• courses,  first year

    it’s a shame about ray

    May 19, 2011

    Hey aska,
    I was just wondering as a first year student coming in to u of t, when do we start selecting our courses? I haven’t chosen which campus I’m going to attend but since the deadline is until June 2, I assume that it will be after that date that we will be able to pick our courses. Am I right?
    Thanks a lot,Ray

    ???????????????

    RE: title. Don’t worry, it’s just a Lemonheads reference. I couldn’t resist!

    Onto your question. It’s probably already time for you to become BFFs with the Arts& Science calendar (which you can pick up at your registrar, or access here). All the important dates for choosing your classes can be found in the timetable, but I’ll roll it out here in advance.

    Before you select your classes, you will need a start time. Start times are staggered by year of study and program. You will be able to view your start time on ROSI starting JULY 5. The first date to choose your classes is JULY 25. This site explains it all in full if you think I’m speaking gibberish.

    After you select your classes, just pay the minimum amount to register by AUGUST 24 and you”ll be good to go! Talk to your college registrar about booking an appointment about course selection.

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  • courses,  failing,  GPA

    a second-year first year

    April 29, 2011

    Hi,

    I am currently a University of Toronto Mississauga first year students, I am a full time students.

    Right now I finished all the exams, but I failed 2 courses and now I only have 1.5 credits.

    Will I get into second years? what is the minum credit requirment ?

    I will be very appriciated if you can solve my problem.

    Thank you very much

    ———————————————

    Hi there. Sorry to hear that you had a rough year. Year of study is determined by the number of courses you have taken. Because you have only passed 1.5 credits this year, you will still be considered a “first year student.” You will be considered a first year until you have passed five full year credits. The only thing this affects is your start time for course enrollment and when you can apply for a subject PoST. It might also affect some classes that you can register for next term.

    I’d recommend booking an appointment with your UTM registrar to figure out what classes you would like to register in for your second year of school. Are you also on Academic Probation? That will affect the minimum GPA you’ll need to continue to enroll in classes at UTM.

    Book that appointment.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  subject POST,  summer

    summertime courses are the kind i like

    April 29, 2011

    Hey aska,

    Today I enrolled for my summer courses. After, I had deleted a subject post (a major) because i wanted to change it for something else. But it turned out that I can’t add anything right now. So now I’m stuck with a major and a minor. Is it possible that the enrollment for my summer courses will be rejected because of that? Since the major and minor combo isn’t the correct format?

    Thanks,

    Minecrafter

    ???????????????

    Dear Minecrafter,

    This question is a little bit hard to answer because you have not given me any specifics. But according to the calendar, even restrictive Type 2 and 3 subject PoSTs should be yours for the requestin’ until May 23rd. Did you somehow anger ROSI? Try requesting it again online. And if you have trouble doing that, come into your registrar’s office and we should be able to sort out how to you can get into your summer courses. (The deadline to pay your fees passed yesterday though! Oops!)

    Remember that the proper subject PoSt combo is a major and two minors, a specialist or a double major. So even if you added another minor that you didn’t particularly care for (Type 1), you could register for summer classes. In fact, maybe this is the entire problem?

    I just blew your “mine” a little, didn’t I?

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  exclusions

    I want to be the exclusion, not the rule

    January 14, 2011

    Hi Aska!

    I have three questions regarding summer sessions and course exclusions.

    1) If the summer session is split into the first half (F) and second half (S) semesters, are we allowed to enroll in just half of the summer session, or do we have to enroll in both the first and second half of the session? If we are allowed to do just half, do we still have to pay for the full summer session?

    2) On the Calendar it says it’s *recommended* to take a maximum of 2.0 FCEs during the summer session, but what are the chances of the registrar approving taking more than the maximum course load? The rules says that if we are in good standing, we can request through the registrar to add additional courses, and approval is at the discretion of the registrar. So IF we are allowed to enroll in only half of the summer session, we would normally only take 1.0 FCE during that time. But is it possible to take 1.5 FCEs instead in half the summer session? I know that in the case of the Fall/Winter session, the registrar almost never approves taking more than 6.0 FCEs (I was told), so does it hold true for the summer session?

