I am a new incoming first-year MCS student; when and how do I enroll in courses?
Please check the Course Enrolment information page. In the summer, there are course enrolment workshops offered by the Office of the Registrar and Centre for Student Engagement. If you have further questions, please contact us.
If I want to take a course outside of U of T, will MCS first tell me if it’s eligible for transfer credit?
Our department does not do ‘pre-assessments’ of any mathematics, statistics or computer sciences courses from other universities. If you wish to take a course elsewhere, please follow the process outlined on the Office of the Registrar website under “Study Elsewhere”. If the course is at a university outside of Canada, be sure to also review the information on the Post-Admission Transfer Credit form.
If the course is an online course, please see the next FAQ.
Will MCS accept online courses taken at another university outside of U of T?
Our department does not grant transfer credits for online courses taken at another institution.
I have been approved to go on exchange and plan to take courses towards my MCS program(s). What do I need to send to the MCS department?
The MCS department will need an electronic copy of the letter that confirms you have been approved to go on exchange (this letter indicates you are ‘nominated to participate in exchange’). Be sure to also send us the Pre-Departure Form and course outline(s) for the courses you wish to take at the other institution. All documents should go to the appropriate academic advisor (Yvette Ye for CSC courses and Laura Ferlito for MAT & STA courses). For more information about Outbound Exchange, visit the IEC website.
If I don’t think I’m going to achieve the minimum required grade in a 100-level course (for program entry) that I’m currently taking, can I enroll in the course again?
Yes, if you have not yet finished the current course and the deadline to enroll in courses for the upcoming term/session has not yet passed. Please see the policy on repeating passed courses in the Academic Calendar. Note that if you pass the 1st attempt and then complete the course again, that 2nd attempt will be marked “EXTra,” which means it will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total.
If I completed/passed a course in a previous term/session, but did not achieve the minimum required grade for program entry, what can I do?
You can consider enrolling in the course again by completing the Course Enrolment Exception form. Please see the policy on repeating passed courses in the Academic Calendar. Note that if you pass the 1st attempt and then complete the course again, that 2nd attempt will be marked “EXTra,” which means it will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total. Keep in mind that students may repeat a specific passed course only once.
If I repeated a course and I think my 2nd attempt final mark is going to be higher, what can I do?
You can consider submitting a Second Attempt for Credit (SAC) request through the Office of the Registrar by completing the SAC form by the appropriate deadline. If this request is approved, then your 1st attempt at the course will be marked “EXTra” (instead of the 2nd attempt), meaning the 2nd attempt (and your higher grade) will count towards your GPAs and degree credit total. Please see the policy on Second Attempt for Credit in the Academic Calendar. Be sure to consult the Important Dates page for pertinent deadlines.
Can I request a Second Attempt for Credit (SAC) for an equivalent course taken at another U of T campus? For example, I passed MAT136H5 at UTM and I’d like to take MAT136H1 at St. George. Can I request SAC for MAT136H1?
No. SAC requests can only be made for identical courses with the same course code offered by the same campus/division. MAT136H1 and MAT136H5 are not identical courses. **NOTE: If students wish to select SAC for both MAT135H5 + MAT136H5 (and they have completed MAT135Y5 in a prior session), then that will be permitted. If students wish to select SAC for both MAT132H5 + MAT134H5 (and they have completed MAT134Y5 in a prior session), then that will be permitted. If you have questions about this, please contact the Office of the Registrar or one of the MCS Academic Advisors.
When I repeat a passed course, how are both courses counted towards my a) GPAs and b) degree credit total?
The 2nd attempt (or repeated course) will be marked “EXTra, " meaning it will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total. Please see the policy on repeating passed courses in the Academic Calendar.
Alternatively, if you do better on the 2nd attempt compared to the 1st attempt, you have the option to request a Second Attempt for Credit (SAC). You will need to complete the Second Attempt for Credit form by the appropriate deadline. If this request is approved, then your 1st attempt at the course will be marked “EXTra” (instead of the 2nd attempt), meaning the 2nd attempt (and likely your higher grade) will count towards your GPAs and degree credit total. Please see the policy on Second Attempt for Credit in the Academic Calendar.
