Concentrations Overview
Typically when students enter their final year in the Bachelor of Applied Science program they have a number of electives that they need to choose from within their program of study (Specialization). These electives are offered across a variety of topics specific to Civil, Computer, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering. Students can decide whether they want to pursue electives from different areas (valuable if still exploring interests or career pathways) or whether they want to focus on courses from a similar area of study: breadth vs. depth. Concentrations allow students to focus on a specific area within their program of study AND receive recognition of their area of concentration on their transcript. Concentrations are optional – you do not need a Concentration to graduate.
As soon as students achieve Year 2 Class Standing, they can update their Program of Study themselves to include a Concentration by following the instructions here: https://students.ok.ubc.ca/ws-tutorial/declaring-or-changing-your-primary-major-honours-or-specialization/. Note that any concentrations must be added before applying to graduate at the end of the degree as they cannot be added later though you can wait until you’ve fully registered in the required courses before adding it to your record.
Concentrations are non-competitive with unlimited seats. Though individual courses may have capacities, there are multiple ways to complete a Concentration by choosing from a list of courses. Concentrations require students to complete the requirements, then have the Concentration added just before they apply to graduate. Students cannot be awarded more than one Concentration, though they can take courses from other Concentrations or from the regular list of electives for their Program of Study (ie: Civil Engineering) to fulfill their remaining electives (the ones not fulfilling Concentration requirements).
Currently, there are Concentrations in Aerospace, Biomedical, Environmental, Mechatronics, or Resilient Infrastructure Management (RIM) Engineering. Students should consult the information below for general information. Refer to the advising sheets to see which courses are offered and for specific guidance on how courses will be counted for that particular year of study. If you have any questions, please talk to an Academic and Career Advisor. Read more below and on the advising sheets for each year.
Aerospace Concentration
The Aerospace Concentration is open to all students in the Bachelor of Applied Science Program, in Manufacturing and Mechanical engineering. Students who complete the Aerospace Concentration will receive a notation on their transcript (not on their diploma). Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
Manufacturing Engineering students who pursue the Aerospace Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses (COSC 310, MANF 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, ENGR 413, 499) and the correct number of electives except that they will take ENGR 310 instead of ENGR 320 in third year.
The Aerospace Concentration requires completion of 12 credits of the following. These courses will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing Engineering AND the Aerospace Concentration if completed before graduation.
Must take:
- ENGR 310 Fluid Mechanics II*
AND
Choose 3 of the courses below:
- ENGR 449 Aircraft Structures
- ENGR 476 Mechanics of Materials II
- ENGR 477 Aircraft Propulsion
- ENGR 479 Measurement Principles in Thermal-Fluids
- ENGR 480 Modern Control
- ENGR 491 Computational Fluid Dynamics
- ENGR 492 Finite Element Methods
- ENGR 493 Introduction to Aerodynamics and Aircraft Design
- MANF 496 Aerospace Materials and Manuf. Processes
*Manufacturing Engineering students will take ENGR 310 instead of ENGR 320 to fulfill their degree requirements in third year. The advising sheet indicates how to best to make that change to your schedule.
Mechanical Engineering students who pursue the Aerospace Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses (ENGR 413, 476, 499) and the correct number of design and technical electives.
The Aerospace Concentration requires completion of 12 credits of the following electives. These electives will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering AND the Aerospace Concentration if completed before graduation.
Must take:
- ENGR 493 Introduction to Aerodynamics and Aircraft Design
AND
Choose 3 of the courses below:
- ENGR 480 Modern Control
- ENGR 492 Finite Element Methods
- MANF 496 Aerospace Materials and Manuf. Processes
- ENGR 449 Aircraft Structures
- ENGR 479 Measurement Principles in Thermal-Fluids
- ENGR 477 Aircraft Propulsion
- ENGR 491 Computational Fluid Dynamics
The student is responsible for ensuring that electives chosen meet the Mechanical Engineering program requirements for design (12 credits) and technical courses (12 credits). Note also the restriction on no more than 6 credits of alternative electives. If the student opts into the Concentration before graduation and upon successful completion of the concentration requirements, the notation “Aerospace Concentration” will be included on the student’s transcript.