    3) For course exclusions, if a certain course we need for our degree doesn’t fit our schedule very well, can we take a course listed on “exclusions” as a substitute for it to fullfill our degree requirements? My understanding is that we get exclusions for a course if we took a course that is too similar to another course; thus, we aren’t allowed to take the similar course again. So if that’s the case, if there is a course I need for my degree (HMB200H1S) but it is a prerequisite to HMB300H1S and I want to take it on the same year but can’t because it’s offered in the same semester only, can I instead take PSY290H1F (an exclusion to HMB200H1S)?

    Thank you so much for your help!

    ———————————————

    Holla,
    Your organized method rubbed off on me.

    1) Yes you can enroll in just half of the summer session. Simply choose half courses offered in the first term (or second I guess). For the summer session, the fees are paid per course.

    2) the reason they recommend taking only 2.0 credits in the summer is because the course load is twice that of the regular fall/winter courses. Pretty much they cram 4 months into 2. Now if you want to take more than the recommended amount of courses, I would suggest making an appointment with your academic advisors.

    3) And no, you can’t take the exclusion as a replacement. You have to take the exact courses listed for the degree requirements.

    Yours truly,
    Aska

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  • courses

    HELP! Opinion: CHM247 or BCH311

    January 10, 2011

    Dearest Aska,

    This might sound trivial compared to other questions you get, but I’m honestly having trouble deciding between two courses. I’m a second year student in life sci with the hope of going into the medschool in Canada, but my current gpa sits around 3.6-3.7. I’m debating between CHM247 and BCH311 for this winter term, but neither are requirements for my program and I don’t really know where to turn to. I’ve looked at the Anti-Calendar from the ASSU, but is there a reliable place where I can ask other students who have taken the course?

    Frustrated

    ???????????????

    Hey there probably-even-more-frustrated -with- the-delay- of- response

    The anti-calendar is probably your best option as that it is student opinions, organized and run by other students. I would also suggest checking ratemyprofessor.com to see if the prof for either is make or break.

    <sounds alarms>
    Help!!
    Has anyone taken either CHM247 or? BCH 311 and can help this brotha/sista out. Post a comment if you have

    Peace baby,
    Aska

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  • courses,  dropping courses

    get rid of that course, like a G6

    October 18, 2010

    Hey aska, I have a question regarding second semester courses. There’s still a couple of months left before second semester starts and I realized that I don’t want to do a specific second semester course. Is there any way for me to cancel my course enrolment and get my money back?

    Thanks a bunch!
    Demi

    ???????????????
    Hey Demi (Moore?),

    Yippie!

    I love when i can give positive answers.

    You’ve got it dude! You can definitely get rid of that nasty old course AND get your full money back.

    If? it’s a Winter session class/ a section ‘s’ course you can go on to ROSI, click on Course Enrollment, then List Courses. Then to the right of the course box is an option to ‘drop course’ click that baby, confirm and you’re in the clear. You can switch around ‘S’ courses until Jan 9th and get full money back.

    If for some reason your talking about a ‘Y’ section course, you can do the same thing to drop it, but will only receive 75% of your money back.

    Happy course canceling!

    With compassionate love,
    Aska

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  • courses,  easy,  first year

    why machiavelli is the shit

    September 17, 2010
    Hey quick question. I’m majoring in polisci and i have all my courses. I was wondering if you in all your greatness have heard anything about the first year seminar “machiavelli and the power game”. gimme some news on it if you have any. also, i heard from someone that university college has a secret passage way? is this true? thanks in advanced aska

    ———————————————

    I am all powerful, but have not heard of this Machiavelli seminar before. Any aska readers out there care to divulge in the comments section?

    I did however, find a review of the class in the 2008 anti-calendar. No direct comments but the class gave the seminar a retake rate of 80% with a 3.1 grade of workload and a 3.5 grade of difficulty! Machiavelli is also, like, the shit.That guy terrorized everyone!

    The professor is the same this year, so conceivably it is pretty much the same course. On Rate My Professor, Olga Pugliese (the prof) is described as “very knowledgeable, attentive and nice”, though one student complained about the amount of student presentations for what sounds like the actual class.

