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.

GENERAL MECHANICAL
General Mechanical Engineering gives you a taste of everything, with the freedom to take courses from all of the other areas.
You might be interested in the General Mech option if:
– You have multiple interests that do not fall under one area
– You want a broad, comprehensive understanding of mechanical engineering in general
– You aren’t sure what field you want to work in, or you want to maximize the variety of career options available to you
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 session also introduced two new Options coming in the future: Energy & Environment, and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
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).
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.