Hi Aska,

Quick question…is it possible to audit a course after I’ve graduated. I love languages and want to take a language course durning the summer and UofT just happens to offer it.

Thanks,
language lover.

?????????

Language Lover,

Yes, it is possible to audit a course after you’ve graduated. However, this means that all you really get to do is attend the lectures. You won’t get any graded coursework and whether or not you’re admitted to a tutorial, for example, is up to the professor.

The whole rundown on the auditing process can be found here, so give that a once over.

But if this is for the summer and if by chance the language you’re interested in is French, why not consider the Explore program? If it’s not, however, I strongly recommend going to the country where the language is spoken and just totally immersing yourself in it! I mean why come back to UofT when you’re done with it when you can do waaaaay funner things.

likewise language loving,
aska

If you a fail a prerequisite to a course that you took simultaneously in one semester, what happens to your gpa?

I know that if you fail a course it doesn’t help your gpa but, what about the course you passed? The course that requires that failed prerequisite?

?????????

Hey hey!

If you fail a course — regardless of it being a prerequisite/corequisite/whatever — your GPA curls up in a corner and cries to itself. Then your CGPA crawls to it, just falls over, and they writhe together in utter agony. Sort of.

Now I’m a little confused. How the heck are you in a course and taking its prerequisite at the same time? A prerequisite needs to be taken before the course. Are you, by any chance, in a merry pair of corequisites? Those are two courses that need to be taken together at the same time and that seem to suit your situation better.

But assuming that’s the case, if you fail corequisite uno but pass corequisite dos, the department isn’t about to just say that dos no longer counts or something like that. You’ll still have it!

Make sense? I hope so!

soaked socks,
aska

Hello;

I am currently in my first year at UofT St. George, and recently thought of perhaps minoring in economics. My current semester consists of ENG150Y, POL101Y, HIS109Y, ANT100Y, and PSY100H. However if I were to commit myself to such a task, I would have to enrol in ECO105Y and a full-year math credit, thereby taking me over the limit of 100-level course allowed by 0.5 (I would be at 6.5 credits). Just out of curiosity, what happens if I go over this limit, and, if it comes down to not counting the grades of one of my courses, how will this affect me? (example: if they told me that they would discard my mark in, say, psychology, then would I be eligible to take psych at the 200 level?)

Thanks for the assistance
-Josh

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Hi Josh,

Okay so the basic rule is that after taking 6.0 100-levels, any other 100s are deemed extra credit and the grades don’t count towards your CGPA.

But you’re clearly in a weird situation. Basically, the way to get what you want — that being taking all 6.5 credits and having PSY100H be the extra–is to make sure you take either MAT137Y or MAT157Y for your first year math requirement. As in you’ll need to take a Y-course. According to the calendar, if a student were to have 5.5 100-level courses and wanted to take an additional Y 100-level, the last H credit taken would be deemed the extra. And since PSY100H is going to be the only H credit you’ve finished, that’ll be the one deemed extra. This means that if you take the MAT135H+MAT136H route, the latter would be the one deemed extra.

But even if your PSY100H became listed as extra, you can definitely still take 200-level courses in psych! 🙂

However, I do feel obligated to ask: why the sudden urge to do an economics minor? You have neither of the prerequisites, so is this actually something you want?

Just consider this before you put yourself in another 2.0 credits! I mean what a drag your summer would be if you tried to finish these then…

Cheers!

