2,Enrollment in other CS specialist programs is NOT limited :
1). General Stream
3). Joint Mathematics Stream
4). Joint Physics Stream
5). Joint Statistics Stream
6). Software Engineering Stream

3,Information system:maximun enrollment 20/year,GPA>2.5;

4,Major program: maximun enrollment 30/year,2.8>GPA>2.0 for year 2001;

5,COOP program:
1)For students who enter the Program in 2001/2002 or later, 3 work terms must be completed along with the academic Program. For students who entered before 2001/2002, the requirement is 2 work terms, with an optional third work term with permission of the Co-ordinator.

2)To maintain standing in the Program, to be eligible for a work term, and to receive specialist certification upon graduation a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 complete Introduction to Computer Science Co-op tutorial in first year

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original:
http://www.erin.utoronto.ca/~w3reg/Calendar/Programs/8Programs_c.htm

CS program at Missisauga:
enrollment in both of major and specialist program is limited.

... to UTS

To transfer to UTS from either St. George or UTM, contact:

Admissions & Student Recruitment
Room S-303F
University of Toronto at Scarborough
1265 Military Trail
Scarborough, Ontario
M1C 1A4
Canada
E-mail: admissions@scar.utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-287-7529
Fax: 416-287-7525

2001/4/24 整理：流浪的猫

目录：---- UTKID简介 ---- 选课、学习 ---- 多大介绍、申请 ---- 转学分

“I landed in Vancouver and took TOEFL there. And moved to Toronto 8 months later. Now I happen to be studying computer science at University of Toronto. And I'm on student loan. I guess my experience might be interesting to some of you. I'd be happy to share it.”

“I m a new guy , too 。I entered U of T last Sept. I belong to the last group of students who can apply for major program only. Hopefully I will be able to finish the program before Summer 2002.”

1、选课、学习：

------------------------------------------------

UTKID：You don't need a text book for 108, and 148. Any Java book will do. Different professor prefers different books. You can get the 238 notes from the book store for $13. There's no need to study it earlier. I don't about 258. They gave me the transfer credit for it.

UTKID：No need to re-study 137. Just take 223 (Linear Algebra I) and 224(II)(recomanded), or 237 (Multivariable calculus). STA107 is an easy course, which gives you lots of fun and confidence and a very good mark(I got 99 of it). I enjoyed it so much. Professor Brenner is the best and most humourous teacher I have ever seen. Nearly each of his class ends with applause. But I never heard any one have got the transfer credit for it, although we all learned probability in China. But you can take STA257 directly, which surfices all your later prerequisite for STAS.

UTKID：You will have to apply for the programs after taking some courses. In your case, you will have to take one of following groups first, MAT224/MAT237/CSC270,CSC258,CSC238. As you will be one of the first second-degree students who will enter the Hounered degree program directly, things might be different. Check out the website of the department. But you can take most courses without enrolling in any program.

UTKID：By the way, did they give you credits for CSC 108 and CSC 148? (These 2 course are about Java and basic programming skills). If so, you better start to work on C and C++ as early as possible. You will need them immidiately in CSC 270 after starting your study if you want to graduate earlier.

UTKID：Usually they will give you CSC108 if you have learned something about computer. If so, you will have to study some Java by yourself before you take CSC148. In that case, although you can take 108, it can only be an extra credit, which won't be counted as a credit towards degree. But most students with poor computer background choose this way. But if you have confidence in your programming skills, you can definitely skip 108 for it's too easy.

UTKID：I majored in mechanical engineering. I know little about oop(object oriented programming), Java, C and C++. But they gave me CSC108, 148, 258 probabaly because they thought I was a good BASIC, FORTRAN and PASCAL programmer. I took the CS270 directly and had little trouble with it.

UTKID：

How's you programming skills?

CAT：

“Some about my programming skills:

1.In university , I only took a True BASIC course and other course which gave a general introduction to computer.

