The department administers two Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree programs - Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering
The field of mechanical engineering is concerned with the application of the fundamental principles and laws of nature to the development and betterment of a technological society and culture. Virtually anything that moves, whether animate or inanimate, falls within the scope of mechanical engineering.
Mechanical engineers are required to understand the laws of mechanics and thermodynamics, the effects of forces on solids and liquids, the flow of heat through substances, the properties of engineering materials, and the design of mechanisms to accomplish useful tasks. Mechanical engineers play a leading role in the advancement of technology for sustainable development.
Mechatronics Engineering
Mechatronics engineering is the design of computer-controlled electromechanical systems. The essence of it is that the design of the mechanical system must be performed together with the design of the electrical/electronic and computer control aspects that together, comprise a complete system.
The courses taken in the mechatronics program differ significantly from those taken in the mechanical engineering program. Half of the second and third-year courses in mechatronics are provided by the systems design engineering and the electrical and computer engineering departments. This makes the mechatronics program ideal for students seeking a broad, interdisciplinary engineering education that is highly integrated and focused.