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.

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

SET YOUR COURSE –CONTACT US TODAY

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGOur 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 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 entrepre-

neurship, 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.

SET YOUR LIFE IN MOTION WITHAN EDUCATION IN MECHANICALENGINEERING

THREE UNIQUE ELECTIVE STREAMS

1. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ELECTIVE STREAMMechanical 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.

• 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.

2. BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT ELECTIVE STREAMEngineering 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.

• Project manager

• Entrepreneur

• Engineering, procurement and construction engineer

JOBS RELATEDTO THIS FIELD

JOBS RELATEDTO THIS FIELD

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING:ELECTIVE STREAMS AND AREASOF STUDY

3. AEROSPACE ENGINEERING ELECTIVE STREAMMechanical 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.

• Aerospace engineer

• Automotive engineer

• Robotics and controls engineer

FIVE EXCITING AREAS OF STUDYMechanical 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 DYNAMICSMechanical 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 MECHANICSFluid 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.

THERMODYNAMICSApplied 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.

DESIGNThe 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 MANAGEMENTMany 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.

JOBS RELATEDTO THIS FIELD

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 PROGRAMThe 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 ATTHE UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG, GERMANYIn 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.

FAST FORWARD YOUR CAREER

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERSThe 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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CLUBThe 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.

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.

STUDENT PROJECTS AND CLUBS MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY, & CHOICE:A REWARDING CAREER INMECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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 inter-

national Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition wherein systems

and vehicles are developed for real-world applications.