Electrical Engineering and Society – Faculty of Engineering

Electrical Engineering and Society

Design cutting-edge electronic and communication systems with a focus on electromagnetics and physical electronics, considering the broader impact on society and the interplay between technology and social dynamics.

Length
5 years
Degree
Bachelor of Engineering & Society (Co-op Available)
Program
Engineering
Options

Co-op

Program highlights

This program focuses heavily on the physical design of electronics, electromagnetics and communication systems. Power systems, sustainable energy, and computer hardware/software are 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.

Research opportunities

Research opportunities include automotive power and electronics, biomedical engineering, CAD/optimization/simulation, image processing and multimedia, microelectronics, microwaves and networks, photonics/optoelectronics, power engineering, and signal processing.

Engineering and Society advantage

Core courses include:

  • The Culture of Technology
  • Case Studies in the History of Technology
  • Preventive Engineering: Environmental Perspectives
  • Social Control of Technology

In addition, three courses called Inquiry in an Engineering Context, develop skill at formulating questions, carrying out research and communicating findings. These courses help to examine the complex nature of issues like sustainable development and systems failure.

Learn more about Engineering and Society

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 and Society 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

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)
  • COMPENG 2DI4 – Logic Design
  • COMPENG 2DX3 – Microprocessor Systems Project
  • COMPENG 2SH4 – Principles of Programming
  • COMPENG 2SI3 – Data Structures and Algorithms
  • ELECTENG 2CI4 – Introduction to Electrical Engineering
  • ELECENG 2CJ4 – Circuits and Systems
  • MATH 2Z03 – Engineering Mathematics III
  • ENGINEER 2PX3 – Integrated Engineering Design Project 2
  • ENGSOCTY 2X03 – Inquiry in an Engineering Context I
  • ENGSOCTY 2Y03 – Case Studies in History and Technology
  • STATS 3Y03 – Probability and Statistics for Engineering
  • ENGINEER 1EE0 – Introduction to the 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).
  • COMPENG 3SK3 – Computer-Aided Engineering
  • ELECENG 2EI4 – Electronic Devices and Circuits I
  • ELECENG 2FH4 – Electromagnetics I
  • ELECENG 3CL4 – Introduction to Control Systems
  • ELECENG 3TP3 – Signals and Systems
  • ELECENG 3TQ3 – Probability and Random Processes
  • ENGSOCTY 3Y03 – Technology and Society
  • ENGSOCTY 3Z03 – Preventative Engineering: Environmental Perspectives
  • 9-12 Units Engineering and Society focus 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 3EJ4 – Electronic Devices and Circuits II
  • ELECENG 3EY4 – Electrical Systems Integration Project
  • ELECENG 3FK4 – Electromagnetics II
  • ELECENG 3PI4 – Energy Conversion
  • ELECENG 3TR4 – Communication Systems
  • ENGSOCTY 3X03 – Inquiry in an Engineering Context II
  • ENGINEER 3PX3 – Engineering Design 3: Engineering Economics
  • 9 units Engineering and Society focus electives


  • ELECENG 4OI6 A/B – Engineering Design
  • ENGSOCTY 4X03 A/B – Inquiry in an Engineering Context III
  • ENGSOCTY 4Y03 – Society Capstone Design

15-17 units from:

  • COMPENG 3DQ5 – Digital Systems Design
  • COMPENG 4DK4 – Computer Communication Networks
  • COMPENG 4DM4 – Computer Architecture
  • COMPENG 4DN4 – Advanced Internet Communications
  • COMPENG 4DS4 – Embedded Systems
  • COMPENG 4TL4 – Digital Signal Processing
  • ELECENG 4BB3 – Cellular Bioelectricity
  • ELECTENG 4BE4 – Medical Robotics
  • 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
  • 3-4 units technical electives from the approved list of Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering Level III or IV courses
  • 6 units Engineering and Society focus electives
Students studying in W Booth Grad Space

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

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