McMaster University offers a Bachelor of Engineering and Society, which is a five-year degree with a solid foundation in engineering science plus a broader vision for how technology intersects with society, ethics, and global issues. The program aims to prepare students not only as engineers but also as change-makers and critical thinkers who are able to navigate the complex social worlds influenced by engineering decisions.
Curriculum Structure:
McMaster's Engineering and Society program integrates hard technical training with project courses, social sciences, and humanities. The program is arranged as follows:
• General Requirements: Math, physics, and chemistry foundation courses that provide a strong technical background.
• Engineering Courses: Choice of a core engineering discipline (electrical, mechanical, civil) that still offers technical breadth.
• Society Stream Courses: Courses that focus on topics such as society and technology, engineering ethics, sustainability, and policy, so students can see how engineering affects society.
• Design and Research Projects: Focus on team-oriented, experiential projects where students work through real-world societal challenges.
• Capstone Design Project: A capstone in the fourth year integrating technical knowledge with societally directed analysis, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to solve complex interdisciplinary problems.
Accreditation:
The CEAB accredits the curriculum in accordance with professional engineering degree requirements in Canada.
Campus Location:
McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario, a city rich in tech and innovation culture. The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster is situated in a well-equipped campus environment, offering convenient access to modern labs, collaboration areas, and a vibrant student community.
McMaster prioritizes experiential learning heavily and encourages students to apply their learning to actual situations:
• Research Opportunities: Undergraduate Summer Research Awards and faculty-initiated projects offer students the chance to be exposed to cutting-edge research.
• Internships and Co-op Placements: The co-op program provides paid, related work experience with companies in engineering, government, policy, or NGOs.
• Design Teams and Clubs: Students may participate in engineering clubs, design competitions, and community outreach programs.
• International Experience: The university promotes international exchanges and international research projects, allowing students to form a global outlook.
McMaster's Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) helps students with:
• Career guidance, planning, and goal-setting
• Resume and cover letter preparation in both technical and social-impact careers
• Practice interviews and employment preparation in diverse fields
• Exposure to career fairs and recruiting events with industry and public sector employers
Employability
Graduates from this degree are well suited to employment positions that integrate engineering and social awareness. Alumni have pursued careers in urban planning, policy analysis, sustainability consulting, tech ethics, and NGO engineering, as well as traditional engineering careers.
Academic Progression:
Students are likely to pursue graduate studies in the areas of public policy, urban systems, environmental law, engineering education, or technology and innovation management, as well as technical master's programs.
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