    Read this and take it with a grain of salt:

    She doesn’t teach!! The entire course was other students giving presentations!! NOT what I signed up for… I didn’t pay almost $1000 for that. Class puts me to sleep and class participation is sooo low, which is really bad because it’s a seminar so it should be fairly high. Most of the students don’t come to the class.

    xoxo, Askastudent

    P.S. I have not heard of this secret passage way, though I do believe it could exist. The basement there stretches on for hours!

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  • courses,  first year,  weirdness

    after a week of school, i hate it!

    September 17, 2010

    Dear askastudent,

    I have just started first year and I realized the program Im in now is not what I really want to do, how would I be able to change my program?

    ———————————————

    Oh dear lord, honey, you have a long way to go. First of all, you are only in your first week of your first year of school – how do you know that your program is not for you yet? Secondly, you don’t even have to worry about choosing a subject PoST until second year, which you can change at any time until applying for graduation.

    The feeling that you’re experiencing is normal, especially in first year. Chances are, your classes right now are huge and overwhelming. This is a reality that will eventually chill out once you head into your upper years of whatever program you end up taking, and take on smaller seminars and class sizes.

    I’d recommend thinking about what it is that you’re passionate about and going through the calendar with an open mind. Taking a thorough look at everything U of T offers will yield unexpected surprises. Many of the colleges offer really intriguing programs with much smaller class sizes and fascinating course subjects. Other programs can offer labs, research opportunities and internships that will help you gain experience in an field of interest.

    You have to be honest with yourself and think about what you want to commit yourself to for the next four (plus) years. Are you only in your program of study because you want to please your parents? Or for practicality’s sake? That may not be a reason to stay in it.

    A great resource is your college registrar. Most of the colleges (especially Innis) have a first year counselor who can talk you through some of the concerns you might be having. It may also not be too late for you switch courses, if that’s what you intend on doing though you should pay attention to these important dates. Please keep in mind that SEPTEMBER 26th is the last day to add new “F” and “Y” courses.

    My advice is to give the first month a chance and if you really hate it, consider taking something else in the second semester.

    Let me know what you decide.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  summer,  timetable

    school’s out for summer (not really)

    September 17, 2010

    Hello there,

    I would like to know if we are allowed to take half credits that basically last only a semester during the summer session. My plan is to take 2 half credits in the first semester, a total of 1 credit, finish off, and then leave the country mid-summer for good (as an international student)

    Thank you!

    ———————————————

    Dear Ms. International,

    Both full year and half courses are offered in the summer session. Though the dates aren’t posted yet for Summer 2011 (that sounds so futuristic, doesn’t it?), last year’s first term began May 10th and ended June 18th, with final exams and tests running until June 25th.

    Then you can escape off to Europe and find yourself! (I recommend eating currywurst.)

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  languages

    ennui, ennui

    August 30, 2010

    Helloo,
    I’m just wondering, is it a common practice at the UofT to not let students take courses that they despirately need to continue with their programs due to “limited space”? And also, how much should I be outraged about not being able to take “the structure of modern French”, which is a core course in my program, despite getting an 83% in French during my first year, becoming successfully enrolled in the French linguistics program and paying the $6000 or so to register for this year?
    Do you think It would make sense to go and beg the French department to let me take that course (i’m 5th on the waitlist for a total of 100 spaces, but I don’t think anyone will be dropping out of such an important course). Or am i just going to make an idiot of myself? Also, do you know if they will make me pay yet more money to take this course in the summer eventhough I was already screwed over because they couldn’t accommodate me this year? Thanks for reading, i’m just a little freaked out that I will have to do an extra year because UofT says so.
    Thanks.

    ———————————————

    Don’t you mean, “bonjour”?

    I’m sorry that being on the waitlist has screwed your plan up. If you are in your final year of graduating, you can use U of T’s guarantee clause that you need the course to graduate. But if you are in an earlier year, you will have to stick out the waitlist and wait to see what happens. After the first week of classes, the waitlists will dissolve and it may be easier to get into the course if someone drops it. You could totally try and contact the program, but I doubt it will make a difference unless you are in your graduating year.