aska

Hey aska,

I’m currently finding myself in a frustrating situation in terms of term two courses. As a first year student, when picking my schedule in August, I
wasn’t sure whether I’d want to pursue a specialist or a double major, so I ended up choosing courses that I no longer need (since I’m going with a
double major). As a result, I have two vacancies in my schedule – so I thought that I’d go ahead and satisfy my breadth… that was easier said than done. I literally sifted through the calendar (I know) and of the 40 possibilities (that could actually fit in with the remainder of my schedule), only 3 less-than-satisfactory courses aren’t full :/ I then decided to just look for fun courses that I could select instead (thinking I’ll just deal with breadth in year three or four), but they’re all full too. I just don’t know what to do anymore :/ (aaand keeping the physics and calc courses that I no longer need sounds terrible to me, since I suck at both). I just feel that the longer it takes me to figure this out, the more the wait lists will grow (and so will my panic). So what should I do? Should I pursue breadth or just fill my schedule with etc. courses? *How *do I actually get myself into courses at this point? I also feel uneasy about wait lists (since it seems like I’ll have to join some one way or another): is a number such as 65 waiting for 500 seats a long wait list? What happens if I don’t get in from the wait list – I’ll be short that credit! I know I just tossed a million questions at you, but I’m really anxious about all of this. Thanks so much for reading.

FirstYearIsWayTooStressful

?????????

Holy way too many questions.

Okay I’m going to answer these as well as I can and hopefully I don’t miss any.

When you’re choosing your courses for the S term just before it, yeah, seeing waitlist after waitlist is going to happen. I mean think about it: you were already behind fourth, third, and second year students in your initial enrollment, and then a lot of time has passed since then, meaning non-degree students and UTSC or UTM people get in your way too. It totally sucks but that’s just how it is.

So remember as a rule of university (and life, I suppose): never ever ever ever ever procrastinate! Granted, you didn’t figure things out until much later…

Anyhow, right now, since ROSI is essentially in its every-man-for-himself mode and you just keep refreshing course pages in hopes of a vacancy, you’re better off just taking what you can. Even if it isn’t a requirement, you can at least get something to fill in your 20 FCE right? Likewise, maybe you’ll even find something that interests you!

Don’t feel too stressed out. Unfortuantely, given how last minute it is, your choices are really limited, but I’m sure you’ll find something to fill the void with as long as you’re not too picky. But if you find that you really, really cannot find anything, then there’s always summer school. Or, since we’ve all been graced with those annoying flat fees, you can just take an extra course next year.

Happy course hunting!

aska

?????????

Hey hey!

So when you retake the class, your CGPA will change in that it will still?include the failed grade, but also the new (passing) one!

ruing retakes,
aska

Hey aska,

I’m a first-year student at U of T St. George right now and I’m studying the humanities. I just finished first semester with decent marks. As time goes on, I realize that I really wanna do computer science instead. I do programming in my spare time and as much as I love the arts, well, I can take them as electives right? I’m starting to realize that studying practical skills will be beneficiary? and might be the only way I’ll survive four years at this school.

How do I go about transferring over to comp sci? Do I just start next year by taking the courses that are required like math and such? The whole process seems very confusing. Also, I didn’t take calculus in high school. I know most of the stuff as I also study it in my spare time. I’m just not sure if I can even get in at this point. How should I start this process?

But thanks for reading about my life problems bro, I really appreciate it 🙂

Love,
The Puzzled Philospher

?????????

To the Puzzled Philosopher:

I love that you used a name! Names are great but no one ever uses them.

Anyhow, Computer Science and whatever you’re in now are both in the Faculty of Arts and Science, so you can actually pursue both programs at the same time as long as you have the necessary prerequisites. However, your main problem seems to be your lack of high school Calculus, which is basically essential for any first-year Math course, which is in turn essential for a major in Computer Science.

What I would recommend doing is looking at the PUMP program offered by the Department of Mathematics. They define PUMP as:

PUMP is a non-credit course designed for students who have not taken the appropriate high school mathematics prerequisites for university calculus and linear algebra. It equips students with the necessary background knowledge required to succeed in first year mathematics courses. PUMP may also be taken by individuals who wish to close any existing gap between high school math and University level math courses or any one who wish to review high school math before attempting University level math or other science courses.

Basically, it’ll cover your missing high school Calculus credit for you and make you eligible for 100-level Math credits here at UofT. Unfortunately, it is non-credit and there will be a fee, but it will certainly prepare you for whatever first-year Math course you want to take. There’s a PUMP section offered next January, so I recommend getting on that so you can take some Math courses in your second year.

