Engineering Programs
The University of Guelph, School of Engineering offers a specialized combination of programs each of the majors integrate elements of traditional engineering disciplines combined with practical-design learning drawing on extensive faculty and research experience.
Guelph offers seven undergraduate engineering programs:
• Biological Engineering
• Engineering Systems and Computing
• Environmental Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
The University of Guelph's School of Engineering offers close student-faculty interaction and exciting research projects. Each undergraduate program has regular and co-op options allowing you to apply what you have learned immediately in a work environment.
Design is an integral part of the engineering program at Guelph and start in the first semester, ending with a final year design project - by graduation students have completed at least six design projects.
Students can also collaborate their engineering studies with science programs to get an interdisciplinary background.
Graduate Students
The graduate engineering degree programs at Guelph include research and course work options, as wll as full and part-time studies. A thesis-based MASc. degree program is available in four research fields: biological engineering, environmental engineering, engineering systems and computing and water resources engineering. MASc. and PhD programs provide for specialization in the above areas and are researched based to provide advanced training.
Students can also obtain a MEng degree in water resources engineering, engineering systems and computing, environmental engineering and biological engineering.
Biological and Biomedical engineering research involves the investigation of properties of biological and food materials, movement of micro-organisms, environmental conditions in buildings, storage and much more.
Environmental engineering research involves methods to prevent or mitigate damage to the environment by reduction, treatment, and reclamation of solid, liquid and gaseous by-products of industrial, agricultural and municipal activities.
Water resource engineering research involves investigations and design of systems for control and utilization of land and water resources as part of management of urban and rural watersheds.
Engineering Systems and Computer engineering research examines techniques, methods and procedures for systems where the computer plays an integral role.
The University of Guelph School of Engineering is proud to announce that Micha Wallace is a 2009 Vale Inco Limited Masters Scholarships in Engineering $10,000 scholarship winner and Madavine Tom is a CEMF Engineering Ambassador Scholarship Winners. Congratulations to Micha and Madavine!
Previous CEMF scholarship recipients from the University of Guelph include undergraduate winners Kim Jusek, Rebecca Swabey and Dyoni Smith and graduate winner Nancy Burnham.
Women in Engineering
Named as the first Women Friendly Engineering School by the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation (CEMF), and home to Women In Science and Engineering (WiSE) and to NSERC Chair Dr. Valerie Davidson, PhD, P.Eng, the University of Guelph prides itself on its consistently high percentage of women engineering students.
Half of Science and Engineering students enrolled at Guelph are women and so the university offers tremendous support for women in these fields. Students, staff and faculty who are part of the WiSE group all dedicate some of their time and energy into events that were organized to offer support, inform youth and improve opportunities for women in science and engineering.
By joining the Faculty Partnership Program with CEMF, the University of Guelph is continuing its commitment to encouraging more women to chose engineering as a career option.
These young Guelph engineers developed a system to allow emergency response personnel to effectively respond to emergency airborne contaminant releases.
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
The Women in Science and Engineering organization is an on-campus group that aims to benefit all students, staff and faculty interested in issues relating to women in science, technology, engineering and math. Activities and events are geared to raise awareness of issues and to provide support and networking opportunities to female engineers and students on campus. Click here for more information.
Women who would like to pursue careers in engineering can obtain support and information from the WiSE group at the University of Guelph.
How does WiSE inform the public about Women in Science and Engineering issues?
WiSE holds events such as:
• Speaker Nights
• Support Group Meetings
• Mentoring Events
• Outreach programs
NSERC Chair
Dr. Valerie Davidson, PhD, P.Eng is the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for the Ontario Region. Serving a five-year term, as NSERC chair, her goal is to increase the participation of women in science and engineering and provide role models for women active in these fields.
Click here for more information.
Why Guelph Engineering?
Discover some of the reasons why exceptional students choose the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph.
Take A Tour of Engineering - Guelph Style!
1. Differentiate Yourself
Guelph Engineering is unique. No other Canadian university offers the specialized combination of majors you will find here. Our curriculum combines engineering principles with practical, multi-disciplinary design courses ensuring that you stand out among employers. Our seven innovative disciplines prepare you for many rewarding career opportunities, both locally and internationally.
2. Where Everybody Knows Your Name
The goal of the School of Engineering is not only to provide you with a top notch education but to create an atmosphere where people work together and build upon one another's strengths. We are proud of the approachability of our staff and faculty and the teamwork among our students. From interactive learning opportunities, both inside and outside of the classroom, to engineering events, you will feel right at home.
3. Location, Location, Location
The University of Guelph is located an hour west of Toronto and is centrally located in Canada's Technology Triangle. The University of Guelph has big city appeal with a small town feel. A vibrant downtown core is walking distance from the campus and offers a variety of recreational and entertainment opportunities:
• Grand River Conservation Watershed
4. Design
This is your opportunity to apply the theory and skills that you learn in the classroom to create new and effective solutions to real world issues and challenges. Our Engineering Design courses build upon the fundamentals of engineering, developing skills such as teamwork and the ability to communicate in writing and oral presentations. You will complete a minimum of six design projects in our undergraduate program. Find out more about our design courses here.