2.But I learned Foxbase and Foxpro myself and spent two years in programming a database for Logistic Depratment of my University with the help of from my computer teachers. I think that was a good experience to improve my programming skills , 'cause I mastered most of intermeidiate and many of advanced functions of Foxbase and gained many practical programming skills.

3.I learned Turbo C 2.0 in year-4 in university , the textbook is compiled by Tsinghua Univ. I did all excercises but no practical experience in real programs.

4.After graduation ,I learned PASCAL for two weeks for National Self-taught Test and passed it.

That is all ! So you see , I do have some programming experiences or skills , but they are all old . Of course , the basic knowledge is still useful .

I know nothing about OOP,Java,Fortran and C++ ,so as you said , I should begin to learn them ASAP.”

UTKID：

Cat,your CS background is much stronger than I thought. So you won't have any problem if you skip 108 and 148 and start from 270 directly in Summer. Try to finish CSC270, 238 and 258 first coz they are the gates to nearly all successive courses. Then you will be able to finish the major program within 1.5 years. Most courses after 270 will be using C and C++ under UNIX system. So don't spend too much time on Java, which you can learn by yourself after you have confidence in C and C++. Check out the textbooks on the corresponding course websites.

You can find the textbook lists there. The book of C written by King is excellent, acually the best in my opinion. You can get all testbooks at U of T book store(214 College St.)

Did they ask you to see the professors? Maybe they will give you the credits directly.

---- 我想你不可能在2年内拿到HOHOR DEGREE。。。

I don't think you can finish an honoured degree in U of T within 2 years either coz you will need 15 more credits to graduate. You will have to spend at least 2 and a half year even you take courses in summers. In fact, 3 years would be more realistic.

Nevertheless, an honoured degree is composed of 2 programs, one major and one minor. You can definitely finish the major program of CS(8 credits) within 2 years or even less than that. And then you got the transcript and you can start your hunting for IT jobs. You have many choices for a minor programs, such as economics, information system, mathematics, statistics, software engineering, comprehesive, physics... All courses other than those of CS won't be quite demanding. So you can part-time study and full time work. It's practical coz many students do it. Then when you finally graduate you will have 3 important things for an immigrant: Canadian working experience, local degree, Canadian passport. That's the time you head south to Boston, New York city...... I heard you need a degree in CS to get the working visa.

2、多大介绍、申请：

------------------------------------------------

---- 多大CS简介：

CAT:

1.What do you think of CS in U of T ? Excellent or just so so.

2.Is your study load heavy ?

3.Does professors like to give low marks?

4.Is it difficult to apply for COOP program in Scarborough Campus? I applied for CS in St. George .

5.How many students can get COOP? About 50% or 20% or even less?

6.What do you think of COOP and PEY?

7.What do you think of On-Campus Residence? Is it helpful to improving English?

8.How many transfer credits did you get when you were admitted to U of T?

9.How much loan did you get for each year ? OSAP or Federal Loan?

UTKID:

1,excellent. But don't get your hopes too high. It largely depends on youself whether you can learn something there or not. In fact, there's no big difference of educational quality between any undergraduate programs of any Canadian universities. What makes the difference is graduate studies. But in U of T you got more resources and opportunities. You will soon get to know what I mean.

2,There's no time limit to finish a degree in U of T. You can study on your own pace. Some guys finished it within 1 years, which means they slept for less than 5 hours on average a day. Usually it takes 2 years for full time study. More popularly, you may also study for a year then start to look for a job(you got a good chance as a u of t student). Once you get it, you can either interupt your study and come back whenever you like or full-time work while part-time study.

3, some pros don't balance the marks for a lower average. It's easy to avoid them as you have large freedom and many choices to arrange your schedule. The average for a typical upper-year CSC course is about 63 to 65(you pass it at 50 not 60). But you can easily earn higher grades in first or second year courses. You need an total average GPA 2.0 (above 60)to continue your CS program. By the way, U of T does kick out people. But only those rich kids fooling around everyday, not us. Usually they give you a second chance to make up when you screw up.

4, I have no idea about Scarborough Campus.

