• courses,  first year,  UTM

    bad habits — to begin or to break…

    August 19, 2013

    Hi,

    I was wondering if it would be better to take full year electives or 2 half credit electives. Im currently a first year student in social sciences and planning to switch to either management or commerce second year. Are there any courses you recommend to boost my mark?

    The courses im taking are:

    ECO100Y5 Y – Introduction to Economics

    ERS103H5 F – Geol & Public Issues?(Although i dont know if i want to switch this to something else or not.. Some people told me its not as easy)

    LIN200H5 F – Intro to Language

    MAT135Y5 Y – Calculus

    PHL245H5 F – Mod Symbolic Logic

    SOC100H5 S – Introduction to Sociology

    And i also have a conflict in my timetable.. both of them are lectures.. so is that okay? or….. Iknow its bad to skip classes but i have no choice. The conflict is between one of the MAT135 lectures and LIN200 lecture.

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Personally, I prefer taking two half courses instead of a year-long course mostly because when exam time comes around in April, I can barely recall what the heck I learned back in October. Granted, at the same time, I do enjoy that that Y course wouldn’t plague me too much in the December exam period…

    As for courses that might boost your mark, take a look at a few of our “bird course” posts.

    Though take those lists with a grain of salt because what makes something a “bird course” to one person can very well make it the hardest thing on earth to another person.

    And timetable conflicts?

    Don’t do them.

    Like don’t.

    You have lectures for a reason. Go learn! I mean you’re paying for them.

    While you can certainly go about your conflict if that’s what you want, note that your professor(s) won’t be very forgiving if you have any clashing midterms or whatnot. And who knows whether or not attendance is mandatory?

    Now judging by your courses, you’re a first year, right? If your conflict is between a 100-level course and a 200-level course, I say lean toward the former. That one’s probably a prereq for something you’ll need in the future.

    You always have a choice, so try to make the smarter one.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • psychology,  subject POST,  UTM

    psyched out over psych

    July 17, 2013

    Hey aska!!

    I asked a question not too long ago, titled “how to get through summer without going full douchebag”, and i agree, i was a douchebag 🙁 but i require your assistance once more!! I have the prerequisites to switch into the Psychology program of study, but i am on academic probation! Can i still switch into psych/ how would i do that if i could?? And if i could, when would it be done?? Bless your soul aska, i love you, thanks for answering!! 🙂

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Lol I’m sorry I indirectly called you a douchebag.

    To be clear, I was referring to your ACTIONS, but…Ahem.

    Anyhow, the second round of POSt requesting at UTM last June 17 to August 30, so get on that now!

    All you do is go on ROSI, request the psych major or specialist or whatever, and then await a response which probably won’t come until September 9. If you met the required grade or whatever and were invited, just accept the offer and become active. 🙂

    And yes, you can still go into psych even if you’re on probation.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • UTM

    freedom is a funny thing

    July 10, 2013

    Hey,

    I am currently enrolled in Chemical & Physical sciences at University of Toronto-Mississauga and I chose all the courses I need for a major in Chemistry. But I am having trouble in choosing the “Practical” or “elective” courses because I don’t know if I can take whatever I want or if there are requirements. I can’t seem to find any help on the UTM website or any other source. I need your help.

    Thanks a lot,
    Peter

    ———————————————

    Peter,

    The lovely thing about university is that no one holds your hand and no one really tells what you have to take. Or well, for the most part they don’t.

    What I recommend you do is pick your other major/two minors. To fulfil your degree requirements, you need more than just that Chem major to graduate, so let’s work on the idea that you want to complete a second major in Physics.

    If that were the case, you’d have to take Introductory Physics I and II (1.0 FCE) and Calculus (1.0 FCE) or their equivalents alongside Chemical Principles 1 and 2 (1.0 FCE) and, once again, Calculus.

    So what does this hypothetical situation mean?

    That you have the prereqs of your majors down and 2.0 FCE to fill up!

    So now what does THAT mean?

    That you’ve covered your bases and it’s time to move on to ~*~electives~*~! Now you can feel free to learn Spanish or take some random arts course or whatever else suits your fancy.

    Anyway, what you need to do is take a look at the calendar and pick the other programs you want to eventually enrol in come the end of your first year. After you make sure you’re taking their first year requirements, you can move on to your for-fun courses. Don’t worry. It’s not hard at all.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • math,  UTM

    not another math problem!

