Who We Are
Engineering graduates are facing a rapidly changing and increasingly challenging world, undertaking roles that cross traditional disciplines. This evolution is redefining what it means to be an engineer in the 21st century. Thought leaders, accreditation agencies and employers are calling for engineers to have greater transdisciplinary knowledge in the realms of leadership, communication, business, education, entrepreneurship, sustainability and globalization. These relational competencies transcend disciplines, magnify the impact of technical knowledge, and are becoming indispensable to student learning and career success.
The first of its kind in Canada, ISTEP brings together existing initiatives, academic programming, scholarship and people from across the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering to create a vibrant ecosystem for instruction innovation!
ISTEP was created to drive change in how we prepare future engineering leaders. Our work lies at the intersection of:
- Engineering Education: What and how we teach
- Professional Competencies: Who our students become
- Engineering Practice: What our students will do
ISTEP Themes
Our scholarship informs our teaching, and our teaching practice informs our scholarship. We strive to enhance the way we educate engineering students so they are better prepared to develop technology, contribute to society, build a prosperous economy, and enjoy lifelong career success.
Engineering Leadership
ISTEP supports the integration of leadership and team-learning into core courses across U of T Engineering.
Being an engineer is about more than solving equations and complex technical problems. It’s about working with people, building strong teams and creating positive social change. Leadership education complements your technical education by offering opportunities for personal, interpersonal and professional development. Knowing who you are — your strengths, talents and preferences — empowers you to effectively collaborate with others (teams) and work toward a larger vision (organization) in order to influence positive change (society).
The Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (ILead) is the focal point for engineering leadership research and training at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.
Learn more about the myriad of ILead programming, courses and events on the Troost ILead Website
Engineering Socio-Technical Thinking
Engineering products and processes have a significant impact on individuals, communities and the environment. Engineering graduates need an understanding of the ethical, social and environmental impacts of their work to best serve society. There are many opportunities for engineers to apply their skills to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, but an understanding of social and environmental systems is critical.
U of T Engineering has several courses and co-curricular activities that provide you with an opportunity to learn about the social and environmental impacts of engineering products and processes, and the role of ethical frameworks in equitable and fair decision-making.
ISTEP is passionate about socio-technical theory and engineering ethics. We’re excited to explore this dimension of engineering with you.
Engineering Communication
Communication underpins every facet of engineering — from interacting with clients, to interpreting specifications, to developing and pitching design solutions. The most successful engineers are able to effectively:
- interpret and understand written, oral and visual information
- analyze and apply information to meaningful action
- generate original written, oral and visual artifacts to communicate their engineering knowledge.
Through our long-standing Engineering Communication Program (ECP), ISTEP fosters the development of effective communication skills through:
- integrated courses from first to fourth year
- support for faculty on assignment and curriculum development
- one-on-one tutoring
- specialized workshops
- elective courses that lead to an undergraduate certificate in communication.
Engineering Business & Entrepreneurship
Effective business practices and principles underlie successful engineering products, services and companies. Understanding these practices is essential to developing effective engineering processes.
U of T Engineering offers a suite of courses designed and taught jointly with the Rotman School of Management to provide you with rich opportunities to explore the field of engineering through a business lens.
ISTEP faculty research and teach engineering business practices and support the integration of economics and business instruction in U of T Engineering curriculum.
Engineering business and entrepreneurship are closely intertwined.
Innovation is at the heart of every engineering success story. It all begins with an idea. For that idea to grow, it needs a collaborative network of diverse perspectives, experienced mentors and an environment that invests in entrepreneurial thinking.
Learning for Life
ISTEP is dedicated to supporting students in the development of lifelong and lifewide learning skills, which span from formal education to career-based learning. Through courses, co-curricular opportunities, professional development and our Collaborative Specialization in Engineering Education, we are committed to advancing theory and practice in engineering and technology related work and learning.
