Engineering FAQs

Course Offerings and Enrollment

Do you offer part time studies?

Part-time students are given a maximum period of twice the regular program time to complete their studies. Our engineering programs generally take four years, but part-time students are allowed eight years to graduate. There are no engineering programs that are part-time exclusively.

Do you offer evening courses or courses through distance/online education?

We have some evening courses at this time but do not guarantee that any particular course will be available in the evening.

At present, we offer traditional in-class programs. In the future, we may extend our services to include weekend labs and a blended learning component that would allow students to view online lectures. Such an approach would also facilitate part-time studies. Our laptop-based program provides the flexibility to consider these particular offerings for the future.

How do I enroll in a course?

Course enrollment is done by http://www.uoit.ca/mycampus. Be sure to keep track of the correct dates and deadlines for adding courses or you may have to use an Add/Drop form.

How do I enroll in a course that I am repeating?

When you are repeating a course that you took before, even if you withdrew from it, you will need to register on paper by using an Add/Drop form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office in person. You will not require a signature from anyone in the Faculty. Be sure to keep track of the correct dates and deadlines for adding courses.

I am trying to enroll in a course but I am being denied access. What is the problem?

There are many reasons you may be denied access to a course. Please check the sections on prerequisites, course conflicts, and program restrictions. Also, be sure to check that you did not miss the enrollment deadline.

I am trying to enroll in a course and I am getting a prerequisite and test score error. What do I do if...

a) I do not have the perquisite? Can I still take the course?

In most circumstances, NO, you cannot take the course without a prerequisite.  Prerequisite waivers will ONLY be considered IF you have alternate/similar background knowledge either from a similar UOIT course or from another university. If you have the necessary background, you may request to have the course prerequisite waived by filling out a FEAS prerequisite wavier form. Students should see the Academic Advisor in the faculty where the course is being offered to see if they are eligible to apply for a prerequisite waiver. Students are expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to apply and should be aware that it is their responsibility to provide documentation to show that they have sufficient background in order to proceed with the course. Additionally, poor performance due to the approval of prerequisite waivers cannot be used as grounds for a course appeal.  

b) I am taking a different course in lieu of the listed prerequisite

In some cases the registration system will recognize alternate courses. When it doesn’t, you will need to complete a Prerequisite Waiver Request Form and show proof that the course you have taken in lieu of the listed prerequisite has provided you with enough knowledge to complete the sought after course.

c) I have taken the prerequisite at a different university through a letter of permission.

You will need to provide proof that you are at least midway through the course you are taking and complete a Prerequisite Waiver Approval Form. If you are doing well in the course, you may be granted a waiver pending transfer credit. You will need to prove successful course completion by the last day to add courses in September or you will be removed from courses for which you don’t have the prerequisite.

I am trying to enroll in a course and I am getting a link error. What does that mean?

A link error occurs when you are trying to enroll in a course without all of its components. For example, you need to enrol in a lecture and lab/tutorial combination for many of the courses. Sometimes you will get this error if you try to add a lab with your lecture but the lab section is full. All components have to work for your schedule and have space in them for you to add the course.

I am trying to enroll in a course and the deadline to enroll has passed. Can I still take the course?

NO. Students should enroll in all courses (including lectures, labs, and tutorials) by the add deadline as posted in the Academic Calendar by the Registrar’s Office. Course adds and switching of sections will not be permitted after the deadline.

I am trying to enroll in a course and there seems to be a course conflict. What can I do?

Generally, you cannot enroll in courses that take place at the same time on the same day. You will need to add other sections that have space and do not conflict. If you find that this is not possible, and you have tried all possible combinations, then you may not be able to take the course. You may request to remain in the conflicting courses by filling out a Timetable Conflict Approval form; however, both professors must be aware of the situation and are required to sign the form for approval to be granted. Students should note that it is their responsibility to make up for any missed material in either course due to the conflict, and that a timetable conflict approval may not be used as grounds for a course appeal.

To foster academic success the Faculty strongly suggests that students do not seek permission to register in conflicting courses, and only permits conflicts where

1. Strong justification for the request is presented
2. A student has performed sufficiently well academically
3. The nature of the course lends itself to allow a timetable conflict
4. Timetable conflicts for the set of courses do not exceed one hour per week.

If your conflict is due to an elective course, please choose another course that will not conflict with your required courses. If it is a required course and you are taking it “in sequence” (i.e. when you are supposed to take it in your program map) please contact your Academic Advisor. If you are taking lab/tutorial sections where the lab and tutorial times alternate bi-weekly (week 1 and week 2) your timetable may list a conflict but you will still be able to enroll. This is okay – as long as you were able to enroll in the courses then there isn’t really a conflict. The registration system sometimes just picks this up as an error.