    July 8, 2013

    Hey Aska 🙂

    I’m a student who was enrolled in the life sciences programme at UTM last year, and I’m hoping to get into the Bio Major programme as time goes on. Due to all sorts of not-too-fun stuff, I ended up only taking my three required courses in the Fall (MAT134, CHM110, and BIO153), but eventually I managed to get my sh*t together and went for the full course load in the winter term. I managed to do okay on everything, but I failed my maths course by a few percent and got my butt on probation.

    I’m in summer school at the moment taking a 2-year SSc course that I’m acing (it’s a Y course, and I’m rocking above 80 right now), and I’m retaking maths as well. I enrolled in my courses before I knew of my academic standing (I got the email two or three weeks into the start of courses), and I’m pretty close to where I need to be anyway – I’m at a 1.48, I need 1.5 to be safe.

    So, I passed my first math quiz with a 60, but I failed the first test by 8 percent. Now, I thought I fixed my problem, but obviously I haven’t. So here are my questions:

    1) As a kid intending to go on into the bio major programme, can I use my No Credit/Credit option on this stupid maths course?

    2) Would it make sense to drop the course and try taking an online thing at Athabasca and having the credit transferred?

    3) Should I push through and see how I do until the LWD date?

    I don’t know what to do :/

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    For starters, I want to stress your working your butt off this summer to avoid the possibility of suspension.

    But your questions:

    1) No, you cannot use the CR/NCR option if this math course is a program requirement. CR/NCR courses can only fulfil degree requirements, not program ones.

    2) Honestly… no, I don’t think you should drop it and take it online. Using transfer credits for program requirements is always such a hassle. It’s doable, but clarify with the department if they’d be willing to take a transfer credit for entry.

    3) Push through until the last day to drop. Don’t bank on a LWD because those are never guaranteed.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • UTM,  UTSC

    in the words of cady heron…

    July 4, 2013

    Is there a max. limit to the number of courses you can take at UTM or UTSC to meet degree requirements?

    ———————————————

    Okay so

    After checking the calendar and finding it to be seemingly correct (as it should be) but also somewhat suspicious, I had to delve in further and go about asking many people, being referred to other people, and then getting to the head honcho.

    But I found your answer:

    (I love that movie.)

    As it would seem, UTM and UTSC have their own limitations in terms of their students taking courses at St. George, but apparently, if a St. Georger wants to go elsewhere, they can go elsewhere. AND they can take as many courses as they want!

    BUT—

    You’re just going to have to do a lot of talking to the registrar’s office to make sure you’re properly fulfilling your degree requirements. Those are all set up in the calendar and on Degree Explorer to accommodate St. George courses, so just make sure whatever you take will suffice.

    For example, if you take BIOA01H3 which is the exclusion of BIO120H1, clarify with your registrar that it can still count towards fulfilling group 4. I’m sure they’ll let it slide, but be sure to double check everything. 🙂

    I highly doubt you’ll have any trouble though if you’re just concerned with degree requirements.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • life science,  UTM

    no leniency for life science

    July 3, 2013

    Hello,

    I got admitted into UTM in about April or May, I have taken Pre-Calc and Calc 12; Chem 12; Bio 12, and English 12.

    I have recently logged into my ROSI account, and I looked at my time table there, there are already some courses on there (are those mandatory courses?). Also, do I have to take English? Is English a Mandatory first year course for life science?

    Thank you very much,
    Jean

    ———————————————

    Jean,

    UTM makes your timetables for you?

    I did not know that. I am enlightened. Thank you.

    Granted, their website DOES say that all first-year students take first-year bio, chem, and math with wording that makes it seem like you don’t have a choice, so I guess those are mandatory.

    And no, you don’t have to take English. Don’t worry, you’re not in high school anymore. 😉

    What you do have to take/should take is all based on the program you’re aiming to get into, so take a look at the calendar to decide.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • Transferring,  UTM

    playing hard to get with utm

    June 25, 2013

    Hi there, i got accepted to UTM but i didnt choose your school. Howver, im planning to make a transfer to UTM next year. My program is Life Science, so i want to ask what are the requirements for Life Science level 2 in UTM? Please reply me as soon as possible

    Thank you

    ———————————————

    Yo yo

    Lol I love the sense of urgency attached to a message that won’t be relevant for another six months of so.

    So the best thing for you to do is to check out the calendar and see just what Life Science program you’d like to be in. “Life Science” is just a stream that you start off in, whereas you can delve a little deeper into molecular biology or whatever suits your fancy.

    Next… just take the typical staple courses at this other university. There’s no set list of required courses once you’re transferring from another university.

    Take bio and chem and whatever you think might be relevant — and make sure you do well in them. The minimum grade you need to get the credit transferred over is 60%, but make sure you do super well so that the program will consider this transfer credit for entering their major/specialist.

