Frequently Asked Questions

General

• What are 500-series courses?

These courses are designed for undergraduate students, but are open to graduate students as well.

• What is a capstone course?

Capstones are fourth-year courses with a heavy design component that draw upon the skills and knowledge you have developed over the course of your degree.

• How will courses that I take in third-year affect my fourth-year of study? How can I make decisions about my third-year courses without knowing what fourth-year courses will be offered?

Some courses in third-year are prerequisites for fourth-year courses. If you look at this year´s current list of technical electives for fourth-year students you will get an idea of which courses will be available when you progress to your fourth year of study. The courses that will be offered will most likely not change dramatically. Students who hope to complete one of the Engineering Minors by their fourth year of study are urged to pay particular attention to their course selection in third-year – please consult the program-specific minors sections of this FAQ for more information.

• What will happen if I go away on PEY? Will courses change drastically when I come back?

No - There might be some slight changes in the groupings of courses, but the general content of courses will remain the same.

• What will appear on our degree?

Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering in Mechanical or Industrial (Systems) Engineering. Minors will be noted on your transcript but streams will not.

• Is there a limit to how many students can be in a certain steam?

No.

• Does the technical elective list serve as a suggested list or are we limited to choosing our technical electives from it? Can courses from other departments be used to fulfill my technical elective requirements?

The list provided in the Calendar and the curriculum section of this website consists of pre-approved technical electives. However, fourth-year Mechanical and Industrial students who wish to take an Engineering course outside this list are eligible to request *one technical elective substitute per term.* In order to request the Department’s permission for having a course that is not on the pre-approved list counted as a technical elective, students are required to submit a Technical Elective Substitute Request form (available from the Undergraduate Office or on the ‘forms’ section of our website). The Undergraduate Office will review the content of the course to see whether there is enough technical content, per the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board guidelines, to fulfill the technical elective requirements of the curriculum. Once a decision is reached, the student will be informed whether the course qualifies by email. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to check for course prerequisites or exclusions. Additionally, if the technical elective substitution request is approved, students will need to obtain the permission of department hosting the course.

• Can stream courses be used as a technical elective?

Yes – students can satisfy their technical elective requirements by choosing a stream course outside of their stream. A Technical Elective Substitute Request form is *not* required for this type of substitution.

• Can I take a capstone course in place of a technical elective?

Yes, a capstone course can serve as a technical elective, but the reverse is not true. A Technical Elective Substitute Request form is *not* required for this type of substitution.

• I am confused about the Complementary Studies Elective requirements of my degree. Can you explain it to me?

A full definition of complementary studies is available on pages 108-110 of the 2009-2010 Academic Calendar. In short, complementary studies is broadly defined as studies in humanities, social sciences, arts, management, engineering economics and communication that complement the technical content in the curriculum.
Before you graduate, you will need to complete 2.0 full credits that qualify as Complementary Studies Electives. Of these 2.0 full credits, a minimum of 1.0 credit (one full year course, or two half-year courses) must qualify under the stricter category of Humanities & Social Science (HSS). These requirements can be satisfied by taking two full-year courses (2 x Y1Y), four half-year courses (4 x H1F/S), or some combination thereof (1 x Y1Y, 2 x H1F/S). Lists of acceptable CS and HSS courses are available from the following website: http://www.undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/information/calendar/electives/
The Mechanical and Industrial curricula are designed to allow students to fulfill these elective requirements in their second and fourth years of study.


• Are all courses listed as Humanities and Social Science (HSS) courses also considered Complementary Studies (CS) courses? If so, can I use it to satisfy my CS requirement.

Yes – HSS is a subset of CS, so HSS courses can be used to satisfy CS elective requirements. All HSS courses are CS, but not all CS courses are HSS.

• Can I use an Astronomy course or Psychology course to satisfy the Complementary Studies (CS) requirement of the degree?

No - courses offered by the Astronomy and Psychology departments are considered Science courses, and therefore do not fall under the rubric of the HSS or CS elective requirements.

• Can I take an Economics (ECO) course to satisfy my Complementary Studies (CS) elective requirement?

