ME Undergraduate Brochure

SET YOUR COURSE – CONTACT US TODAY Mechanical Engineering University of Alberta 4-9 Mechanical Engineering Building Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G8

Telephone: 1.780.492.3598 Facsimile: 1.780.492.2200 Website: www.engineering.ualberta.ca/mece

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Our continuously growing department is home to more than 700 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students. This growth is reflected by our dedicated academic staff of over 40 professors, making it the largest Mechanical Engineering department in Canada.

Our priority is providing a first-class undergraduate education while remaining committed to conducting leading research. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta you’ll be ready to help move the world forward.

Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta offers a diverse, progressive educational experience. We believe that engineers have a responsibility to improve human welfare. Our activities in traditional areas such as manufacturing and design, as well as in emerging areas such as biomedical engineering, emissions reduction technology, nanotechnology, interfacial phenomena, and sustainable energy demonstrate our commitment to designing technical solutions to meet society's challenges.

SET YOUR LIFE IN MOTION WITH AN EDUCATION IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta prepares you to deal with the broadest set of engineering challenges possible. Our approach is to combine classroom scholarship with hands-on, applied learning situations. Students have additional opportunities to apply the skills they learn through working on extracurricular design projects housed in the department.

In the first year, all engineering students take courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer programming, and engineering mechanics before applying to their discipline of choice and deciding whether to pursue the cooperative (co-op) education option.

Once you’re admitted into Mechanical Engineering, your second year remains broad with an introduction to computer-aided, hands-on design, mechanics, stress analysis, electrical circuits and devices, thermodynamics, and concepts of materials science.

The third and fourth years of the program refine your interests in Mechanical Engineering through courses in manufacturing, mechanical design, mechanics of machines, heat transfer, turbomachines, fluid mechanics, engineering economy, project management and entrepreneurship, energy conversion, experimental design, and dynamic systems.

Choosing an education in Mechanical Engineering will allow you to set your course for a variety of career paths, from the frontiers of biomedicine to creating a sustainable global environment, to designing the machinery on which industry relies, to developing the skills to rise to the top of the business world.

THREE UNIQUE ELECTIVE STREAMS 1. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ELECTIVE STREAM Mechanical Engineering is a fertile environment for students who are also interested in the biological sciences, from understanding the intricacies of fluid flows in the heart and lungs to designing artificial joints, implants, orthopaedic devices, and medical equipment and related instrumentation.

Biomedical engineering is concerned with the application of engineering and the basic sciences to the solution of problems arising in medicine and biology. In its application to human physiology, biomedical engineering involves the understanding of body processes, the diagnosis of different body conditions and the rehabilitation of bodily functions. The tremendous complexity and variety of problems associated with the aforementioned areas require the involvement of engineers of all backgrounds.

Exciting opportunities exist for innovative solutions to numerous health care problems by applying knowledge contained within the discipline of mechanical engineering. Such solutions typically require interdisciplinary teams for which the broad background in fundamentals obtained in mechanical engineering is an asset. Examples include the ever-increasing use of mechanical systems to assist or replace various portions of anatomy, and the application of system modeling and design methods in areas from diagnosis to aids for rehabilitation.

JOBS RELATED TO THIS FIELD

• Clinical engineer for research hospital • Accident injury biomechanics engineer • Sports equipment designer

NEW – Students wanting to learn more in this area can take the biomedical degree option in mechanical engineering.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: ELECTIVE STREAMS AND AREAS OF STUDY As mechanical engineers, we build cars with reduced emissions, create airplanes with lighter materials, design prosthetic limbs, refine manufacturing technology and methodology, investigate the applications for robotics and artificial intelligence, guide the effective use of natural resources, examine the impact of engineering on the environment, generate coatings with unique thermal and mechanical properties, and design micro-, nano-, and lab-on-a-chip technologies. And that’s just the beginning.

2. BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT ELECTIVE STREAM Engineering Management focuses on helping engineers function better in the world of business management. Engineers frequently practice in commercial settings and are the most represented profession in management. About one in three engineers have managerial responsibilities at some time in their careers, which often requires additional training and experience.

