Engineering Faculty
Stephen Champion, Assistant Professor, Chair
Don MacEwen, Professor
Wayne Peters, Associate Professor
Andrew Trivett, Associate Professor
Departmental Website
Engineering courses
Engineering Diploma Program
The UPEI engineering diploma program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board as a part of Dalhousie University's Faculty of Engineering under a long-standing association agreement. Students completing the diploma at UPEI are able to complete their degrees at Dalhousie University or the University of New Brunswick under formal transfer agreements, or at any other accredited engineering program in Canada on a case-by-case basis.
Engineering is a profession drawing upon knowledge and skills from a many areas, and future engineers need to study a suitably broad range of university courses. Thus, in addition to fundamental science courses, engineers must master skills in design, communication, business, economics, professional ethics and more. This content is delivered in a three year Diploma program (33 course credits, typically 11 courses per year) at UPEI followed by 2 years in a Bachelor of Engineering Degree program at one of the partner universities in a specific engineering discipline.
Engineering Design Through the curriculum
It is clear that understanding basic science is only one of the many skills needed by our engineering students. UPEI engineering students learn to make decisions that impact design in a socially responsible way. Our program emphasizes inquiry-based learning through fundamental design courses in each semester of the program. This progression is key to the professional development. The following core design courses must be taken in succession to support the students' developing skills.
1. ENGN 121, Engineering Communication
2. ENGN 142, Statics Analysis
3. ENGN 291, Design III: Reliability and Safety
4. ENGN 272, Design IV: Teamwork
5. ENGN 392, Design V: Project Management
6. ENGN 372, Design VI: Leadership
In addition to the core design stream of courses, basic science, engineering science and math courses are arranged to support the student's development and knowledge gained in those courses is continually referenced in the design core.
Required courses to Graduate with a Diploma
The following courses are required to be completed before graduation:
Design: ENGN 121, 142, 291, 272, 392, 372
Engineering Science: ENGN 132, 152, 312, 311, 332, 341, 361
Basic Sciences: PHYS 111, 112, CHEM 111, 112
Mathematics: MATH 151, 152, 251, 252, 301, 221, 261
Writing: GI 151
Students should choose the remaining 8 elective courses after consulting the requirements of their specific engineering degree program and discipline. Please seek advice from the department for assistance with these choices.
Recommended Program of Study
The table below shows a common path of study for the most popular discipline choices for students who will carry on to complete their degree studies at either Dalhousie University Faculty of Engineering or University of New Brunswick. It is not essential that students decide which engineering discipline is best for them until their second or third year of study, as most first- and second-year courses are common between all disciplines.
For any engineering disciplines not listed, please contact the Engineering department.
Recommended courses for the Most Common Disciplines (required diploma courses shown in italics) Civil Mechanical Electrical Chemical Year 1 Fall Semester Math 151 Math 151 Math 151 Math 151 Phys 111 Phys 111 Phys 111 Phys 111 Chem 111 Chem 111 Chem 111 Chem 111 Engn 121 Engn 121 Engn 121 Engn 121 GI 151 GI 151 GI 151 GI 151 Spring Semester Math 152 Math 152 Math 152 Math 152 Phys 112 Phys 112 Phys 112 Phys 112 Chem 112 Chem 112 Chem 112 Chem 112 Engn 142 Engn 142 Engn 142 Engn 142 Engn 132 Engn 132 Engn 132* Engn 132 Engn 152 Engn 152 Engn 152 Engn 152 Year 2 Fall Semester Math 251 Math 251 Math 251 Math 251 Math 261 Math 261 Math 261 Math 261 Engn 291 Engn 291 Engn 291 Engn 291 Engn 312 Engn 312 Engn 312 Engn 312 Engn 211 Elective CS 241 Chem 241 Chem 231‡ Spring Semester Math 252 Math 252 Math 252 Math 252 Engn 272 Engn 272 Engn 272 Engn 272 Engn 311 Engn 311 Engn 311 Engn 252 Engn 241 Engn 241 Engn 241 Engn 241 Econ 102 Engn 341 Engn 341 Econ 102 Engn 212 Phys 272 Phys 272 Year 3 Fall Semester Math 301 Math 301 Math 301 Math 301 Math 221 Math 221 Engn 342 Math 221 Engn 332 Engn 332 Engn 332 Engn 332 Engn 352 Engn 352 Engn 352 Engn 352 Engn 392 Engn 392 Engn 392 Engn 392 Engn 321 Engn 321 Engn 321 Engn 321 Spring Semester Engn 372 Engn 372 Engn 372 Engn 372 Engn 361 Engn 361 Engn 361 Engn 361 Engn 322 Engn 322 Engn 322 Engn 322 Engn 341 Phys 312 Math 221 Engn 341 Elective Engn 382 Elective Engn 311
* for Elec Eng at UNB, ENGN 132 can be replaced with CS 151 and CS 152
‡ for Chem Eng at UNB Only
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics for Engineering Diploma Students
See Mathematics and Statistics section .
