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Options and Minors

Contents

Options

For information about a particular Option, select the appropriate Option from the left-hand menu. The only restriction is that Computer Engineering students may not take the Computer Engineering Option.

Students selecting an Option should be aware that this may constrain their freedom of choice for Technical Electives, Technical Breadth Electives (for Computer Engineering students) and Complementary Studies courses. Most Options require a student to take more courses than the regular program requirements. These extra courses may be taken as a sixth course during terms 2A-4B or during Co-op Work Terms. When a student takes on an Option, the student must realize that the Option will probably involve the student having to take at least one Extra Course during an Academic Term and the minimum Average for which a student will be allowed an Extra Course is 75%.

Successfully completing all of the required courses for an Option with an average of 60% in those courses, together with a grade of at least 50% in each of those courses, results in the designation "Option in ..." on your transcript and degree. You must, of course, also formally declare your Option by filling out a Plan Modification Form.

Combined Options

With the proper scheduling and planning, it is possible for:

  • Electrical Engineering students to combine the Computer Engineering Option and the Mechatronics Option, and
  • Computer Engineering students to combine the Software Engineering Option and the Management Science Option.

See the appropriate link in the left-hand menu.

Minors

ECE students are welcome to take Minors from other departments as listed in the Undergraduate Calendar, although you should be aware that Minors tend to require significantly more effort (usually 10 courses) than an Option. On average, five to ten ECE students per class complete a Minor.

Tracking Your Progress

You can track your progress in an Option by down-loading and printing the Options and Minors Requirements Summary. If you successfully complete an Option, you will be required to submit this form together with your Intention to Graduate Form.

Substituting Courses within an Option

Due to the intensity of the ECE Programs, it may not be possible to take the required courses for a particular Option. In this case, you may be able to request that the Option Co-ordinator approve a replacement course for the one which you are unable to take. Download and print the Option Course Substitution Approval Form, get the Option Co-ordinator to sign the form and submit the form to the Undergraduate Advisor/Co-ordinator. In almost all cases, approval from the Option Co-ordinator will result in the substitution being approved by this Department.

Adding or Removing Options and Minors

To add or remove an Option from your program, submit a Plan Modification Form to your Academic Advisor. If you are adding a Minor, you must also fill in a Minor/Double Degree Completion Proposal. If you are off campus, you may submit this form through either fax or e-mail to the Undergraduate Advisor/Co-ordinator. Your fax should have Attn: UG Advisor/Coordinator at the top. Options and Minors may be added at any point during your undergraduate career before you submit an Intention to Graduate Form, though some restrictions may apply. To add a Minor to your degree, because of the extra effort required, you will be required to submit a Minor Completion Proposal as well as the Plan Modification Form and schedule a meeting with your Academic Advisor. Once your plan has been approved by the ECE Department, you will also have to get a signature from the department offering the Minor before you finally submit both forms to the Undergraduate Advisor/Co-ordinator.

If, after submitting your Intention to Graduate Form, it is determined that you did not satisfy the requirements for an Option or Minor, you will be informed of this by e-mail, however, this will not affect your graduation; you simply will graduate with your B.A.Sc. without your Option or Minor.

Completing Options and Minors

You must complete an Option or Minor before you convocate. It is not possible to graduate and then return for one Term to complete an Option. Of course, you may delay your graduation by a Term or two to complete your Option or Minor, if you so choose.

Justification for Formally Adding Options and Minors

There are two reasons for formally adding an Option or Minor earlier rather than later:

  • Your degree or transcript will not list the Option or Minor unless you have declared it, and
  • Some courses cannot be registered for unless you are in a relevant Option or Minor.