Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering) website to learn more about Mechanical Engineering.
View full program detailsProgram information
Mechanical Engineering is a diverse field that applies physics and mathematics to analyze, design, and maintain mechanical systems. Mechanical Engineers continuously innovate, then refine and simplify solutions to the problems we face in our everyday (and not-so-everyday) lives.
Program overview
- Campus
- Vancouver
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- No
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- Yes
- Faculty
- Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering)
- Degree
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)
What you'll learn
Mechanical Engineering provides a broad base of theory courses and practical design projects. You will enter Mechanical Engineering in your second year from the first-year General Engineering that is common to all Engineering programs. Options include Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Thermofluids.
In the final year, you can take courses in engineering economics and data analysis, controls, professional engineering practice, as well as complementary studies and technical electives. A year-long design course enables you to complete real design projects for local companies.
Specializations
- Aerospace
- Biomechanics & Medical Devices
- Energy and Environment
- Mechatronics
- Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
Campus features
Mechanical Engineering at UBC is a widely recognized program. Faculty research groups cover all of the major areas of mechanical engineering, including design and applied mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, manufacturing, and controls. In addition to the main university library, the department maintains its own specialized library of engineering books and reference materials.
The department also has specialized facilities that are used for state-of-the-art research. These include wind tunnels, industrial robots, computer graphics workstations, and computer controlled machine tools. A supermileage vehicle, capable of 3,145 miles per one gallon of gas, designed by UBC Engineering students was recognized by Time magazine as a best invention of the year.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Mechanical Engineering. Here are a few you might like.
Statics of particles, equilibrium or rigid bodies, rigid body statics and internal forces, trusses; kinematics: rectilinear motion; dynamics: Newton’s second law, friction, impulse, momentum, work and energy.
Fluid properties, equations of state. Pressure, buoyancy, hydrostatic forces. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Work and heat; internal energy and enthalpy. Bernoulli’s equation. Dimensional analysis, modeling. Turbulent flow in pipes; turbomachinery. Second law and the Carnot cycle; entropy; first and second law analysis of systems.
The use of probability and statistical methods for engineering applications. Mechanics of materials, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics. Instrumentation, data acquisition, and data manipulation using modern computational tools.
Legislation affecting the practice of engineering; ethical principles and responsibilities. Management of engineering enterprises; labour relations, safety and environmental legislation. Restricted to engineering undergraduate students in the final year of their program.
Outcomes
Your career opportunities will vary widely across a range of fields including aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, oil and gas, automation, mechatronics, aviation and marine management, and product design, and others.
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“Engineering is about building a toolbox that allows you to tackle all of the new and unique problems the world will throw at you as an engineer. I loved getting my hands dirty, and UBC offered me great opportunities to do this like joining student design teams and engaging in internships and co-ops.”
Andrew K., Mechanical Engineering
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Applied Science (Engineering)
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL. (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable.)
- IB Chemistry
- IB Physics
- Academically strong candidates missing either IB Chemistry or IB Physics may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering) website to learn more about Mechanical Engineering.
View full program detailsGet a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering) website to learn more about Mechanical Engineering.
View full program details