I-008
Electro-Mechanical Design Engineering: A Formal Education Program in Mechatronics
Authors: Yusuf Altintas, Professor, ASME Fellow
Affiliations: Manufacturing Automation Laboratory, The University of British Columbia
Abstract
Electro-Mechanical 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 electro-mechanical machine and four graduate courses, the
students receive a Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.
The Electro-Mechanical students receive academic and industrial training in mechanical,
electronics and software engineering, and are in high demand in industry and academia
upon graduation.
Yusuf Altintas
Manufacturing Automation Laboratory
The University of British Columbia
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA
Office: (604) 822 5622
Laboratory : (604) 822 2182
Fax.: (604) 822 2403
altintas@mech.ubc.ca