Faculty of Engineering

Academic Regulations
Departments and Program Offerings

John Hodgins Engineering Building, Room H301, ext. 24646
http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/

DEAN OF ENGINEERING

H. Sheardown/B.Eng. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Toronto), P.Eng.

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ENGINEERING (UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES)

S. Dickson-Anderson/B.A.Sc., Ph.D. (Waterloo), P.Eng.

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ENGINEERING (RESEARCH)

C. Filipe/B.S. (Universidade Catolica Portuguesa), Ph.D. (Clemson), L.E.L.

DIRECTOR, W. BOOTH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING PRACTICE AND TECHNOLOGY

B. Baetz/B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D., (Duke), P.Eng.

DIRECTOR, FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN ENGINEERING (FUSE) OFFICE

C. Churchill/B.Eng., M.Eng.

CO-DIRECTORS, ENGINEERING and MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

V. Leung/B.Eng Biosci., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster), P. Eng.

P. Snowdon/B.A., B.A.Sc., M.Sc., DBA (University of Reading)

DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING and SOCIETY PROGRAM

C. Churchill/B.Eng., M.Eng.

ASSISTANT DEAN (STUDIES)

M. White/B.Sc. (Hon.)

SENIOR ACADEMIC ADVISOR
S. Lee/B.Sc., M.Sc.

ACADEMIC ADVISORS

D. Abuzaid/ B.A. Hon.
R. Crossley/B.A., B.Ed
M. Gyimadu/B.A.
K. Mallett/B.A., B.Ed
O. Pare/B.A., M.A.
R. Patil/B.Comp Sci, M.Sc.
J. Taylor/B.Sc. (currently on leave)
S. Williams/B.A. (currently on leave)

Engineering is a profession concerned with the creation of new and improved systems, processes and products to serve human needs. The central focus of engineering is design, an art entailing the exercise of ingenuity, imagination, knowledge, skill, discipline and judgment based on experience. The practice of professional engineering requires a mastery of engineering methodology together with a sensitivity to the physical properties of materials, to the logic of mathematics, to the constraints of human, physical and financial resources, to the minimization of risk, and to the protection of the public and the environment.

Bachelor of Applied Science Programs

The Faculty of Engineering offers a four-year Computer Science programs leading to the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) degree:

Honours Computer Science

Admission procedures and criteria can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies.

Bachelor of Technology Programs

McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering and Mohawk College’s School of Engineering Technology have partnered since 1997 to deliver the unique Bachelor of Technology program in response to the needs of today’s innovation-based organizations. The Bachelor of Technology programs operate within the Faculty of Engineering’s W. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology. This type of program is targeted to individuals whose technological interests are applications-oriented.

The programs being offered are of two kinds:

A four-year degree program (leading to both a Bachelor of Technology degree from McMaster and both an Advanced Diploma in Technology and a Business Management Certificate from Mohawk College) with entry directly from high school and
A degree completion program (leading to both a Bachelor of Technology degree from McMaster and a Business Management Certificate from Mohawk College) for graduates of the Mohawk College Advanced Diploma in Technology (or graduates of similar programs at other Colleges).

A major thrust of all of the programs is the inclusion of a significant component of management education in order to ensure that graduates are able to perform supervisory and management responsibilities as they advance in their technical careers. The management component is designed to form a cohesive segment which complements the technical program content.

For information concerning the Bachelor of Technology programs, please see the Programs for the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) Degree in this section of this Calendar.

Bachelor of Engineering Programs

Four-year programs are offered leading to the Bachelor of Engineering degree (B.Eng.) in the following fields of specialization:

Five-year programs, leading to the Bachelor of Engineering and Society degree (B.Eng.Soc), are offered in:

In addition, and in conjunction with the School of Business, five-year programs leading to the Bachelor of Engineering and Management degree (B.Eng.Mgt) are offered in:

A five-year program leading to the Bachelor of Engineering and Biosciences (B.Eng.BioSci) is offered in:

Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

In addition, and in conjunction with Faculty of Health Sciences, five-year programs leading to the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical (B.Eng.BME) are offered in:

All programs have limitations on enrolment. Students are admitted to the program following successful completion of Engineering I or iBioMed I. Admission procedures and criteria can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies. The B.Eng., B.Eng.Biosciences, B.Eng.Mgt., B.Eng.Society and B.Eng.BME programs are honours degree programs and ring are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.

