New Science program – Engineering Physics Diploma in Mechatronics

Approved for Fall 2014

Contact

Email: Tim Cooper
Website: ufv.ca/engineering/diploma

History

The UFV Diploma in Engineering Physics with a specialization in mechatronics is a new program unique to UFV, and has been approved to commence in the fall of 2014. It has been designed from the ground up with students in mind, specifically those students who wish to enter the workforce as soon as possible. The program itself is a response not only to the current labour market, but also a mandate from both the Federal and B.C. governments to address the shortage of workers with a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) background. Upon successful completion of the Diploma, students will have gained employable skills which are currently in demand from many companies worldwide.

Overview

Current engineering diploma programs in the province of B.C. allow students to gain valuable skills, but do not provide the strong academic background necessary to adapt to such a rapidly changing technological landscape. This is where the UFV Diploma differs from the others. Most diploma programs consist of two years of post secondary education after high school, but the UFV program length is two years following a first year of math and sciences at an approved university. In this way students are exposed to a much more advanced background in both mathematics and the physical sciences, which not only makes the successful student more attractive to employers, but also provides students with more flexibility in choosing their career path.

Benefits of the Diploma

For those students who find themselves wanting to pursue a more academic route after completing the Diploma, the UFV program allows them to do so. Many other diploma programs are effectively terminal paths, in that they do not easily allow the interested student to apply their time spent to a more advanced degree – in most cases they must start at the beginning or use a bridge program to upgrade. This is not the case for the UFV Diploma. If students wish to pursue an undergraduate degree after completing the diploma program, they can spend an additional year at UFV to graduate with a BSc degree in physics as well. This then allows students to continue on to graduate school to earn MSc or PhD degrees in either physics or engineering.

Sample Program Plan

Entrance Year

MATH 111 – Calculus I (4 Credits)
PHYS 111 – Mechanics (5 Credits)
MATH 112 – Calculus II (4 Credits)
PHYS 112 – Electricity and Magnetism (5 Credits)

It is Suggested that students have the following required courses before beginning the program

COMP 152 – Introduction to Structured Programming (4 Credits)
ENGR 151 – Computer Aided Engineering Graphics (4 Credits)

If the student is interested in completing a BSc degree in Physics as well, then they should ensure they take the appropriate number and types of electives in their first year. To ensure that your choice of electives will properly count towards a BSc, it is strongly suggested that the student book an appointment with a Science Advisor.

Year One

Fall Semester (12 Credits)
PHYS 221^* – Intermediate Mechanics (4 Credits)
PHYS 232 – Experimental Methods in Physics (2 Credits)
PHYS 231 – Thermodynamics (3 Credits)
MATH 211 – Calculus III (3 Credits)

Winter Semester (13 Credits)
PHYS 381 – Mathematical Physics (3 Credits)
ENGR 210 – Circuit Analysis (3 Credits)
ENPH 310 – Electronics I (4 Credits)
Elective^** I (3-4 Credits)

Year Two

Summer Semester (1 Credit)
ENGR 100 – Production in Practice (1 Credit)

(This course will begin the week before Fall classes begin, and
is only 1 week in duration)

Fall Semester (14 Credits)
ENPH 320 – Electronics II (4 Credits)
ENGR 330 – Automatic Control Systems (4 Credits)
PHYS 392/ENPH 360 – Interfacing and Virtual Instrumentation (3
Credits)
Elective^** II (3-4 Credits)

Winter Semester (14 Credits)
ENGR 350 – Sensors and Actuators (4 Credits)
ENGR 340 – Micro Processors and Embedded Systems (4 Credits)
ENGR 390 – Mechatronics Project (3 Credits)
Elective^** III (3-4 Credits)