The Engineering & Society program is the only one of its kind in North America.
It combines a traditional engineering education with exclusive courses that provide engineering students with a deeper understanding of human-centred design, strong communications skills, problem-solving skills and a multidisciplinary outlook in a rapidly evolving society.
Pave your own path with complementary electives that give you the tools to be an inquisitive, sustainable engineer.
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What makes this program unique?
The only degree of its kind in North America
Access to exclusive courses
ENGSOCTY 2X03, 2Y03, 3X03, 3Y03, 3Z03, 4X03, and 4Y03
Students learn from instructors external to their engineering discipline
In Engineering & Society, we are cultivating a sense of curiosity, and creativity, and are training our students to ask bigger, better questions in order to create universal solutions.
Admissionrequirements
Engineering 1 students may apply to the program near the end of their first year.
In cases where demand for any program exceeds its capacity, allocation to the program will be done on a competitive basis.
Please note that Computer Science, iBioMed, and Bachelor of Technology students are not eligible to apply for the program.
Our courses
Examine the complex interactions between technology and society, sustainability and ethically responsible engineering.
This is the first course in Society, where students will be introduced to the concept of inquiry. Through lectures, workshops, class trips and discussions, students will develop their ability to research, develop and write an inquiry.
Develop inquiry and critical thinking skills.
Oral and written communication skills are developed through a variety of written assignments, presentations and discussions.
Explore and develop interpersonal skills.
Students through means of lectures, discussions, presentations and projects will explore the social and environmental impacts that shaped the evolution of technology. The historical relationship of culture and technology is explored to understand the context of our world today.
An understanding of what technology is at its core.
Understand the cultural aspects of the evolution of technology.
Develop teamwork and problem solving through in class activities and a final presentation.
This course builds on skills of inquiry built in previous courses and focuses on the issue of innovation and creativity of technology and the role that engineering has in technology’s development. Through an inquiry presentation in groups, the background, adoption and consequences of technology are explored. Conscious identification of bias is explored through reflection.
Understand and recognize the role that personal bias has when discussing and researching a topic.
Analyze the implication and effects of a technology in the past, present and future.
Develop research strategy skills.
Develop the ability to think critically of ideas presented in class discussion.
This course investigates the underlying relationship between society and technology and the impact engineers have in the development of the interdependent connection between the two, now in the present as well as in the future as the connection becomes more complex. This course includes case studies of current and future technology in society, class discussions and a final group inquiry proposal seminar.
Understand the nature of the society-technology relationship.
Analyze the social and environmental aspects of the relationship.
Understand and appreciate the impact engineering will have in the future of technology and the role engineers will need to have to society.
Learn to develop a well structured central question.
The focus of the course is on sustainability, the natural environment and concepts of preventive engineering. These topics are studied and applied through specific case studies in a series of 10 class field trips. These class trips explore various aspects of industry and urban development.
The culmination of the Engineering & Society program is a final individual year long inquiry report that must be presented orally and submitted as a final paper. The topics are of the student’s choice but must relate to connection between technology and society and the implications for a practising engineer. Students are supervised by one faculty member throughout the year.
In multi-disciplinary groups, students will complete a capstone design project that incorporates holistic design, social sustainability and ethical engineering.
Define all aspects of the term sustainability
Develop alternate solutions through effective brainstorming
Evaluate alternatives using qualitative methodologies
Synthesize an engineering solution that incorporates social, environmental and economic sustainability
Focus Electives
The program includes focus electives which add depth to the conventional engineering discipline. It allows each student to experience a unique and diverse education, and learn from people external to their engineering discipline. Many students continue in this area of study and earn a formal minor. Focus electives can be anything outside of the Faculty of Engineering as long as you meet the prerequisites, and you can get into the course.
Minors
Although not required, many students choose to use their focus electives toward attaining a minor that aligns with their specific interests. Minors will usually entail students needing to take more than the minimum number of units for Engineering & Society. Some courses within the student’s department may count toward minors as well.
Please refer to the Academic Course Calendar for specific information regarding focus electives and minors.
Practice creative problem-solving, gain leadership skills and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Taking Engineering & Society courses gives you a head start to attain a minor in sustainability.
Addressing sustainability in our society poses interdisciplinary challenges requiring interdisciplinary solutions. The minor provides a path for students to study diverse aspects of sustainability from different disciplines and integrate them into a cohesive whole.
Engineering & Society students take 6-9 units that contribute to the minor:
McMaster Engineering & Society Students Association (ESSA)
The Engineering & Society Students’ Association (ESSA) stands as a vibrant student-run club, led by a dedicated executive team alongside year representatives from the Engineering & Society program.
Their primary aim is to create a cohesive community within the program, offering students invaluable opportunities to connect with their peers and engage in meaningful experiences.
