Mech 2 is a carefully designed engineering curriculum aimed at developing student’s analytical, practical and design skills in Mechanical Engineering.
We believe that the traditional curriculum is not an optimal way to educate all students and that many students will benefit from the unified approach of Mech 2. The goal of Mech 2 is for students to be able to use their knowledge and skills to apply engineering science to practical engineering problems. The most obvious difference between Mech 2 and the traditional program is the integration of course material in Mech 2 and focus on application of theory.
Traditional Program:
- Students take diverse courses at the same time
- Students spend a great deal of energy juggling disconnected mid-terms and assignments
Mech 2:
- Custom designed course structure
- Students take only one course at any one time
- Courses are designed to integrate material and provide good communication between the instructors in mathematics, materials, electronics and mechanical engineering
- Time to focus your thinking on key aspects of theory, and then have a chance to use the ideas in an experimental or design setting
In order to accomplish this, we have had to completely change the way courses are scheduled over each day and over the term. You will see in the weekly schedule that your life in Mech 2 will be very different from that of your friends in other programs.
In the relatively short time since September 2004 that Mech 2 has been offered, we have already observed substantial positive impact on student development.
Some improvements we have noticed are:
- Students take on much more challenging real-world problems and have had greater opportunity for meta-skill development
- A marked change in performance in senior year classes since Mech 2 alumni have filled those courses
We are very pleased that Mech 2 has also been recognized locally and internationally. In April 2006, Mech 2 received the prestigious American Society of Mechanical Engineers Curriculum Innovation Award for demonstration of significant advancement in engineering education. In March 2007 Mech 2 received the UBC Alfred Scow Award for providing a significant positive impact on student life and development at UBC.
Slideshow
To get an idea of what life in Mech 2 is like, why not take a look at a photo slideshow (self-executing file, 10.9Mb, 3 min 17 sec).
If this new approach to education appeals to you, then an excellent, qualified team of instructors welcomes you to Mech 2.
Learn More:
- Preparing for Mech 2
- Admissions and Registration
- Advanced Standing
- Curriculum
- Course Descriptions
- Testimonials and Awards
- Mech 2 Team
- FAQ
