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
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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