MASc, and PhD | MEng Degree | MEng | Research Activities | Admission Procedure| Financial Support | Degree Requirements | Info Session 2012
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of Engineering (MEng) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Normally the PhD program is not undertaken until the MASc program has been completed. The programs are open only to students who satisfy certain admission requirements.
The degree requirements are detailed elsewhere. In broad terms, the requirements for the PhD degree are a thesis plus the satisfactory completion of three courses, normally chosen from the list of graduate courses. For the MASc degree, the requirements are a thesis plus the satisfactory completion of four courses and a seminar. For the regular MEng program the requirement is satisfactory completion of eight one-term graduate level courses and one communications course. The normal length of time to complete the programs is three to six terms (one to two years) for the Master's degree and six to twelve terms (two to four years) for the PhD degree.
For the thesis work, the student is expected to carry out independent study under the general supervision of a professor, who is the supervisor. The topic of the research will fall within the area of expertise of one of the professors in the Department. These generally fall into one of five areas, which are listed under research activities. Admission depends on the student finding a suitable supervisor. There is also an Accelerated BASc-MASc program which is open only to University of Waterloo undergraduate students.
The Accelerated Masters Program allows students to accomplish some of the work required for a MASc degree while they are undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo. It is open to students who have consistently achieved excellent records at the end of the 3A term, usually with a minimum average of 80%. The students will take extra courses during their final year of undergraduate studies, and may also accomplish some progress on their thesis. The general principles and structure of this program are described in the Faculty of Engineering section of the Graduate Studies Calender web-site. Those students interested in this program are urged to discuss possible programs with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies early in their 3B term.
MASc/PhD (Nanotechnology)
The University of Waterloo offers the first MASc and PhD programs in Nanotechnology of its kind in Canada.
The MASc collaborative program provides a strong foundation in the emerging areas of nano-engineering in preparation for the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. For further information click here.
For MASc and PhD student fees click here.
The general Masters of Engineering (MEng) degree in Mechanical Engineering offered at the University of Waterloo is a course work program open to students who satisfy the admission requirements. The MEng Program takes three to six terms to complete (one to two years). This program is open to Canadian and permanent residents only.
Degree requirements of the program require satisfactory completion of eight one-term graduate level courses and one communications course.
The MEng Program can be taken full-time, but students who want to remain in full-time employment can register on a part-time basis. The candidate is expected to be financially self-supporting. MEng students can earn one of the three new exciting certificates:
These growing fields of strategic interest to the economy are ideal for skills upgrading by internationally trained engineers and for professional development for working engineers.
For certificate course requirements click here.
General admission requirements for MEng Degree: Requirements are the same requirements as those existing in University, Faculty and MME Department.
Overall MEng Degree Requirements: Same as Faculty of Engineering requirements plus a communications course.
For MEng student fees click here.
For further information contact:
Carla Daniels
Graduate Administrator, MEng and Recruitment
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering Department
(519)888-4567, ext. 33341
carla.daniels@uwaterloo.ca
The Mechanical Engineering Department offers an opportunity for the graduate student to carry out research under the supervision of a Professor who is expert in the subject field.
Students research a topic from a broad range of research areas. By studying the research profiles of the Professors, a prospective student can decide which of the available research areas, and which supervisors interest him or her the most. This information can be put on the Supplemental Information Form.
Some of the Professors are listed as Adjunct Professors, and they may or may not be actively carrying out research at the present time. Thus it is recommended that students refer only to non-Adjunct Professors when filling out the Supplemental Information Form on QUEST.
The broad research areas can be found under the research heading along the side of this page. Click on any one to find a short description of the area and a list of Professors who are working in that area.
To be admitted to graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, an applicant must have an excellent academic record from a recognized university and must possess maturity and self-motivation. Furthermore, since close technical contact with a faculty member is an essential part of graduate education in engineering, no applicant for a thesis degree can be admitted unless a faculty supervisor who specializes in the applicant's desired area of research offers him or her a place in their research group. It is therefore important that applicants indicate clearly in their application the area of research in which they wish to be engaged. Further information for international students is also available.
Admission requirements for students admitted to the Master's program are as follows:
Entrance requirements for study in the PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering are normally:
In order to be admitted to PhD candidacy, applicants must have demonstrated research capabilities. For this reason, should graduates with a Master's degree obtained without producing a research thesis desire to enter our PhD program, they must satisfy the Department that they are able to carry out independent research.