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Physics for Engineering Diploma Students
See Physics section.
111 GEOMATICS
This course provides an introduction to geomatics; the theory, use and care of surveying instruments; field methods; data analysis for determining distance, direction, elevation, and position; manual and computer applications in profile, contour, traverse and topographical mapping; horizontal and vertical curves; earthwork and construction applications; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Global Positioning Systems (GPS); aerial photos and photogrammetry. A survey camp is completed during the first six weeks.
PREREQUISITE: Must have completed or be concurrently taking Engineering 121 or have permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture per week and three hours lab per week
121 ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS
This course is a basic introduction to the profession, to the design process, and to the way that engineers communicate through drawing, writing and speaking. The course stresses the importance of creativity and social responsibility in engineering. Topics include basic engineering concepts, simple engineering design projects, presentation of graphical material for engineering designs, and technical reporting, which includes verbal, written, and graphical means. There is an emphasis on group work in engineering.
PREREQUISITE: Must have completed, or be concurrently registered in, Math 151, Physics 111, and Chemistry 111, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week
122 DESIGN II: ENGINEERING ANALYSIS
This course is a continuation of the design process and engineering professionalism introduced in engineering 121. Emphasis is placed on the development of a structured problem solving capability that can be generally applied in most industrial environments. As with all UPEI design courses, the content is delivered primarily through facilitated exercises and a project based learning environment. Students are expected to be self directed and are required to analyze situations in a systematic and scientific manner. In order to perform engineering analysis, a basic understanding of math and engineering science ( i.e. statics, strength of materials, material science, material balance, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics , circuits, measurements, etc.). is required and an overview of these areas is provided. Students are also expected to integrate the knowledge and skills from other engineering science, math and general science courses. Computer aided tools introduced include Microsoft Excel, DataStudio, MatLab and Simulink. Demonstration of design concepts during end of year industry expo is required.
PREREQUSITE: Physics 111 and Engineering 121 or permission of instructor
Three hours lecture and three hours of lab per week.
132 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING WITH ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS
This course is a study of computer programming as it relates to engineering. Topics include problem solving, algorithm design, software standards, operating systems, computer components, data types, control structures, repetition, loops, nested structures, modular programming and arrays. Various programming languages are used.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 121, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week.
NOTE: Credit will be allowed for only one of CS 151or Engineering 132. Students going into Electrical, Software, Computer or Geomatics Engineering should seek advice from the Engineering Department.
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142 STATICS ANALYSIS
This second course develops the concept of "design with constraints" through engineering analysis of basic structures. Theory and techniques covered include static equilibrium for point masses and rigid bodies 2D and 3D vector operations, free-body diagrams, moments and couples, distributed loadings, support reactions, truss analysis, centroids, moments of inertia, products of inertia, shear and bending moment diagrams. The course is taught using a problem-based learning approach.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 121, Math 151 and Physics 111, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
152 ENGINEERING AND THE BIOSPHERE
The course focuses on the relationship between living systems and the man-made environment as it applies to engineering design. The relevance of biology to industrial and engineering applications is emphasized. Laboratory sessions will make extensive use of field-trips to local sites. This course includes a basic introduction to cell structure and function, microbiology and toxicology, nutrient cycles, communities and ecology as it relates to understanding the impacts of man-made systems and structures. ENGN 152 is not considered an equivalent to Bio 131/132 or Bio 101/102.