    Sorry about everything. It’s just like a Godard movie!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • commerce,  courses,  first year

    graduating like a flash

    August 30, 2010

    Hi yo, I will be becoming a U of T frosh 3 weeks later and studying at Rotman Commerce, and I got couple questions want to ask @@
    I know that during the summer term we can maximumly to take 2 credits, so I am curious about can I take 5.5 credits in my first and second year and then take all 4 credits in 2 summer terms,
    eventually if everything is fine I can graduate within 3 years instead of original 4 years……Is it Possible?
    I know it is pretty hard but I want to try try =]

    ———————————————

    Hey there. Your ambitious plan can totally work, but it doesn’t really sound like fun, does it? You can totally take up to six credits a year and up to two in your summer session, which would keep you at a steady clip of eight credits a year, fulfilling your 20 credit degree in two and half a years if you really wanted to…but you would cry forever trying to maintain that pace, especially with the intense Commerce course load.

    Obviously it’s up to you to decide how to pursue your degree and at what rate. Many students end up taking a maximum of five full year credits a year because it’s enough to handle, especially if they also have to work to support themselves. Basically feel free to do what you want – but consider what classes are available, the workload involved and how to plan your degree accordingly so you can also pursue experiences that are worthwhile (such as internships, after school activities and fruitful relationships). Talk to your college registrar to plan a course schedule that works with what you want to pursue. Rotman also offers very valuable resources like peer tutors and study groups that are fun and social.

    And have fun! Don’t spend your entire life in Robarts. Think of your skin!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  university-college,  weirdness

    the saga that is cognitive science

    August 24, 2010

    Hi Askastudent,

    Do you know what’s going on with the Cognitive Science program? Their webpage hasn’t been updated since January 2008 and when I look up their courses at University College, it seems they’re not University College any more… or something? “The Cognitive Science program formerly administered by the University College has been redesigned under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Please refer to the Cognitive Science program: see Cognitive Science.” See Cognitive Science…. where? In the Arts & Science calendar there is no Cognitive Science category that I could find.

    I’m sooooo confused! I managed to find one course on the timetable (under University College, not Cognitive Science), and the course code has changed from UNI to COG. One course does not a program make, so I’m not sure what’s happened. Is the program no longer offered? If it is, where have the third and fourth year courses gone? How does a program go from having TWO specialist degrees and one major to not existing so quickly?

    Thanks for your help. I’m totally baffled.

    ———————————————

    Hello there. I’ve talked to a couple of peeps at University College and the short answer (after long explanations) is that no one exactly knows what is going on with the Cognitive Science program. It’s no longer under University College’s jurisdiction, and the only Cognitive Science course in the entire program is not being offered this year in the timetable (COG 250Y1). This year it seems that they are “taking a break” from Cognitive Science before determining where it is going. Which is totally weird, right?

    If you look at page 134 of the calendar, you’ll see listings of what classes are offered to make up the major pogram of Cognitive Science – all courses in computer science, linguistics and psychology. For now, all COG courses no longer exist, and it’s dammed difficult to find who exactly is representing the program. (Someone at the UC programs office actually laughed when I said that the website hadn’t been updated since January 2008!)

    If you are interested in the program, you will have to follow the course listings outlined on page 134, and wait until next year (perhaps?) where COG courses will be offered again. There isn’t even a faculty listing in the calendar, so there is no one you can even scream at for their negligence!

    Your best bets (for screaming) are the Faculty of Arts and Science registrar, or Hilary Browning at University College.

    Good luck to you! Let me know what happens.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses

    graduating with one, specializing in another

    August 19, 2010

    i’m in 3rd year and i am specializing in vcc and minoring in psych. i’ve changed my mind on wanting to now major in psych. What i wanted to know is if i graduate with a HBA from vcc, can i come back the following year and just upgrade my minor in psych to a major so i can also get a HBSc ? or would i have to then do a double major/1 major, 2 minors & do another 4 years again to get the HBSc ?

    ???????????????

    I’m sorry to ask this, but what exactly is VCC? Could you spell it out for me?

    I can only guess that technically your question is if whether you graduate with one degree, can you return and upgrade your prior minor to a major? I asked the registrar and yes, you can. Lots of people come back to upgrade their transcript and bump up their programs of study (sometimes getting an extra major or minor out of the way). You should contact your registrar after you eventually graduate from your mystery program to return as “non degree student”, making sure that you fit the new requirements of the updated subject PoST you will have to enroll in. You can take classes the year after you graduate then.

    Askastudent

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