5, you got no chance to co-op as a second degree student in U of T. But, as I said, you can co-op by yourself. Don't forget you are in Toronto.

6,No idea.

7,expensive, lousy food, noisy, long waiting list(at least half a year). forget it. And you had to look for chance to pratice English by yourself even in a campus residence. So why bother? By the way, there are thousands of student organizations in U of T. Join one.

8, Every second degree student will receive 5 transfer credits. No exception. But what couses will be transfered depends on your background.

9,I got $9,000 a school year(from Sep to May)for a single student. Federal loan makes 60% of OSAP.You v got to submit another application if you r gonna take courses in Summer.

---- UTKID：3年制本科取消！

Something important ！

Starting from the 2001 school year, there will be only 4-year (hounered) undergraduate degree program available at U of T. So you will have to spend 3 years on it even after you get the transfer credits for the first year courses. Chinese immigrants usually take the 3-year degree program which only requires you to finish the major program of CS, so we can finish it within 2 years. But in a 4-year program you need to finish another minor program, such as economics, mathmatics, physics etc, besides the CS major. It could be a disadvantage for you as a second degree student. So think it over. It's not too late to change your mind.

---- 多大、WATERLOO、QUEENS的比较：

Waterloo is a good choice coz all CS students must co-op. That's the greatest advantage for an undergraduate student. Working experience is sometimes more important than the degree. So don't miss it. But, as I said, you have access to more resourses at U of T. The size, reputation, history, alumni, freedom, more choices in curriculum, student body, huge library, the city...... I mean university is more like an experience than job training. You can feel it immidiately after enter the campus. I think the best gift U of T could give you is the feeling of freedom and independence. If you can make a choice in your list of school, it should be like this:

Waterloo or U of T, Queen's, Mcmaster, Western.

Queen's U is a good school. But Kingston is too remote. Sometimes it's good as you can focus on your study there. But as an IT-professional-wanna-be, you need more information.

---- 选择多大还是QUEEN‘S呢？

As I said ，all undergraduate programs in Canadian universities are similar. No school has absolute advantage. So you need to compare some other aspects, such as reputation, resources etc. But if you do enjoy the life style in a small town, Queen's is a good choice. By the way, I also got the admission from Queen's. So far, I haven't regreted my decision to choose U of T.

It's true that U of T emphasizes theory. Some of its courses, such as Microprocessor System and Computability and Complexity are taught by professors, who are top level in the world in these fields. Of course, as an undergraduate student you won't be able to dig into it deeply. But that's what makes the difference between a university student and college student. I.e., you will have more potentiality since at least you have seen what a truely sophisticated system and theory are about.

U of T doesn't promise you a splendid future. You can graduate without learning anything seriously. That's why many U of T graduates might have much lower ability than those of a second class school. But it does provide the opportunity to access the essence of computer science to those who really want to learn something.

It's said that the program of U of T is not quite practical. But some of its courses are quite useful. And you have many choices to different directions, including software engineering, network, database management and pure math theory... But keep this in mind, they teach you to be a scientist, not just a programer.

A new huge building for information technology is being built on campus. You can see the commitment of the school to strengthen its status in high tech field.

---- 多大的英语环境：

问：

“最近我一直为了去多大后住在那儿的头疼,到处查多大和QUEEN'S的ON CAMPUS RESIDENCE. 倒不是担心租不到房子和房租高低,而是担心找不到合适的房子,担心以后生活的语言环境.”

答：

In a nutshell, you can't get everything you want at the same time. There's always trade-off. Pay attention to what is really important. After all you are in Canada and in fact, most people arround you speak perfect English. Of course you can get yourself an English-speaking roommate if you like their living style, such as party, pub, beer, girls, skiing, roller-blading, baseball, hucky, bingo... But I m afaid you won't have the time as a CS student and you are not 18 any more. In fact, not many white people really want to make friend with us, especially white girls. You definitely know why. But you can always see white guys going out with Asian girls. My friend Rob, a pure white guy, said he had no feeling for white girls.

