Reduced load program

The reduced load program (RLP) is designed to allow students to complete their 1A courses over two academic terms (typically fall and spring). Since students are completing 1A over two terms, graduation will be delayed by one full year.

Joining the RLP is optional, please contact the First Year Engineering Office for more information. RLP is strongly recommended for students who feel they are struggling with the change of workload and/or environment.

What are the advantages of the RLP?

The RLP allows students two terms to transition from high school to university. This includes the opportunity to learn and develop their time management, problem-solving and study skills habits, to name a few. Students that are struggling with the transition to University, or had an IEP in high school should consider it.

Students in the RLP also take GENE 101, which is a course designed to help them become successful independent learners through learned study skills, a better understanding of their personality type, and an understanding of how personal wellness affects academic success.

What courses would I take during each given term?
Architectural Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: AE 100, AE 101, and two of:
    • AE 104, AE 115, CHE 102, or MATH 116
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitutions for:
    • MATH 117 to replace MATH 116, MATH 115* to replace AE 115, PHYS 115* to replace AE 104
Biomedical Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: BME 101, BME 101L, BME 161, and either BME 121 or BME 181.
  • Fall Term: SYDE 111, SYDE 113, the remaining BME course, and a CSE
Chemical Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: CHE 100, CHE 120, CHE 180, and one of
    • MATH 115, MATH 116, or CHE 102
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitution for:
    • MATH 117 will replace MATH 116
Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering students take: 
  • Fall Term: CIVE/ENVE/GEOE 100, COMMST/ENGL 191 and two of
    • CIVE 104, CIVE/ENVE/GEOE 115, MATH 116, CHE 102
  • Spring Term: GENE 101, and the remaining two courses, with substitutions for:
    • MATH 117 to replace MATH 116, MATH 115* to replace CIVE/ENVE/GEOE 115, PHYS 115* to replace CIVE 104
Electrical and Computer Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: ECE 150, ECE 190, ECE 198, COMMST/ENGL 192, and one of:
    • ECE 105, MATH 115, MATH 117
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitution for:
    • PHYS 115 will replace ECE 105
Management Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: MSE 100, MSE 121, and one of:
    • CHE 102, MATH 115 or MATH 116
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitution for:
    • MATH 117 will replace MATH 116
Mechanical Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: ME 100, and two of:
    • CHE 102, PHYS 115, MATH 115 or MATH 116
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitution for:
    • MATH 117 will replace MATH 116
Mechatronics Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: MTE 100, MTE 121 and two of:
    • CHE 102, MATH 115 or MATH 116.
  • Spring Term: GENE 101 and the remaining two courses, with substitution for:
    • MATH 117 will replace MATH 116
Nanotechnology Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: NE 100, NE 109, NE 111, and NE 121.
  • Spring Term: GENE 101, MATH 115 (will replace NE 112), MATH 117.
Systems Design Engineering students take:
  • Fall Term: SYDE 101, SYDE 101L, SYDE 161, and either SYDE 121 or SYDE 181.
  • Fall Term: SYDE 111, SYDE 113, the remaining SYDE course, and a CSE

Software engineering students should consult with their academic advisor.

* These are 0.5 weight courses replacing 0.25 weight courses

What are the financial implications?

The financial impact is that students will be required to pay tuition per course and incidental fees for both 1A RLP terms.

What are the promotion rules?

The promotion rules are summarized in the below table. The full rules can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar under Regulations. Any discrepancy between this page the calendar, the calendar will be considered correct.

Promotion decisions will be determined following each RLP term. For part 1, the rules are:

Attempt Failed courses Term average
≥ 60		 Term average
≥ 50 but < 60		 Term average
<50
First 1A attempt 0 May continue in 1A Failed must  repeat Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required
1 May continue in 1A,
conditional
2+ Failed must  repeat
Repeat 1A after FLR 0 May continue in 1A,
after FLR		 Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required


For part 2, the rules are:

Fall decision Failed courses Term average
≥ 60		 Term  average
≥ 50 but < 60		 Term average
<50
May continue in 1A 0 Promoted Failed must  repeat Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required
1 Promoted
conditional
2+ Failed must repeat
May continue
in 1A, conditional		 0 May continue in 1A,
after FLR		 Failed must repeat Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required
1 Promoted
conditional
2+ Failed must repeat
May continue
in 1A, after FLR		 0 Promoted Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required
1 Failed, withdrawal
from 1A required

What happens with my co-op term?

*This is an exception to the standard sequence

How do I register for the RLP?

Students who asre interested in joining the RLP should make an appointment with one of the First Year Engineering Academic Advisors. Students can schedule an appointment by visiting the Engineering Undergraduate Office in E2 1772 during business hours, or by emailing First Year Engineering. The student and the academic advisor together, will review the program terms and conditions, and complete the RLP agreement and other applicable forms. Once the forms are complete, the designated courses will be dropped from the course schedule and the student will stop attending those classes.