The study of Mechatronics examines engineering systems that link and integrate the classical fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer engineering. This option is primarily intended for students in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Systems Design Engineering. It is offered in response to the growing and increasingly visible demands from industry and governments for graduates who can design products and processes that incorporate interdisciplinary skills in mechanical systems, electrical systems and computer systems. Option Structure and Course Requirements
The Option is defined in terms of three levels of courses. Level 1 courses are a normal part of the student's program (i.e., Computer Engineering) and provide a basic background for the option. These courses are listed in Table 1 for each program.
The Level 2 courses are the four courses that are considered core courses for the option. For each student, some of these are part of their program (i.e., Mechanical Engineering) while others are required as extra courses. It is expected that students will have to shift a CSE or one or more of their normal technical courses in order to complete the Level 2 requirements. These courses are summarized in Table 2.
The third set of courses is the Level 3 courses, which represent elective courses in the different subject areas of the option. The students must take at least one course from each of the five groups presented in Table 3.
Table 1. Level 1 Courses (fundamental) in the Mechatronics Option
Table 2. Level 2 Courses (core) in the Mechatronics Option
According to their program, students taking the Mechatronics Option must take the following four courses.
Computer Engineering and
Electrical Engineering |
Mechanical Engineering |
Systems Design
Engineering |
| ECE 241 |
ECE 241 or SYDE 292 |
SYDE 292 |
| ME 321 or SYDE 382 |
ME 321 |
SYDE 382 |
| ECE 324 |
ECE 325 |
ECE 325 |
| ECE 362 (ElecE) |
ME 269 (CompE) |
ECE 362 or ME 269 |
Table 3. Level 3 Courses (electives) for the Mechatronics Option
Students must take one course from each of the Group Topics given here.
Actuators and Sensors |
ECE 463, ME 561 |
Computer Systems |
ECE 354, 450, SYDE 372, 423, or 575 |
Digital Control Systems |
ECE 484 |
Robotics and Automation |
ECE 457, 486, ME 547, SYDE 422, or 558 |
Mechanical Systems |
ME 322, 524, SYDE 454, 553, or 555 |
Mechatronics Design Project
Each student in the option must undertake a design project/workshop with a Mechatronics theme, and this must be approved by the faculty Mechatronics co-ordinator. Students must meet the project/workshop requirements of their home department.