Try to be realistic. Find yourself a Chinese girl friend. The knowledge of computer science and the degree are more important than English. I mean at least you have no trouble in communication. That's enough. When you begin to earn money. You have more choices, including hiring an English tutor.

---- 关于选学院

Different college has different tradition. Some colleges have more scholarships and on-campus residence, such as University College. But you have equal access to all the programs and courses within Arts & Science Faculty. In fact, it does not really matter which college you choose. But it seems that all second degree students will be automatically asigned to Woods Worth College no matter which college you choose. I picked Innis, but they finally send me to Woods Worth as they did with all my fellow Chinese new immigrant second degree students. You can fill out University College anyway.

---- 多大CS的学生….

Every Arts&Science student in U of T belongs to a college, like Woodsworth, not a department. Department is a unit for teaching only. It offers all kinds of programs and courses within its discipline, which are open to all Arts&Science students who are interested. Several hundred people enrolled in CS programs. Local white people are minority. Everyone looks like a foreigner. Most are second generation of immigrants from Ya-Fei-La(Asia-Africa-LatinAmerica). Some from Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, mainland China. Not too many Chinese new immigrants. I did not count the mm's. But don't get your hopes too high. Nevertheless, you are free to choose some humanity or music courses, in which you will be able to see much more pretty mm's. Good luck!

---- 选课的范围很大….

You can take any of the several thousand courses offered by Art&Science directly as long as you have the prerequisite and there is no restriction for it, not just the first year course. In fact, you have too many choices coz most courses are open to anyone, not just those who have enrolled in the coresponding program. For example, I took 2 second year courses in my first term. Students taking the same course usually come from totally different background. Here you can meet first year and fourth year students, students majoring in economics, math, phylosophy, phychology, geography, computer science, special students...... So it's a great place to get some direct info from your schoolmates. Maybe we will be taking the same course together sometime.

---- 为什么没人想上COOP？

coz everyone wants to graduate earlier 。Waterloo has integrated coop with the program. But the CS courses of U of T are so heavy that you bearly have energy to do anything else. So many tests, projects and assignments are waiting for you. If you take a program in Scarbourough, I guess, you will have to take half of your courses there. That's a big hustle. Usually St.George students won't leave downtown to take courses in Scarbourough. There are only students from Scarbourough taking courses at St. George.

---- 多大的设备怎么样？

问：

“As I know , there are totally 50k students in three campus and I guess about 35k of them stay in main campus. So many live and study in a campus, did you ever have similar experience as below:

1.it is not easy to find a place to study in library ,

2.not enough computers for students in lab

3.the book you want to borrow is often unavailable,

4.the professor to whom you wanna talk is always busy, or class size is too big ?

I just wanna know as a giant university, UT has enough resoures and facility to serve its large student population ? ^.^

Did I worry too much ? ”

答：

1, it's easy to find somewhere to study, your own college, libraries, ....

2, sometimes when several courses have asignments due on exactly the same day, it's hard to find a work station the night before that day. You can surely understand it. So start you work earlier. In fact, I seldom go to the lab. I write and compile my programs at home and use ftp and telnet to connect to the server to submit my homeworks. This way you can do nearly anything as if you were in the lab.

3, I don't know. I seldom borrow books. I have enough to do on my own works.

4, The class size might be a little bit big. But it doesn't matter. You can reach to the prof. in course newsgroup, by email, office hour. You can ask you TA. Don't worry about it.

Generally speaking, the university is not quite efficient, yet well organized. But it's your reponsibility to find out what to do and figure out how to do it. Not like in China, where you just need to go to classroom.

There's nothing to worry about.

