SFU
Dean of Graduate Studies
Maggie Benston Student Services
Centre 1100
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5A 1S6
MEMORANDUM
attention
Senate
from
Wade Parkhouse. Dean of Graduate
RE:
Studies
Faculty of Applied Sciences
TEL 778.782.3042
FAX 778.782.3080
date
7 December 2012
No.
GS2012.40
S.13-11
www.sfu.ca/1)ean-
GradStudies
U>
Acting under delegated authority at its meeting of 3 December, 2012, the SGSC approved the replication
of the existing MASc and PhD programs in the School of Engineering Science (ENSC) for the School of
Mechatronics Systems Engineering (MSE) and is forwarding it to Senate for information.
Effective Date is Summer 2013
Faculty of Applied
Sciences
School of Mechatronics Systems Engineering
1. Proposal for: MASc and PhD programs in MSE
SIMON PHASER UNIVERSITY
ENGAGING THE WORLD
GS2012.40
Mechatronic Systems Engineering Course Initiation
Faculty of Applied Sciences Graduate Programs Committee
Ed Park and Robert D. Cameron
October 10,2012
Introduction
The Schoolof Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE) will be officially established onApril 1,
2013 taking on responsibility for the existing graduate (MASc and PhD) programs of all students
currently supervised by Mechatronic Systems Engineering faculty members.
As the standard mnemonic for the School, the MSE label is proposed to be introduced for all
Mechatronic Systems Engineering courses. In general, current ENSC courses that are Surrey-
based courses used in the MSE curriculum are proposed to be relabelled as MSE courses. At
present, these have been special topics and directed studies offerings.
For simplicity and clarity, a two-stage process is proposed for establishing the Fall 2013 graduate
curriculum in Mechatronic Systems Engineering.
1. Course replication only, with minimal curriculum content changes, to be effective May
2013 (this proposal).
2. The normal curriculum changes anticipated for the 2013-14 academic year, to be
expressed in terms of the relabelled MSE courses and proposed for the academic calendar
effective September 2013.
The remainder of this document thus focuses on the proposal to re-label and replicate ENSC
courses to become MSE courses, as well as the consequent changes to calendar text, without any
change in underlying content. It is organizedinto the following sections.
I. ENSC Courses to be Replicated
II. Replication of the ENSC Master of Applied Sciences Program
III. Replication of the ENSC PhD Program
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
page 1 of 7
I. ENSC Courses to be Replicated
A number of existing ENSC courses are both usedat Surrey in the MSE curriculumas well as at
Burnaby. These include special topics, directed studies and thesis courses. Each of these
courses is proposedto be replicated in accordwith the following table.
Existing ENSC Course (To be Retained)
Replicated MSE Course
ENSC 891-3 Directed Studies I
MSE 891-3 Directed Studies I
ENSC 892-3 Directed Studies II
MSE 892-3 Directed Studies II
ENSC 893-3 Special Topics I
MSE 893-3 Special Topics I
ENSC 894-3 Special Topics II
MSE 894-3 Special Topics II
ENSC 895-3 Special Topics III
MSE 895-3 Special Topics III
ENSC 898-18 MASc Thesis
MSE 898-18 MASc Thesis
ENSC 899-6 PhD Thesis
MSE 899-6 PhD Thesis
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
page 2 of 7
A
II. Replication of ENSC Master of Applied Science Program
The Master ofApplied Sciences program in Engineering Science is proposed to be replicated for
the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering as shown by thefollowing current and proposed
calendar entries. Note that the Master of Engineering programis not replicated.
Current Engineering Science
Calendar
Proposed Mechatronics Calendar
Engineering Science Master of AppliedMechatronic
Science Program
Systems Engineering
Master of Applied Science Program
School ofEngineering Science \ Faculty of
Applied Sciences
The master of applied science (MASc) is a full-
time program with primary emphasis on the
thesis rather than course work, is more
exploratory than the part-time master of
engineering (MEng) program, and covers a
greater range of study.
Admission Requirements
The normal admission requirement is a
bachelor's degree in electrical engineering,
computer engineering, engineering science or a
related area, with a 3.0 cumulative grade point
average (CGPA) (B grade) from a recognized
university, or equivalent.