At McMaster, Engineering students take a common Level I program comprised of Mathematics, Materials, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Graphics, Introduction to Professional Engineering and Design, Computation and complementary studies electives. Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I students take a separate common Level I comprised of Mathematics, Materials, Physics, Chemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Introduction to Professional Engineering and Design, Computation and complementary studies electives. Students interested in the Engineering and Management programs must take ECON 1B03 as one of their complementary studies electives in Level I. Students interested in one of the Engineering and Society programs are advised to choose the six units complementary studies in Level I Programs offered by the Faculty of Engineering include five types of elective courses, which are governed by regulations, as follows:

Complementary Studies Electives are broadening courses with subject matter that deals with central issues, methodologies and thought processes of the humanities and social sciences.

The Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) must authorize each student’s complementary studies elective courses. An approved list is published each spring and is available from the Office of the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies). Engineering I and iBioMed I students should refer to the Degrees and Programs section of this Calendar to students should refer to the Degrees and Programs section of this Calendar to determine which Level I Complementary Studies electives are possible (https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/engineering-complementary-studies-elective-courses/).

Technical Electives are Engineering or Applied Science courses in subjects relevant to the particular program. A list is available in each Engineering Department office.

Commerce Electives are required in Level V of Engineering and Management programs.

Engineering and Society Focus Electives are courses offered by various departments throughout the University. These courses are selected in consultation with the Director of the Engineering and Society program, such that they form a proper sequence of the focus electives.

iBioMed Technical Electives are approved courses offered by the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program or various departments throughout the University in subjects relevant to the particular program. A list is available on ibiomed.mcmaster.ca.

Health Sciences Electives are courses administered by the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program in subjects relevant to the health sciences, including immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease, neurosciences, behavioural sciences, clinical epidemiology, health economics and health policy. Students must meet course pre-requisites. Health sciences electives are required in the iBioMed program.

Engineering Co-op Program

Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering or registered in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program can enroll in a Co-op version of each program. Students enrolled in the former will be required to complete 12 months of industrial/practical experience prior to graduation. The 12 months experience may be acquired through a combination of four-month experience terms, or a combination of a four-month and eight-month experience terms, or an experience term of 12 or 16 months in duration. Full-time students in good academic standing may enter the Co-op version of their program at any time up to the beginning of Term 2 of their next-to-last level of undergraduate studies.

As well as completing the academic requirements as specified in this Calendar, students in a Co-op program must complete ENGINEER /IBEHS 1EE0 prior to their first work term.

To be eligible to register a co-op work term, a student must be designated as full-time status in the academic term that immediately precedes the work term and must be returning to full-time status in the academic term that immediately follows the work term.

Engineering Co-op Fees

An Engineering Co-op fee will be charged for students registered in a Faculty of Engineering Co-op Program and the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) Co-op Program.

Exchange Programs

Formal exchange programs with a number of universities in other countries are available for B.Eng. students wishing to attend a foreign university and receive credit at McMaster. For further information please see International Study in the General Academic Regulations section in this Calendar. Information concerning student exchanges can also be found in the Academic Facilities, Student Services and Organizations section of this Calendar under the heading International Student Services.

Minors

In partnership with the DeGroote School of Business, the Faculty of Engineering offers an Interdisciplinary Minor in Innovation .
In partnership with all Faculties, the Faculty of Engineering offers an Interdisciplinary Minor in Sustainability .
In partnership with all Faculties, the Faculty of Engineering offers an Interdisciplinary Minor in Nuclear Studies and Society .

Academic Regulations

Student Academic Responsibility

You are responsible for adhering to the statement on student academic responsibility found in the General Academic Regulations of this calendar.

Access to Courses

All undergraduate courses at McMaster have an enrolment capacity. The University is committed to make every effort to accommodate students in required courses so that their program of study is not extended. Unless otherwise specified, registration is on a first-come basis and in some cases priority will be given to students from particular programs or Faculties. Students will be informed of their enrolment periods and are encouraged to enroll as soon as online enrolment is available to them in the Student Centre in Mosaic.

Student Communication Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to:

maintain current contact information with the University, including address, phone numbers, and emergency contact information.
use the University provided e-mail address or maintain a valid forwarding e-mail address.
regularly check the official University communications channels. Official University communications are considered received if sent by postal mail, by fax, or by e-mail to the student’s designated primary e-mail account via their @mcmaster.ca alias.
accept that forwarded e-mails may be lost and that e-mail is considered received if sent via the student’s @mcmaster.ca alias.

Students enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering programs or Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program, in addition to meeting the General Academic Regulations of the University, shall be subject to the following Faculty Regulations.

Engineering I

Admission to Level II Programs

All Engineering I students who wish to be reviewed for admission to a Level II submit an Application of Admission to Level II stated deadline (typically April of Level I). Students rank up to twelve program choices. Rank ordering must be done very carefully because once admitted to a program, no further consideration is given to lower ranked choices.