Biomedical Concentration
The Biomedical Concentration is open to all students in the Bachelor of Applied Science Program, in Electrical or Mechanical engineering. Students who complete the Biomedical Concentration will receive a notation on their transcript (not on their diploma). Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering students who pursue the Biomedical Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses and the correct number of design and technical electives.
The Biomedical Concentration requires completion of 12 credits of the following electives. These electives will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering AND the Biomedical Concentration if completed before graduation.
Choose 4 of the courses below:
- ENGR 351 Microelectronics I*
- ENGR 401 Bioinstrumentation
- ENGR 402 Biotechnology: Fundamentals and Applications
- ENGR 406 Microelectromechanical Systems
- ENGR 407 Inclusive Design
- ENGR 423 Wearable Devices
- ENGR 450 Clinical Engineering
- ENGR 482 Biomedical Engineering I
- ENGR 495 Tissue Engineering
- ENGR 498P Biophotonic Engineering
*Only Mechanical Engineering students may count this course as a Biomedical Concentration elective as it is already a required course for Electrical Engineering.
The student is responsible for ensuring that electives chosen meet the program requirements for design (12 credits) and technical courses (12 credits). Note also the restriction on no more than 6 credits of alternative electives. If the student opts into the Concentration before graduation and upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, the notation “Biomedical Concentration” will be included on the student’s transcript.
Environmental Concentration
The Environmental Concentration/Option is open to all students in the Bachelor of Applied Science Program, in Civil engineering. Students who complete the Environmental Concentration will receive a notation on their transcript (not on their diploma). Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
Civil Engineering students who pursue the Environmental Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses (ie: ENGR 413, 440, 447, 499) and the correct number of design and technical electives. Within the program-required design and technical electives, ENVL requires the courses below.
The Environmental (ENVR) Concentration Concentration requires completion of 12 credits of the following electives. These electives will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering AND the Resilient Infrastructure Management Concentration if completed before graduation.
Choose 4 of the courses below:
- ENGR 402 Biotechnology: Fundamentals and Applications
- ENGR 420 Fundamentals of Healthy Buildings
- ENGR 442 Water Quality Engineering
- ENGR 443 Environmental Engineering Laboratory
- ENGR 444 Solid Waste Management
- ENGR 445 Design of Water and Wastewater Conveyance Systems
- ENGR 446 Biological Treatment
- ENGR 460 Fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology
- EESC 314 Environmental Impact Assessment: Process, Regulation and Administration*
- EESC 315 Environmental Impact Assessment: Techniques and Practice*
- GEOG 310 Environment and Resources*
*Registration in these courses will require students to submit a prerequisite waiver to the Faculty of Science and are not guaranteed registration
The student is responsible for ensuring that electives chosen meet the program requirements for design (9 credits) and technical courses (12 credits). Note also the restriction on no more than 6 credits of alternative electives. If the student opts into the Concentration before graduation and upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, the notation “Environmental Concentration” will be included on the student’s transcript.
Mechatronics Concentration
This Mechatronics Concentration is open to all students in the Bachelor of Applied Science Program, Electrical or Mechanical engineering. Students who complete the Mechatronics Concentration will receive a notation on their transcript (not on their diploma). Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering students who pursue the Mechatronics Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses and the correct number of design and technical electives.
