Electrical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Design cutting-edge electronic and communication systems with a focus on electromagnetics and physical electronics.

Length
4 years
Degree
Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op Available)
Program
Engineering
Options

Co-op, Management, Society

Program highlights

Electrical engineering encompasses electrical power generation and distribution, robotics, electronics, wired and wireless communications, optoelectronics, signal processing, computers, radar, medical imaging and many other technologies. Power systems, sustainable energy, and computer hardware/software are also integrated into the program.

Specializations

The broad-based, classical discipline has room for specialization: both computer engineering and biomedical engineering developed from the foundations of electrical engineering.

Capstone projects

Students apply their acquired knowledge and develop their own unique technology to solve real problems in open-ended capstone projects.

I really wanted to understand how modern technology works, and Electrical Engineering provided me the technical knowledge to learn and understand technology.

Rahul Devnai, Electrical Engineering

Admission requirements

Academic Prerequisites

This is an above level 1 specialization that requires successful completion of the Engineering 1 general first year.

Use the Future Students admissions tool for entry requirements.

How to apply Electrical Engineering degree requirements (Opens in new window)
Students examining solar cell material

Your first year

All students in McMaster’s undergraduate engineering program share a common first-year, Engineering 1.

Engineering 1 provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of engineering disciplines. Students take real problems in society and learn the technical and teamwork skills to solve them.

Explore all of our degree path options before choosing a focus discipline for second year and beyond.
Explore Engineering 1
MMRT students in workshop

Program structure

State-of-the-art electronics, control and computer laboratories feature advanced equipment such as digitizing oscilloscopes, high-end computers and function generators. Communications and power laboratories feature the most modern equipment in the telecommunications and power areas.

Level II: Developing fundamental knowledge generally required in electrical engineering.

  • The concept of energy electrostatics and magnetostatics, (EE2FH3)
  • The operation principles of the electronic devices for signal transformation (resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers, EE2EI5)
  • Signal manipulations using electronic elements (circuit theory and analysis, EE2CI5, EE2CJ4)
  • The transmission of energy and signal (time-varying fields, EE2FH3)
  • The mathematic tools learned in level II include phasors (complex arithmetic for average power, EE2CI5), vector calculus for electromagnetics (EE2FH3), and Laplace transforms for signal analysis in frequency domain (EE2CJ4)
  • ELECENG 2CI4 – Introduction to Electrical Engineering
  • ELECENG 2CJ4 – Circuits and Systems
  • ELECENG 2EI4 – Electronic Devices and Circuits I
  • ELECENG 2FH4 – Electromagnetics I
  • COMPENG 2DI4 – Logic Design
  • COMPENG 2DX3 – Microprocessor Systems Project
  • COMPENG 2SH4 – Principles of Programming
  • COMPENG 2SI3 – Data Structures and Algorithms
  • MATH 2Z03 – Engineering Mathematics III
  • STATS 3Y03 – Probability and Statistics for Engineering
  • ENGINEER 2PX3 – Integrated Engineering Design Project 2
  • ENGINEER 1EE0 – Introduction to Engineering Co-op Program

Level III: Developing fundamental knowledge for specific disciplines or applications in electrical engineering.

  • Control: model of system and its controlling techniques in time and frequency domain (EE3CL4)
  • Communication: wave propagation (EE3FK4), noise, and modulation schemes (EE3TR4)
  • Microelectronics: electronic circuits for analog and digital applications, computer added design (EE3EJ4)
  • Power & Energy: the operation principles of the electronic devices for energy generation, transformation, and applications (generators and transformers, EE3PI4)
  • The mathematic tools learned in level III include complex variables and integration (EE3TP4), probability, random processes (EE3TQ4) and stochastic processes (EE3TR4), and Fourier transformation (EE3TP3).
  • ELECENG 3EY4 – Electrical Systems Integration Project
  • ENGINEER 3PX3 –Integrated Engineering Design Project 3
  • ELECENG 3CL4 – Introduction to Control Systems
  • ELECENG 3EJ4 – Electronic Devices and Circuits II
  • ELECENG 3FK4 – Electromagnetics II
  • ELECENG 3PI4 – Energy Conversion
  • ELECENG 3TP3 – Signal & Systems
  • ELECENG 3TQ3 – Advanced Probability and Random Processes
  • ELECENG 3TR4 – Communication Systems
  • 6 units approved complementary studies electives

Level IV: Developing advanced knowledge for specific disciplines or applications in electrical engineering.