I am not able to enroll in any courses; I may have a hold on my account. What do I do?

When you have outstanding fees from a previous semester, including library and laptop fees, a hold will be placed on your account and you will not be able to register in courses, see your grades, or order transcripts. You will need to make arrangements to pay your fees with the Accounting office and speak with them about a possible lifting of the hold before you can enroll for the current year. Holds are also placed on student accounts when students are suspended or dismissed or if they have a pending case of academic misconduct (dishonesty).

I have just received notification that I have been withdrawn from a course. Why?

The Registrar’s office will remove you from a course if you fail or withdraw from the prerequisite. You may have initially been permitted to register in the course, but the Registrar’s office performs regular "prerequisite checking" prior to and at the beginning of each term. If do not have the appropriate prerequisite for the course(s) you are enrolled in, you will be removed from the course.

How do I withdraw from a course after the add/drop deadline?

Students may drop a course any time prior to the drop deadline, however, once the add deadline has passed students cannot make changes to their courses through MyCampus  and are required to use a paper add/drop from to withdraw from the course.

I am considering dropping a course. How will this affect my studies?

Why drop a course?

• You are having personal or medical problems that have prevented you from attending class for an extended period of time and are affecting your academic performance.
• You have overextended yourself with extracurricular activities or working too many hours at a part-time job and have a fallen so far behind in your school work that it is next to impossible to catch up.
• You’ve made every effort to get help from your TA and Instructor to improve your grade without success.

Why NOT drop a course?

• It may not be too late to make up some changes to your activities to get back on track. It may be possible to work fewer hours or become less involved in extracurricular activities and focus more time on your coursework.
• Are you willing to make up a missed course during the summer session? It is not guaranteed that UOIT will offer the course you need during the summer, plus there is the additional cost of taking the course in the summer.
• Your OSAP funding may be affected. If you do not maintain a minimum course load of 60% (3 courses per term), there are serious implications to your loan assessment.
• Is the course required for progression through your program in later years? How long will your time be extended at UOIT after dropping the course?
• Have you explored ALL your options to seek help in the course? If not, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your TA, Instructor, peers, or consider hiring a tutor. Take advantage of any and all resources that may help you succeed.

Students who have further questions about withdrawing from a course should speak with their Academic Advisor.

I am repeating an engineering course with a lab component. Can I be exempted from labs?

Students may be exempted from labs when repeating a course provided that the following criteria is met:

1. The student must have taken the course labs within the last 12 months and obtaining a passing grade on their labs to be considered for a lab exemption.
2. The present course instructor sets the grading scheme to be used with the exemption applied, and the student is responsible for obtaining information on that grading scheme.
3. The student acknowledges that a poor final course grade due to this exemption cannot be used as grounds for appeal.
4. The form requires the signatures of both the current professor, and the previous professor (unless the same professor taught both courses).
5. The completed form MUST be returned to the Engineering Academic Advisor within in 3 weeks of the first day of classes or the exemption becomes void and the student is responsible for the lab component of the course.

Students should note that these policies apply only to courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (i.e. Courses beginning with ENGR). If students wish to be exempted from the lab component of a science course they must refer to the Faculty of Science Advising Office.

Accreditation, Licensing and the Iron Ring

Are UOIT’s engineering programs accredited?

All of our engineering undergraduate programs are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

Can graduates of UOIT’s engineering programs apply for an engineering license (i.e. P.Eng. designation)?

Yes, graduates of all UOIT engineering programs are eligible to apply for professional licensing in any province or territory in Canada upon graduation.

Will I receive an iron ring upon graduating from an engineering program at UOIT?

The Iron Ring is a unique Canadian tradition. Since 1922, Canadian engineering graduates have been able to participate in The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, a welcoming ceremony wherein new professionals receive an iron ring. Receiving an iron ring is separate from obtaining a university degree or an engineering license from a provincial or territorial engineering association (e.g. Professional Engineers Ontario). The Ritual is to be administered for UOIT engineering graduates by Camp 1 (Toronto region) of the body that oversees the Iron Ring tradition, The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc. Graduating engineering students at UOIT may participate in this ceremony at the end of their final year.

Careers, Co-op and Internships

What co-op, internship or any other experience-based learning opportunities exist?

UOIT does not require that students complete co-op placements to fulfill any degree requirements, however, they do provide students with the opportunity to participate in co-operative learning placements and internships through the following two programs:

The Engineering Internship Program

 This program provides students in good academic standing after third year with the option to enter a 12 to 16-month engineering placement (being paid prevailing wages). Students return after placement to complete their final year of studies. The university will help students find internship positions, but doesn't guarantee placement and candidates are encouraged to seek their own internship employers. The expected duration to graduate is four years and two semesters for a student who chooses an internship.