Transfer from MEng to MASc
Program
Normally transfer from the MEng to the MASc
will be considered under the following
conditions.
a minimum undergraduate
cumulative grade point average (CGPA)
of 3.3 is required.
on at least two courses within the
master of engineering science program,
a minimum CGPA of 3.5 is required
Course Requirements
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering \
Faculty ofApplied Sciences
The master of applied science (MASc) is a full-
time program with primary emphasis on thesis
work.
Admission Requirements
The normal admission requirement is a
bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering, mechatronics
engineering or a related field, with a 3.0
cumulative grade point average (CGPA) (B
grade) from a recognized university, or
equivalent in accord with SFU Graduate
General Regulation 1.3.3.
Course Requirements
Students complete a total of 30 units consisting
of a minimum of 12 units of courses, and a
thesis equal to 18 units. The courses will
normally be selected, in consultation with the
senior supervisor. At least six units must be
mechatronic systems engineering graduate
courses. At most, three units may be directed
studies.
Additional courses may be required to correct
deficiencies in the student's background.
If the subject matter of a required course has
been previously completed with graduate credit,
the course may not be completed again for
page 3 of 7
3
Current Engineering Science
Calendar
Students complete a total of 30 units consisting
of a minimum of 12 units of courses, and a
thesis equal to 18 units. The courses will
normally be selected, in consultation with the
senior supervisor. ENSC 820 may not be used
towards the MASc course requirements. At least
six units must be ENSC graduate courses. At
most, three units may be directed studies.
Additional courses may be required to correct
deficiencies in the student's background.
If the subject matter of a required course has
been previously completed with graduate credit,
the course may not be completed again for
credit.
Thesis
The thesis is based on an independent project
with a significant research component. The
student defends the thesis in an exam, in
accordance with regulations. See Graduate
General Regulations for more requirements.
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
Proposed Mechatronics Calendar
credit.
Thesis
The thesis is based on an independent project
with a significant research component. The
student defends the thesis in an exam, in
accordance with regulations. See Graduate
General Regulations for more requirements.
page 4 of 7
V
III. Replication of ENSC PhD Program
The PhD program in Engineering Science is proposed to be replicated for the School of
Mechatronic Systems Engineering as shown by the following current and proposed calendar
entries. Some clean-ups of calendar language have been made for consistency.
Current Engineering Science
Calendar
Engineering Science Doctor of
Philosophy Program
School of Engineering Science
|
Faculty of
Applied Sciences
Admission Requirements
Foradmission to the doctor of philosophy
(PhD) program, a student must have a master's
degree in electrical engineering, mechanical
engineering, physics, computer science or a
related field, have submitted evidence of
capability to undertake substantial original
research, and have identified a faculty member
as senior supervisor.
See graduate general regulation 1.3 for other
PhD program admission requirements.
Residence Requirement
Students will conform to the residence
requirement as stipulated in graduate general
regulation 1.7.
Transfer from the Master's
Program to the PhD
Program
Proceeding to a PhD programwithout
completing a master's degree is discouraged.
However, a student may be admitted after at
least 12 months in the master of applied science
(MASc) program if all non-thesis course
requirements have been completed with a 3.67
orbetter cumulative grade point average
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
Proposed Mechatronics Calendar
Mechatronic Systems Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy Program
School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering \
Faculty ofApplied Sciences
Admission Requirements
For admission to the doctor of philosophy
(PhD) program, a student must have a master's
degree in mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, mechatronics engineering or a
related field, have submitted evidence of
capability to undertake substantial original
research, and have identified a faculty member
as senior supervisor.
See graduate general regulation 1.3 for other
PhD program admission requirements.
Residence Requirement
Students will conform to the residence
requirement as stipulated in graduate general
regulation 1.7.
Transfer from the Master's
Program to the PhD
Program
Proceeding to a PhD program without
completing a master's degree isdiscouraged.
However, a student may be admitted after at
least 12 months in the master of applied science
(MASc) program if all non-thesis course
requirements have been completed with a 3.67
[or better cumulative grade point average
page 5 of 7
-4'
3
(CGPA), outstanding potential for research has
been shown, and approval of the student's
supervisory committee, graduate program
committee and senate graduate studies
committee has been given.