Admission to Level II courses before the start of the Level II program. Students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0. All Level II programs are limited enrollment and entry into a Level II program is determined by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and order of ranked programs. All McMaster University courses completed (including electives and upper year courses) are calculated into Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) up to the time of Level II Summer term, (after program admission review) will not change student Level II with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) less than 4.0 can no longer continue in the Faculty of Engineering.

Students must follow the program requirements of the Academic Calendar year in effect when they enter Level II. Admission to an Engineering and Management program (B.Eng.Mgt) program is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average. Students are required to complete ECON 1B03 - Introductory Microeconomics with a minimum grade of 5.0 (63%). Admission to the Engineering and Society Program (B.Eng.Society) is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Effective Fall 2027

Engineering I programs include the Discovery Track and the Direct Entry Tracks listed below. Discovery Track differs from the others in that it enables students to experience first-year Engineering before deciding which Level II program to pursue.

Engineering I - Discovery Track

All Engineering I - Discovery Track students who wish to be reviewed for admission to a Level II program in the Faculty of Engineering for the following Fall/Winter term must submit an Application of Admission to Level II through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline (typically April of Level I). Students rank up to twelve program choices. Rank ordering must be done very carefully because once admitted to a program, no further consideration is given to lower ranked choices. Admission to Level II Engineering programs requires completion of all 31 units of required Engineering I courses before the start of the Level II program. Students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0. All Level II programs are limited enrollment and entry into a Level II program is competitive. The admission into each Level II program is determined by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and order of ranked programs. All McMaster University courses completed (including electives and upper year courses) are calculated into Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) up to the time of Level II program admission review. Grades earned in a Spring and/or Summer term, (after program admission review) will not change student Level I program eligibility. A student in Engineering I with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) less than 4.0 can no longer continue in the Faculty of Engineering.

Students must follow the program requirements of the Academic Calendar year in effect when they enter Level II.
Students must submit an Application of Admission to the Engineering and Management Program (B.Eng.Mgt) through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline. Admission is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students are required to complete ECON 1B03 - Introductory Microeconomics with a minimum grade of 5.0 (63%).
Students must submit an Application of Admission to the Engineering and Society Program (B.Eng.Society) through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline (typically April of Level I). Admission to the Engineering and Society Program (B.Eng.Society) is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
Students must follow the program requirements of the Calendar in effect when they enter Level II

Engineering I Direct Entry Tracks:

Engineering I - Chemical Engineering Track
Engineering I - Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering Track
Engineering I - Civil Engineering Track
Engineering I - Computer Engineering Track
Engineering I - Electrical Engineering Track
Engineering I - Engineering Physics Track
Engineering I - Materials Engineering Track
Engineering I - Mechanical Engineering Track
Engineering I - Mechatronics Engineering Track
Engineering I - Nuclear Engineering Track
Engineering I - Software Engineering Track

To be eligible for any Level II Engineering program, a student requires an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 or above and must have completed all 31 units of required Engineering I courses before the start of the Level II program. Students are only eligible to progress to the Level II program that corresponds with their current Level I track.

Students must follow the program requirements of the Academic Calendar year in effect when they enter Level II. Admission to the Engineering and Management program is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students are required to complete ECON 1B03 - Introductory Microeconomics with a minimum grade of 5.0 (63%). Admission to the Engineering and Society program is competitive and will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Students must follow the program requirements of the Calendar in effect when they enter Level II.

Computer Science I

To be eligible for Level II Computer Science a student requires an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 and must also have passed all non-elective Computer Science I.

A student in Computer Science I whose Grade Point Average (GPA) is less than 4.0 may no longer continue in the Faculty.

Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I

All Level I students who wish to be reviewed for admission to a Level II program in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) program for the following Fall/Winter term must submit an Application of Admission to Level II through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline (typically April of Level I). Students in the iBioMed program must rank both degree options in order of preference, and are permitted to rank up to twelve program choices in total. Rank ordering must be done very carefully because once admitted to a program, no further consideration is given to lower ranked choices.

Admission to either the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (HESE) program or one of the B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering (BME) programs requires successful completion of all non-elective iBioMed I courses with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0. All Level II enrollment and entry into a Level II program is determined by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and order of ranked programs. All McMaster University courses completed (including electives and upper year courses) are calculated into Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) up to the time of Level II program admission review. Grades earned in summer school, after program admission review, will not change student Level II program eligibility. A student in iBioMed I with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) less than 4.0 can no longer continue in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) program.

Students must follow the program requirements of the Calendar in effect when they enter Level II.

