Degree Requirements
Please click on your program’s heading.
Program completion requirements
- 33 credits of coursework, including the seminar (if applicable)
All PhD students are required to register in the Thesis course, MECH 699, all year around (i.e. for both winter and summer terms). The seminar course is only mandatory for students who belong to the biomedical, applied mechanics and design, and mechatronics and manufacturing research groups in each winter term (no seminars are held over the summer). Seminar policies may vary from group to group.
Seminar and thesis courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 698 (Seminar) | 3 |
| MECH 699 (Thesis) | 0 |
Students normally register in the full session section of the course (Term 1-2). The Term 1 only or Term 2 only section may be used by new students arriving at other than usual registration periods, or by students nearing completion of their studies.
Guidelines
PhD Program Guidelines V5 Updated 2019Mar12
For a comprehensive list of academic policies that apply to research graduate students, visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
- 30 credits of coursework, including the seminar (if applicable) and thesis
All MASc students are required to register in the Thesis course, MECH 598, all year around (i.e. for both winter and summer terms). The seminar course is only mandatory for students who belong to the biomedical, applied mechanics and design, and mechatronics and manufacturing research groups in each winter term (no seminars are held over the summer). Seminar policies may vary from group to group.
Seminar and thesis courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 598 (Seminar) | 2 |
| MECH 599B (Thesis) | 12 |
Students normally register in the full session section of the course (Term 1-2). The Term 1 only or Term 2 only section may be used by new students arriving at other than usual registration periods, or by students nearing completion of their studies.
Guidelines
Please see the following document for additional program information:
For a comprehensive list of academic policies that apply to research graduate students, visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
The course requirements for this program have changed. The requirements for 2017W onwards are outlined below. If you started your program prior to 2017W, see the following tab, labelled "MEng Mechatronics Design (prior to 2017W)."
Program completion requirements
- 30 credits of coursework
Program guidelines
- Full-time MEng students can expect to complete the program in 12 months if they take 24 credits between the two winter terms, and a 6 credit project in the summer term. At a minimum, they must take 3 courses a term, and complete the degree within 16 months.
- The design project can be solicited from industry or the research laboratories at UBC, with the approval of the MEng program supervisor. MECH 551 projects must involve the application of electronics, instrumentation, real-time software engineering, sensors, actuators, and controls in designing a computer controlled/monitored system.
- Students must complete 24 credits before being eligible to enroll in a co-op term.
- Students who transfer from a MASc/PhD program and students who start their program in January cannot participate in co-op.
Courses
All Mechatronics Design students are responsible for registering themselves in their T1 and T2 core and elective courses in the summer before starting the program. Summer project course registration takes place in T2.
Term I (September-December):
| Core Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 550E – Principles of Mechatronics Instrumentation (3 hours lecture/week) | 3 |
| MECH 575B – Mechatronics Design Laboratory (3 hour labs/ alternating weeks) Exception: Electrical Engineering and UBC BASc in Mech with Mechatronics Option graduates should substitute additional technical electives. See note. |
1 |
Term II (January-April):
| Core Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 550C – Software Design for Mechatronics Systems (3 hours lecture/week) | 3 |
| MECH 575A - Software Design Laboratory (2 hour labs/week) | 1 |
| MECH 522 – Modern Control Engineering (3 hours lecture/week) Exception: Those with prior credit for UBC Mech 468 or UBC Mech 522 should substitute additional technical electives. See note. |
4 |
Term III (May-August): MEng Project
| Core Courses (one of:) | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 551 - Electro-Mechanical System Design Project I (Integrated Mechanical Design/analysis) | 6 |
| MECH 552 - Electro-Mechanical System Design Project I (Integrated Electronics, control, software design) | 6 |
| Note: If the student finds an industrial sponsor or an academic supervisor with an acceptable project, it is possible to take both MECH 551 and 552 in 8 Months long period as a COOP or INTERN student in industry or at the university laboratory. |
Students need to follow the project guidelines given below:
The project must be solicited from industry or a research laboratory. A one page project description must be submitted to the Mechatronics MEng Coordinator for approval in order to register in the MECH 551 or MECH 552 project course.