The Engineering Co-op Program

This program provides students with the option to engage in short-term (3- to 4-month) paid engineering placements, usually during the summer. The university helps attract co-op positions, but doesn't guarantee student placement and candidates are encouraged to seek their own employers.

Students interested in these programs should visit the Co-op and Internship page for more details

What are the salary expectations for engineers?

The salaries of engineers, are categorized by field and experience, and are surveyed annually by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers with findings posted on their Website at www.ospe.on.ca.

The average annual salary for a new engineering graduate in 2004 was between $47,000 and $50,000.

Our Programs

What type of hands-on experience do your programs provide?

Our programs include a significant portion of laboratory experience in which students learn to use high-tech equipment. As a state-of-the-art university, our students will benefit from our sophisticated labs and equipment.

Can you switch engineering programs in the first or second year?

First-year engineering courses generally offer similar subjects, so you may be able to transition into your second-year studies, without falling behind. Program changes during second year are also possible, but may require some make-up courses.

 Students wishing to be considered for a program change require a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Do you offer Aerospace Engineering?

We do not offer a stand-alone Aerospace Engineering program, but our graduates can have a rewarding career in the aerospace industry. A great majority of aerospace industry work involves manufacturing and electrical and mechanical component modification, which requires skilled professionals with mechanical and manufacturing engineering backgrounds. New aircraft design, where the specific skills of aerospace engineers are most needed, occurs infrequently. An Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical or Software Engineering degree allows the flexibility to work in many fields, including aerospace.

Do you offer Biological, Civil, Chemical, or Computer Engineering?

We do not offer Biological, Civil, Chemical, or Computer Engineering.

Do you offer Industrial Engineering?

We do not offer Industrial Engineering, but Manufacturing Engineering has some similarities with Industrial Engineering. Manufacturing Engineering also includes many aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering. Manufacturing Engineering provides a route to careers in Industrial Engineering, allowing Manufacturing Engineers to work successfully as Industrial Engineers.

Do you have programs that focus on robotics?

Several of our programs are robotics related. These programs are Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics Engineering option), Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering. Each program has distinct features:

Manufacturing Engineers use robots and automation extensively to manufacture products, and work in a wide variety of fields including the automotive, airplane, computer, satellite and medical industries.

Mechatronics Engineers focus on the integration of electronics and mechanical systems using automated and intelligent computer control systems. A robot is but one example of a mechatronic device.Electrical Engineers learn control theory and systems, electronics and power systems that are fundamental aspects of robotics. Software Engineers use robotic systems to demonstrate software design and engineering of distributed, embedded, and real-time systems. Robots are also used iin artificial intelligence to demonstrate intelligent systems.

College Students Opportunities

Do you have studies that allow college Engineering Technology graduates to obtain a university degree?

Articulation programs are not presently available to facilitate advanced entry into an engineering program.

A Commerce Bridging Program at UOIT allows strong college technology graduates to obtain advanced standing towards attaining a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree.

An alternative path leading to a Bachelor of Applied Science degree may be brought forward in the future. The program would add complementary university-level knowledge to the broad skills acquired through the college Engineering Technology programs. Many of the courses in the specialized studies would likely be useful towards obtaining an engineering licence. The program would likely be accessible by many college Technology graduates.

Can college Engineering Technology graduates enrol in an Engineering program?

Yes, but high grades are required.

Do college Engineering Technology graduates who enrol in an Engineering program get credit for previously taken courses?

Some transfer credits may be allowed for College Engineering Technology graduates who apply for admission to first year studies. In most cases, no more than two transfer credits are granted.

Differentiators, Newness, Recognition and Reputation

What sets UOIT apart from other universities?

There are a several key features that differentiate our programs from those at other universities. First, our programs are career-oriented, market-driven and practical, in line with our university’s mission. Second, we are Ontario’s first laptop-based university, integrating technology for improved teaching and learning. Third, we strive to be forward-looking, creative and innovative, and these traits will be important features of our graduates. Our approach to engineering at UOIT, from labs and facilities to program content, is new and aimed at the future. We are not bound by old conventions, and anticipate that industry will recognize that when hiring our graduates.

Will employers hire students from a new university?

We are confident that employers will hire our graduates, who will be knowledgeable, productive and creative. Industry is also getting the message that our new, leading-edge programs are helping to mold the leaders of the future. Employers choose the best students available to fill career opportunities, and we are striving to provide the highest standards in education and training.

How will your programs and graduates be received by industry and other potential employers?

We believe our programs and graduates have a strong reputation among potential employers and industry. Engineers and executives of many top companies have worked closely with the Faculty’s advisory committee to ensure that our programs are high-quality, career-oriented, and relevant to current market needs. Our graduates will be extremely competitive in the marketplace, more than able to compete with graduates from other engineering schools.