PREREQUISITES: ENGN 121 and CHEM 111, or permission of instructor
Three lecture hours per week and three hours laboratory per week
212 GEOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
This course is a continuation of Engineering 211, with emphasis on practical aspects of geology as they apply to various areas of engineering and related disciplines. Topics covered include earth materials, geological mapping incorporating basic elements of stratigraphy and structural geology, an introduction to ore forming processes and mineral resources, an overview of petroleum and coal resources, geothermal energy, environmental geology, and groundwater resources development.
Three hours lecture, one hour laboratory per week.
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252 FUNDAMENTALS OF PROCESS ENGINEERING
The main objective of this course is to develop the student's ability to perform mass and energy balances on reactive and non-reactive processes. Introductory topics include systems of units and a study of process variables such as temperature, pressure, and flowrate. Also covered are fundamental properties of multiphase systems: phase equilibrium, vapour pressure, phase rule, Raoult's and Henry's Laws, and colligative properties. Emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and Math 152, or permission of the instructor
Three lecture hours and two tutorial hours per week
272 DESIGN IV - TEAMWORK
This course gives students a real-world design project experience from initial concept, through analysis of options, meeting with clients, detailed design, prototype development and final reporting. All projects are carried out in a team environment with other students and industry/community client mentors. Students are expected to demonstrate excellence in both engineering science applications and professional/career skills working with colleagues, senior students and professional engineers.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 121, 142 and 241 or concurrently enrolled in Engineering 241 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
291 DESIGN III: RELIABILITY AND SAFETY
This course provides an overview of safety as it relates to all aspects of engineering infrastructure and systems. Topics include basic safety, reliability, legislation, statistics, enforcement, ergonomics, hazard recognition and control, risk assessment, accident investigation, workers’ compensation, and Occupational Health and Safety management systems.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours tutorial per week.
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311 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
This course is an introduction to the study of stress, strain and deformation of a solid body subjected to static forces. Topics include elastic and plastic stress, strain, Mohr’s circle, torsion, behaviour of beams and columns. Computer applications are used.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and 312, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week.
312 MATERIALS SCIENCE
This course is an introduction to the properties and behaviour of engineering materials. Topics include atomic structure and bonding, crystalline structures, deformation, metallic structures, hardening and annealing, phase diagrams, ceramics, polymers, composites, electrical and optical properties. Computer applications are used.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and Math 152, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week.
321 ENGINEERING DYNAMICS
This course is a study of mechanics concerned with the state of motion of rigid bodies that are subject to the action of forces. The course considers the kinematics and kinetics of motion applied particles and rigid bodies particularly as it relates to engineering applications and design. Topics include rectilinear and curvilinear motions, normal and tangential coordinates, dependent motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy and momentum methods.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and Math 152, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week.
