1st Year
Your first year will contain core classes that you will have to take to satisfy pre-requisites for second year courses. This is why I have no course in the F-tier (see here for more context).
😎 S-Tier
EECS 1021: OOP from Sensors to Actuators in Java
You will be learning and using the Java programming language along with OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) principles, so I would make the most of this course.
Know the Java syntax and OOP well, it will come in handy for future programming and EECS courses. Java may be a bit difficult to get used to coming from only knowing MATLAB or a dynamically typed language like Python.
Similar to EECS 1011 (see below), you may use a hardware kit such as the Arduino Grove Beginner Kit in some of your assignments, projects and labs.
Despite Java being a bit old, it's still also widely used in the industry at enterprises (specifically software for large organizations and complex structures)!
Assuming you have basic coding skills without knowing Java:
🔥 Difficulty: 7/10
🚀 Usefulness: 10/10
🙂 A-Tier
MATH 1025: Applied Linear Algebra
You will learn about and apply linear algebra concepts such as matrices, vectors, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, etc. If you've taken Calculus & Vectors (MCV4U) from an Ontario highschool, it should give you the upper leg. This is also one of the easiest math courses you will take in your degree in my option.
It's a useful course if you want to go into advanced and niche fields like machine learning, computer vision, quantum computing, etc. Even if you don't, It's also useful to know once you take MATH 2015 in 2nd year, which is calculus that builds upon linear algebra concepts.
Assuming you tool 12U Calculus + Vectors in highschool:
🟡 Difficulty: 6/10
🎯 Usefulness: 7/10
ENG 1101: Ethics, Communication & Problem Solving
This will be your first ever ENG course, which will cover (obviously as the course title says) engineering ethics and case studies, communication, and problem-solving. This is an easy and straightforward class in my time. So if you can, I recommend trying for an A or A+ to boost your GPA in your first year. I think it's good at introducing people to the world of engineering and has some valuable lessons to take away in the class.
🟢 Difficulty: 3/10
🚀 Usefulness: 9/10
🤔 B-Tier
EECS 1028: Discrete Mathematics for Engineers
Let me introduce you to the most infamous course for every first-year EECS engineering student. The primary reason this is difficult is that it's different from the computational or mindless plug-n-chug classes you've been doing previously in high school.
It is about mathematical logic and writing proofs, which most students struggle. Try to get a decent professor, work with a group of friends, understand the concepts, and practice to succeed.
Students complain and dislike this course because it's "useless" and "you'll never use it in your job", which is understandable considering its difficulty. However, the content will come back plenty of times in upper year courses like data structures and algorithms, digital logic design, system specification and refinements, etc. Moreover, getting a degree having well-rounded knowledge in discrete math and its applications will give you a stronger foundation of computer science topics, which can help in interviews for technical roles.
🔥 Difficulty: 8/10
🎯 Usefulness: 8/10
MATH 1013: Applied Calculus 1
MATH 1013 touches on differential calculus. If you came from an Ontario highschool, then you've probably taken MCV4U (Grade 12 Calculus & Vectors). If so, it's essentially review from high school calculus, though you may stumble upon new concepts. However. if you've taken AP or IB calculus, the course shouldn't be too difficult. This doesn't mean the course should be easy, however. You are taking a university level and paced course on calculus, which might be a jump from highschool.
Assuming you tool 12U Calculus + Vectors in highschool:
🟡 Difficulty: 6/10
🧩 Usefulness: 6/10
MATH 1014: Applied Calculus 2
MATH 1014 is a big jump from MATH 1013, especially if you've never done integral calculus in high school. However, this is the most interesting calculus course in my opinion. You will expand through integral calculus with integration techniques, improper integrals, sequences and series, and power series. Practice problems and master course concepts to do well, which is also applicable to MATH 1013.
