Choosing your program of study

As we approach the end of the school year, first-year Arts & Science students are beginning to think about an important upcoming decision: their Program of Study, or POSt. Majors, minors, specialists; open and limited enrolment; collaborative life sciences programs—the system can seem overwhelming, but UofT is there to help. The Sidney Smith Commons website provides a comprehensive guide to program applications, and your college registrar can give personal guidance if needed.

Program application itself is a fairly simple process, but the preliminary step is the most important and often the hardest part: figuring out what subject area you intend to study. How do you find the program that’s right for you? What if you aren’t sure, or decide to change your major? Three upper-year STEM students shared their experiences with choosing and changing their POSts, their favourite things about their programs, and their advice for first-year students. 

Choosing a program

Sarit Radak, who intends to pursue a PhD and a research career in biotech, is a Molecular Genetics & Microbiology specialist. He chose this specialist because he “wanted a program with small class sizes that would also give [him] access to research opportunities.”

Tessa Ng is a Physics & Philosophy specialist with minors in Mathematics and History & Philosophy of Science and Technology (HPS), and wants to research and teach philosophy of science in the future. She said that she chose this program “based on what [she] knew [she] was good at … to play to [her] strengths,” and for the freedom to “explore as many different disciplines as [she wanted] in undergrad.”

Rhea Khurana is a Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Global Health double major who is interested in pursuing a master’s degree and going into genetic counselling. “I considered research and classes I found interesting during high school. I also kept in mind the career options available with the major,” said Khurana. “Since I was unsure of my ‘ideal job’ out of university, I picked a major with flexibility and that matched my personal goals.”

Making degree changes

Many students come into UofT knowing just what they want to study—some, like Radak, stick to their original plan, whereas others find their choices evolving as university progresses.

Ng initially intended to study life sciences, but decided instead to pursue a Physics & Philosophy specialist with minors in Mathematics and HPS. “I realized early on in first year that I had much more of an inclination towards physics and maths,” she said. “Luckily, there are a handful of overlapping course requirements between first-year life sci[ence] and first-year phys-math, so I wasn’t too far behind when I chose to apply to a physics POSt.”

Changing your program later in your degree, beyond first year, is also normal. Khurana started out with a Neuroscience major in place of Global Health, but changed it at the end of second year because she “wanted more variety in [her] courses.”

“The POSt application can be stressful because it feels like you’re deciding the trajectory of the rest of your academic life,” commented Ng. “[But] your decisions aren’t final; you can always switch programs and add or drop POSts if things aren’t working out as you planned.”

Highlights of certain programs

Department faculty are important parts of any program. UofT’s faculty members are not just academically outstanding, but also are often highly engaged with students. Radak’s favourite thing about his program is Professor William Navarre, the Associate Undergraduate Coordinator of the Molecular Genetics & Microbiology program. The specialist-only research class MGY280, instructed by Professor Navarre, “taught [Radak] how research actually happens in the modern day, which has been incredibly useful as I assess my career options.” Radak added that Navarre “[helps] undergrads with questions about course selection and other administrative tasks. He is incredibly friendly and helpful.”

Customizing your degree to integrate different perspectives on a subject can be greatly rewarding, and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences allows students to combine programs and courses from a wide range of disciplines. Khurana’s favourite thing about her program is that it provides a “balance between learning about health on a socio-economic and molecular level.”

Ng similarly appreciates the “interdisciplinary nature” of the Physics & Philosophy joint specialist, explaining that “it gave me the opportunity to discover niches of my field of study I didn’t know existed,” and that she appreciated the opportunity to “personalize [her] degree.” 

UofT’s interdisciplinary nature also has an important social aspect. Ng’s Mathematics minor has also allowed her to “[meet] students from countless different fields of study” and “make new friends from different programs instead of only meeting those within my own.”

Advice for first-year students applying to POSts

Ng says that first-year science students should “choose programs that allow them to flourish and avoid overly-specific disciplines that would stifle them, unless they are absolutely sure of what they want to do.” She further advises first-years to “research well into the course requirements for POSts you’re considering and think about whether you’d be happy learning about those subjects for the next 3+ years.”

“Establish your priorities and goals—then choose a major that matches those and that you’ll enjoy,” said Khurana, adding that “you have lots of time to shadow and speak to professionals at UofT.”

Finally, Radak offers a piece of practical advice, suggesting that students audit upper-year classes in a prospective subject area. This could mean sitting in on in-person classes, or reaching out to lecturers for Zoom links. “It’s the easiest way to figure out if the program will teach you the things that you want to learn,” Radak said.

First year is a time of change, learning, and growth. Though some students find a clear calling from the start, there is often more than one “right choice,” and the best paths are often found through trial and error. Between the program selection resources provided by UofT and the perspectives of these upper-year students, you should be well-equipped to make your POSt choices and make the most out of your degree. Good luck, and remember: you’re the only one who knows what’s best for yourself.