Be sure to consult the Important Dates page for pertinent deadlines.
What does “EXTra” mean on my academic record? Can “EXTra” courses count towards my MCS program(s)?
“EXTra” means the course will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total. Please see the explanation about “EXTra” in the Academic Calendar. “EXTra” courses can count towards your MCS program(s).
I plan to take courses at other U of T campuses: will they be accepted to meet my MCS program entry/completion requirements?
Please find the MCS course substitutes we accept. Note that only CSC148H5 and MAT102H5, taken at the UTM campus, will be accepted for the purposes of CSC program entry.
I’ve selected credit/ no credit (CR/NCR) for a required program course. Can this course count towards my MCS program(s)? What are my options?
No. Courses with a final grade of “CR” cannot be used to satisfy program requirements. Please see the policy on Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) in the Academic Calendar. If you have selected CR/NCR for a required program course, you can either (a) deselect CR/NCR for that course so that it can count towards the program by the pertinent deadline or (b) retake the course and earn a numerical grade. Be sure to consult the Important Dates page for pertinent deadlines.
Is ISP100H5 the only writing course which can be used to satisfy the CSC Specialist or Major writing requirement?
Yes, unless you entered the program prior to 2022. Students who joined a CSC Specialist or major prior to 2022 can still satisfy the writing requirement with any of the following courses: ISP100H5, CSC290H5, CCT110H5, ENG100H5, HSC200H5, HSC300H5, LIN204H5, WRI203H5, or WRI173H5.
I see that there is a new 200-level STA course offered in the MCS department (STA246H5). Can I take this course if I am in an Applied Statistics or Mathematical Sciences program?
STA246H5 cannot be used towards any program(s) in Applied Statistics or Mathematics. This course is intended only for students in Computer Science programs who will not need STA256H5 for other program requirements.
Do Research Opportunity Program (ROP) courses (ex: CSC399Y5, STA399Y5, etc.) consist of an interview?
It depends on the professor/supervisor, but in most cases, you can expect an interview. More information about ROP can be found on this page.
What do professors/supervisors look for in ROP applicants?
It depends on the project, but they may look at previous courses taken, performance in school, projects, programming languages, skills, and your motivation to be involved in the project. More information about ROP can be found on this page.
I lack the prerequisite for an MCS course I wish to take: can I still take the course?
We normally don't allow students to join a course without having the required prerequisite(s) (except for most first-year courses). Joining a course without a prerequisite means that you probably won't have the necessary background and knowledge needed to complete the course successfully. However, if you feel that you do have the required background (e.g., from a course taken at another institution), you can request a waiver by completing an online Prerequisite Waiver Request Form by no later than the first week of classes. Visit this page to read more and access the online forms.
Can a course with a final grade of “CR” be used to satisfy MCS course prerequisite requirements?
In most cases, yes. If a minimum grade in the prerequisite course is specified, our department may need more information. Be sure to review the prerequisites carefully or speak to an Academic Advisor in MCS for more clarification. Please see the policy on Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) in the Academic Calendar.
Can STA246H5 be a prerequisite for other STA courses?
STA246H5 will not be permitted as a prerequisite for any other 200+ level STA courses.
Where can I find program entry requirements (ex: course grade(s), CGPA cutoffs, etc.) for CSC, MAT and STA Specialists and majors?
You can find the entry requirements in the Academic Calendar: CSC programs, MAT programs or STA programs. In May and August of each year, more information is available on the MCS Programs page. Note that CSC, MAT and STA minors are Type 1 programs without entry requirements.
Visit this page to know more about CSC POSt Admission.
When will the MCS department publish the course and CGPA entry requirements (or “cut-offs”)?
Our department will publish the entry requirement grade(s) and CGPA(s) for the first round of Subject POSt enrolment in mid-May and the second round in late August.
