Program Options

Program Options

Following MECH 2, UBC Mechanical Engineering students have the option to focus their degree in one of three specific areas–allowing them to pursue their interests in the broader context of Mechanical Engineering–or take a little bit of everything to get the most breadth out of their degree.

In the Biomechanics and Medical Devices, Mechatronics, Thermofluids, or Aerospace options, students take specialized electives in their field of study, while students in the General Mechanical option take electives across the board. Hover over the images below, visit the specialization-specific pages, and view the curriculum differences below to find out more about these options.

Curriculum Differences

The tables below present a list of the courses that are different between the General and the respective options. The courses highlighted in each table are courses that are unique to that Option.

Note: Due to limited course availability, students in any option are required to follow the regular Co-op schedule, regardless of their Co-op status. It will thus take students a minimum of three years (after completing MECH 2) to complete their degree. For a comprehensive list of courses and schedules, see the UBC Calendar program listing.

Please click below to view the curriculum of the individual programs.

The Aerospace option is designed to prepare you for mechanical engineering within the high-tech world of aircraft and spaceflight, combining courses like heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and combustion with more application-specific areas like materials, vibration, propulsion and aircraft design and structures.

General Mechanical Aerospace Option
MECH 305 - Data Analysis and Mechanical Engineering Laboratories MECH 305 - Data Analysis and Mechanical Engineering Laboratories
MECH 325 - Mechanical Design I
MECH 327 - Thermodynamics II
MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project
MECH 358 - Engineering Analysis
MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials
MECH 368 - Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation MECH 368 - Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation
MECH 375 - Heat Transfer MECH 375 - Heat Transfer
MECH 380 - Fluid Dynamics
MECH 400  - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering MECH 400 - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering
MECH 426 - Mechanical Design
MECH 431 - Engineering Economics MECH 431 - Engineering Economics
MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations
MECH 466 - Automatic Control MECH 466 - Automatic Control
MECH 457 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project (Capstone Design Program) MECH 453 - Aerospace Design Project (Capstone Design Program)
MECH 462 - Finite Element Analysis
Technical Elective MECH 477 - Aerospace Propulsion
Technical Elective MECH 479 - Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
Technical Elective MECH 481 - Aerodynamics of Aircraft I
Technical Elective MECH 484 - Aircraft Design: Aerodynamics
Technical Elective MECH 485 - Aircraft Design: Structures
Technical Elective MECH 489 - Experimental Thermofluids
Technical Elective MTRL 494 - Composite Materials
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective

 

Information on each course can be found at mech.ubc.ca/our-department/courses.

Biomedical specific courses focus on areas such as orthopaedic biomechanics, injury mechanics, biofluids, anatomy, biomedical equipment and industrial and clinical medical engineering. Many of these courses contain a project or research component that boost the students' biomedical knowledge and help build the teamwork skills necessary to thrive in such a cross-disciplinary, robust and dynamic field. Students are also given the opportunity to experience the medical field first hand through visits to various research facilities and hospitals, and they often have a wide range of medical professionals invited into the classrooms to share their knowledge, experience and expertise. With small class sizes and accessible, supportive professors, students in the Biomechanics and Medical Devices option get to know each other really well and build a strong relationship with each other and their professors.

General Mechanical Biomechanics and Medical Devices Option
MECH 305 - Data Analysis and Mechanical Engineering Laboratories MECH 305 - Data Analysis and Mechanical Engineering Laboratories
MECH 325 - Mechanical Design I MECH 325 - Mechanical Design I
MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project
MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials
MECH 368 - Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation MECH 368 - Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation
MECH 375 - Heat Transfer MECH 375 - Heat Transfer
MECH 400  - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering MECH 400 - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering
MECH 431 - Engineering Economics MECH 431 - Engineering Economics
MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations
MECH 466 - Automatic Control MECH 466 - Automatic Control
MECH 457 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project (Capstone Design Program) MECH 459 - Biomedical Engineering Design Project (Capstone Design Program)
BMEG 410 - Biomedical Equipment, Physiology and Anatomy
Technical Elective BMEG 456 - Clinical and Industrial Biomedical Engineering
Technical Elective MECH 439 - Biomechanics Research Seminar
Technical Elective MTRL 495 - Biomaterials
Technical Elective 1 of MECH 433, MECH 435, or MECH 436
Technical Elective 1 of MECH 433, MECH 435, or MECH 436 (must be different)
Technical Elective Technical Elective
Technical Elective Technical Elective
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective

 

Information on each course can be found at mech.ubc.ca/our-department/courses.

Mechatronics specific courses have focuses in areas such as computer programming, digital systems, electromechanics, mechatronics systems modeling, sensors and actuators, and mechatronics systems control. Many of these courses contain a lab component to bolster students’ hands-on and teamwork abilities. With small class sizes and supportive professors, students are able to get to know one another and receive support. Students in mechatronics have access to their own study space with some electrical lab equipment, computers, and a printer. This helps build a robust education for working in a cross-disciplinary field.