As noted on the list of eligible CS courses (http://www.undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/information/calendar/electives/CS.htm), either ECO100Y1 or ECO105Y1 can be used towards satisfying the CS requirement. All other ECO course requires our department’s approval.

• I cannot fit the Complementary Studies (CS)/Humanities and Social Science (HSS) elective that I would like to take into my existing engineering schedule without conflict. Is it possible to rearrange the schedule of my core engineering courses to make it fit?

No – students must select CS/HSS courses that work within the confines of their existing schedule.

• There is a Faculty of Arts & Science course that I would like to take that is not on the list of acceptable CS/HSS courses. Can I apply to have this course considered?

Yes - but bear in mind that courses that with science and/or math-based content are generally not acceptable as CS courses. If you are applying for a course to be considered towards fulfilling your HSS requirements, please note that courses that deal with the following subject matter will not be deemed acceptable: Languages, Grammar, Mathematics (including symbolic logic, probability and inductive logic), Economics, Technique (e.g. art, music, video production), Physical and life sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, computer science and psychology). To ask the Department consider your request to have the course recognized towards your requirements, please complete and submit a Humanities/Social Sciences Complementary Studies Elective Form (available in the Forms section of this website) *along with a course outline that includes a marking scheme* to the Undergraduate Office.

• Can you help me choose my HSS/CS Electives?

The MIE Undergraduate Office cannot provide guidance on the selection of your HSS/CS electives beyond making sure that the electives that you choose meet your degree requirements. Your elective selection is a matter of personal choice: one student may excel in a particular course while another student does poorly.
Ideally, you will be able to choose an elective in a subject that interests you, but if scheduling conflicts or enrolment caps interfere with your top choices, you should keep in mind that your ultimate priority is enrolling in a course that a) does not conflict with your core schedule and b) satisfies your degree requirements. You may have to broaden your search for an appropriate elective course to subjects that you did not initially consider in order to find a course that has space and works with your existing schedule.


• Where can I find the Arts & Science Calendar and Timetable?

The Arts and Science Calendar and Timetable can be found off the following website: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/course. Please note that not all courses listed in the A&S Calendar are offered every year (there is a list of Arts and Science courses not offered in the Timetable.)

• Why won’t ROSI let me add [Arts & Science course] to my schedule?

If registration in Arts and Science courses for APSC students has officially opened on ROSI (see the Calendar Dates section of this website), and you are unable to add the course, it is generally a result of one of the following: 1) The course you have selected may not be offered this year – to determine whether this is the case, consult the list of courses not being offered this year in the Arts and Science Timetable (available off this website: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/course) . 2) The course may be full and there is no waitlist option. 3) There is a restriction on the course that limits enrolment to students in a certain Arts and Science POSt (Program of Study). To see whether the course you have selected is restricted, check the enrolment control column of the course’s listing in the Arts and Science Timetable. If such a restriction is in place, students are welcome to contact the academic department that offers the course (e.g. the Department of Economics for ECO courses) to see whether they are able to make an exception. Unfortunately, the MIE Undergraduate Office has no influence over enrolment in courses that are offered by other Departments and/or Faculties.

• Can Humanities and Social Science/Complementary Studies electives courses be from any year? For example, can I take a 300-series course in my second year of study?

Yes – so long as you meet the prerequisites (if any) that are listed in the Arts and Science calendar.

• How and when can I enrol in my Complementary Studies (CS)/Humanities and Social Science (HSS) electives?

You can begin adding Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering CS/HSS electives and Arts and Science courses using ROSI starting early to mid-August (the date will be published on the Academic Calendar Dates of this website once the exact date is determined) For course descriptions and course schedules of Arts and Science courses, see the course section of the Arts & Science website.

• Is it possible to fulfill my Complementary Studies (CS)/Humanities and Social Science (HSS) elective requirement by taking courses outside of the University of Toronto?

More often than not: no – this is only feasible for some students with special circumstances (and with prior departmental permission) or if a student participates in an approved exchange program.

• I am interested in completing an Engineering Minor – where can I find more information?

