Electro-mechanical design engineering: a formal education program in mechatronics

Electromechanical design engineering is a five year combined interdisciplinary program in mechanical and electronics engineering at the University of British Columbia. The students take almost all mechanical and most of the core electronics engineering courses during the first four years. They spend at least two four month long summer terms in industry as cooperative education students, where they receive training in practical design, drafting, manufacturing and instrumentation. The fifth year is dedicated to a complete design and manufacturing of a computer controlled machine in industry. Teams of two students design the complete mechanical system with actuators, sensors and computer control units under the joint supervision of a faculty member and a qualified engineer designated by the sponsoring company. Upon the completion and testing of the full electromechanical system and four graduate courses, the students receive a Bachelor and Master of Engineering in mechanical engineering.