First Year Students

When and how do I enroll in courses?

In the summer, there are course enrolment workshops offered by the Office of the Registrar and Centre for Student Engagement. Please check the Course Enrolment information page. If you have further questions, please contact us.

Does the department recommend a specific laptop?

We don't have specific recommendations. Students can use our lab when they need processing power for advanced courses. Buy 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).

What can I do to prepare for first-year calculus?

If you are considering taking MAT132H5, MAT133Y5 or MAT135H5, then check out MathMatize.com (an app developed by one of our faculty) and join the Fundamentals of High School Math course for free.

If you are considering taking MAT137H5 + MAT139H5 or MAT157H5 + MAT159H5, the U of T St. George Mathematics Department has a page with some resources here: Head Start on proofs.

Do I have the right highschool prerequisites?

Students should possess the necessary high school prerequisites (or equivalents) to be successful in their first year and some second-year CSC, MAT, or STA courses. However, our department (and ACORN) does not actively check for these prerequisites. Therefore, there is no risk that you will be removed from MAT102H5, MAT132H5, MAT133Y5, MAT135H5, MAT137H5, MAT157H5, or MAT223H5. If you have questions about enrolling in one or more of these courses without having the high school prerequisites, speak to one of our departmental Academic Advisors.

I was not admitted to the “CMS stream” but I want to consider a CSC, MAT and/or STA program. Is that possible?

Yes, however, you must enroll in the correct courses in the first year to be able to apply for one of our limited enrolment programs. Visit the Academic Calendar to learn program enrolment and completion requirements for CSC, MAT, and STA. Be sure to review the information about high school prerequisites on this page.

What are the five calculus sequences that UTM offers?

1. MAT133Y5
2. MAT132H5 + MAT134H5
3. MAT135H5 + MAT136H5
4. MAT137H5 + MAT139H5
5. MAT157H5 + MAT159H5

Visit the Academic Calendar for Course Descriptions, prerequisites and more. 

What are the differences between the calculus sequences?

For more detailed information, download “What is the difference between the calculus sequences?”. Alternatively, view a short video: Guide to Calculus Sequences.

If you have questions about choosing a calculus sequence, taking more than one or program planning, speak to one of our departmental Academic Advisors.

When will the calculus sequences be offered?

Most calculus courses will be offered in Fall or Winter or both. MAT137H5/ 157H5 are only offered in the Fall term, and MAT139H5/ 159H5 are only offered in the Winter term. Check Timetable Builder each year for more information.

In the Summer session, the following calculus sequences are typically offered: MAT133Y5, MAT134H5Y, MAT135H5Y, and MAT136H5Y. An “H5Y” course in the summer runs at ‘normal speed’ which takes place across both Summer terms, from May to August.

If you have questions about planning out your calculus courses across terms/sessions, speak to one of our departmental Academic Advisors.

Is ISP100H5 the only writing course that can be used to 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.

If I wish to pursue a MAT or STA Specialist or Major, will the department accept any substitute course (including transfer credits) for ISP100H5?

No. Only ISP100H5 taken at UTM, will be accepted.

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 first attempt and then complete the course again, that second attempt will be marked “EXTra,” which means it will not count towards your GPAs or degree credit total.

If I completed or 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 first attempt and then complete the course again, that second 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.

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 our departmental Academic Advisors.

Where can I find program entry requirements (eg. course grade(s), CGPA cutoffs, etc.) for CSC, MAT, and STA Specialists and majors?

You can find the entry requirements in the UTM Academic Calendar.  In May and August of each year, more information is available on our website.  Note that MAT and STA Minors are Type 1 programs without entry requirements.

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 programs can I consider combining with a MAT, CSC, or STA program?

All of UTM’s programs can be found in the Academic Calendar. Speak with one of our departmental Academic Advisors, an academic advisor in the Office of the Registrar or a Career Counsellor in the Career Centre to learn more about what program combination is right for you.

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