322 ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS
This course covers the basic types of measurement of many fundamental physical phenomena, including time, distance, displacements, speed, rates, force, flow, temperature, pressure, stress and strain, and frequency. An introduction to digital and analog electronics is a component of the course, but the focus is on understanding ways to sense physical parameters.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and Math 251, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
323 KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS OF MACHINES
This course introduces fundamental concepts in the analysis of linkages and other aspects of complex machinery. Using graphical and analytical methods and relying on static and dynamic principles previously learned, students are exposed to a variety of cams, gears and trains in an applied context. Simple gyroscopic effects are also introduced.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 311, 321 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours of laboratory per week
324 INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
This course is an introduction to the field of structural analysis as an applied discipline. Building on deflection and truss analysis from previous mechanics courses, students are exposed to concepts of influence, flexibility, stiffness, impact and other analytical techniques and dynamic loading in rigid structures. Determination of loadings in structures, the National Building Code and material resistance is also introduced.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 311 or permission of the instructor
Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week
325 FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
This course is an introduction to the field of environmental engineering with a focus on understanding the effects of man-made pollutants on natural systems (physical, chemical). Particular emphasis is placed on the identification, analysis and design of solid and wastewater management systems in a sustainable and responsible manner.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 151 and concurrent with Engineering 352 or permission of the instructor
Three hours of lecture and two hours of tutorial per week
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332 THERMO FLUIDS I
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of thermodynamics (first and second laws) and the application of these principles to engineering problems. Topics included are: the nature and forms of energy; basic concepts of systems, properties, states and processes; energy transfer as work and heat; energy and The First Law of Thermodynamics; entropy and The Second Law of Thermodynamics; and heat engine cycles. The analysis of various systems for power generation or refrigeration is also included.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 142 and Math 251 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours problem/design lab per week.
341 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS I
This course is a study of topics such as Ohm's laws, Kirchoff's laws, equilibrium, equations, Thevenin's and Norton's theorems, transient circuit sinusoidal steady state response, complex impedance, complex frequency, and magnetically coupled circuits,
PREREQUISITE: Mathematics 152, Physics 112 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and two hours tutorial per week.
342 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS II
This course is a continuation of Engineering 341, expanding upon concepts introduced in the first course. This will include two port networks, Fourier series and Fourier transforms, Laplace transforms, Bode and Polar plots, and Filters.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 341 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and two hours tutorial per week.
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352 THERMO FLUIDS II
This course is an introduction to the field of fluid mechanics. Topics covered include properties of fluids, forces on submerged surfaces, stability of floating objects, ideal fluid flow, and momentum and energy methods. Concepts of similitude are introduced, and fundamental scaling parameters in real fluids. Turbulence is introduced; pipe flow problems and lift/drag problems are solved.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 332 and Math 251, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
361 ENGINEERING FINANCE
This course provides students with the fundamentals of engineering economics and finance in the context of professional engineering practice. Topics include the time value of money, project screening, cost estimation, and discounting analysis techniques. Economic analysis of depreciation, maintenance, replacement and upgrading and the impact of taxes, inflation and time on infrastructure development. Relevant software and projects are used.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 121 and Engineering 142, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hour tutorial per week.
372 DESIGN VI: LEADERSHIP
This course carries the practice of engineering problem-solving to a higher level than in Project Design I. Students are expected to master engineering team management and scheduling work in design teams. Students lead challenging and relevant projects of importance to society beyond the classroom. Students must successfully implement a design team project, and show a thorough understanding of technical, as well as social, implications or impact of their work.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 272, 392, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week.
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382 SYSTEM DYNAMICS
This course introduces the analysis and control of dynamic systems, with concepts and examples drawn from all disciplines. It includes development and analysis of differential equation models for mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems, including some sensors. Systems are primarily analyzed using Laplace transforms and computer simulation methods. Analysis concepts cover first, second, and higher order differential equations, transient characteristics, transfer functions, stability, dominance, and frequency response. Properties of systems include time constant, natural and damped frequency, and damping ratio.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 311, Engineering 321, Engineering 341 and Math 301, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
392 DESIGN V: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This course provides an overview of engineering project management principles and terminology, the project life cycle, and project phases. Project phases include feasibility and needs assessment, planning and design, project implementation, project execution, and closeout. Particular attention is given to the role of communication and leadership in effective project management.
PREREQUISITE: Engineering 272, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture and three hours tutorial per week
481-482 DIRECTED STUDIES IN ENGINEERING
Available to advanced engineering students at the discretion of the department. Entry to the course, course content, and the conditions under which the course may be offered will be subject to the approval of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the Faculty. (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)
491-492 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGINEERING
This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue special topics in engineering. The course content and its offering in any one semester will be at the discretion of the Department. Interested students should contact the Department to confirm the details of the course and its offering.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor.
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