IX. Graduate Programs

Engineering

The graduate degree programs offered in the School of Engineering include a course-work MEng and research thesis programs at the MASc and PhD levels. All programs are offered as full- or part-time studies. These programs provide for specialization in six fields of study: 1) Biological Engineering 2) Computer Engineering 3) Environmental Engineering 4) Engineering Systems and Computing 5) Mechanical Engineering 6) Water Resources Engineering.

• Biological Engineering is broadly categorized as bio-process, food, biomedical or biomechanical engineering. Research is conducted in many areas such as: physical, chemical and thermal processing of food, biomaterials or waste; physical properties of biological materials; process control; remote sensing; medical imaging; bioinstrumentation design and the development of medical diagnostics; ergonomic and prosthetic biomechanics; design of implants and surgical tools for human and veterinary applications.

• Computer Engineering is about the design and implementation of computer devices and systems. Driven by the ubiquity of integrated computing systems, Computer Engineering has expanded from a discipline with a few core areas, mainly focused on the design of microchips, to a broad field with widespread ramifications. It involves mapping computing ideas into physical implements and software components. Some active research areas include: integrated circuits and microprocessors, digital systems design and computer architecture, high-performance and configurable computing, telecommunication and cloud-computing networks, operating systems and software engineering.

• Environmental Engineering involves methods to prevent or mitigate damage to the environment by the reduction, treatment, or reclamation of solid, liquid, or gaseous by-products of industrial, agricultural and municipal activities. Emphasis is on the behaviour and fate of contaminants in the environment. Recent research topics include the following: composting of organic solids; control and remediation of chemical spills; wastewater treatment; soil/site remediation technology; policy innovations; air pollution and meteorology; vapour exchange and supercritical fluid extraction; air-surface pollutant exchange measurement; bio-filtration and membrane technologies; modelling of environmental processes.

• Engineering Systems and Computing involves development of digital or microelectronic devices, computer or robotic technologies and their application to manufacturing, computing, mechatronic or embedded systems. Some active research areas include: soft computing and neural networks; autonomous robots; intelligent control systems; micro-electromechanical (MEMS) devices; embedded systems and special purpose computing; VLSI circuit design and layout; analog integrated circuits and system-on-chip design; integrated sensor systems and networks; digital devices and signal processing; wireless and optical communication systems; cryptographic systems.

• Mechanical Engineering combines individual depth of experience and competence in a particular chosen major specialty with a strong background in the basic and engineering sciences. It strives to develop professional independence, creativity, leadership, and the capacity for continuing professional and intellectual growth. To help support the objectives of graduate degree programs at Guelph, an interdisciplinary learning environment is provided. Research areas that are pertinent and in line with Guelph`s vision include: sustainable energy, sustainable mobility, sustainable design, life-cycle design and assessment, systems modernization, materials and manufacturing , thermo-fluids, solid mechanics, remanufacturing, intelligent control system, closed-loop supply chain management, product life assessment and engineering management.

• Water Resources Engineering involves investigation, analysis and design of systems for control and utilization of land and water resources as part of the management of urban and rural watersheds. Research areas include: water quality control and safety; resource use and groundwater quality; hydrologic modelling; design and planning of urban water and sewage infrastructure; rural waste treatment systems; erosion control; non-point source pollution and mitigation; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); sediment and contaminant transport; irrigation and drainage modelling.