Energy & Environment
Energy, sustainability and transportation – society is moving, and we’re the ones making it flow.
Why Choose the Energy & Environment Option in Mechanical Engineering?
Most of the systems people use in their daily lives require energy and the movement of people and goods. In today’s energy-hungry world, these areas are the source of some of our biggest challenges in sustainability, and our biggest opportunities for innovation.
Whether in buildings, industrial applications, vehicle design, transportation, or renewable energy, engineers who can design these systems while considering their climate, health, economic, and political impacts will create the world of the future.
What are some unique opportunities students at UBC have?
Specialized Courses
In 3rd year, students in this Option will begin taking a modified curriculum with courses that focus on thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, life cycle analysis and processes of pollution formation and control, and their application in a variety of industries. The modified curriculum is designed to not only help develop the student’s specialization, but also develop fundamental design and analytical skills required by any mechanical engineer.
Unique Expertise
Our instructors and faculty researchers work on a range of relevant issues in Energy + Environment. They use their expertise to develop solutions in air pollution, hydrogen fuel cells, reducing combustion emissions, energy efficient buildings, energy infrastructure, vehicle design, and computational modeling.
Experiential Learning
Our facilities include a wind tunnel, machine shop, and a 24/7 access MakerSpace open to all of our students.
Our students participate in design teams such as UBC Supermileage, and UBC Solar. Design teams compete in international competitions and foster a community of undergraduates interested in transportation and sustainability.
Where can I work?
Graduates with skills in energy and environment can work in a variety of fields from sustainable and conventional energy systems, vehicles and transportation, heating and ventilation, building design, and more. Many local and international companies hire UBC mechanical engineering graduates and student co-ops with this skill set, such as:
| Company | Industry | Headquarters |
| Ballard | Hydrogen Fuel Cells | Burnaby, BC |
| HTEC | Hydrogen Infrastructure | Vancouver, BC |
| Pratt and Whitney | Turbine Engines | East Hartford, USA |
| Tesla | Electric Vehicles | Austin, USA |
| CORE Energy Recovery Solutions | Building Energy Exchangers | Vancouver, BC |
| Intergral Group | Sustainable Building Design | Vancouver, BC |
Graduate Programs
UBC Mechanical Engineering is home to excellent professional and research-based graduate programs in Energy & Environment and related fields. An undergraduate degree from UBC opens the door to graduate studies across Canada and around the world.
Research Programs
Our MASc and PhD programs provide an Energy & Environment research specialization, with faculty researchers investigating everything from ocean wind turbines to intelligent and green marine vessels. Other compatible research specializations include:
- Applied Solid Mechanics
- Computational Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Professional Programs
Master of Engineering (MEng): we offer an MEng in Mechanical Engineering with compatible specializations like:
- Energy & Environment
- Applied Solid Mechanics
- Computational Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL): After working in industry, if you decide to level-up your leadership skills, our MEL program in Clean Energy Engineering joins technical and business studies.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Steve Rogak
Coordinator, Energy & Environment Option
rogak@mech.ubc.ca