    Just take into account that everything you want might not be transferred over!

    Also, transferring tends to be an expensive, tedious, and laborious task, which brings me to what’s just totally baffling me: why the heck did you not just choose UTM?

    xoxo,
    aska

    Read More
  • digital enterprise management,  UTM

    i should be the only priority — part the second

    June 20, 2013

    So, as the Commerce/Management ship sinks for 90% of UTM students, we try to make our way onto the DEM ship. Only thing is I’m SO confused.

    Ok, so I finished 3.5 credits. I am doing another 1.5 over summer and will have 5 come September.? The only thing is, I know I can’t enrol in 2nd year CCT courses until I have a subject POSt. So I am just planning on enroling in a temporary one so I can get into the courses on July 26th. I already applied to the philosophy specialist post (eww, but don’t have any other choice). I did well in 1st year philosophy and I have a 2.9 GPA.

    But is it true that I won’t find out if I got in until September 9th?? So I can’t even enroll on the 26th like I had planned?? OMG. *que anxiety attack*

    Or is it possible that I could get in at any time before the 26th?? In a few weeks I should have that 4th credit.

    HELPPP MEEEEE!

    ———————————————

    Dude.

    Firstly, I literally answered this question a few days ago.

    Secondly, I’m finding it mildly alarming that I am getting so many questions from UTMers over enrolment controls. Guys! It’s literally at the top of the timetable page if you wisely consider the legend! LITERAAAALLLLLLLLY. Look at what “priority” means and save yourself some anxiety!

    Sigh.

    Anyway, to expand on the answers you can find via being a university student and doing some preliminary reading, no, you won’t have to wait until September 9th when you’re actually in the DEM program.

    If you actually read what is written in the bright yellow box over whatever courses you’re currently not priority for, you’ll see that it says:

    Priority is given to certain groups of students to enrol first and then the course becomes available to other UTM students on July 26, 2013.

    Meaning, you just have to wait until July 26, when the priority period ends.

    dealing with dem for the second time,
    aska

    Read More
  • courses,  UTM

    picking posts is so last month

    June 19, 2013

    Hi,

    I am a student at UTM and I am a huge question. For first year, I drop 2 courses and is currently retaking them in summer. So by the end of summer, I will have 4 credits. However, during the first year, I didnt apply to any subject post. And right now, when I try to add any course, Rosi wont allow me due to no subject post! ! I try adding all kinds of courses, but can not! I look at the important dates, the only chance to apply subject post I get is from June 17~August 30 and able to accept invitation starting on Sept.9. Does that mean I am only able to add course until Sept.9??? I am really worried.

    I am interested in Chemistry and or Psychology programs, although I am interested in other programs but i wont fulfil the grade and course requiremnet. The courses I have in mind are BIO200H5F, BIO206H5F, BIO207H5S, BIO215H5S, BIO153H5S, CHM211H5F, CHM231H5F, CHM242H5F, CHM243H5S, PSY201H5F,PSY270H5S,PSY274H5F,PSY280H5S. I want to apply Biology related program at the end of second year.

    Thank you,
    Annie C.

    ———————————————

    AC,

    (Shhh, yes, I ammm clever.)

    Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait for the results of the second request period to come out to get into some of the courses that you want. Those ones give priority to students that got into their subject POSt beforehand until July 26.

    However, until then, if you want to get into courses, you’ll have to enrol in a random Type 1 POSt and then go for courses with NO holds on them that also relate to your program! 🙂

    Or, if you can’t get them to relate to your program, at least fulfill some random degree requirements.

    But luckily for you, you’re in a good place! So even if your POSt ends up being… English, just for the sake of having a POSt, the 200-level CHM courses you want don’t seem to have any restrictions on them. So enrol

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • UTM

    i should be the only priority

    June 17, 2013

    Hi,

    I’m in the process of switching into DEM and encountered a few issues with enrolling in the required program courses. My enrolment date began on June 13th but I was restricted to enrolling due to not having a subject post as yet. Today, I’ve selected a subject post [ specialist in DEM] but cannot enrol in courses any courses. I’m not sure whats the barrier here? I still need to complete 2 first year perquisites [CCT110 and MGM102] during July-August but that shouldn’t be the problem or is it?

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Well darling…

    If you take a look at the enrolment controls for those second-year DEM courses you want to be in, you’ll see that they give priority to students actually in the DEM program until July 26.