What are the dates to apply for Subject POSts/program (s)? Where can I find them?
These dates are published approximately in February each year and can be found on the Program Selection page. You can use the upper left-hand menu to navigate to the full selection of options on the page.
I plan to take courses at other U of T campuses: will they be accepted to meet my MCS program requirements?
Please find the MCS course substitutes we accept here. Only CSC148H5 and MAT102H5, taken at the UTM campus, will be accepted for CSC program entry.
Will MCS accept online courses taken at another university outside of U of T?
Our department does not grant transfer credits for online courses taken at another institution.
What are my options if I am not doing well in a required program course?
You can consider dropping the course on ACORN by the academic drop deadline or selecting LWD (late withdrawal after the drop date) by the appropriate deadline. If the course is offered again in the next term/session, consider taking it. Note that the timing of when you complete the course will impact when you are able to apply for programs/ Subject POSts. For example, if you drop a winter course and enroll in it in the summer session, you would need to postpone applying for your program(s) until the 2nd round of subject POSt enrollment. Please look over the Important Dates page for relevant ACORN and/or LWD deadlines. More information on the timing of Subject POSt enrolment can be found in the Program Selection Guide.
If you do not meet the requirements for entry to a CSC Specialist or Major after your first year, the department strongly recommends that you instead plan to graduate with a CSC minor, which has no entry requirements. The alternative program options would pair well with CSC, meaning you will stay on schedule to graduate.
What does “EXTra” mean on my academic record? Can “EXTra” courses count towards my MCS program(s)?
“EXTra” means the course will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total. Please see the explanation about “EXTra” in the Academic Calendar. “EXTra” courses can count towards your MCS program(s).
I plan to take courses at other U of T campuses: will they be accepted to meet my MCS program entry/completion requirements?
Please find the MCS course substitutes we accept here. Only CSC148H5 and MAT102H5, taken at the UTM campus, will be accepted for CSC program entry.
I’ve selected credit/ no credit (CR/NCR) for a required program course. Can this course count towards my MCS program(s)? What are my options?
No. Courses with a final grade of “CR” cannot be used to satisfy program requirements. Please see the policy on Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) in the Academic Calendar. If you have selected CR/NCR for a required program course, you can either (a) deselect CR/NCR for that course so that it can count towards the program by the pertinent deadline, or (b) retake the course and earn a numerical grade. Be sure to consult the Important Dates page for pertinent deadlines.
Is ISP100H5 the only writing course that can satisfy the CSC Specialist or Major writing requirement?
Yes, unless you entered the program before 2022. Students who joined a CSC Specialist or Major before 2022 can still satisfy the writing requirement with any of the following courses: ISP100H5, CSC290H5, CCT110H5, ENG100H5, HSC200H5, HSC300H5, LIN204H5, WRI203H5, or WRI173H5.
I see a new 200-level STA course offered in the MCS department (STA246H5). Can I take this course if I am in an Applied Statistics or Mathematical Sciences program?
STA246H5 cannot be used for any program(s) in Applied Statistics or Mathematics. This course is intended only for students in Computer Science programs who will not need STA256H5 for other program requirements.
Does CSC have any recommendations for a good-quality laptop that would get me through undergraduate studies?
We don't have specific recommendations for laptop/computer purchase. Do note that for our CSC courses, you will not need a high-powered monster of a computer; when students need processing power for advanced courses (e.g. in robotics or scalable computing), they will generally use our lab resources. We therefore suggest buying what you can comfortably afford and what works for your anticipated usage pattern (e.g. consider weight and battery life in addition to processor and memory).
Does MCS have a list of private tutors that students can contact?
MCS no longer has a list of private tutors to share with students. If you want assistance with CSC courses, consider using the CS Help Room. If you want help with problem-solving in 100- or 200- level MAT courses, visit the Math Learning Centre. Information about both of these resources can be found on the bottom of this page. You may also book Math & Numeracy Appointments with the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre.
Last updated 08-Feb-24