Cheers!

aska

Hi aska,

I can’t seem to find much information about CLA230 Introduction to Greek History and I was wondering if you could share anything you know about it (how it is marked, content etc.). I was also wondering if you could suggest any half-year courses that I could take that only has tests to determine marks (essay-writing isn’t my strong suit)? I’m looking for social sciences courses and I am on the St. George Campus. Oh, and could you possibly tell me anything about courses that U of T offers online? I can’t seem to find much information on that either.

Thanks a bunch and sorry for the many questions!

?????????

Hey hey!

Sadly, I don’t have anything to tell you about CLA230. The unfortunate thing is that not all departments release they’re course syllabi before classes begin — very few do, actually. But if they are available somewhere on the world wide web, they’ll most likely be on the department’s page.

Now I don’t know any specific courses that can work for you, but I suppose straying away from any humanities ones would be a good idea since more often than not, they call for papers. But really, so do the social sciences. And physical sciences — although in these sections they parade under the title of “reports” or “research papers.” Most classes do really, because fun fact: university is about research! And then there’s the even funner part about university in which we must convey said research. Yuck. The only course I had that didn’t call for essays was SOC101 from way back when in my first year, but that course actually kind of sort of led to a lot of nervous breakdowns for me so I don’t think I want to recommend it. But there was also CLA160, which for me, was graded by midterm, exam, and tutorial, but I don’t even remember my professor’s name (sad as that may be) so who knows if he’s still teaching it…

What you can do is make some wild assumptions about courses based on their calender descriptions as to whether or not they’ll call for papers, as silly as that sounds, and then load up your ROSI account because technically you’re allowed to be enrolled in 6.0 FCE. I really shouldn’t but I personally do that, go to all the first classes, collect the syllabi, and drop the ones that have monotonous profs or that call for group presentations.

But to determine what courses are available next semester, check out UofT’s brand new Course Finder website! It’s pretty awesome.

And as for online courses, you’re not finding any info on them because another unfortunate fact is that St. George doesn’t have any… or well, they’re in the works. Basically this is the extent of it, but you’re definitely allowed to take other campuses’ online classes if you’re interested.

Happy searching!

aska

Hey Aska,

After doing poorly in a full year course, I am thinking of dropping it and taking Intro to Classics CLA160H1 as an alternative in the winter/spring.

What can you tell me about it other than what the website says? From a student perspective that will help me decide what to do.

Thanks!

?????????

Hey hey!

So you want to know aboout Intro to Classics do you? Well lucky for you, I actually took that one many many moons ago. Many. Many.

The first thing I notice when I think back to CLA160 is that I actually do not recall my prof’s name. First strike. Next, mine was a bit of a night class so I did this thing where I would leave at break and head over to H&M just down the street and… Okay, second strike.

But aside from all of that, I actually loved the content. I’m terrible at staying in lectures (especially at night), so don’t let the above two strikes get to you. The truth is that the course is super fun and extremely interesting. You learn about cultures, history, and super awesome empires. Kudos to you, Alexander the Great! And it really shows you just how much Greek and Roman histories echo in everyday life. Have you ever watched Troy? Ever read 300? Seen Rome? When I was in first-year, admittedly, CLA160 was one of my more content-heavy classes, but it was also one of my favourites!

Though for another opinion, maybe hit up the ASSU Anti-Calender.

Cheers!

aska

Hi there,

So I’m a first-year student in the St. George campus and I’m taking a course that I find really boring: DRM100. I’m only taking it because all the other courses I wanted (psychology, sociology, astronomy) were full during course enrolment time. Anyway, I want to drop this course and switch to HIS107Y1. It’s six weeks into this year, so I’d only be missing five lectures so far for HIS107. Would it be possible (and do good for my sanity) if I enrol now?

Thanks so much!

– BB

?????????

Hey BB,

If you?re really set on it, you can definitely drop DRM100. Just make sure to do it before November 4, 2012 to make sure there?s nothing on your transcript.