  • Control: medical robotics (EE4BE4) and design of control system (EE4CL4)
  • Communication: digital communication systems (EE4TK4, EE4TM4)
  • Microelectronics: microwave engineering (EE4FJ4) and nanotechnology (EE4EL4)
  • Photonic: photonic devices & system (EE4EM3)
  • Power & Energy: power electronics (EE4PK4) and energy system and management (EE4PL4)
  • The mathematic tool learned in level IV includes engineering optimization (EE4FL4)
  • You will undertake a year-long electrical engineering design course where you will complete an open-ended group project under the supervision of a faculty member (EE 4OI6), and showcase your project at the ECE Expo at the end of the academic year.
  • ELECENG 4OI6 A/B – Engineering Design
  • COMPENG 3SK3 – Computer-Aided Engineering
  • ENGINEER 4A03: Ethics, Equity and Law in Engineering

16 units from:

  • COMPENG 4DK4 – Computer Communication Networks
  • COMPENG 4DM4 – Computer Architecture
  • COMPENG 4DN4 – Advanced Internet Communications
  • COMPENG 4DS4 – Embedded Systems
  • COMPENG 4TL4 – Digital Signal Processing
  • ELECENG 4BD4 – Biomedical Instrumentation
  • ELECENG 4CL4 – Control System Design
  • ELECENG 4EM4 – Photonic Devices and Systems
  • ELECENG 4FJ4 – Devices and Antennas for Wireless Systems
  • ELECENG 4PK4 – Power Electronics
  • ELECENG 4PM4 – Electrical Power Systems
  • ELECENG 4PN4 – Electric Motor Drives
  • ELECENG 4PP4 – Smart and Micro Grids
  • ELECENG 4TK4 – Digital Communications Systems
  • ELECENG 4TM4 – Digital Communications II
  • COMPENG 4SL4 – Fundamentals of Machine Learning
  • 6-8 technical electives from the approved list of Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering Level III or IV courses


Student working in the laboratory

Co-op and experiential learning

Experiential learning provides students with hands-on opportunities beyond the traditional lecture-style format to gain valuable experience.

The Engineering Co-op Program is an optional program which provides you with the opportunity to work in real engineering positions before you graduate. The Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) administers the undergraduate co-op program.

Example employers:

  • Advanced MicroDevices (AMD)
  • Flextronics
  • Siemens Canada
  • IBM Canada
  • Hydro One
  • Toronto Hydro Corporation
  • General Motors Canada
  • Ontario Power Generation
  • Celestica

Learn more about co-op.

McMaster Engineering has many engineering clubs, teams and societies you can join to enhance your practical knowledge and soft skills, provide support, or give you the chance to explore new activities. Clubs are an enjoyable way to enrich your student life and contribute to your social development and academic success.

  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) McMaster Student Branch
  • McMaster Electrical and Computer Engineering Society
  • PhaseOne (formerly HackItMAC)
  • McMaster Solar Car Project
  • MAC Formula Electric
  • McMaster EcoCar Team
  • McMaster ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)

Browse opportunities to get involved and gain experience.

Engineering programs have been enriched with interdisciplinary design courses, enabling students to work in teams on real-world problems. This practical experience builds their portfolios and hones skills vital for managing complex projects and utilizing emerging technologies. It prepares them for co-ops and future careers, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and an understanding of societal issues.

Four project-based design courses that all students take include:

  • ENGINEER 1P13: Integrated Cornerstone Design Projects in Engineering
  • ENGINEER 2PX3: Engineering Design 2: Communications and Societal Impact
  • ENGINEER 3PX3: Engineering Design 2: Engineering Economics
  • CAPSTONE

Find out more

Explore the experiences catalogue

Careersand research

Example career paths:

  • Power and renewable energy
  • Electrified transportation
  • Biomedical electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Robotics and automation
  • Aerospace and defence
  • Consulting and services

Research areas:

  • Biomedical technologies
  • Communications
  • Electrified transportation
  • Electromagnetics and photonics
  • Integrated systems
  • Microelectronics
  • Optimization and control
  • Power electronics
  • Signal processing

Need moreinformation?

How to apply

Understand every step, from applying, to accepting your offer and joining us on campus!

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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