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2024-2025 Academic Calendar | York University Faculty of Graduate Studies

Mechanical Engineering

Posted on 17 August 2022

All Programs

LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
4th Floor, Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellencemech_gpa@lassonde.yorku.calassonde.yorku.ca/academics/graduate-program-in-mechanical-engineering

The Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering provides course- and research-based training to graduate students leading to acquisition of the degrees of Master of Applied Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering. The program is focused on nurturing excellence in learning and professional development for graduate students. It aims not only to advance students’ knowledge and expertise beyond Bachelor’s level in the field of Mechanical Engineering, but also to enable and foster their independent research skills, creative activities and entrepreneurship skills. In addition to the focus placed on original research, students are provided with opportunities for professional development through engagement in complementary education and training in areas such as law, business, ethics, technical writing and communication.

Graduate students play a central role in the success of research projects and programs led by faculty members at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. They are responsible for conducting cutting edge research in core (thermo-fluids, mechanics, design and control/measurement, and manufacturing) and interdisciplinary (sustainable energy systems, dynamics and control of electromechanical systems, advanced manufacturing and materials, and micro-systems and bio-systems) areas of mechanical engineering. The research outcomes and findings achieved through the graduate program are of utmost significance for various key industrial sectors such as medical devices, automotive, aerospace, electronics packaging, manufacturing, shipping, transportation, energy production and usage, mechanics of human body and living organisms, mechatronics, nanotechnology, robotics, microsystems, sustainable building systems, control and industrial simulators, and rehabilitation technology. Graduates from the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering can expect to pursue careers in any of the above areas as well as related research and development, certification, inspection, maintenance, implementation and life-cycle management functions. Moreover, they may be excellent champions in creating new ventures by translating their own research into commercialized products and services.

Admission Requirements

MASc

PhD

Students enrolled at this level pursue a Master of Applied Science degree in the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering at York University.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a relevant engineering (e.g., mechanical engineering, material engineering, or electrical engineering) or sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, or biology) program. The minimum admission requirement for the MASc program is listed in the table below:

Applicant’s Past DegreeMASc
Past Degree in Engineering:B in each of the past two years of undergraduate studies
Past Degree in Non-Engineering:B+ in each of the past two years of undergraduate studies

Applicants must provide in their application package all of their undergraduate degree transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a cover letter elaborating their professional goals and motivations for pursuing graduate studies, and two confidential letters of recommendation.

Applicants who have not completed four full years of studies at the secondary-school level or university level in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the primary language of instruction must demonstrate their language proficiency in English. Accepted tests include Test of English as a Foreign Language, International English Language Testing System, and York English Language Test. A minimum of 6.5 International English Language Testing System score or 79-80 Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based (550 paper-based) English Test score is considered satisfactory. More detailed scores can be found on the Graduate Admissions website.

Students enrolled at this level pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree equivalent to the Mechanical Engineering MASc degree at York University, conferred by a relevant engineering (e.g., mechanical engineering, material engineering, or electrical engineering) or sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, or biology) program. The minimum admission requirement for the PhD program in the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering is listed in the table that follows:

Applicant’s Past DegreePhDDirect PhD
Past Degree in Engineering:B+ in each of the
past two years of
graduate studies		A- in each of the
past two years
of undergraduate
studies
Past Degree in Non-Engineering:A- in each of the
past two years of
graduate studies		A in each of the
past two years
of undergraduate
studies

Applicants must provide in their application package all of their undergraduate and master’s degree transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a cover letter elaborating their research interests and motivations for pursuing PhD studies, and two confidential letters of recommendation.

For applicants who have not completed four full years of studies at the secondary-school level or university level in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the primary language of instruction, they must demonstrate their language proficiency in English. Accepted tests include Test of English as a Foreign Language, International English Language Testing System, and York English Language Test. A minimum of 6.5 International English Language Testing System score or 79-80 Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet based (550 paper-based) English Test score is considered satisfactory.

Degree Requirements

MASc

PhD

MASc Degree by Thesis

Students must identify academic supervisors (faculty members from the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering) when they enrol in the program. All students are required to plan and conduct their course- and research-related activities under the direct guidance of their supervisors. Candidates for the MASc degree must fulfill the following requirements:

Students are required to complete their coursework requirements according to the table below and in consultation with their supervisor(s) and the graduate program director.

Required Course TypeNumber of half-credit (3.0) courses
Core3 (with at least 1 from Mechanical
Engineering fundamental courses)
Complementary* or Reading or Outside Mechanical
Engineering		Only 1 out of 3 core courses may be
from this group
Other mandatoryEngineering 6000 0.0:
Engineering Ethics in term 1.
Mechanical Engineering 6000 0.0:
Graduate Seminar** every year.
Mechanical Engineering 9001 0.0:
MSc Thesis every year.

* See the Complementary Education and Training section below.
** Applies to full-time students only.

MASc students are required to become involved in research activities immediately upon registration in the Mechanical Engineering program and under the general direction of their supervisors. They must be registered for non-credit Mechanical Engineering 9001 0.0: MASc Thesis course. Students are required to submit a progress report to their supervisory committee in compliance with the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The progress report documents courses taken, teaching assistant duties, knowledge dissemination through publications and presentations and supervisory committee’s direct feedback on the overall performance of the graduate student. If the performance of the student in research is deemed unsatisfactory by the supervisory committee, they may be asked to withdraw from the program immediately. If recommended to continue, students are obliged to conduct and conclude their research and to submit a written thesis to their supervisory committee at the end of their degree period. Acceptable thesis formats in this MASc program include monograph or manuscript-based formats. The thesis should clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct independent research and creative activities with guidance, resulting in contributions to the body of knowledge in the area of investigation. The research undertaken and the thesis should be defended by the student in an oral examination session, according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations. The examination committee members are selected and the defence is conducted based on regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering uniquely engages graduate students in important complementary education and training in areas such as teaching/mentoring, engineering pedagogy, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and commercialization, legal aspects and governance, communications, as well as ethical, societal and safety obligations. This engagement is enabled by complementary studies coursework as well as an atmosphere that encourages students’ outreach and extracurricular activities. Complementary education and training results in the diversification of knowledge and experience beyond the immediate research field as well as the acquisition of qualities and transferable skills required for employment and professional development.