The Faculty of Engineering offers students the option of completing one of three minors: the Bioengineering minor, administered by the Bioengineering Office, and the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering minors, administered by the Division of Environmental Engineering and Energy Systems. Most questions regarding these minors should be directed toward the divisional offices that oversee the programs. Information regarding the Engineering Minors are available off the divisions websites (http://www.bioengineering.utoronto.ca, http://www.energy.engineering.utoronto.ca) and on p 112-115 of the 2009-2010 Academic Calendar. Information regarding integrating the minors within your program requirements is available in the ‘Minors’ section of the Industrial and Mechanical portions of this FAQ.

• Are we required to complete a minor to fulfill our degree requirements?

No – the completion of a minor is optional.

• Is the completion of a minor formally recognized on my degree?

Yes.

• Is it possible to do a minor in the Faculty of Arts and Science?

Yes - you can complete a self-initiated minor provided you meet the requirements from the Arts and Science department that is offering the minor. Students pursuing a self-initiated Arts and Science minor must be especially careful to ensure that they are completing their engineering program requirements as well. For more information on self-initiated minors, see p 115 of the 2009-2010 Academic Calendar.

• If I do a minor in Arts and Science can those courses be used as electives?

It depends on the courses that you are taking to fulfill the requirements of your minor. If the course that you take is an approved HSS/CS course then you can use it as one of your HSS/CS elective as well as towards your minor.

• What is considered a valid thesis?

Your supervisor will decide on what is suitable as a fourth-year thesis topic. Since your supervisor will mark your written work, it is important that you consult with him/her regularly throughout the term. To get a sense of what students have worked on in the past you can visit the ‘Thesis Catalog’ section of this site and sign out a copy of the thesis from the MIE Undergraduate Office.

• Should I explore securing a thesis topic if I am not certain if I will get a Professional Experience Year (PEY) placement?

You should still approach professors that you are interested in working with to discuss possible thesis topics. This will ensure that have a thesis topic secured in case you do not get a PEY placement. Please tell your prospective thesis supervisor that you are applying to PEY, and, if you receive a placement, inform the professor that you will not be pursuing the thesis.

• Will our thesis supervisor supply us with all the necessary equipment for our thesis?

You should discuss this issue with your supervisor. Generally, your supervisor may provide you with access to equipment in their labs to facilitate your research. However, you may need to obtain other materials, depending on the nature of your project.

• I am not interested in any of the thesis topics that are listed on the Portal website. Am I limited to these proposed topics? I have my own thesis topic in mind.

If you are not interested in the topics that are listed on the Portal website, you are free to approach professors that share similar research interests to see if they would be willing to supervise your thesis. For a list of MIE professors’ contact information and research interests, see the ‘Faculty’ section of the MIE website.

• Can a thesis be supervised by a professor from another department?

Yes - a thesis is acceptable as long as a University of Toronto professor is willing to supervise you.

• I am pursuing the Environmental Engineering/Sustainable Energy/Bioengineering Minor and I would like to use the thesis course towards fulfilling the requirements of my minor. How can I ensure that my thesis topic will fulfill this goal?

You should consult with the office that administers the minor (i.e. the Bioengineering office or the Division of Environmental Engineering and Energy Systems)

• What is Course and Option Selection (COS)?

Course and Option Selection (COS) is designed for students heading into their third and fourth years of study. COS refers to a period in the Winter term where the Registrar’s Office collects data on students’ course preferences for the upcoming academic year. Students are guaranteed a space in the courses they choose during COS (i.e. stream selections, technical electives, capstones) so long as it is not listed as a limited enrolment technical elective (see question below for further information on this point). If you change your mind regarding your course selection after COS has closed, you will be able to adjust your schedule yourself via ROSI. Please note that course selection on ROSI is subject to space availability and scheduling constraints. If you choose to make adjustments to your schedule, please ensure you are adhering to your degree requirements as outlined in the Academic Calendar.

• I am a third/fourth year student and I neglected to participate in the Course and Option Selection survey. What do I do now?

You will have to add your courses yourself through ROSI once enrolment opens early August (see the Academic Calendar Dates section of this website). Please note that course enrolment on ROSI is subject to availability. If you are unable to add a course or courses that you are required to take to fulfill your degree requirements, please contact the MIE Undergraduate Office for assistance.