    So since you’re not actually in the program… thar ya go.

    happy waiting,
    aska

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • enrollment,  ROSI,  UTM

    enrolment errors and other common situations

    June 13, 2013

    Hello,

    I will be asking the registrar for advice regarding my issue but I figure I might as well ask here too in case you may have encountered this same issue, and in the very least, maybe this will serve to aid any one else who encounters this issue.

    I am going into my second year however I only have the credits to be considered a first year. Which is fine. But I am taking 1.5 credits this summer, which would place me into the second year category come September. This is again as expected. The issue I am running into is however the school emailed me with my enrolment time, and stated that based on the fact that I will have the credits to be considered second year, that I will be enrolling at the same time as students with 4.0-8.5 credits.

    Then comes the day and I have all my course codes ready. I punch the very first one in and am given the message “you do not fit in any enrolment category”. After a bit of searching I discovered that at least for most people this is because they either lack the necessary amount of credits, or because their subject posts are incorrect and are barred from registering into new courses. But this is where my confusion comes from.

    1. I have a major, and two minors. All are ‘active’. But since I have 3.0 credits I did not believe this would be an issue, but to be sure, I had them declared nonetheless.

    2. The courses I am choosing are second year, not third or fourth. Why would they allow me to enrol for courses if I did not have the right amount?

    3. I even tried picking up a few first year courses, just as a test, and I received the same message.

    I have no debt with the University, my entire first year completely paid off as well as my summer courses. I was a full time student. I intend to be again. My status on ROSI is ‘invited’. As far as I can tell I should be able to pick my courses and yet I cannot even pick up a first year course. This does not appear to be a global issue because someone I know was able to pick their courses just fine.

    I’m at a loss. Hopefully you can help me in this.

    Thank you for the time.

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Yeaaah your situation is quite confusing.

    The end result is that you’re going to have to talk to the registrar’s office at UTM so that they can delve into the kinks of the matter, but here are some possibilities I can propose…

    1. Your extra summer courses (that 1.5 FCE) are from a different university. If that’s the case, they might just not be getting put into the credit count by ROSI.

    2. You’re just having bad luck with the enrolment controls. For example, although you’re trying with 100-level courses, those usually give priority to incoming students and fourth/fifth year students.

    3. You’re not meeting prerequisites. Sometimes you just need 4.0 FCE. Look for a course that seems to be pretty fair game for now.

    Annnnnnd that’s all I’ve got.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • UTM

    getting through summer school without going full douchebag

    June 6, 2013

    Hey aska! I’m in kind of a pickle at the moment, and I need some advice 🙁 In brief, I messed up, badly. But here’s the story: I had to drop math in first year and I am retaking it in summer school now. I also failed another course in first year, meaning that if I finished math this summer, I’d have 4 courses completed by the end of this summer. Here’s what I’m worried about, I am bad at math, and I need a 60% in it right now to NOT be suspended for a year (because of my horrifying GPA). I’m in chemical and physical sciences, so I have to take math, but maybe I shouldn’t have taken it in the summer considering my circumstances. Anyways sorry about the rant, My question is:

    1. If I drop math in the summer before the July 28th deadline where it appears on my academic transcript, will the” 1.5 CGPA or 1.7 Session GPA” still be in effect for this summer? Or will it start up again in second year, where I’ll still be “on probation” until I am assessed again?

    2. The date to pick courses for 2nd year is June 13th, for students with (or will have) 4.0 to 8.5 credits. Right now, I’m en route to getting those 4 credits so I can choose my second year courses at that date. If I drop math AFTER I pick my courses on June 13th, will they remove the courses I have chosen for second year, since i will no longer have 4 credits by the end of summer?

    3. Lets say I just can’t do math, but I finished the prerequisites for another program that doesn’t need math, Psychology. Would I be able to switch into that this summer, drop math, leaving number 2 to be the only question I should be asking??

    I apologize for the length of this question, and if I was not supposed to ask a question of such large magnitude, I apologize for that as well and I guess I’ll talk to the academic advisor. If you do answer it, thank you so so much and bless your divine soul. Whoever you are, i love you 🙂

    ———————————————

    Hey there

    No need to be sorry. Your question isn’t thaaaaaaaaat long. Or well, I’ve just seen longer. And less organized! But kudos to you for knowing how to use numbers efficiently. I suppose that’s what one year at UofT gives you.

    Anyhow:

    1. Ummm forgive me if I’m not answering you correctly but here — if you drop math, which I assume is a Y course, by July 28 (the last day to drop a Y course without any academic record), then basically you’re going to remain on probation and it’ll be like the summer never happened.

