation, including strategies of organization and clarity, as well as revision, editing and/or speaking clearly. Find out about:

One-on-one tutoring in the ECP Tutoring Centre
Seminars in Professional Writing, Oral Communication, Writing Lab Reports, and more
Comprehensive online handbook as well as other tools and references
Communication Program staff who are ready to guide you

The Writing Centre is open to all undergraduate engineering students.

Book your appointment online to ensure you have a chance to meet with a tutor. Drop-ins are welcome, but the place gets very busy the day before an assignment is due. Plan ahead!

Scholarships & Funding

Faculty-level Scholarships

If you are a high school applicant, you are automatically considered for Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering admission scholarships when you apply. Applicants are considered for scholarships on the basis of academic excellence and extracurricular involvement as demonstrated in the Online Student Profile.

If you are a current registered engineering student, you are considered for scholarships after each academic year based on your updated Online Engineering Portfolio.

Online Engineering Portfolio

The Online Engineering Portfolio (ePortfolio) is a place where you can record your extracurricular activities and store your resume. The Scholarships Committee uses this information to help select scholarships and awards. While some are based on academic achievement, others have additional criteria.

You must ensure your ePortfolio is up to date to be considered for scholarships each year:

Update period: September to June
Final deadline: June 7

Financial Aid

Students seeking financial assistance can connect with a Financial Advisor through the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office. This advisor will assess your situation, guide you to suitable financial aid programs, assist with financial management, and inform you about eligible scholarships, grants or bursaries. Schedule an appointment via the Engineering Portal or by emailing awards@ecf.utoronto.ca.

Other Helpful Resources

Support

Academic Integrity

What is academic integrity?

Academic integrity is applying the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage to academic pursuits, even in the face of adversity. These values are explored in a booklet from the International Center for Academic Integrity. U of T’s Student Life page explains that academic integrity ensures a community where:

Competition is fair and honest work is rewarded.
Students are developing the personal and professional skills needed for success, like time management, effective research/writing, independent thinking, and ethical judgement.
Intellectual property is respected.
Our degrees continue to receive the respect and recognition they deserve
ECE is committed to promoting these values among students, faculty and staff in line with our Vision and Mission.

What are the policies and procedures?

Academic integrity applies to every member of the University, which treats cases of academic misconduct very seriously. If it has been alleged you committed an academic offence, the allegation will be dealt with formally and seriously. The penalties can be severe if it is determined that you did cheat.

Ignorance of the rules does not excuse cheating or plagiarism. Learn about the policies and procedures surrounding academic offences in The Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. Familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity Handbook to prepare yourself for a successful university career free from academic misconduct.

Possible penalties for cheating include a negative mark on a piece of work, zero in a course, loss of library and/or computer privileges, annotations on your transcript, or even expulsion from the University.

Policies

External Links:

ECF Rules & Regulation
U of T Student Code of Conduct
Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

ECE Reduced Course Load Policy

Only full-time students in third or fourth year can reduce a full academic load by 0.5 credits. They:

Must drop a CS, HSS or technical/free elective course
Must take the dropped course or a replacement course in a subsequent session (or Summer session)

Some important considerations about reduced course loads:

Your student advisor: The ECE Undergraduate Office can provide you with advice on the impact to the completion time of your degree requirements, the course overload in future sessions and other concerns. We strongly recommend you consult them.
Scholarships and the Dean’s Honour List: You are ineligible for both if you carry less than a full course load as defined by year and program of study.
Program fees: You are not entitled to any tuition refunds as a full-time student with a reduced course load — you must pay the full-time program fee.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is a common way for universities to maintain a minimum academic standard for their students. If you received notice that you are on academic probation, the first step is to talk to an Academic Advisor in the Undergraduate Office. They can answer any questions you may have and give you advice on how to proceed.

Academic probation is to be taken seriously, but rest assured that U of T has many resources to get you back on track:

For more details on the specifics of academic probation, refer to section VIII, Promotional Regulations of the Academic Regulations in the current Academic Calendar.