• Is my enrolment in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering courses guaranteed?

Enrolment in core courses for the Mechanical and Industrial programs are automatically guaranteed. However, enrolment in engineering courses for which there are several options (i.e. stream courses, technical electives, capstones, third year science requirement) is not *automatically* guaranteed:
If you have selected the course through Course and Option Survey in March, and it is not listed as a limited enrolment technical elective, your spot in the course is guaranteed barring cancelation of the course. In the rare event that the course is cancelled, affected students will be contacted and the Department will work towards accommodating them by allowing them to enrol in another suitable course.
If the course is listed as a limited enrolment technical elective on the Course and Option Survey, or if the student did not select the course(s) in the Course and Option Selection Survey (i.e. if the student did not participate in the survey or wants to substitute courses that were selected), students will need to attempt to enrol in the courses using the Student Web Service (ROSI): www.rosi.utoronto.ca.
Please note that course enrolment through ROSI is not guaranteed. Enrolment on ROSI is subject to space availability on a first-come, first-served basis. For important enrolment deadlines for the Fall and Winter sessions, see the ‘Academic Calendar Dates’ of this website or pages 6-7 of the 2009-2010 Academic Calendar.


• I have selected an Arts and Science course but it was full and I am currently on the waitlist. How does the waitlist work?

Information regarding the Arts and Science waitlists is available in the Arts and Science Registration Handbook & Timetable: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/course/timetable/0910_fw/waiting-lists

• Some of the courses I want to take in fourth year conflict with other courses I would like/need to take. What should I do?

It may not be able to take the courses you wanted to take and maintain a conflict-free schedule. The Department is not able to schedule all fourth-year courses without conflict. However, students are required to select courses that allow for a conflict-free timetable as the Faculty and the Department cannot grant special consideration to students who experience difficulty as a result of this conflict (i.e. students cannot petition on this basis.)

• Can we take summer courses to fast track?

Engineering courses are not offered in the summer. However, you could take Arts & Science courses and use it to fulfill your HSS/CS electives. Please bear in mind that students are required to keep a full course load during the year (i.e. 5 courses each term – with the exception of fourth year where students can take 4 courses in one term so long as they have 5 in the other). Please also consider that there are additional costs associated with taking courses in the summer session as summer courses are not covered by your annual program fees.

• What is the minimum number of courses I have to take in a term?

You must carry a 2.5 credit course load every term except in your fourth year of study – fourth-year students are permitted to lower their course load to 2.0 credits in one of the two terms in fourth year. If you are experiencing difficulties managing a full course load, feel free to drop by the Undergraduate Office to discuss your options.

• If I take a course during the summer can I lower my course load during the year?

No - students are required to keep a full course load. An exception occurs in fourth year as students are allowed to drop one course and do four courses in one term and five courses in the other term.

• How do I repeat a failed course?

If you need to repeat a failed course, you must complete a course Add/Drop Form and submit it to the Undergraduate Office. ROSI will not allow you to enrol in a course you have already taken.

• Is there a minimum mark I need in a course?

You must achieve at least a final mark of 50% in order to get credit for a course during the Fall/Winter sessions. However, in addition to this you may also need to achieve a minimum Session Average of 60% to retain the credit:

If you were on ‘Clear’ standing prior to achieving lower than a 60%, but higher than a 55% Session Average, you will retain credit for all courses above 50% - you will be allowed to progress to the next session on ‘Probation’ standing.

If you were already on ‘Probation,’ and did not achieve a session average of 60%, you will have to repeat all courses from the term that were below 70% - you would be eligible to return on ‘Repeat Probation’ status in eight months time to repeat the failed session.

If you were on ‘Repeat Probation’ status prior to achieving lower than a 60% Session Average, you will be required to withdraw from the Faculty.

If you achieve a Session Average lower than 55%, and you were on ‘Clear’ standing prior to this term you will be required to repeat all courses from the term that were below 70% - you would be eligible to return on ‘Repeat Probation’ status in eight months time to repeat the failed session.

• How does one qualify for Honours standing/Honours graduate standing?

