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Engineering Block Model

An Alternative Option For Your First Year in Engineering

As a first-year Engineering student, you have a choice about how you learn in the fall term: traditional or block model.

Traditional Model

In a traditional learning model, students take 5 different courses simultaneously throughout the fall semester on a continuous basis. Most midterms would be in October and most final exams would be in December, with classes and assignments for all courses spread throughout the term.

Block Model

The block model is a unique way of learning. Students complete one subject at a time (except for ENG 1101 which occurs throughout the Fall term.) This means students will take one class for 3.5 weeks, complete it, and start another course right after – allowing full focus on one topic at a time.
Another cool thing? With the block model, students study on campus three days a week and study from home for two – the blended delivery gives more flexibility and allows for less time commuting.
In both models, students take the same courses and get the same credits. The Block Model is just doing it differently. Read on to learn more about the block model.

Example of the Block Model

SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
MATH 1025
Applied Linear Algebra
(LA term)
EECS 1011
Computational Thinking
through Mechatronics
(LB term)
MATH 1013
Applied Calculus I
(LC term)
PHYS 1800
Engineering Mechanics
(LD term)
ENG 1101
<—————— Renaissance Engineer 1: Ethics, Communication & Problem Solving ——————>
(F term)

Frequently Asked Questions

The block model will run for the length of the fall term (September to December). In the winter term (January to April), all students will take courses in the traditional model.
ENG 1101 will run throughout the entire fall term, from September to December. The remainder of your courses will run sequentially in 3.5-week blocks, as depicted in the schedule above.
The course content and learning outcomes under both models are the same, so regardless of which model you choose, you will be prepared to continue into your second term of engineering studies. However, a key difference is in the pacing and delivery of your courses. In the block model, since each course runs on a 3.5-week schedule, you will be devoting most of your time during that period to the course through a combination of in-person classes, tutorials, labs, and online learning activities.
Check the Important Dates page, select the current academic year, and scroll down to the heading “Sessional Dates for All Other Terms” to find the dates for the LA, LB, LC, and LD terms.
The last day to add a fall term course with permission of the instructor is September 18. After that date, you cannot switch your courses to the traditional model.
If you are interested in the block model, we encourage you to apply. You will be notified if you are selected to participate.
You can indicate your preference on our Engineering Program Guarantee form which will be emailed to you after you have applied. Decisions will be made and communicated in early August. If your application is accepted, you will be moved to the appropriate sections of each course for the block model in August.