The MASc program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall, winter or summer term.

For master’s students, the expected degree completion time is 6 terms (two years) on a full-time enrolment basis. For those master’s students who complete degree requirements earlier than 6 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of four (4) terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (4 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student, in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies registration policies, including the requirement of continuous registration.

PhD

Students must identify academic supervisors (faculty members from the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering) when they enrol in the program. All students are required to plan and conduct their course- and research-related activities under the direct guidance of their supervisors. Candidates for the PhD degree must fulfill the following requirements:

Students are required to complete their coursework requirements according to the table below and in consultation with their supervisor(s) and the graduate program director.

Required Course TypePhDDirect PhD
Core3 (with at least 1 from Mechanical Engineering fundamental courses)5 (with at least from 2 Mechanical Engineering fundamental courses)
Complementary* or Reading or Outside MEOnly 1 out of 3 core courses may be from
this group		Only 1 out of 5 core courses may be from
this group
Other mandatoryEngineering 6000 0.0: Engineering Ethics in term 1.
Mechanical Engineering 6000 0.0: Graduate Seminar** every year.
Mechanical Engineering 9002 0.0: PhD
dissertation every year.		Engineering 6000 0.0: Engineering Ethics in term 1.
Mechanical Engineering 6000 0.0: Graduate Seminar** every year.
Mechanical Engineering 9002 0.0: PhD dissertation every year.

* See the Complementary Education and Training section below.
** Applies to full-time students only

PhD students commence their research activities upon registration in the program and plan them in consultation with their supervisor at the start of their studies. They must register for the non-credit Mechanical Engineering 9002 0.0: PhD Dissertation course. A supervisory committee, recommended by the Graduate Program Director and approved by the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, must be formed no later than the end of the fourth term of study. This committee consists of the student’s supervisor and at least two other faculty members from the Faculty of Graduate Studies at York University, one of whom must be from the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering.

Within the first 12 to 18 months of starting the graduate program, each PhD student must pass the PhD Graduate Milestone examination. Direct entry PhD students must complete their Graduate Milestone examination within 24 to 30 months of beginning the program. Students who are unable to meet the academic and research requirements for the PhD degree may have the option to be transferred to the MASc degree with appropriate course credits, as recommended by a committee comprised of the chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Graduate Program Director, and the Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies, Lassonde School of Engineering or their representative.

The purpose of this graduate milestone examination is two-fold: to assess the student’s fundamental knowledge in mechanical engineering and/or the subject matter relevant to the dissertation; and to assess the student’s potential to conduct independent research of highest quality quality by the time of graduation, based on the research done to the date of the Graduate Milestone Examination and the proposed research thereafter. The student must prepare a PhD Dissertation Research Proposal outlining their research work conducted, proposed research plan and timeline for completion of their degree requirements. The student must present this report in front of the doctoral Milestone examination committee. This is an open presentation, typically 15-20 minutes, followed by a question and answer period from the audience attending the presentation part of the examination. The presentation is followed by a closed-door oral examination by the examination committee members. Typically, the first round of questions assesses the student’s fundamental knowledge in the discipline. The second and subsequent round of questions assesses the student’s understanding of the research topic.

PhD students are required to conduct research independently through defining, planning and solving of scientific problems to lead and advance knowledge in their field of specialization. Research outcomes should lead to creativity and competence at an international level and have the significance and standard level that can be disseminated in the form of scientific publications. The PhD student’s research progress is examined annually by meeting with their supervisory committee. Students are required to submit a progress report which documents courses taken, teaching assistant duties, knowledge dissemination through publications and presentations, and supervisor’s direct feedback on the student’s overall performance. If the annual performance of the student in research is deemed unsatisfactory by the supervisory committee, they may be asked to withdraw from the program immediately, even after successful completion of the PhD comprehensive examination. If recommended to continue, students are obliged to conduct and conclude their research and to submit a written dissertation to their supervisory committee at the end of their degree period. Acceptable dissertation formats in the PhD program include monograph or manuscript-based formats.

The dissertation must clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct independent research and creative activities, resulting in contributions to the body of knowledge in the area of investigation.

The research undertaken and the dissertation must be defended by the student in an oral examination session. The examination committee members are selected and the defence session is conducted based on regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering uniquely engages graduate students in important complementary education and training in areas such as teaching/mentoring, engineering pedagogy, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and commercialization, legal aspects and governance, communications, as well as ethical, societal and safety obligations. This engagement is enabled by complementary studies coursework, as well as an atmosphere that encourages students’ outreach and extracurricular activities. Complementary education and training results in the diversification of knowledge and experience beyond the immediate research field as well as the acquisition of qualities and transferable skills required for employment and professional development.

The PhD program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall, winter or summer term.

For doctoral students, the expected degree completion time is 12 terms (four years) on a full-time enrolment basis. For those doctoral students who complete degree requirements earlier than 12 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of nine (9) terms of full-time study. All requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full time or part-time doctoral student, in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies, including the requirement of continuous registration.