The computers systems lab at University of Toronto engages in systems research in a wide range of areas such as operating systems, distributed systems, networking, security and mobile computing. Currently, our lab consists of eight research faculty members that supervise over 30 graduate students.
The systems lab has a strong international presence, is in a period of exciting growth and opportunity, and is dedicated to research, education and overall excellence. The faculty members have appointments in the departments of electrical and computer engineering (ECE) and computer science (CS) and can supervise graduate students in either department. This inter-departmental collaboration enhances the breadth and helps offer a high-quality program in computer systems.
Students interested in systems research can apply to either the ECE department or the CS department for graduate studies. The computer systems faculty members can view applications for both the departments.
Graduate admission to the computer systems lab at University of Toronto is simpler than at other universities for two reasons:
The web sites for the ECE and the CS graduate admissions are shown below. Students should carefully follow the department-specific instructions when filling out the applications. Interest in the Computer Systems Lab should be indicated by including the acronym "CSL" in the text of the statement of intent.
The University of Toronto, as a leading research university, aims to recruit outstanding graduate students and enable them to realize their potential. This means ensuring availability of financial resources so that students can focus on their studies and complete their degrees in a timely manner.
The University of Toronto is the first Canadian university to guarantee financial support to all eligible doctoral-stream students. In addition, the ECE and the CS departments offer guaranteed financial support to masters students as well. Masters students are guaranteed funding for two years and doctoral students for four years. This funding ensures that students can support themselves entirely on their scholarship.
The ECE department consistently ranks among the top 10 in North America. It attracts outstanding students, has excellent research and teaching facilities, and is ideally located in the middle of a vibrant cosmopolitan city. We have an outstanding faculty of over 75 professors in biomedical, computer, communications, electromagnetics, electronics, energy systems, photonics and systems control, and many of our members are international leaders in their field. Please visit the department web site for more information.
The CS department at the University of Toronto ranks as the top CS department in Canada and among the top 10 in North America. It is characterized by a breadth of research and teaching interests, and the high quality of its faculty and graduate students. Currently, the department consists of 65 faculty members including a broad array of regular faculty, cross appointed and adjunct faculty, several postdocs, research associates and visitors. Please visit the department web site for more information.
The University of Toronto was founded in 1827 and is Canada's most important research institution and has gained an international reputation for its research. The University's insistence on the importance of research in all disciplines has made it the major centre for graduate education in Canada. In many fields, it produces a majority of the nation's doctoral candidates. The quality and range of the programs - undergraduate, graduate and professional - attract students from all around the world. To support its research, the University has collected a library that is the largest in Canada and among the best in the world.
Toronto, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is the largest of Canada's vibrant urban centres. Here is Toronto on Google Maps. It is the hub of Canada's commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural life. Toronto is consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities by the Mercer Quality of Living Survey. For an informal (and I think an unbiased) introduction to the city, visit this site. See Wikipedia for more details about the city.