    And, more importantly, there won’t be the risk of you ending up on suspension.

    To be honest, I sort of recommend dropping math… In the end it’s up to whether or not you actually work towards doing better this time around, but for the most part, students on probation are cautioned against summer courses.

    Like not to be harsh but… well if you couldn’t handle a regular semester, what makes you think you can do an accelerated one, right?

    2. Theoretically, you can totally do that, and, most likely, not be booted out of the courses you go into, but can I just tell you that that would be soooo incredibly unethical?

    aska does not endorse this sort of douchebaggery.

    Also, weigh the pros and cons out properly. Sure, you’ll be enrolling in courses a week early, but at the same time, if you drop that course after June 10 (the last day to get at least a 50% refund), you’ll have wasted a good thousand dollars or so.

    3. As long as you have the prerequisites, you can basically go into whatever program you want.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • grad school,  UTM

    grad school: every student’s safety net

    June 5, 2013

    Hello Aska,

    I will be graduating next week from UTM and have a few questions. I would really love to pursue a Masters in Psychology, preferably in counselling. The problem is my GPA is 2.3, (my average from the last two years is 72%). Basically my first year is bringing my average down.
    I know Master in Psychology programs are crazy competitive and require insane GPAs, research experience and GRE scores, etc. The most important thing for me to do right now is be realistic with myself and with my abilities. I’m contemplating returning to UTM in the fall to do an individual research project (I spoke with the Psych. department and I will most likely be able to do one), and maybe raise my GPA (however I’m not too keen on taking extra courses. It costs too much money, and I can’t even guarantee it will raise my GPA).

    I think Western uni is my best shot at the moment. They have a masters in counselling psychology, that requires a 70% average from the last two years, and an individual research project. That application is in feb. of next year. Should I go back and complete an IRP? I know the admission says 70% minimum, but the reality is that the competitive average is probably a lot higher. They accept 24 people for interviews, and probably only accept a fraction of them. Should I even bother going back? I don’t want to waste my time and my parents money..
    (Also, they don’t require GRE scores, but would this be a good idea to submit anyway?)

    I’ve already had this semester off and am waiting for graduation, but I don’t know what to do next. I’m having difficultly finding a full time job (my major is in Psychology). I am applying to teachers college this december but am not to keen on pursuing that anymore (and even if I do get accepted, its another whole year I’ll have to wait). Please help me! What should I do? Do I even still have time to get in to UTM for the fall (as I realize there’s an online application process?)

    Thanks for your advice, its much appreciated!! 🙂

    ———————————————

    Yo yo

    So as you might know, when it comes to grad school questions and their specific requirements, my answers don’t really stray far from it depends on the specific school.

    Now for this situation and for the sake of your wallet, I’m going to be completely honest with you.

    You’re asking the student and the student is answering that if I was in your shoes, no, I would not go back. Realistically, one year back isn’t going to have a huge effect on your CGPA. Likewise, you’re most likely going to follow the same patterns and just maintain your current CGPA so unless you plan on ignoring the world in favour of studying, nothing’s going to change.

    If I were you, I’d nix the grad school dreams for now out of practicality and get a job.

    Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s easy to say that it’s just sooooo hard to find a job, but I mean lezbehonest — if you were desperate, you’d find one. And if you’re like me and swimming in an ocean of student debt, you’d learn how to settle for working at a children’s shoe store and dealing with loud smelly brats > finding a job that you love. I mean it’s just to pass the time and pay the bills. You don’t have to be there permanently.

    But take a look at what the career centre lists for you. They honestly have some pretty awesome job posts there!

    Now that’s me. For YOU…

    What you do all really depends on just how badly you want to go to grad school.

    Do you REALLY want to go? Because everyone “wants to go to grad school” at some point in university, but for the most part, I’d say that’s just some excuse to avoid entering Real Life. If grad school really is your dream though, then yeah, of course go back to school and do what you must. I don’t think one year of 90s is going to raise your CGPA enough for consideration (a lot of places require at least a 3.0), but at least you’re trying. Just keep in mind that grad schools, for the most part, are competitive for students in the A range sooooooo.

    Yeah.

    I mean there are other options. You can do a post-graduate certificate at a college, you can, again, get a job and think about things, you can do some volunteer work in your field to be suuuuure grad school/that program you like is actually for you, yada yada yada.

    tl;dr = only go back if you’re honestly sure grad school — work-your-ass-off, expensive-as-balls, time-consuming grad school — is actually what you want and you’re not just trying to prolong student living.

    And no, don’t bother with the GRE scores.

    xoxo,

    aska

    Read More