The project must demonstrate the application of knowledge from solid mechanics, vibrations, kinematics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, control theory and circuit theory in the machine design project (MECH 551) or electronics/software design project (MECH 552).
An industrial project must have a principal supervisor at the company and an academic sponsor from UBC. The project must be submitted in a UBC Master of Engineering format (similar to UBC MASc) to the supervisor who will arrange an oral defense with another faculty member or senior researcher. The final report with the assessment by the supervisor must be submitted to the Mechatronics MEng coordinator who will give assign the final grade.
Note: If the student finds an industrial sponsor or an academic supervisor with an acceptable project, it is possible to take both MECH 551 and 552 in 8 Months long period as a COOP or INTERN student in industry or at the university laboratory. Such projects are usually taken by a team of two students.
Technical Electives:
All Mechatronics Design MEng students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits for their degree, which typically requires 12 credits of technical electives. Recommended technical electives can be found in the table below. In addition to this list, students are permitted to take up to 6 credits from 500 level courses offered in Computer Science, Mechanical, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments. Students are responsible for choosing and registering themselves in their chosen technical electives.
| Technical Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| MECH 529 - Modeling of Dynamic Systems Not available to those with prior credit for UBC Mech 469. |
3 |
| MECH 589 – Computer Control of Multi-Axis Machines* Not available to those with prior credit for UBC Mech 467. |
4 |
| MECH 420 – Sensors and actuators* Not available to those with prior credit. |
3 |
| MECH 592 - Machine Tool Structures and Vibrations | 3 |
| MECH 520 – Sensors and actuators | 3 |
| MECH 421 - Mechatronics System Instrumentation* Not available to those with prior credit. |
4 |
| MECH 423 - Mechatronic Product Design* Not available to those with prior credit. |
4 |
| MECH 596 - CAD/CAM Principles and Practice Not available to those with prior credit for UBC Mech 491. |
3 |
| MECH 563 - Industrial Robotics Not available to those with prior credit for UBC Mech 464. |
3 |
| MECH 514 – Finite Element Analysis Not available to those with prior credit for UBC Mech 462. |
3 |
* Please note that graduate students are restricted to a maximum of 6 credits of 300 or 400 level courses. Students wishing to register in MECH 420, MECH 421, and/or MECH 423 should contact students@mech.ubc.ca for registration. Seats in these courses are first reserved for 4th-year mechatronics students; MEng students will be registered in the first week of August if seats are available.
Note: Students who have exceptions for core content should prepare a proposal plan of substitute courses. This list needs to be approved by the Director of the MEng in Mechatronics Design Program. Substitute courses must primarily be 500 level from Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments. Please send your proposal plan of substitute courses to students@mech.ubc.ca no later than June 5, 2019 in order for it to be approved prior to the registration deadline of June 22, 2019.
Mechatronics MEng Project Guidelines
MEng students may take either MECH 551 or MECH 552 as their mechatronics project course.
Students must find a project sponsor from industry or a research laboratory at the university. The project must contain design and/or development of mechatronics machines/systems with the following content:
MECH 551 Electro-Mechanical System Design Project I (6): The project must demonstrate the application of mechanical engineering principles (solid mechanics, thermo – dynamics/heat transfer, fluid mechanics or vibrations) to design a machine or a mechanical system.
MECH 552 Electro-Mechanical System Design Project II (6): The project must demonstrate the application of electronics, sensors-actuators, or software to design a system.
The project is expected to be 4 months in length and is worth 6 credits. A one page or shorter proposal must be submitted to Prof. Altintas for approval and registration in one of the project courses. The project may start at any time, but usually starts in May after completing 24 credits of regular courses. If completing the project in industry, it is expected that the student will be paid by the industrial sponsor. If completing the project in a UBC research laboratory, the faculty member may pay the student, but it is not compulsory. A project may also be completed during a co-op term.
