Undergraduate student resources

Ariane Ouellette, undergraduate student.
Ariane Ouellette, undergraduate student.

Undergraduate program outline

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (BEng) degree requirements are 48 courses (72 units) and four co-op work terms (18 units):

  • 16 core courses in mechanical engineering
  • 3 courses in electrical engineering
  • 6 courses in math/stats
  • 2 courses in physics
  • 1 course in chemistry
  • 3 courses in science/computer science
  • 7 courses in engineering
  • 1 technical report course
  • 1 complementary studies elective
  • 8 technical elective courses
  • 4 co-op work terms

If your graduating GPA is in the top 20 per cent of those graduating in your academic unit, the notation "with distinction" will appear on your degree parchment, convocation program and transcript.

Technical electives and pathways  (last update: Sep 1, 2014)

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a large number of Technical Electives (around 22 per year). Students in the MENG BEng program need to complete eight technical electives (12.0 units).

If you complete six units in one of the listed topic areas you can request an Pathway Certificate from our departmental office.  Credits from MECH497, 498 and 499 can only be used for one Pathway. Topic areas will not be shown on your transcript.

Some courses may appear under more than one category. Many of these technical electives are also offered in parallel with corresponding graduate courses.

Advanced Materials

  • MECH 472 Introduction to Electron Microscopy
  • MECH 473 Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals
  • MECH 481 Bio Materials & Tissue Engineering
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses*

Biomedical Engineering

  • MECH 448 - Introduction to Musculoskeletal Biomechanics 
  • MECH 452 - Microfluidics for Biomedical and Energy Applications 
  • MECH 472 - Introduction to Electron Microscopy
  • MECH 481 Bio Materials & Tissue Engineering
  • MECH 483 Mechanics and Energy Conversion for Living Cells
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses*

Computer Aided Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing

  • MECH 410 Computer Aided Design
  • MECH 420 Finite Element Methods
  • MECH 460 Computer Aided Manufacturing
  • MECH 466: Microelectromechanical Systems
  • MECH 495 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
  • MECH 497 Green Vehicle Technology project
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses*

Energy Systems

  • MECH 431: Advanced Fluid Mechanics
  • MECH 442: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems
  • MECH 443 Advanced Thermodynamics
  • MECH 444 Wind Power Systems
  • MECH 445 Cryogenic Engineering
  • MECH 446 Introduction to Ocean Engineering
  • MECH 447 Energy Systems
  • MECH 449 Fuel Cell Technology
  • MECH 452: Microfluidics for Biomedical and Energy Applications
  • MECH 459 Fundamentals of Hybrid Vehicles
  • MECH 493 Design of Thermo-Fluid Systems
  • MECH 494 Thermofluids and Introduction to Mass Transfer
  • MECH 497 Green Vehicle Technology Project
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses*

Thermo-fluids and Aerodynamics

  • MECH 431: Advanced Fluid Mechanics
  • MECH 442: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems
  • MECH 443 Advanced Thermodynamics
  • MECH 444 Wind Power Systems
  • MECH 446 Introduction to Ocean Engineering
  • MECH 447 Energy Systems
  • MECH 475 Aircraft Design
  • MECH 493 Design of Thermo-Fluid Systems
  • MECH 492 Transport Phenomena
  • MECH 494 Thermofluids and Introduction to Mass Transfer
  • MECH 495 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses *

Mechatronics

  • MECH 421 Mechanical Vibrations
  • MECH 430 Robotics
  • MECH 455 Instrumentation
  • MECH 458 Mechatronics
  • MECH 459 Fundamentals of Hybrid Vehicles
  • MECH 450, 498 and 499 Topic, thesis or project courses*

Topics, Thesis or Projects Courses

  • MECH 450 Special Topic Courses (1.5 units, newly introduced courses)
  • MECH 498 Honours Thesis (3.0 units)
  • MECH 499 Technical Project (1.5 units)

Students outside the mechanical engineering program may take a mechanical systems minor.

The minor requires nine units of MECH-designated courses, with a minimum of 4.5 units at the 300 course level or above. Permission of the department is required.

Co-operative Education (co-op) combines practical work experience with academic studies. Once you’re admitted to the program, you’ll generally alternate four-month work and four-month study terms. You’ll need to submit a written report at the end of each work term.

You normally complete four work terms in addition to the other academic requirements to complete your BEng degree. Learn more about co-op.

The MECH undergraduate adviser can help you decide which option’s best for you.

See the course list for information on the courses we offer.