Accepted candidates can enter the MASc and PhD program at the start of any one of our academic terms; Fall (beginning of September), Winter (beginning of January) or Spring (beginning of May). To be admitted at the start of any one of these terms, the prospective student must have submitted his/her complete application package by the following cut-off dates.
Below is a chart which lists the deadlines for admission to the MASc and PhD programs. Please note, these deadlines are the date by which your application must be complete, not merely submitted.
| Desired Date of Admission | International Student: Complete Application Due By: | Canadian/Permanent Resident: Complete Application Due By: |
| Fall Term (September) | February 1st (same year as admission date) |
July 1st |
| Winter Term (January) | July 1st (year prior to admission date) |
November 1st |
| Spring Term (May) | November 1st (year prior to admission date) |
March 1st (same year as of admission date) |
Accepted candidates can enter the MEng program at the start of any one of our academic terms; Fall (beginning of September), Winter (beginning of January) or Spring (beginning of May). To be admitted at the start of any one of these terms, the prospective student must have submitted his/her complete application package 2 month prior to the start of the term.
Please note, this deadline is the date by which your application must be complete, not merely submitted.
The Graduate Studies Application for Admission is now available on-line at http://www.grad.uwaterloo.ca/students/applyingonline.asp. The University of Waterloo Graduate Office no longer supplies paperbased application packages. Please follow the instructions on the website.
Almost all full-time thesis students are fully supported either from major scholarships such as NSERC and OGS, or from Research Assistantships funded by their faculty supervisors research grants. Additional support in the form of term-by-term merit scholarships and teaching assistantships supplement the student's income, in specific cases. Special Entrance Scholarships are made available to outstanding students, such as those winning an NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship.
More information about available financial aid can be found at
http://www.grad.uwaterloo.ca/scholarships/scholarships_main.asp.
Candidates for the Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering can enrol either on a full-time or part-time basis.
The MASc program emphasizes high level independent research by candidates. The topic of the thesis and the choice of courses are decided by the student and their supervisor(s). Each student's program is subject to the approval of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. Candidates will participate in a research program generally involving either theory or experimentation, or both.
Degree requirements are as follows:
The regular MEng program may be taken by full-time candidates or those who wish to study on a part-time basis while remaining in full-time employment external to the University. The candidate in this program is expected to be financially self-supporting.
Degree requirements are as follows:
Additional Faculty regulations concerning Master's degree requirements are:
Candidates registered for a Master's degree are requested to give advance notice of their intention to submit a thesis or a project approximately three months prior to submission. In the case of candidates in the MASc program, two assessors will then be appointed to aid each candidate's supervisor(s) in evaluating the thesis. Normally, the assessors will be members of the Mechanical Engineering Department, one being external to the supervisor's research group. Design/Research Papers are assessed by the advisor(s) plus one other reader.
This degree is awarded after candidates have satisfied the Examining Committee that their thesis is a substantial original contribution to knowledge and have also demonstrated a high degree of competence in areas of knowledge related to their specialization. Each PhD candidate must successfully complete at least three graduate courses (600 or 700 level). The actual program is decided by the student and the supervisor(s), subject to the approval of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. The student's program is also assessed formally by the Examination Committee at the time of the Comprehensive Examination as described below.
The thesis topic is decided by the student and supervisor(s), in consultation with an advisory committee. The proposed research program is also examined during the Comprehensive Examination.
The requirements for the PhD degree are as follows:
Candidates admitted to the PhD program who do not possess a recent and relevant Master's degree or have transferred directly to the PhD program without a Master's degree, are required to complete a minimum of seven courses, at least five of which must be at the 600 or 700 levels.
PhD Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination should be conducted about one year, but in any case not later than sixteen months, after the student has been admitted to the PhD program. In preparation for this examination candidates will submit a written research proposal of between 2,000 and 4,000 words describing their thesis problem and outlining the proposed method of attack. This proposal must be circulated to the members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee not less than two weeks before the examination. The Comprehensive Examination Committee, on the advice of the candidate's supervisor(s), should examine:
The main decision to be reached is whether the candidate should proceed with the proposed study or change the emphasis in the research work. Advice about taking additional graduate courses may also be given. A complete statement regarding subject and content of this examination is given in the Engineering Graduate Studies Manual.
Examination of the PhD Thesis
Regulations governing the submission and examination of the PhD thesis are found in the Graduate Studies Calendar in the section entitled Academic Regulations - Minimum Requirements for the PhD Degree.
The Examining Committee consists of the supervisor(s), and four other members nominated by the supervisor(s) and approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. One of these is appointed from outside the University, another one from outside the department (often from Mathematics or Physics).
Presentations:
Graduate Studies Information
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