U of T Engineering Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies

in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)

Why choose the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering?

The fields of electrical and computer engineering are the engines that power the technology of the 21st century.

Think of any device with an energy or information technology component – that’s electrical and computer engineering. It plays a crucial role in everything from neuroscience to space exploration.

The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) offers two undergraduate programs: Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, culminating in a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree upon graduation.

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In Canada for electrical and computer engineering and among the top 15 in the world
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Patents secured over the past 5 years and more than half of the invention disclosures at U of T Engineering
Professors are fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Admission Requirements

Your academic record, particularly in math, chemistry, and physics courses, plays a crucial role in your ECE application. Additional requirements vary based on the education system you attended. Visit the Discover Engineering website for comprehensive admission details or reach out with any questions. 

Program Overview

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First and Second Year

The first two years of study are your foundation and are the same for both electrical and computer engineering undergraduates. Our students learn the principles of their disciplines by attending courses taught by our world-renowned faculty and gain real-world experience working with companies and organizations related to their fields of interest. 

During the first year, students need to complete 12 core courses. In the second year, they must complete 11 core courses as well as one hardware or software design and communication course. 

Options available for full-time, extended full-time, part-time and co-op.

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Third and Fourth Year

In your third and fourth years at ECE, you choose courses to determine whether you'll graduate in electrical or computer engineering. We have a range of areas of focus that integrate a variety of courses to offer a more specialized knowledge base. 

In years three and four, students complete:
•  Engineering Economics
•  Capstone design project
•  Four Breadth courses
•  Four Depth courses
•  Three Technical Electives
•  One Science/Math Elective
•  One Free Elective
•  Four Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Electives (up to two from Complementary Studies) 

Practical Experience Requirement (600 hours) or PEY Co-op is mandatory. 

 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Electric, Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

Quantum Computing

Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust

Robotics and Control Systems

Smart Grid, Renewable Energy and Power Electronics

Digital Health

Wireless, Optical and Future Generation Communications (5G/6G)

Course Information

To see the full list of courses available to ECE undergraduates, information on the thesis course, ECE Iris and ineligible electives, please visit our Undergrad Course Information page.

 

Minors and Certificates

You may wish to complement your electrical and computer engineering programs with a minor or certificate. These will appear on your official student transcript when you graduate. 

This is a great opportunity to gain interdisciplinary experience and to tailor your degree. 

Are you interested in robotics?
Music technology? Entrepreneurship?

See the list of available minors and certificates, and learn about the benefits, eligibility and general requirements: 

Hardware and Computer Labs

The hardware and computer labs at ECE provide practical skills and hands-on experience, which are essential to your undergraduate experience. 

For information on lab regulations and accessing computers, please visit our Hardware & Computer Labs page.

Practical Experience Requirement

All students must complete a minimum of 600 hours of practical work experience. This requirement ensures you gain meaningful, hands-on experience with professional responsibility before entering the workforce.

Your experience can be completed in a variety of ways, including work in industry, research, or public service, and may be obtained at any point during your studies. The experience should be related to your engineering studies and involve applying and further developing the skills and knowledge acquired in your program.

Students who earn credit through the Professional Experience Year (PEY) Co-op Program fully satisfy this requirement.

If you are completing the requirement outside of PEY, you must submit the 600-hour Practical Experience MS form to the ECE Undergraduate Office by the end of the Fall term of your graduating year.

Research and Undergrad Awards

Awards Overview

Undergraduate summer research awards are allocated by a competitive process to fund a student researcher to work with a professor over the summer. 

Undergrad Student Experience

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Student Life in ECE at U of T

Your U of T experience encompasses more than what happens in the classroom. Over 1,000 campus student organizations provide a great opportunity for you to meet new people, gain practical work experience and learn a new skill. 

Visit the Student Life website or Ulife for the clubs and organizations database. Some clubs of interest to electrical and computer engineering students include: ECE ClubThe Engineering SocietyIEEE Club (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), National Society of Black EngineersTroost ILead: Institute for Leadership Education in EngineeringWomen in Science and Engineering and QueerSphere.

Student Stories: What our students are saying

RESOURCES FOR UNDERGRADS

From academic support to mental health and financial aid, find resources for undergrads in U of T's engineering program.

Exchange Opportunity for U of T Electrical & Computer Engineering Students at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Taiwan

Explore a new opportunity for Electrical & Computer Engineering students to go on an academic exchange at NTHU in Taiwan. Students are able to go on exchange in the Winter Semester of their third year. This would enable interested students to remain in Taiwan following their exchange for a research internship and/or a PEY Co-op internship before returning to U of T for their fourth year.

Students interested in applying, should review the application process guidelines before applying via the Learning Abroad platform. 

Meet Our ECE Ambassadors

Meet our ECE ambassadors and learn about the undergraduate student experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

Undergraduate Program Inquiries

Email: askece@utoronto.ca
Tel: 416-978-0488
Location:
Sandford Fleming Building
Room SFB600
10 King's College Road
Toronto, ON