Project Report Guidelines: The Master of Engineering report must be written in a Master of Applied Science format. You don't need to include a detailed literature review.
- Abstract of the work
- Introduction (1-2 page): purpose and what you have done
- Present the work
- Conclusion
Appendix: codes, design drawing, tables, etc.
Formatting templates can be found here:
MS Word: http://guides.library.ubc.ca/library_research_commons/thesis_formatting
LaTeX: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/dissertation-thesis-preparation/style-guides-computer-tools
You need to defend the work to:
- Your academic supervisor
- Additional supervisor from industry if any, or one more faculty/Postdoctoral Fellow/senior Ph.D. Your advisor can select.
Mechatronics MEng students take analog/digital electronics, software engineering, computer control of machines and processes as core requirements.
Contacts
Director: Dr. Yusuf Altintas, Kaiser 3102, altintas@mech.ubc.ca
Co-director: Dr. Ryozo Nagamune, Kaiser 3104, nagamune@mech.ubc.ca
The course requirements for this program have changed. The following are the requirements for those who started their program prior to 2017W. If you are starting your program in 2017W or later, see the previous tab, labelled "MEng Mechatronics Design (2017W onwards)."
Program completion requirements
- 30 credits of coursework
Program guidelines
- Full-time MEng students can expect to complete the program in 12 months if they take 8 courses between the two winter terms, and 6 credit project in the summer term. At a minimum, they must take 3 courses a term, and complete the degree within 16 months.
- The design project can be solicited from industry or the research laboratories at UBC, with the approval of the MEng program supervisor. MECH 551 projects must involve the application of electronics, instrumentation, real-time software engineering, sensors, actuators, and controls in designing a computer controlled/monitored system.
- Students must complete 24 credits before being eligible to enroll in a co-op term.
- Students who transfer from a MASc/PhD program and students who start their program in January cannot participate in co-op.
Courses
Students may select any of the courses below under the following conditions:
- A similar course must not have been taken before at UBC or elsewhere.
- A maximum of 6 credits worth of 300- or 400-level courses may be taken.
- A maximum of three courses from Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering/Computer Science may be taken.
Course list
Please note that the following courses may or may not be offered every year.
- MECH 366 Modelling of Mechatronic Systems
- MECH 386 Industrial Fluid Mechanics
- MECH 420 Sensors and Actuators
- MECH 421 Mechatronics System Instrumentation
- MECH 423 Biomechatronics
- MECH 462 Finite Element Analysis
- MECH 463 Mechanical Vibrations
- MECH 464 Industrial Robotics
- MECH 468 Modern Control Engineering
- MECH 506 Linear Vibrations
- MECH 520 Control Sensors and Actuators
- MECH 522 Foundations in Control Engineering
- MECH 529 Modelling of Dynamic Systems
- MECH 551 Electro-Mechanical System Design Project I [After one term is completed, subject to the approval of coordinator]
- MECH 552 Electro-Mechanical System Design Project II [After one term is completed, subject to the approval of coordinator]
- MECH 555 Fundamentals of Microelectromechanical Systems
- MECH 563 Robotics: Kinematics, Dynamics and Control
- MECH 589 Computer Control of Multi-Axis Machines
- MECH 592 Machine Tool Structures and Vibrations
- MECH 596 CAD/CAM Principles and Practice
- CPEN 441 Human Computer Interfaces in Engineering Design
- CPEN 412 Microcomputer Systems Design
- EECE 543 Software Project Management
- EECE 549 Dynamic Modelling of Electric Machines and Controls
- EECE 544 Medical Imaging
- EECE 511B Topics in Software Engineering - SFTWR TSTNG & MNTC
- EECE 543 Software Project Management
- CPSC 424 Geometric Modelling
- CPSC 425 Computer Vision
- CPSC 524 Computer Graphics: Modelling
- CPSC 544 Human Computer Interaction
Only ONE of the following courses may be taken:
- APSC 512 Intellectual Property Management and Technology Commercialization
- APSC 540 Business Decisions for Engineering Ventures
- APSC 541 Technology Entrepreneurship for Engineers
Other courses require the approval of the program coordinator in the beginning of the term.
