University of Toronto, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Engineering Outreach
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Chances are, if it moves, a mechanical engineer designed it. Aircraft design, planning a building's ventilation system and improving sustainable energy technology are all in a day's work for mechanical engineers. They also save lives through biomedical technologies — the world's first artificial heart was partially designed, manufactured and implanted using mechanical engineering principles. The explosive growth in computer power is harnessed by mechanical engineers for the design and development of new “smart” products, such as microrobots.
As a mechanical engineer, you are an innovator. You are interested in the physical principles involved in a product's design, its manufacture, assembly, safe operation and final disposal. You carefully consider appearance, ease of use, the costs of design and effects on the environment. Robotics, automation, medical devices, environmentally responsible power generation or any form of transportation are just some of the areas where society utilizes your products. Your creative and thoughtful design can positively transform the world. In fact, it would be hard to find an area or object in everyday life that is not in some way affected by a mechanical engineer.
Years 1 and 2 provide you with a solid understanding of the basics of mechanical engineering, including mechanics, thermodynamics, mechanics of solids, materials science and complementary courses in the humanities.
Upper year courses incorporate your knowledge into topics such as biomechanics, aerospace, manufacturing, product design, environmental impact and risk assessment, robotics, space system design, microprocessors and embedded microcontrollers. Essential to curriculum is the inclusion of hands-on design, as seen in a favourite Year 3 course where you’ll learn about the fundamentals of creating great design. In this course, you will be challenged to create a product by tackling existing design flaws. The course ends with a friendly competition — you’ll attend a simulated trade-show where you’ll convince “buyers” to order your designs.
Your Year 4 thesis, a major research project, is your chance for in-depth exploration of a topic under the guidance of a professor. You may decide to pursue a thesis topic relating to work done in your Professional Experience Year (PEY), or even through a student-based design team, such as the Blue Sky Solar Car, Formula SAE Car or Mechatronics Design Association.
To get to know some of our students in the Mechanical Engineering program as well as recent graduates of this program, please visit the Meet Our Students section.
For more information about Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto, please visit the program website: www.mie.utoronto.ca
"The University of Toronto Engineering spirit is contagious! Being involved with Engineering life has not only been a joy, it has also helped me organize and manage my time much better."