Students in Engineering Management study topics such as entrepreneurship, engineering economics, engineering and the environment, contract law, the anthropology and sociology of work, and people management.

JOBS RELATED TO THIS FIELD

• Project manager • Entrepreneur • Engineering, procurement and construction engineer

3. AEROSPACE ENGINEERING ELECTIVE STREAM Mechanical Engineering is the traditional centre for learning about aerospace, automotive, autonomous, and exploratory vehicles. The department has especially strong research expertise in the use of alternative fuels, emissions measurement, and combustion. The latter includes exploring more efficient automotive technologies like Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), a hybrid of traditional spark and compression ignition engines.

Our department recently designed and tested a meteorological instrument for the Phoenix Mars Lander that measured dust devils on the surface of Mars.

With the opening of the Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems, Alberta is establishing itself as a region that excels in developing autonomous vehicles for industrial applications. Mechanical Engineering is well-positioned to capitalize on this industrial trend through the work of our Advance Robotics and Control Research Laboratory.

JOBS RELATED TO THIS FIELD

• Aerospace engineer • Automotive engineer • Robotics and controls engineer

FIVE EXCITING AREAS OF STUDY Mechanical engineering covers a diverse range of engineering fields with five major areas of study: solid mechanics and dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mechanical design, and engineering management. Examples of more specialized areas of work are acoustics, aerodynamics, biomechanical engineering, combustion engines, energy conversion systems, environmental engineering, material science including fracture and fatigue, robotics and vehicle design.

SOLID MECHANICS AND DYNAMICS Mechanical engineers are involved in the design of structures and mechanical components to safely withstand normal working stresses. Many structures and machines are also subjected to additional stresses caused by vibrations, for example, due to the imbalance in a compressor or engine, and these effects can be critical for their safe use. Stress analysis predicts the internal loads in a component and allows the designer to select materials and shapes suitable for the service the component will experience. Traditional materials such as steel and aluminium as well as recently developed materials such as ceramics and fibre-reinforced composites are considered to optimize the component's performance.

FLUID MECHANICS Fluid mechanics is concerned with the motions of liquids and gases and the machinery that causes that motion (e.g., pumps) or uses it (e.g., windmills). Applications include acoustics, aerodynamics, meteorology, pollutant dispersion, pumps, fans, turbines, pipelines, and lubrication. Mechanical engineers with a specialization in fluid mechanics design and improve a wide range of fluids-related equipment as well as investigate concerns related to the flow of water and air in the environment. Another major area of work for mechanical

engineers with a fluid mechanics background is in the aerodynamics industry designing everything from wings to jet engines.

THERMODYNAMICS Applied thermodynamics is the study of energy conversion from one form to another. A typical application is electricity production. Energy from the combustion of fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas is used to heat a fluid such as air or water, and then the fluid is expanded through machinery to produce mechanical work and drive a generator. The electricity produced is an easily transported form of energy that can be used at locations remote to the original energy source. Mechanical engineers with a specialization in thermodynamics design and improve power plants, engines, heat exchangers, and other forms of equipment. Specific examples include heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for living space and industrial processes, use of alternate fuels in engines, and reducing pollution from internal combustion engines.

DESIGN The design process starts with recognizing a need for a new product, device, or industrial process and then carries on to defining the problem to be solved, gathering necessary information, performing the required analysis and optimization, building prototypes, and evaluating different concepts. There is usually no single correct solution for a given design problem as different designs may all solve the same problem. Some designs are better than others, as they may be lighter or more efficient or cost less, so that by constant refinement and iteration throughout the design process, acceptable designs can be made.

Mechanical Engineering offers numerous opportunities for students to explore their interests in mechanical design. Each year of our undergraduate program introduces students to a new area of applied mechanical design. The introductory course in our design curriculum, MECE 260, is frequently cited by alumni as their favourite course of their undergraduate careers.

In year three, students learn about essential elements of manufacturing and have the opportunity to visit major industrial facilities in the local area. By year four, students are well-prepared for MECE 460, which partners student groups with local companies to help them solve technical challenges. The top teams are selected to compete at the department’s annual Capstone Awards, a gala dinner attended by members of local industry.

