Mar 28, 2024  
School of Graduate Studies Calendar, 2017-2018 
    
School of Graduate Studies Calendar, 2017-2018 [-ARCHIVED CALENDAR-]

Engineering Design, M. Eng. Design


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Faculty of Engineering

Innovative new designs and the ability to improve performance of existing systems have become a basis for a competitive advantage in the markets. Performance, environmental sustainability, safety, and efficiency are integral parts of the requirements in the design of industrial products, large-scale systems, or software solutions. Within this complex set of constraints, successful engineers and engineering managers must be able to lead transformation of an idea to a complete design by working in interdisciplinary teams. The Master of Engineering Design program provides its students with technical expertise and leadership capabilities required to invent novel solutions and to lead technically-oriented organizations. Strong emphasis on solving engineering problems from industrial practice is accomplished via industrially motivated and supported projects.

The M.Eng. Design program emphasizes development of competencies in:

  • Leadership, collaboration, and management skills to lead diverse teams.
  • Design thinking and innovations methodologies.
  • Engineering disciplines leading to breakthrough design and operation of systems in:
    • Sustainable community infrastructure (renewable energy systems, environmental systems, sustainable products and systems design, local economy)
    • Process industries (refining, chemicals, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, power, oil and gas production, and similar)
    • Manufacturing of industrial and consumer products

Admission


In addition to the general requirements for entry into a graduate program in Engineering, students must hold a four-year engineering undergraduate degree or equivalent, with at least a B- average (equivalent to a McMaster 7.0 GPA out of 12) in the final year in all courses in the discipline, or relating to the discipline, in which the applicant proposes to do graduate work. Students with a degree in Science, Technology and Mathematics will also be considered.

Strong letters of recommendation are also required. Each applicant will also be interviewed as part of the admission process. Professional work experience will be highly desirable.

Candidates may be enrolled on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students will complete the degree in twelve consecutive months of study. Students are admitted for September or January. Part-time students will normally be expected to complete the program in two years.

Prospective applicants who did not attain the required standing in their undergraduate degree, but who have at least four (4) years of relevant work experience, should discuss their situation with the Program Lead. If the experience is deemed sufficient, the Program Lead may then recommend an interview. Evidence of ability to do graduate work will still be required. (See Sections 2.1.1 Admission Requirements for Master’s Degree  and 2.1.5 Admission of Students with Related Work Experience or Course Work beyond the Bachelor’s Degree  in the Graduate Calendar.)

 

Students may receive advanced standing for up to two of the following courses (note that a maximum of two 600-level courses can count towards a SEPT graduate program).

Only a student enrolled in their final year of a Bachelors of Engineering or Technology at McMaster University immediately entering a SEPT graduate program can be eligible for advanced credit. There can be no banking, no retroactive accommodations and no offer to students outside of Engineering to participate in advanced credit options.

Curriculum


Candidates will be required to complete satisfactorily the equivalent of at least three full courses, plus full-time students must successfully complete SEP 771 .

The curriculum has five main components:

1. Leadership and Management Capabilities courses that will enable M.Eng. Design graduates to deal with complex situations in the work environment, to lead teams, and to manage projects.

2. Interdisciplinary engineering courses in product design, project management, and risk management.

3. Core technical courses that provide expert knowledge in targeted technical areas.

4. Elective courses that allow students to acquire broader expertise in the technical areas which are at the centre of their studies.

5. An industrially oriented project that solves complex problems requiring synthesis of knowledge from several disciplines and presenting the students with an opportunity to develop the solution in an industrial environment.

Process and Production Systems


Master of Engineering Design program in the field of Process and Production Systems provides advanced competencies for engineers and supervisors typically working in:

  • Process Design
  • Advanced Process Control
  • Plant Operations
  • Process Industry Oriented R&D
  • Control Systems and Software

The following course requirements need to be fulfilled by the candidate:

Electives


Candidates are required to select four half courses which should be selected from graduate courses offered by departments within the Faculty of Engineering. Candidates are required to have their elective course selection approved by the Program Lead.

Product Design


Innovation and creative system, solutions, or product design are emphasized through problem solving via interdisciplinary teams in a design studio environment, while learning about the use of materials in product design and design for manufacturing are led by the faculty who are also members of McMaster’s advanced centres (including Centre for Automotive Materials, Manufacturing Research Institute, Institute for Polymer Production Technology and the Centre for Advanced Polymer Processing and Design). The interdisciplinary nature of the program enables its participants to work on a variety of designs, such as industrial machinery, consumer products, automotive, etc.

The following course requirements need to be fulfilled by the candidates:

Electives


Candidates are required to take three half courses which should be selected from graduate courses offered by departments within the Faculty of Engineering. Candidates are required to have their elective course selection approved by the program lead.

Sustainable Community Infrastructure


Candidates in this field of study cover various aspects of the design of sustainable communities, including:

  • Public realm spaces (parks, sidewalks, recreation facilities)
  • Storm water management
  • Housing and energy efficient buildings
  • Development of local business
  • Sustainable transportation systems
  • Sustainable energy generation

The following course requirements need to be fulfilled by the candidates:

Electives


Candidates are required to take four elective courses, which should be selected from graduate courses offered by departments within the Faculty of Engineering. Suggested courses in sustainable energy systems and manufacturing are:

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Faculty of Engineering