Honours standing: In sessions 2F, 2W, 3F, 3W and 4F, Honours standing in the work of session is granted to students carrying a full academic load (2.50 credits per session), if the session is not being repeated and if the weighted Session Average is 80% or greater. Note that extra (EXT) courses are not included in the academic load.
In session 4F or 4W, Honours standing in the work of the session is granted to students carrying an academic load of at least 2.00 credits, if the session is not being repeated and if the weighted Session Average is 80% or greater. (i.e. a fourth-year student is permitted to take four courses in one term provided that he/she takes five courses in the other term and maintain Honours eligibility)

Honours graduate standing: To obtain Honours graduate standing a student must obtain Honours standing in the work of a session for four of the sessions 2F, 2W, 3F, 3W, 4F, 4W. In addition, during the session 4F or 4W a student must carry an academic load of at least 2.00 credits and have a combined 4F and 4W weighted Session Average of 80% or greater.


• What grades do I need to achieve to avoid probation, and what are the consequences of probationary status?

A detailed explanation of academic standing (clear status, probation, repeat probation) and promotion regulations is available on p 97-101 of the 2009-2010 Academic Calendar.

• When do I have to hand in my Practical Experience Hours form?

You should hand in your Practical Experience Hours form as soon as you finish your placement to ensure that our office has updated information in our files. It is also easier for you to get the necessary information from your supervisor soon after you´ve completed your employment, rather than months later. Fourth year students must submit all outstanding Practical Experience Hours to the department before we assess students for Iron Ring and Convocation eligibility. This deadline will be posted on the ‘Academic Calendar Dates’ section of this website once it is determined.

• If I participated in PEY, do I still have to fill out a Practical Experience Hours form?

No – so long as you submit your report to the PEY Office, and it is accepted, the PEY Office will include you in the list of students who successfully completed their PEY term that is sent to our office. PEY will fulfill the Practical Experience requirement.

• One of the MIE computer labs (RS303, MC325, HA411) is out of paper/toner. One of the computers in the lab is not working. How do I resolve this issue?

The Undergraduate Office restocks the paper supplies and monitors the ink levels in the lab printers regularly. However, if one of the printers has run out of paper or ink, please contact the MIE Undergraduate Office and we will replenish the supply. If there is a technical issue with one of the computers in the lab, please send an email describing the problem to the Undergraduate Office and we will relay the message to the MIE Computer Services staff.

• Can you provide me with a letter that proves my registration as a student here?

You will need to contact the Office of the Registrar for this service; a small fee applies.

• How can I defer my fees? When is tuition due?

All questions regarding fees and tuition deadlines should be directed to the Registrar’s Office or the Office of Student Accounts.

Mechanical Engineering

• Can courses that are cross-listed as capstones and stream courses be used to fulfill both requirements?

No – in the 4F term, if the cross-listed course is the student’s required stream course (i.e. the 4F course associated with the stream followed in 3W), the course *must* be counted as a stream course. For example, if you are in the Mechatronics stream, MIE444H1 will be used to satisfy your stream requirements – it *cannot* be used as a capstone. However, since students are not obligated to continue their streams in the 4W term, you can use capstones that are cross-listed as stream courses to fulfill the capstone requirement as long as you ensure that you are taking two other stream/technical elective courses (i.e. the course cannot be counted to satisfy both requirements simultaneously).

• Is CHE353H1, Engineering Biology a mandatory course?

Students in the Mechanical Program must take a Science elective in the 3F Term. As of the 2009-2010 academic year, students are given the option of choosing between CHE353H1, Engineering Biology and CIV300H1, Terrestrial Energy Systems in the Fall semester.

• Can I take MIE408H1 S, Nuclear Engineering II without taking MIE407H1 F, Nuclear Engineering I?

No – MIE407H1 is a prerequisite of MIE408H1.

• Can courses that are cross-listed as capstones and stream courses be used to fulfill both requirements?

No – in the 4F term, if the cross-listed course is the student’s required stream course (i.e. the 4F course associated with the stream followed in 3W), the course *must* be counted as a stream course. For example, if you are in the Mechatronics stream, MIE444H1 will be used to satisfy your stream requirements – it *cannot* be used as a capstone. However, since students are not obligated to continue their streams in the 4W term, you can use capstones that are cross-listed as stream courses to fulfill the capstone requirement as long as you ensure that you are taking two other stream/technical elective courses (i.e. the course cannot be counted to satisfy both requirements simultaneously).