5. Co-operative Education
Co-op options are offered in all engineering majors. The Co-op program at Guelph is flexible – you can choose to browse through the large database of jobs available or you can find your own placement. To learn more about Co-op, please visit Co-operative Education and Career Services.
6. Flexibility
Choosing a university is a big decision; choosing a major is sometimes even bigger. You are admitted into a particular major at Guelph when you accept the offer letter. Yet, the common courses in your first semester allow you to explore many types of engineering offered at Guelph. If you find that your interests change during first semester, you can often easily switch into a new major within the Bachelor of Engineering.
7. Supportive Academic Environment
At Guelph, we want you to succeed. If you need extra help or want to improve your skills, you will find people, programs and resources ready to support your learning. Some of our helpful learning resources include:
• Academic Clusters (First year students can apply to an Engineering Cluster to live with other engineering students in residence)
• Peer Counselling
• Engineering Peer Helpers
• Supported Learning Groups (SLG's)
• Guidance from the School of Engineering program counsellor Kim Thompson
8. The University Cares
You are not only choosing a university - you are choosing a place to call home for the next 4 to 5 years. At Guelph, we understand the importance of this responsibility and strive for success in everything from food to recreation.
• The University of Guelph has been ranked as the top University in Canada for food services for 7 years in a row! Flexible Food Plans take into consideration those with small and large appetites and the cafeteria style set up ensures you are only charged for what you eat. Visit Hospitality Services to find out more.
• Partnerships with GO Transit, easy access to Greyhound buses and trains allow students to travel and commute easily.
• The University of Guelph offers one of the largest selections of recreational sports and clubs in Ontario. Visit Guelph Gryphons Athletics for more details.
9. More Than Just An Education
At Guelph, we understand that there is more to university than lectures, assignments and exams. Here are some of the organizations and clubs that you can be a part of:
• Engineering clubs
• The School of Engineering facilitates the opportunity to study abroad for an academic term at a number of overseas universities. These include schools in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Spain. Additional opportunities in Germany are currently in the works.
10. Prestigious Chairs
We are proud of our consistently high percentage of female engineering students. Guelph was named the first Women Friendly Engineering School by the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation, recognizing us for our overall positive atmosphere and attitude towards all students. NSERC and HP Canada have awarded the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering to Prof. Val Davidson. This gives Val the opportunity to increase participation of females in science and engineering and provide role models for women considering careers in these fields. Find out more about the initiatives of this Chair by visiting CWSE.
NSERC awarded the Environmental Design Engineering Chair to Prof. Warren Stiver. Minimizing the environmental impact of urban settings is one of Warren's key goal. The City of Guelph is acting as a living, dynamic design lab to provide the setting for advancing environmental design engineering education and capabilities. This will be achieved through bringing the real, practical environmental challenges of the community into the classrooms and into the minds of students. Learn more about Warren's work at Design Engineering Chair.
Prof. Beth Parker currently holds the NSERC Chair for Industrial Research. Beth is one of the leaders in researching soil contamination. Find out more about Beth's research at Industrial Research Chair.
NSERC/GE awarded the Industrial Research Chair in Advanced Wastewater Technologies to Honge Zhou. Hongde is researching waste water treatment.
The Canadian Research Chair in Water Supply Security is held by Prof. Ed McBean. The purpose of Ed's research is to develop vulnerability assessment protocols for water supply systemsl, detection procedures for water supply systems, and to develop procedures to prioritize improvements in water supply systems while managing the risk.
10.99 It's A Guelph Thing
Once you step onto our beautiful campus, you will know!
Make Time for FUN
An important part of any university experience is the opportunity to join in activities, make new friends and discover new interests. The University of Guelph campus has something for everyone, guaranteed to make your years at Guelph full of memories to last a lifetime. Along with athletics, arts, drama and student government organizations, there are many great engineering clubs you can join.
Engineers Without Borders' mission is to promote human development through access to technology. The availability of appropriate technology is key in this effort, especially in situations of poverty, alienation, and voicelessness.
Creative Encounters is a science and engineering camp for students entering grades 4-8. Formed as a grass roots, non-profit, student-run science program for kids, the camp now reaches out to over 10,000 participants.
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), a non-profit organization, is the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology. The activities include seminars, visits to companies, conferences, design competitions, PCB fabrication, and RoboSoccer lab.
The Engineering Society (EngSoc) represents undergraduate engineering students. An elected council includes representatives from each undergraduate year. The society organizes events for the engineering students and charitable events for the community.
The Biological Engineering Club organizes various tours relating to Biological Engineering, including a yearly Sleeman’s Brewery tour. The club hosts guest speakers, and aims to foster a better understanding of the current and future possibilities available to biological engineers..
Gryphon Racing is a student run club at the University of Guelph. Members build a small open-wheeled race car each year. The car is designed, fabricated and raced solely by students. The Gryphon Racing Team attends an annual competition in Pontiac, Michigan where the car is raced against other universities around the globe.
The Water and Environment Resources Society (WerSoc) is a student run organization at the University of Guelph, under the guidance of faculty advisor Dr. Doug Joy. The society meets regularly during the school year and organizes field trips and guest speakers.
Visit the University of Guelph today and discover all it can offer you!
