University of Toronto: St. George/Scarborough

[Imusion]

I've been having trouble deciding between the different campuses at the U of T. I plan on going into computer science(software engineering) at the U of T but I don't know if there is a major difference between the St. George campus and Scarborough campus other then location of course. Does one campus have better profs? Does one campus have better resources, labs, facilities? Does anyone have personal experiences in particular with computer science(software engineering) at any of these campuses?

Also has anyone tried getting into the co-op program for computer science(software engineering) at UTSC? Is it really competitive? What were your average grade if you are in the program?

If anyone can maybe give some insight that could help me decide that would be great. I've been trying to weigh out the pros and cons but it has been difficult and I have spent countless hours trying to research this information online but with little luck; so I thought since there are a lot of people from Toronto on RFD, what better way than to ask you guys?

Thanks!
John

[m77m7]

You should edit your post to say Computer Science because some may confuse it with the software engineering option of Engineering. Goto St. George if you want to be challenged more. Once you're in one of those programs you can take courses at both campuses if you wanted to.

[Anessa]

Travel time is a downer if you go to UTSG. The experience is more richer down there though, if you choose to embrace it. And there's better places to eat too.

[Imusion]

Fixed the course description.

You said go to St. George if you want to be challenged. Is UTSC more like "laid back" or something?

Umm, so you mean like if you get accepted into the St. George campus you can take courses beginning first year at UTSC combined with the ones at St. George?

Anessa: Yes that has been one of my gripes about the St. George campus. I'll be staying in Markham and to travel down there every single day would be a nightmare. I've seen Toronto traffic and it is crazy.

[Anessa]

UTSC is not a cakewalk. Don't let anybody fool you into thinking that...if you want consistent high marks then don't go to U of T for that.

[Imusion]

UTSC is not a cakewalk. Don't let anybody fool you into thinking that...if you want consistent high marks then don't go to U of T for that.

Of course, I just wanted to know because if there is a difference between the quality of learning at the two campuses, I want to be going to the one where I will get the most out of.

[wasserkool]

Of course, I just wanted to know because if there is a difference between the quality of learning at the two campuses, I want to be going to the one where I will get the most out of.

UTSC offers co-op program for comp sci and big names hires from them such as IBM, M$, HP etc..

[tmpz]

I'm third year UTSG computer science software engineer. There's quite a few courses that all 3 campuses share the same course content even though they may have different course codes. For example, CSC108/148 at UTSG is exactly the same course as A08, A48 (not really sure about the UTSC's codes) which has the same assignments for that semester. Difficulty should be the same. Also, professors may teach at one or more campuses. It all comes down to the campus itself and the people around. See what's best for you.

UTSC has Co-op. UTSG has PEY (take a year off and get to work at a company for 12-16 months to work on a project from start to finish).

[Imusion]

I have also been debating whether to try to get into the co-op program. Anyone with experience, was it hard getting in? What was your average when applying to get in? The problem is if I don't get in then I have to go to UTSG and can't take the regular comp-sci at UTSC because they don't seem to allow you to apply for more than one program at UTSC.

It also seems UTSC has a smaller campus, is there any major difference in resources/facilities available? Does UTSG have better resources available than UTSC or are they just about the same? Or is that irrelevant?

PEY, hmm I've never heard about it. Taking a quick look at it, sounds like a very neat option.

[evanx]

I'm third year UTSG computer science software engineer. There's quite a few courses that all 3 campuses share the same course content even though they may have different course codes. For example, CSC108/148 at UTSG is exactly the same course as A08, A48 (not really sure about the UTSC's codes) which has the same assignments for that semester. Difficulty should be the same. Also, professors may teach at one or more campuses. It all comes down to the campus itself and the people around. See what's best for you.

UTSC has Co-op. UTSG has PEY (take a year off and get to work at a company for 12-16 months to work on a project from start to finish).

Marking at UTSC is allegedly more lenient. Of course, this does not apply to auto-marking.

The problem (or the clincher, if you're into that kind of stuff) of CS programs at UofT is that they are surprisingly very theoretical and highly based on math.

[Imusion]

Marking at UTSC is allegedly more lenient. Of course, this does not apply to auto-marking.

The problem (or the clincher, if you're into that kind of stuff) of CS programs at UofT is that they are surprisingly very theoretical and highly based on math.

Yes as I can imagine, it is like that in many places. I figure the software engineering branch would be less theory/math based, or am I wrong?

[evanx]

Yes as I can imagine, it is like that in many places. I figure the software engineering branch would be less theory/math based, or am I wrong?

Less theory and a math course shorter. The programming parts are horrible though, courtesy of one or two brilliant profs.

All CS specialists take the same material up to the 2nd year and it's in the 3rd where people deviate into the branches, such as Fundamental, AI, Info Sys, etc.

[jadoocian]

I think a very important factor is how do you want your work experience.

Do you want to work 4 months, go to school 4 months and back n forth? This also allows you to work for many different companies for short periods of time.(scarborough)

Or do you want to go to school for 3 years and after your 3rd year go on a interhship for 12/16 months for some company? (st. george)

I am currently on my 16 month internship at IBM. I wouldn't reccomend driving downtown every day. If you live far, drive to a subway station, park and subway down. Probably a better option.

good luck. 8 more months till my internship is over.

[evanx]

I think a very important factor is how do you want your work experience.

Do you want to work 4 months, go to school 4 months and back n forth? This also allows you to work for many different companies for short periods of time.(scarborough)

Or do you want to go to school for 3 years and after your 3rd year go on a interhship for 12/16 months for some company? (st. george)

I am currently on my 16 month internship at IBM. I wouldn't reccomend driving downtown every day. If you live far, drive to a subway station, park and subway down. Probably a better option.

good luck. 8 more months till my internship is over.

The PEY option seems stronger but it takes up an additional year. A 4 month stint and a 12/16 month job is quite different. For major companies, they would offer the latter since it gives them both a way to procure cheaper junior work and an opportunity to snatch up future employees through on-job evaluations. This interprets into a more fulfilling experience where one is able to learn more because the company is making more effort to mentor their staff.

[Sprite_TM]

depends on where u live, theres more variety of courses u can take at st. george and sorta limited at utsc. but if u are just planning to just take comptuer sciecne and math and nothing else, then it doesnt reallly matter. oh yah, theres a catch, if u plan to go to st.george, ucan only take a max of 4 credit from other campuses and vice versa. this rule wasnt there 3 years ago.

i dont see the profs more leninet at utsc or maybe its just me. if so, can u mention a course that the prof is more lenient so we can all benefit from it?