• How do I complete a stream? Do I have to complete a stream in order to satisfy my program requirements?

The completion of a stream involves taking four courses listed under the stream that is being pursued. For example, to complete the Energy and Environment Stream, students must take MIE313H1 S in the 3W term, MIE411H1 F in the 4F term, and two of MIE408H1 S, MIE418H1 S, MIE517H1 S in the 4W term. Though students are required to pursue the two streams they took in 3W in the 4F term, the completion of a stream in 4W is not required, though it is recommended.

• I did not like the stream I pursued in the 3W term, and now I want to switch. Do I really have to continue the 3W term in 4F?

Yes – students must continue the two streams that they pursued in 3W. For example, if the student was in the Mechatronics and Energy and Environment streams in 3W, the student must take both MIE444H1 F and MIE411H1 F as his/her required stream courses in 4F. Should you wish to take courses in another area, you will be allowed to do so in the 4W, as students are not obligated to continue their stream in the Winter term.

• Am I required to take the Bioengineering Stream if I am interested in completing the Bioengineering Minor?

If you want to complete your Mechanical Engineering program requirements and the Bioengineering Minor within four years of study, yes – this is the only way that you will be able to take either MIE331H1 or CHE354H1, one of which is required for the Bioengineering Minor, for degree credit.

• I am interested in completing the Bioengineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Bioengineering Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:

In the 3F term, students interested in pursuing the Bioengineering Minor must take CHE353H1. This course also fulfills the program’s 3F Natural Science requirement.

In the 3W term students must take CHE354H1 or MIE331H1. Taking one of these two courses also fulfills the 3W Bioengineering Stream course requirement.

In addition to these two courses (CHE353 and CHE354 or MIE331), in fourth year, students interested in the Bioengineering Minor must take four courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

BME455H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CHE462H1 S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
CHE466H1 S (ADVANCED) –Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
CHE575H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
CIV540H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE445H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE446H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MIE343H1 F – Technical Elective (4F)
MIE439H1 F – Bioengineering Stream Course (4F)
MIE448H1 F - Technical Elective (4F)
MIE496Y1 Y/H1 F/H1 S (ADVANCED) – Capstone (Thesis Course) NB: Thesis topic must be Bioengineering related an approved by Bioengineering Office for the course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MIE539H1S (ADVANCED) – Bioengineering Stream Course (4W)
MIE561H1S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE442H1S (ADVANCED) – Bioengineering Stream Course (4W)
MSE452H1S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)


• Is there a particular stream that I should take if I am pursuing the Environmental Engineering Minor?

As there is no overlap between the Environmental Engineering Minor and Mechanical Engineering stream courses, your stream selection will have no effect on the completion of the Environmental Engineering Minor.

• I am interested in completing the Environmental Engineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Environmental Engineering Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:
In the fall term of second or fourth year (i.e. 2F or 4F), students interested in the Environmental Engineering Minor must take APS301H1 F as their Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS).

In the 3F term, students pursuing the Environmental Engineering Minor must take CIV220 as their Natural Science course – this option is *only* available to students who are registered in the minor.

In the 3W term, Mechanical Students are required to take MIE315H1. This core requirement of the Mechanical Program is also counted towards the Energy Minor.

In addition to the three courses listed above (i.e. APS301, CIV220, and MIE315), students interested in pursuing the Environmental Engineering Minor must take three courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

APS302HI S (ADVANCED) – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2W/4W)
APS304H1 S (ADVANCED) – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2W/4W)
CHE467H1F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CHE565H1F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CIV250H1S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
CIV342H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CIV375H1F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ENV350H1 S – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS)(2W/4W)
MIE380H1 S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MIE496Y1 Y/H1 F/ H1 S (ADVANCED) – Capstone (Thesis Course). NB: Thesis topic must be Environmental Engineering related and the topic must be approved by the Division of Environmental Energy and Energy Systems for this course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MSE315H1S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MIE515H1F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective (4F)
MSE504H1F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)


• Is there a particular stream that I should take if I am pursuing the Sustainable Energy Minor?