Contacts
Director: Dr. Yusuf Altintas, Kaiser 3102, altintas@mech.ubc.ca
Co-director: Dr. Ryozo Nagamune, Kaiser 3104, nagamune@mech.ubc.ca
MEng Mechanical Engineering Program completion requirements
- 30 credits of coursework
Coursework is flexible but will normally have a concentration in one of these streams:
- Computational Modeling and Simulation
This program of coursework focuses on fundamental computational methods and their applications in engineering modeling and simulation. - Design and Product Development
This program of coursework focuses on technical product design. - Energy and Environment
This program of coursework focuses on the technical aspects of energy conversion systems and their relation to environmental and health impacts. - Micro and Nano Mechanical Engineering
This program of coursework focuses on the fundamentals of micro- and nanoscale phenomena and their application to engineering systems.
Please scroll down for stream details.
This program will start in September 2019. For further details on the curriculum, contact program director Dana Grecov.
MEng Streams
MEng Mechanical Engineering (Computational Design and Manufacturing)
Stream Requirements:
- At least 12 credits from Categories 1 and 2 (below)
- Up to 12 additional credits from Category 3 (with approval of the supervisor)
- 6-credit final project (MECH 597)
Courses:
| Category 1: Computational Design and Manufacturing | Credits |
| CPSC 406 – Computational Optimization | 3 |
| CPSC 524 – Computer Graphics: Modeling | 3 |
| MECH 596 – CAD/CAM Principles and Practice | 3 |
| MTRL 515 – Advanced Simulation and Modelling Tools for Materials Manufacturing | 3 |
| Category 2: Computational Mechanics | Credits |
| CIVL 537 – Computational Mechanics I | 3 |
| CIVL 538 – Computational Mechanics II | 3 |
| MECH 479 – Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| MECH 510 – Computational Methods in Transport Phenomena I | 4 |
| MECH 511 – Computational Methods in Transport Phenomena II | 3 |
| MECH 514 – Linear FEA in Solids and Heat Transfer | 3 |
| Category 3: Electives | Credits |
| To be approved by the supervisor | Varies |
| Final Project | Credits |
| MECH 597 – Project for MEng Studies | 6 |
MEng Mechanical Engineering (Design and Product Development)
Stream Requirements:
- 24 credits from Categories 1-4 (below), with
- At least 6 credits from Category 1
- at least 3 credits from Category 2
- at least 6 credits from Category 3
- 6-credit final project (MECH 597)
Courses:
| Category 1: Foundational Courses (minimum 6 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 596 – CAD/CAM Principles and Practice | 3 |
| MECH 514 – Linear FEA in Solids and Heat Transfer | 3 |
| MECH 510 – Computational Methods in Transport Phenomena I | 4 |
| CPSC 544* – Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
*Additional application is required for CPSC 544 registration. Students interested in taking CPSC 544 should send an email to students@mech.ubc.ca to request for registration instructions.