Mechanical students who pursue into the Mechatronics Concentration are required to take COSC 121 and 210 or 222 in addition to their degree requirements (though they may be counted towards a Minor in Computer Science). Note that students may be admitted into COSC 121 without having taken COSC 111 if they apply for a prerequisite waiver with that department early. Completion of COSC courses may require a summer semester at UBC or at another institution with an approved Letter of Permission (LOP). These courses should be completed before 4th year. Note: Students who took MANF 386 before 2023W do not need to take ENGR 315 to fulfill program or Mechatronics Option requirements and these students cannot count MANF 386 as a technical elective. Students who took MANF 386 in 2023W or later are required to take ENGR 315 to fulfill program requirements and MANF 386 will be counted as a technical elective
The Mechatronics Concentration requires completion of 15 credits of the following credits. COSC 121, COSC 222 (required in addition your degree requirements) must be taken and 9 credits from the electives below. The electives will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering AND the Mechatronics Concentration if completed before graduation.
Must take:
- COSC 121
- COSC 222 (or 210)
AND
Choose 3 of the courses below:
- ENGR 359 Microcomputer Engineering*
- ENGR 406 Microelectromechanical Systems
- ENGR 418 Applied Machine Learning for Engineers
- ENGR 453 Internet of Things
- ENGR 454 Motor Drive Systems
- ENGR 456 Electrochemical Energy Storage
- ENGR 458 Power Electronics
- ENGR 467 Real-Time and Embedded System Design
- ENGR 480 Modern Control
- ENGR 486 Robot Modelling and Control
- ENGR 487 Digital Control
- ENGR 494 Autonomous Vehicle Technology
- MANF 386 Industrial Automation
- MANF 465 Digital Enterprise
- MANF 486 Mechatronic Systems Laboratory
*Only Mechanical Engineering students may count this course as a Biomedical Concentration elective as it is already a required course for Electrical Engineering.
The student is responsible for ensuring that electives chosen meet the program requirements for design (12 credits) and technical courses (12 credits). Note also the restriction on no more than 6 credits of alternative electives. If the student opts into the Concentration before graduation and upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, the notation “Mechatronics Concentration” will be included on the student’s transcript
Resilient Infrastructure Management (RIM) Concentration
The Resilient Infrastructure Management (RIM) Concentration is open to all students in the Bachelor of Applied Science Program, in Civil engineering. Students completing the Resilient Infrastructure Management (RIM) Concentration will receive a notation on their transcript (not on their diploma). Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
Civil Engineering students who pursue the RIM Concentration will take all program-required courses, including mandatory 4th-year courses (ie: ENGR 413, 440, 447, 499) and the correct number of design and technical electives. Within the program-required design and technical electives, RIM requires the courses below. Note that not all courses will be offered every year but the School of Engineering will offer at least 4 of these courses annually.
The Resilient Infrastructure Management (RIM) Concentration requires completion of 12 credits of the following electives. These electives will be counted towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering AND the Resilient Infrastructure Management Concentration if completed before graduation.
Must take:
- ENGR 432 Infrastructure Management II
AND
Choose 3 of the courses below:
- ENGR 417 Pipeline Integrity Management
- ENGR 420 Fundamentals of Healthy Buildings
- ENGR 424 Smart Cities
- ENGR 429 Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures
- ENGR 433 Construction Engineering and Management
- ENGR 436 Transportation Planning
- ENGR 444 Solid Waste Management
- ENGR 445 Design of Water and Wastewater Conveyance Systems
- ENGR 453 Internet of Things
- ENGR 489 Multi-Criteria Optimization & Design of Exper.
- EESC 314 Environmental Impact Assessment: Process, Regulation and Administration*
- EESC 315 Environmental Impact Assessment: Techniques and Practice*
- GEOG 316 Geography of Natural Hazards*
- GEOG 354 Urban Canada: Growth, Form, and Structure*
- GEOG 414 Applied Climatology*
- GEOG 451 Urban Planning*
*Registration in these courses will require students to submit a prerequisite waiver to the Faculty of Science and are not guaranteed registration
The student is responsible for ensuring that electives chosen meet the program requirements for design (9 credits) and technical courses (12 credits). Note also the restriction on no more than 6 credits of alternative electives. If the student opts into the Concentration before graduation and upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, the notation “Resilient Infrastructure Management Concentration” will be included on the student’s transcript.