Yes – you should take pursue the Energy and Environment stream as there is significant overlap between the courses required for the completion of this stream and the courses that can be counted towards the Sustainable Energy Minor.

• What is the difference between a one-term thesis and a two-term thesis?

The main difference is in the length. You will need to work closely with your supervisor to define the scope of your thesis, so that it is manageable in the time you have.

• I am interested in completing the Sustainable Engineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Sustainable Energy Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:

In the 2F, all students are required to take MIE210H1 F. This core requirement of the Mechanical Program is also counted towards the Energy Minor. (NB: the applicability of MIE210H1 F to the Sustainable Energy Minor is pending official approval of the Curriculum Committee)

In second or fourth year, students interested in the Sustainable Energy Minor must take either ENV350H1 F as their Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Elective *or* APS305H1 S as their Complementary Studies (CS) elective.

In the 3F term, students interested in completing the Sustainable Energy Minor are required to take CIV300H1 as their Natural Science course.

In addition to these three courses (i.e. MIE210, CIV300 and APS305 or ENV350), students who wish to complete the Sustainable Energy Minor must take three courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Note that the Energy and Environment Minor can be completed by taking the three courses above and fulfilling the Energy and Environment Stream. (i.e. MIE313 + MIE411 + two of MIE408, MIE418 or MIE517) Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

APS301H1 F – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2F/4F)
APS510H1 F – Complementary Studies Elective (CS) (2F/4F)
CIV375H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE315H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE431H1 F/S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F/4W)
ECE510H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE533H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MIE313H1 S – Energy and Environment Stream Course (3W)
MIE407H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective (4F)
MIE408H1 S (ADVANCED) – Energy and Environment Stream Course (4W)
MIE411H1 F (ADVANCED) – Energy and Environment Stream Course (4F)
MIE447H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MIE496Y1 Y/H1 F/H1 S (ADVANCED) - Capstone (Thesis Course). NB: Thesis topic must be related to Sustainable Energy and approved by the Division of Environmental Engineering and Energy Systems for this course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MIE515H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective (4F)
MIE516H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective (4F)
MSE318H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MSE332H1 S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE408H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE504H1 F (ADVANCED)- Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MSE558H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)


• The Thesis topics that are posted on the Portal website are mainly for the full year thesis. I am interested in a one-term thesis. What should I do?

You should approach professors that share similar research interests to see if they would be willing to supervise a half-year thesis. For a list of MIE professors’ contact information and research interests, see the ‘Faculty’ section of the MIE website.

• Is the Thesis Course mandatory?

No - it is an optional course for fourth-year Mechanical Students. It can be used towards satisfying a student’s fourth year capstone requirements (i.e. the half-year thesis course counts as one capstone course, the full-year thesis course counts as two capstone courses)

Industrial Engineering

• Is CHE353H1, Engineering Biology a mandatory course?

Students in the Industrial Program must take a Science elective in each term. As of the 2009-2010 academic year, students are given the option of choosing between CHE353H1, Engineering Biology and CIV300H1, Terrestrial Energy Systems in the Fall semester. In the Winter term students must choose between MIE380H1, Ecological Systems and CHE354H1, Cellular and Molecular Biology.

• In my third year of study, am I allowed to choose a winter course from a different stream than I followed in the fall. For example, can I take a course from the Human Factors stream in one term and one Operational Research course in the other?

No – students must take continue their 3F stream in 3W. For example, if a student enrolled is enrolled in the Human Factors course MIE345H1 F in the Fall, the student must take MIE344H1 S in the Winter Term. Should you be interested in taking courses outside the stream that was pursued in third year, you will be given the option in of taking a third-year or fourth-year stream courses from another stream in your fourth year of study.

• If I choose the Human Factors (HF)/Operations Research (OR)/Information Engineering (IE) stream in third year, will I be able to take courses from another stream in my fourth year of study?

Yes – students are able to take any fourth-year stream course in the Industrial Program, regardless of which stream was followed in the student’s third year of study. Students who have successfully completed their core second year and third courses will have satisfied all the prerequisites listed for fourth year Industrial stream courses.