Effective Fall 2027

Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Discovery Track

Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) I programs include the Discovery Track and the Direct Entry Tracks listed below. Discovery Track differs from the others in that it enables students to experience first-year iBioMed before deciding which Level II program to pursue. Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Discovery Track All Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) I - Discovery Track students who wish to be reviewed for admission to a Level II program in iBioMed for the following Fall/Winter term must submit an Application of Admission to Level II through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline (typically April of Level I). Students in the iBioMed program must rank both degree options in order of preference, and are permitted to rank up to twelve program choices in total. Rank ordering must be done very carefully because once admitted to a program, no further consideration is given to lower ranked choices.

Admission to either the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (HESE) program or the B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering (BME) programs requires successful completion of all 34 units of required iBioMed I courses before the start of the Level II program. Students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0. All Level 2 programs are limited enrollment and entry into a Level II program is competitive. The admission into each Level II program is determined by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and order of ranked programs. All McMaster University courses completed (including electives and upper year courses) are calculated into Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) up to the time of Level II program admission review. Grades earned in summer school, after program admission review, will not change student Level II program eligibility. A student in iBioMed I with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) less than 4.0 can no longer continue in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) program. Students must follow the program requirements of the Calendar in effect when they enter Level II.

Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I Direct Entry Tracks:

Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Civil and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Engineering Physics and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Materials and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering Track
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I - Software and Biomedical Engineering Track

To be eligible for either the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (HESE) program or any B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering (BME) program, a student requires an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 or above and must have completed all 34 units of required iBioMed I courses before the start of the Level II program. Students are only eligible to progress to the Level II program that corresponds with their current Level I track.

Students must follow the program requirements of the Academic Calendar year in effect when they enter Level II.

Bachelor of Technology I

To be eligible for any Level II Bachelor of Technology program, a student requires an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or above and must have 24 units of Bachelor of Technology I courses. See the program listings under Programs for the Four-Year Bachelor of Technology degree for specific information on admission requirements for each program.

Sequence of Courses

Courses must be taken in the sequence specified in the Calendar for the program. Students must register for all outstanding work of one level before attempting work for a higher level.

Repeated Courses

All failed courses must be repeated if they are required courses for the Engineering program or may be replaced if the courses are not explicitly required.

Level of Registration

A student is required to register in the lowest level for which more than six units of work is incomplete. Work of a higher level may be undertaken only with the permission of the Associate Dean of Engineering.

Reinstatement to Faculty of Engineering, or Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences

A student who is ineligible to continue in the Faculty of Engineering or Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences or who May not continue at the university may normally not apply for reinstatement for one full academic year. Exceptions may be made when there are extenuating circumstances which are supported by documentation.

Students seeking reinstatement must complete the Reinstatement Request Form available at the Office of the Registrar or the Office of the Associate Dean of Engineering. The completed form and the $100 fee must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by June 30. The form must be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason for the student’s previous unsatisfactory academic performance, reasons for reinstatement at this time (including documentation of what has been done to correct previous problems), reasons why the student would expect to succeed in the desired program if reinstated (i.e. what was the previous problem and what has been done to correct it), activities since last registered at McMaster including all academic work. Reinstatement is not guaranteed.

A student who is reinstated after being ineligible to continue at a given level must repeat all the courses of that level, unless specific course exemptions are granted explicitly in the letter of reinstatement. Students who are reinstated will be placed on academic probation, and calculation of their Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) will begin anew. If at any review after reinstatement the student’s Cumulative Grade Point Average falls below 3.5, the student will be required to withdraw from the University for a period of at least 12 months.

Transfers

Students in good standing in other Faculties can apply to transfer directly to Engineering I, Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I (iBioMed I), Computer Science I, and/or Bachelor of Technology I, provided they have completed the necessary admission requirements. Eligible internal transfer positions to Engineering I, iBioMed I, Computer Science I, and Bachelor of Technology I are limited, and entry is competitive. Applicants who meet the necessary admission requirements are ranked based on cumulative GPA. Transfer credit will be given for courses completed that are equivalent to courses in the Engineering I, iBioMed I, Computer Science I, and Bachelor of Technology I programs. Students who anticipate making such a transfer should consult with an Academic Advisor in the Office of the Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies) to discuss process and the assessment of transfer credit.

Program Changes

All program changes must be made through the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies.

Transferring to Graduate with a B.A.Sc. Degree from one of the B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering programs of the Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences Program

Students who successfully complete at least 90 units including all admission requirements and program-specific course requirements up to the end of at least Level III of one of the B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering programs of the Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences Program, with a minimum Grade Point Average of 4.0 may request permission from the Office of the Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies) for transfer to graduate with the B.A.Sc. (exit) degree.