Course Requirements
The minimum requirement is 18 units beyond
that of the MASc degree. Six of these units will
be for prescribed courses in the specialization in
which the student is enrolled. Alternatives can
be substituted with the approval of the student's
supervisory committee. At most, six units may
be senior undergraduate courses. At most, six
units may be directed studies. At least six units
must be within engineering science, although
ENSC 820-3 may not be used towards these six
units. Additional courses may be required to
correct deficiencies in the student'sbackground.
Previous Credit
If the subject matter of a listed course has been
previously completed with graduate credit, the
course may not be completed again for credit.
Qualifying Examination
To qualify the student will submit a brief
written research proposal and defend it orally to
his/her supervisory committee within the first
24 months of admission. The proposal's defencelwill
will be judged according to the feasibility and
scientific merits of the proposed research, and
demonstration of a sophisticated understanding
of general material in the student's major area
of research. This level of understanding is
associated with senior undergraduate and first
year graduate course material.
The possible outcomes of the qualifying
examination are 'pass,''marginal'and 'fail.'A
student with 'marginal'will be required to re
submit the research proposal and defend it for
the second and final time within six months
and/or to complete more courses. A 'failing'
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
(CGPA), outstanding potential for research has
been shown, and approval of the student's
supervisory committee, graduate program
committee and senate graduate studies
committee has been given.
Course Requirements
The minimum requirement is 18 units beyond
that of the MASc degree. At least six units must
be mechatronic systems engineering graduate
courses. At most, six units may be senior
undergraduate courses. At most, six units may
be directed studies. Alternative technical
courses outside mechatronic systems
engineering can be substituted with the approval
of the student's supervisory committee.
Additional courses may be required to correct
deficiencies in the student's background.
Previous Credit
If the subject matter of a listed course has been
previously completed with graduate credit, the
course may not be completed again for credit.
Qualifying Examination
To qualify the student will submit a brief
written research proposal and defend it orally to
his/her supervisory committee within the first
24 months of admission. The proposal's defence
be judged according to the feasibility and
scientific merits of the proposed research, and
demonstration of a sophisticated understanding
of general material in the student's major area
of research. This level of understanding is
associated with senior undergraduate and first
year graduate course material.
The possible outcomes of the qualifying
examination are 'pass,''marginal'and 'fail.'A
student with 'marginal'will be required to re
submit the research proposal and defend it for
the second and final time within six months
and/or to complete more courses. A 'failing'
page 6 of 7
£
grade requires withdrawal.
Thesis
Students define and undertake originalresearch,
the results of which are reported in a thesis. An
examining committee is formed as defined in
graduate general regulation 1.9.3. Students
conform to residence requirements (see
graduate general regulation 1.7.3). The senior
supervisor will be an engineering science
faculty approved by the graduate program
committee.
The student's progresswill be reviewed every
12 months
by a supervisory committee of three
or more faculty members.
At each annual
review, the student presents a summary of
his/her work to date, with the first review being
the research proposal defence described in the
section for Qualifying Examination (see above).
Students not making satisfactory progress in
their research topics, or failing to demonstrate
satisfactory knowledge and understanding
of
recent publications in their general area of
research, or failing to have their revised
research proposal approved by the supervisory
committee within 20 months
of admission, may
be required to withdraw as per section 1.8.2
Review of Unsatisfactory Progress of the
graduate general regulations.
MSE Grad Program Initiation - Nov. 19, 2012
grade requires withdrawal.
Thesis
Students define and undertake original research,
the results of which are reported in a thesis. An
examining committee is formed as defined in
graduate general regulation 1.9.3. Students
conform to residence requirements (see
graduate general regulation 1.7.3). The senior
supervisor will be an engineering science
faculty approved by the graduate program
committee.
The student's progresswill be reviewed every
12 months by a supervisory committee of three
or more faculty members.
At each annual
review, the student presents a summary of
his/her work to date, with the second review
normally being the research proposal defence
described in the section for Qualifying
Examination (see above). Students not making
satisfactory progress in their research topics, or
failing to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge
and understanding of recent publications in their
general areaof research, or failing to have their
revised research proposal approved by the
supervisory committee within 24 months of
admission, may be required to withdraw as per
section 1.8.2 Review
of Unsatisfactory Progress
of the graduate general regulations.
page 7 of 7
-7
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