• Does my stream selection affect my future career opportunities?

No - at an undergraduate level students are provided with a general background and a basic skill set. As a result, students will be qualified for most jobs that are looking for an Industrial Engineer. In deciding which stream you want to pursue, students are urged to make their selection based on their interests – students are typically perform more strongly in an area of study that you they are interested in.

• Which stream is most Java intensive?

The Information Engineering stream.

• I am interested in completing the Bioengineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Bioengineering Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:

In the 3F term, students interested in pursuing the Bioengineering Minor must take CHE353H1 as their fall Natural Science course.

In the 3F term, Industrial Students are required to take MIE343H1. This core requirement of the Industrial Program is also counted towards the Bioengineering Minor.

In the 3W term students must take CHE354H1 as their Winter Natural Science course.

In addition to these three courses (CHE353, MIE343 and CHE354), in fourth year, students interested in the Bioengineering Minor must take three courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

BME455H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CIV540H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE445H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MIE439H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MIE448H1 F – Human Factors Stream Course (4F)
MIE496Y1 Y (ADVANCED) – Required Thesis Course - NB: Thesis topic must be Bioengineering related an approved by Bioengineering Office for the course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MIE539H1S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MIE561H1S (ADVANCED) – Capstone (4W)
MSE442H1S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)


• I am interested in completing the Environmental Engineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Environmental Engineering Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:

In the fall term of second or fourth year (i.e. 2F or 4F), students interested in the Environmental Engineering Minor must take APS301H1 F as their Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS).

In the 3W term, students pursuing the Environmental Engineering Minor must take MIE380 as their Natural Science course.

In addition to the two courses listed above (i.e. APS301 and MIE380), students interested in pursuing the Environmental Engineering Minor must take four courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

APS302HI S (ADVANCED) – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2W/4W)
APS304H1 S (ADVANCED) – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2W/4W)
CHE467H1F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CHE565H1F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CIV250H1S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
CIV342H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
CIV375H1F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ENV350H1 S – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS)(2W/4W)
MIE496Y1 Y (ADVANCED) – Required Thesis Course. NB: Thesis topic must be Environmental Engineering related and the topic must be approved by the Division of Environmental Energy and Energy Systems for this course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MSE315H1S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE504H1F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)


• I am interested in completing the Sustainable Engineering Minor. Is it possible to fulfill the requirements of the minor along with my program requirements in four years of study?

Yes – the Sustainable Energy Minor requires the completion of six courses, subject to certain conditions, as outlined below:

In second or fourth year, students interested in the Sustainable Energy Minor must take either ENV350H1 F as their Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Elective *or* APS305H1 S as their Complementary Studies (CS) elective.
In the 3F term, students interested in completing the Sustainable Energy Minor are required to take CIV300H1 as their Natural Science course.

In addition to these two courses (i.e. CIV300 and APS305 or ENV350), students who wish to complete the Sustainable Energy Minor must take four courses from the list below. A minimum of two of these courses must be considered advanced. The role that these courses play towards satisfying program requirements is listed after the dash. Please bear in mind that students are limited to one technical elective substitute per term.

APS301H1 F – Humanities and Social Science Elective (HSS) (2F/4F)
APS510H1 F – Complementary Studies Elective (CS) (2F/4F)
CIV375H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE315H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
ECE431H1 F/S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F/4W)
ECE510H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MIE210H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F); (NB: the applicability of MIE210H1 F to the Sustainable Energy Minor is pending official approval of the Curriculum Committee)
MIE496Y1 Y (ADVANCED) - Required Thesis Course. NB: Thesis topic must be related to Sustainable Energy and approved by the Division of Environmental Engineering and Energy Systems for this course to be considered towards the minor. The full-year thesis course (MIE496Y1 Y) is equivalent to two advanced courses. (4F/4W)
MIE516H1 F (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MSE318H1 F – Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MSE332H1 S – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE408H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)
MSE504H1 F (ADVANCED)- Technical Elective Substitute (4F)
MSE558H1 S (ADVANCED) – Technical Elective Substitute (4W)