Even though you probably won't use calculus on the job, you'll need to understand calculus for upper year classes like PHYS 2020 and MATH 2015, which heavily uses calculus. Plus as an engineering student, I think it's good to understand calculus (every engineering student swims through calculus). There are some computing fields like machine learning that requires an understanding of calculus and math overall.
🔥 Difficulty: 8/10
🧩 Usefulness: 6/10
PHYS 1801: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics
Just as the course title says, you will learn about E&M and optics. This is the most crucial physics course for EECS Engineering students, as you'll take future courses such as electrical circuits, digital logic design, etc.
You will also be mostly using the breadboard with software such as LabVIEW in the labs. I never used a breadboard before this course, so I disliked using it and I usually had the TA to help me during labs. Comparing the course content with PHYS 1800, I found this more interesting.
🔥 Difficulty: 7/10
🎯 Usefulness: 7/10
😒 C-Tier
EECS 1011: Computational Thinking Through Mechatronics with MATLAB
This will be your first programming class in engineering, with a C-like programming language used by scientists and engineers called MATLAB (short for Matrix Laboratory). MATLAB is also used for machine learning applications, like Python, and can be powerful, however, it costs money. MATLAB is also used for engineering jobs for simulation and testing.
This course also assumes you never programmed before. You may be asked to buy an Arduino Grove kit (for ~$100) for the final project at the end of the course. You may rarely or never MATLAB in upper year courses however. Although, depending on the professor, you may use MATLAB again in future courses like EECS 3451 (Signals & Systems) for signal processing.
If you've never coded before, I would advise you to learn the coding fundamentals like variables, scoping, loops, and more for future classes. I made my first personal project with the board using MATLAB (and Java EECS 1021).
Assuming you have basic coding skills without knowing MATLAB:
🟡 Difficulty: 6/10
🧩 Usefulness: 5/10
PHYS 1800: Engineering Mechanics
This first physics course you will be taking may mostly be a review of high school physics since it mostly covers mechanics (kinematics, force, energy, etc.). These topics are important for mechanical, civil, and space engineers. Otherwise, this will be the last time you'll see mechanics.
You will also have a laboratory component where you will work on experiments related to course content. The labs we're okay for the most part, apart from a few hard ones. It's a mix of submitting a report from math calculations or conceptual questions, where you'll tools and software to do the labs.
Assuming you took 12U Physics:
🔥 Difficulty: 7/10
💤 Usefulness: 3/10
ENG 1102: Engineering Design Principles
This ENG course will be your first design course. Just as the course title says, you'll be taught about engineering designs for solving problems through drawings, frameworks, models, aesthetics, etc. This class is handy if you're in mechanical or civil engineering. Some of the projects I did was using 3D modeling software like Fusion 360 (and possibly 3D printing them). I honestly didn't really find this course useful I feel like it's mainly aimed at mechanical, civil and space engineering.
You may also be placed in a group to propose an engineering design as a potential solution for a current world or local problem. Make sure you are focusing on a design for a technical problem, rather than a social problem. Just like ENG 1101, straightforward class.
🟡 Difficulty: 4/10
💤 Usefulness: 3/10
😢 D-Tier
CHEM 1100: Chemistry & Materials Science
This is your first (and probably last) chemistry course. I mostly found this course to be mostly review from grade 12 chemistry, so I put it in D instead of F because I already knew some of the content. This course requires practice and memorization to do well.
You will also do chemistry lab experiments involving titration, polymers, analyzing equilibriums and chemical reactions, ferrofluids, and more. The labs will take up time to do (they are 3h long).
The nice thing about this course is that you can take it anytime since it's not a prerequisite for any mandatory future courses. The only thing you need this class for is if you want to take CHEM classes for you science credits in your third year (which can be easily avoided).
If you are looking to do a lighter course load in your second semester of your first year, CHEM 1100 is your pick to opt-out for now. Though, it would be nice to get over it as soon as you can since it may not be offered every semester.
Assuming you took 12U Chemistry:
🔥 Difficulty: 7/10
💤 Usefulness: 1/10