问：

Utkid,Wander cat,David 及其他各位大虾，请教些申请在加CS第二学位的问题，谢啦

我看了学习论坛上所有的帖子，还有些问题不大明白，以各位的经验，帮我回答回答

1.我可以在登陆前在国内申请大学吗？

2.都是通过OUAC申请的大学吗？我5月才能考Toef，我可以寄去我想申请的三家大学，但在这之前我可以申请吗？我有申请移民时的成绩单公证，有大学章子，能用于大学申请吗？

3.看了些贴子，对我国内本科不是计算机的申请人来说，好象决定是否录取最重要的就是Toef成绩？

4什么是TSE考试？哪些大学需要TSE？

5.那些大学比较适合我？比如说：Waterloo,Uot,Uwo这样的顺序？

答：

1,I heard that someone did it. But maybe you will have to apply as an international student as you v got no social insurance number. But you should be able to change your status after landing.

2,OUAC is for universies in Ontario only and I don't know if they also process international application. You can check it out with the schools directly. The schools usually have 2 deadlines. One is for application, and the other one is for supporting document, such as TOEFL and transcript. The dealines are different from school to school.

3, Yes. But Waterloo will ask you to take a high school math contest held in each March.

4, Test of Spoken English. They usually asks 50.

I know that Waterloo and Guelph need it. UBC also needs it sometimes.

5, No big difference between those schools. But Waterloo's coop program is quite appealing. And U of T, SFU, Carlton, Ottawa... are all good at CS. Each school has its own advantages.

---- 文科背景有无希望入多大读CS？

问：

因为国内学位为文科，一直没有信心能否进入多大。请教斑竹、UTKID，WANDERING CAT，多大等学校录取第二学位的标准是什末？像我这种文科背景，TOEFL270，有希望吗？我在大学的成绩包括高等数学不错，数学基础（当然是文科水平）还行，

看了UTKID关于转学分的帖子，很后悔课程描述中没认真写中国革命史等课，只简单写了一句话，估计很难转学分了。另外，因多大没要求课程描述必须有学校盖章，我只是自己打好后就寄去了，可以吗？

文科背景的攻读CS，是不是会难上加难？

答：

It's not too hard to get admitted by U of T 。

Some of my fellow students majored in medicine, international trade even English. So don't worry.

In a sense, you even have some advantages as you have much stronger reason than us to apply for a second degree in a totally different field. The registar always wondered why I would apply for a second degree of science after getting a degree in engineering. I had to find me some special reasons to convince them that it was truely necessary for me to get the second degree.

Your GPA is ok, at least better than mine. And your TOEFL is pretty good. I can't see why U of T should refuse a brilliant student like you. You will get 5 transfer credits after admitted, no matter what. However, I'm afraid you will have to study CS courses from the beginning. But it's good for you.

By the way, you mean you were good at advanced mathematics(Calculus)? That's great. Then you will have no trouble. You can handle it very well.

Your course description is ok.

3、转学分：

------------------------------------------------

You can draw some reference from the U of T calendar.

Try to make it similar to the counterpart at U of T if you want to transfer some specific courses, such as Calculus, linear algebra I, probability. On the other hand, make it look different if you want to study them at U of T. They will eventually give you 5 credits even if you were major in Chinese history. So don't worry about it.

You must provide the full description for everything because you do not know what courses will be transfered. The registrar follows its own logic, not yours. They will tranfer anything if they see fit. One of my classmate got a credit for Chinese Revolutionary History while being refused a credit for FORTRAN 77. And another one got a credit for Socialism Construction. Meanwhile, some guys with similar background got credits for 3 CSC courses. It's kind of ridiculous, but it's true.

U of T usually will ask you to have interviews with professors before giving you transfer credits. Don't worry, the pros won't ask you anything serious, just some general questions. But the professor in math department will ask you to show him your old text book for caculus. If you don't have it, he might ask you to prove a simple question of calculus. I blew the question so I only got MAT135, not MAT137, which is required to enter the CS program. But it doesn't matter, you can make it up by taking MAT224 or MAT235. I took MAT224 and got an A+.

They will send you the names and telephone numbers of the prof.'s together with the notification of admission, then you make appointments with them. Don't do it in late August though, coz you won't be able to find anyone--they will all be on vacation! I did it in early September. It was a little bit late.