Our design classes also enable students to apply their knowledge to the many extracurricular student design projects that are based in the department, such as Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and the Autonomous Robotic Vehicle Project (ARVP).

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT Many engineering graduates spend a significant part of their career as managers of plants, companies, or other engineers. Engineering management bridges the gap between engineering and management. These engineers deal with areas such as management of engineering processes, engineering economics, operations management, quality improvement, quality control, and the use of computers in business.

FAST FORWARD YOUR CAREER Mechanical Engineering offers several stimulating options to complement your classroom education. Applying your knowledge in real-world settings is fundamental to your career as a professional engineer. Our department recognizes the importance of hands-on learning, and encourages students to explore different learning environments and work placements.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM The Faculty of Engineering offers one of the largest and most successful co-op programs in Canada, which incorporates paid, supervised work experiences in your undergraduate degree.

Co-op students gain valuable experience through full-time employment during work terms that are interlaced with academic terms. Approximately 50 percent of Mechanical Engineering students register for the co-op option.

Co-op students complement their academic studies with five four-month terms of work experience. The academic requirements for co-op and traditional programs are identical.

With the work experience component over the last six academic terms, a degree with the Cooperative Program designation requires five years.

The Biomedical Co-op Option includes all the academic courses taken by traditional students, plus a term of biomedical related courses in lieu of a work term. Consequently, the duration of this program is the same as the regular co-op program. The final work term is a clinical placement at a hospital or medical research institute.

Since work experience is required, the Engineering Co-op Department helps Mechanical Engineering students find suitable employment. Most jobs are in Alberta, but some jobs are elsewhere in Canada or overseas. Our students are regularly employed by a range of industries: biomedical, energy utilities, telecommunications, aerospace, petrochemical, and manufacturing. Students also have the opportunity to find their own placement position.

ENERGY STUDIES SUMMER COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG, GERMANY In response to growth occurring in the sustainable energy sector, Mechanical Engineering has launched a new program that enables a group of students to attend the University of Freiburg in Germany for short, intensive, summer courses combined with co-op work terms in that region. Students are also able to take advantage of organized trips to cultural attractions.

The department provides scholarships to help reduce the costs of overseas travel.

STUDENT PROJECTS AND CLUBS Whether you're interested in high-speed racers, designing robots, or even affecting positive change in the world, you'll be sure to find plenty of intriguing extracurricular activities. Some of the most popular clubs and projects in the faculty are based in Mechanical Engineering.

MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY, & CHOICE: A REWARDING CAREER IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS The University of Alberta chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) began in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2001.

EWB promotes human development through access to technology.

Through its advocacy work, the group endeavours to engage Canadians to appreciate the difficulties facing the majority of the world and to influence the decisions of policy makers.

FORMULA SAE (SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS) Formula SAE at the University of Alberta is a vehicle project in which students manage, design, and build a race car that will compete annually in Fontana, California, against 70 other universities from around the world. Even though the objective of all the groups is to win, participants display a strong, collegial sharing of automotive engineering knowledge.

THE AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC VEHICLE PROJECT (ARVP) The ARVP exists to develop, apply, and promote robotic technology with a focus on design, controls, and intelligent navigation. The ARVP challenges problems such as those presented by the annual international Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition wherein systems and vehicles are developed for real-world applications.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CLUB The Mechanical Engineering Club is a social club that also offers students academic support. Participating in the Mechanical Engineering Club allows you to be part of a community that is going through similar experiences and helps you leave the University of Alberta with friendships that last a lifetime.

The number one advantage alumni say they gain from an education in Mechanical Engineering is flexibility. Our graduates are highly versatile when they enter the workforce and possess skills that allows them the mobility to explore different career options.

Many of our students have become successful entrepreneurs, while others have gained positions as executives in some of the biggest companies in North America.

Some have distinguished themselves by developing innovative solutions to challenges the oil and gas industry face and some have complemented their undergraduate education with further studies, becoming lawyers, doctors, and research scientists.

In Mechanical Engineering, the only limits on your education are the ones you set.