General Mechanical Mechatronics Option
MECH 305 - Data Analysis and Mechanical Engineering Laboratories MECH 306 - Data Analysis and Mechatronics Laboratories
MECH 325 - Mechanical Design I MECH 325 - Mechanical Design I
MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project MECH 328 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project
MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials MECH 360 - Mechanics of Materials
MECH 366 - Modeling of Mechatronic Systems
MECH 368 - Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation
MECH 375 - Heat Transfer MECH 375 - Heat Transfer
MECH 400  - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering MECH 400 - Professionalism and Ethics in Engineering
MECH 420 - Sensors and Actuators
MECH 421 - Mechatronics System Instrumentation
MECH 423 - Mechatronic Product Design
MECH 431 - Engineering Economics MECH 431 - Engineering Economics
MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations MECH 463 - Mechanical Vibrations
MECH 466 - Automatic Control MECH 467 - Computer Control of Mechatronics Systems
MECH 457 - Mechanical Engineering Design Project (Capstone Design Program) MECH 458 - Electromechanical Design Project (Capstone Design Program)
Technical Elective CPSC 259 - Data Structures and Algorithms for Electrical Engineers
Technical Elective CPEN 312 - Digital Systems and Microcomputers
Technical Elective CPEN 333 - System Software Engineering
Technical Elective ELEC 302 - Electronic Circuits for Electromechanical Design
Technical Elective ELEC 343 - Electromechanics
Technical Elective Technical Elective
Technical Elective Technical Elective
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective
Complementary Studies Elective Complementary Studies Elective

 

Information on each course can be found at mech.ubc.ca/our-department/courses.

Thermofluids specific courses focus on building a firm foundation in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and energy conversion. Thermofluids technical electives are key to adapting the curriculum to your personal interests. These courses cover topics such as Aerodynamics, Naval Architecture, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), Thermal Power Generation and Efficient Energy Building Design. Many of these courses feature labs that encourage students to apply the theory they have learned in class to practical real-world problems. Students in Thermofluids can expect to learn industry-applicable practices and knowledge, and gain access to a wealth of advice from experienced professors and guest speakers.

MECH 386 (Industrial Fluid Dynamics)

General Mechanical Thermofluids Option
MECH 479 (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
MECH 489 (Experimental Thermofluids)
MECH 326 (Mechanical Design II)
MECH 329 (Materials for Mechanical Design)
MECH 368 (Engineering Measurement and Instrumentation)
MECH 392 (Manufacturing Processes)
MECH 457 (Mechanical Engineering Design Project) MECH 454 (Thermofluids Capstone Design Project)
Technical Elective General Technical Elective
Technical Elective Thermofluids Technical Elective
Technical Elective Thermofluids Technical Elective

Information on each course can be found at mech.ubc.ca/our-department/courses.

Options Info Session

Our annual Option Information Session happens in February, and reviews early admission for Mechanical Engineering Options for 1st year engineering students and regular admission for current Mech 2 students. It also touches on the application process, due dates, and what to include in your application package, and features the Option Coordinators who give more detailed information about their particular option.

2022W Options Info Session
The Options Info Session for 2022W was held on February 10, 2023, and reviewed our Aerospace, Biomechanics & Medical Devices, and Mechatronics Options, as well as the application process for early admission (first-year students) and regular admission (Mech 2 students).

The session also introduced two new Options coming in the future: Energy & Environment, and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

View the presentation slides

 

Notes on this year’s Early + Regular Option Admissions

Early Admission for First Year Students:

In 2022W, MECH will be accepting Early Admission applications to the following options:

  • Aerospace
  • Biomechanics & Medical Devices
  • Mechatronics

Regular Admission for current MECH 2 Students:

For current MECH 2 students, Regular Admissions will be open for all Mechanical Engineering Options: Aerospace, Biomechanics and Medical Devices, and Mechatronics.

We are not accepting admissions to Thermofluids this year.

Application & Admissions

There are two stages during which students may apply to an option: Early Admission, prior to the end of first-year Engineering, or Regular Admission in second year. Please click below for more information on the respective application processes.

Any general inquiries about admission into the program options should be emailed to students@mech.ubc.ca.

Early admission to the Option takes place at the end of first year. To apply for Early Admission, it is recommended that students have at least an 80% average in all first year courses, and must submit all the required documentation, as outlined in the Applications Process section below. No more than half of the available spaces in the program are filled by early admission.

Note: Acceptance is conditional on being placed in MECH and successfully completing MECH 2.

Regular Admission takes place at the end of second year. To apply for Regular Admission, it is recommended that students have at least a 65% average, and students must have successfully completed MECH 2 (including MECH 224 and MECH 225), and must submit all the required documentation, as outlined in the Application Process section below.

Please note that taking an Option requires students to take courses according to the regular co-op schedule, regardless of whether they are in co-op or not, as most courses are offered only once per year. This does not mean that co-op is required, but it does mean that completing the Option will take a minimum of three years after MECH 2.

Deadlines

Early Admission (first year students): Feb 28th at 11:59 pm
Regular Admission (second year students): March 31st at 11:59 pm

Application Package

Your application must include the following documents:

  • An Options Application Form: DOCX, PDF
  • A Letter of Intent (addressed to the Option Coordinator) explaining why you would like to join the Option and the skills or experience you are bringing with you;

2022W Options Coordinators are:

    • Aerospace: Dr. Kendal Bushe
    • Biomechanics and Medical Devices: TBA (address your letter to Dr Antony Hodgson)
    • Mechatronics: Dr. Yusuf Altintas
  • A copy of your current resume;
  • An unofficial copy of your grades from the Student Service Centre;
  • Optional: Up to 5 pages (8 ½“ x 11”, single-sided) of supplemental material to support your application. Supplemental material can range from letters of recommendation, projects, photos, etc. Applicants are encouraged to submit their own designs and innovations. Please do not draw or design anything specifically for this application, but instead show us what you “naturally” have done due to your creative interests. Please do not submit CDs, DVDs, physical objects, or similar.

***Please note that only electronic submissions will be accepted***

Complete application packages should be e-mailed to students@mech.ubc.ca by the deadline.

Interviews

Once your application has been received, you may be contacted to come in for a short interview, in mid-March (Early Admission) or early April (Regular Admission). You will be contacted via e-mail regarding the date and time of your interview. Please ensure you continue to check your e-mail regularly during the exam period.

Final Admissions

Final decisions on option admissions will be made by late March (Early Admission) or by early May (Regular Admission). You will be notified of the decision via email.