| Category 2: Statistical and Qualitative Research Methods (minimum 3 credits) | Credits |
| SOCI 514 – Analyzing Quantitative Data in Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 328 – Social Statistics I | 3 |
| KIN 371 – Introduction to Statistics in Kinesiology | 3 |
| ECON 425 – Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| STAT 305 – Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
| RES 505 – Qualitative Methods in Interdisciplinary Contexts | 3 |
| SPPH 519 – Qualitative Methods in Health Research Design | 3 |
| EPSE 595 – Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| KIN 571 – Qualitative Methods in Sport, Leisure, and Health Studies | 3 |
| Category 3: Depth Area Technical Electives (minimum 6 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 520 – Control Sensors and Actuators | 3 |
| MECH 578 – Internal Combustion Engines | 3 |
| APSC 541 – Technology Entrepreneurship for Engineers | 3 |
| CPSC 524 – Computer Graphics: Modeling | 3 |
| CPSC 547 – Information Visualization | 3 |
| EECE 518 – Human Interface Technologies | 3 |
| Category 4: Electives | Credits |
| To be chosen in consultation with supervisor | Varies |
| Final Project (required) | Credits |
| MECH 597 – Project for MEng Studies | 6 |
MEng Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment)
Stream Requirements:
- 24 credits from Categories 1-4 (below), with
- at least 6 credits from each of Categories 1, 2, and 3
- at least 3 credits from Category 4
- 6-credit final project (MECH 597)
Courses:
| Category 1: Fundamentals of Thermofluids (6-9 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 502 – Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CEEN 501 – Energy System Fundamentals | 3 |
| MECH 572 – Convection Heat Transfer | 3 |
| MECH 586 – Turbulent Shear Flow | 4 |
| MECH 576 – Combustion | 3 |
| Category 2: Energy Systems (6-9 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 578 – Internal Combustion Engines | 3 |
| MECH 545 – Fuel Cells | 3 |
| HPB 504 – Building Energy Systems Design | 3 |
| MECH 473 – Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning | 3 |
| ARCH 513 – Environmental Systems and Controls I | 3 |
| ARCH 533 – Environmental Systems and Controls II | 3 |
| MECH 470 – Energy Conversion Systems | 3 |
| Category 3: Pollution and Environmental Impacts (6-9 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 550J – Aerosols & Sprays | 3 |
| CHBE 575 – Air Pollution Control | 3 |
| CIVIL 406 – Water Treatment and Waste Management | 3 |
| Category 4: Societal Factors (3-6 credits) | Credits |
| RES 520 – Climate Change: Science, Technology and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Others by approval of the supervisor | Varies |
| Final Project (required) | Credits |
| MECH 597 – Project for MEng Studies | 6 |
MEng Mechanical Engineering (Micro and Nano Mechanical Engineering)
Stream Requirements:
- 12 credits from Categories 1 and 2 (below),
- at least 3 credits from Category 1
- at least 6 credits from Category 2
- 12 additional credits from Categories 1-4
- 6-credit final project (MECH 597)
Courses:
| Category 1: Foundational Courses (minimum 3 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 502 – Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MECH 506 – Linear Vibrations | 3 |
| MECH 561 – Linear Elasticity | 3 |
| Category 2: Micro- and Nanomechanics (minimum 6 credits) | Credits |
| MECH 550J – Dynamics of Aerosols and Sprays | 3 |
| MECH 550L – Microfluidics | 3 |
| MECH 550P – Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| MECH 545 – Fuel Cell Systems | 3 |
| MECH 533 – Biofluids | 3 |
| MECH 555 – Fundamentals of Microelectromechanical Systems | 4 |
| Category 3: Micro- and Nanophenomena Fundamentals | Credits |
| CHBE 587 – Interfacial Phenomena | 3 |
| ELEC 524 – Advanced Biophotonics | 3 |
| ELEC 543 – Green Nanoelectronic Devices | 3 |
| EECE 531 – Nanoscale Modeling and Simulations | 3 |
| EECE 576 – Semiconductor Theory for Device Applications | 3 |
| Category 4: Micro- and Nanotechnology Applications | Credits |
| MTRL 571 – Advanced Nanofibre Technology | 3 |
| MTRL 578 – Microstructural Evolution of Deformed Materials | 3 |
| MTRL 579 – Physics of Microfabrication: Front End Processing | 3 |
| MTRL 595 – Advanced Biomaterials | 3 |
| ELEC 521 – Biomedical Microdevices | 3 |
| ELEC 544 – Advanced Microsystems Design | 3 |
| ELEC 546 – Micro and Nano Fabrication Technologies | 3 |
| EECE 571Z – CMOS Design for Optoelectronics Applications | 3 |
| EECE 580 – Emerging Electronic Materials and Devices | 3 |
| Final Project (required) | Credits |
| MECH 597 – Project for MEng Studies | 6 |
Please visit the MEL website for detailed lists of the program requirements for the MEL Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering and MEL Clean Energy Engineering programs.