However, there?s no more enrolling into F or Y courses. Unfortunately, enrollment in F and Y courses hasn?t been available since September 23. So if you really want to take HIS107, you?ll have to either hope it?s offered in the summer session or simply take it next year.

Sorry about that!

aska

Hi im a student at uoft
i was placed on probation and then suspended for 1 year and I have 3.5 credits completed from the previous year, what do i need to be considered to be in my 2nd year of university? is 4.0 credits okay? because i have 2 0.5 credits this semester so that would mean if i passed with good grades those two courses would make my credit count 4.5 would i be considered 2nd year at school or no?

———————————————

Yo yo,

According to my handy dandy Calendar, you need at least 4.0 FCE to be considered a second-year. So with my superpower of deductive reasoning, I arrive at the conclusion that when you get to 4.5, you will indeed be a second-year.

Cheers!

aska

Hi aska,

I’m an incoming freshman from the states and I had a few questions…In the U.S., you’re not required to take calculus in high school. I took precalc in 11th grade and then took AP Stats in 12th grade. Apparently, in Canada, you’re required to take calculus in high school in order to graduate. Is this a significant set-back? Will it be much much harder for me in my math class? (I’m taking MAT135 by the way, at UTM)

Also, I have taken both AP bio and AP psych exam and gotten a 4 and a 5, respectively. I wanted to receive credit for PSY100 instead of bio due to the fact that I’m a med school hopeful (I know, I know…but I still want to try!) and I felt that I did not learn enough in my AP biology class. The thing is though, I want psychology to be one of my majors and due to the fact that I want to pursue a double major in Psychology and Economics, my schedule is going to be tight and I want to move on to the 2nd year courses in hopes that it will save some time (and yes, I have already talked to the department of psychology about this and they said it’s fine to register for 2nd year classes). However, I’m not entirely sure if it’s a good idea because I’m afraid it’d be too much for me to handle. So far, I signed up for PSY201H5F, PSY220, and PSY270. I would take just one each semester, but in order for me to declare psychology as a major, I need to take PSY201 and two psych classes.

So…I guess my question all boils down to this: is going into 2nd year classes too much for a freshman to handle? Are they significantly harder than 1st year courses? Just as a reference in case you need it, my other classes are ECO100, MAT135, and PHY135/136 (so…yes, 4.5 credits in total). Oh and also…are there any tips you would give to an incoming freshman?

Sorry for the really long question…and thank you so so much!

Kate

?????????

Hey there,

I?m not sure who told you that little Calculus tidbit, but be sure to give them a piece of your mind ASAP. In Canada?or at least in Ontario?we don?t need to take Calculus to graduate either. Technically, you don?t need to take any Math classes at all in grade 12 to graduate. Believe me. I wouldn?t have made it if we did. But while MAT135 does recommend having taken Calculus in grade 12, it is still just a recommendation. How have you been doing thus far? You?re the judge, really. But if you do feel like you?re having trouble, the UTM Mathematics Department apparently offers workshops for first-year Calculus courses on Fridays from 3PM to 5PM at William Davis 3093.

Now as for your Psychology problems: no, second year courses aren?t too much to handle for a first year. Of course, this all really depends on your work ethic and how well you handle your studies. If you do take them though, it might be wiser to put them into the second semester so that you can spend the first one getting a vibe for what university is like. Just make sure you take the introductory courses at least so you have some groundwork.

And tips for an incoming freshmans?

• Go to your all of lectures. Seriously. Seriously.
• Stay on top of your readings and/or assignments. It’s never fun having to reread the same sentence over and over again because it won’t set in the first time around because you’re that tired.
• Join clubs/student societies/etc. Meet lots of people! You’ll have a much better experience that way.
• Go to office hours. No, it doesn’t make you a brown-noser. But it can definitely be beneficial when some time down the road you need an academic reference or something. Likewise, it won’t hurt your participation marks to have your Professor actually know your name.
• Take a writing course at some point. There are many, many people that make it into university who cannot write and it is absolutely mind-boggling. University is about research and critical thinking and being able to express what you find in an understandable way is just as important.

Good luck!

aska