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Electrical Engineering

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Program Website: ee.ryerson.ca/undergraduate/ee.html (opens in new window) 
Administered by: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.

The Electrical Engineering BEng degree program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ELCE) is a profession that is constantly changing to meet societal needs. The ELCE discipline has created significant impact on human life in the past 50 years or so, and some of the key impacts of the field in our day to day living include: electrification, telephony, television, computers, internet, imaging, media devices, home appliances, and medical technologies.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U courses in: English, Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Physics (SPH4U) and Chemistry (SCH4U).

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.  

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers highly structured programs that emphasize not only the theoretical fundamentals but also the practical aspects of the engineering profession.

The first-year courses of the Electrical Engineering program will provide the students with grounding in engineering science fundamentals such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science and the theory of electric circuits. The second year of the program introduces discrete mathematics, data structures and engineering algorithms, and electrical engineering core subjects such as analog and digital electronic circuits and systems. In the third year of the Electrical Engineering program, the emphasis will shift to advanced subjects such as communication systems, electromagnetics, microcomputer systems, electrical devices and systems, and control theory. The fourth year curriculum provides a wide range of technical elective courses. Students can further specialize in Digital Hardware Design, Communication Systems, Signal Processing, Control Systems and Power Systems by selecting appropriate courses in the fourth year of the program. During this final year of the program, all students complete a mandatory group design project.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering also offers graduate degree programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering. These graduate degree programs allow students to pursue advanced studies and independent research in the areas of computer networks, computer systems and applications and power electronics.

For further information about the program please refer to the Department's website (opens in new window) .

In November 2016, Ryerson University Senate (opens in new window)  approved the removal of Options in the Electrical Engineering program. Contact the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for further information.

Career Opportunities

The Electrical Engineering program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the design, development, manufacturing, testing and marketing of electrical and electronic equipment and systems. More specifically, graduates find employment involving research and development, production engineering and quality control, in a wide range of areas such as electronic design, multimedia, communication, power systems, health care, computer system design and information systems, to name a few.

Transition Programs

First Year Transition Program: The objective of the first year transition program (opens in new window)  is to provide students, who may need more time to adapt to the demanding university curriculum, with an immediate opportunity to upgrade their Academic Standing. In the second semester, Phase I of the transition program offers all first semester core courses: CHY 102, MTH 140, MTH 141, and PCS 211 in parallel with the second semester regular program courses. Students who have failed and/or are missing any one of these courses at the end of the first semester are required to upgrade their Academic Standing through enrolling in the transition program. During the condensed Spring semester (May-July) Phase II of the transition program offers all second semester core courses: AER 222, BME 100, CHE 200, CHY 211, CPS 125, CVL 207, ELE 202, MEC 222, MTH 240, MTL 200, and PCS 125. These courses represent a repeat of the second semester regular program courses that were not taken by students enrolled in Phase I of the transition program. These courses will be offered subject to adequate enrolment.

Second Year: The second year transition program is intended to help students who have failed or dropped the second year Fall courses MTH 312 and/or ELE 302 to stay in-phase with their classmates and still have a chance to be promoted to third year in the following academic year. This is accomplished by allowing such students to enrol in MTH 312 and/or ELE 302 in the Winter semester. The course MTH 312 will replace ELE 401 in the student's Winter timetable and ELE 302 will replace ELE 404. The student will then be able to take ELE 401 and/or ELE 404 in a condensed Spring/Summer semester (May-July).

Third Year: Similar to the second year transition program, the third year transition program is intended to help students who have failed or dropped the third year Fall courses MTH 514 and/or ELE 532 to still have a chance to be promoted to fourth year by allowing them to enrol in those courses in the Winter semester. The course MTH 514 will replace ELE 635 in the student's Winter timetable and ELE 532 will replace ELE 639. The student will then be able to take ELE 639 and/or ELE 635 in a condensed Spring/Summer semester (May-July).

Early Intervention Program

Highly innovative and proactive retention strategies play an important role in helping students build the skills for success in a demanding engineering curriculum. Through the First-Year Engineering Office (opens in new window) , the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science has incorporated the Early Intervention Program into the first-year engineering experience. At the semester's mid-point, students who are failing courses in their core curriculum are identified and encouraged to attend an interview with a member of our academic support team (Program Director/Academic Advisor and/or the Student Counsellor). Together, they discuss options to help reduce the chances of academic failure.

Writing Skills Resource Path

All new engineering students are automatically enrolled in CEN 199: Writing Skills.

CEN 199 is graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and is used to track the results of the Writing Skills Test (WST).

All students admitted into engineering are required to write the mandatory Writing Skills Test (WST) during Orientation Week. Students who pass the WST (by achieving a grade of ‘B' or higher) will receive a PASS in CEN 199 and therefore may enrol in the lower level liberal studies course of their choice (subject to availability).

Students who do not pass the WST will receive an INP (In Progress Grade) in CEN 199 and will be required to enrol in one of LNG 111, LNG 112, LNG 113, or LNG 121 as their first-year lower level liberal studies course. These courses, which count toward lower level liberal studies requirements, are writing-intensive humanities and social science courses designed to give students the opportunity to strengthen their foundations in communication. These students will then have three additional opportunities to write and pass the WST:

  • In May, following 2nd Semester.
  • During Orientation Week before 3rd Semester.
  • In May, following 4th Semester.

A PASS in CEN 199: Writing Skills is required to enrol in all third-year engineering courses. Students with a grade of INP in CEN 199 will not be allowed to enrol in any third-year engineering course.

Detailed information is available from the First-Year Engineering Office (opens in new window) . Room ENG 377 Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 4261.

Optional Co-operative Internship Program

In order to submit an application to participate in the Co-operative Internship Program, a student must:

  • Be a 3rd year full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Electrical, Computer or Biomedical Engineering
  • Have a CLEAR academic standing with a CGPA of 2.67 (B-) or higher after completing all 1st and 2nd year courses

Students must complete all required 3rd year courses in order to participate and secure an internship position in Co-operative Internship. Students who are in 4th Year (who have completed the 3rd year of the program) are not eligible to submit an application and participate in Co-operative Internship.

If hired by one of the corporations who intend to provide such internship placements, Co-operative Internship students will spend a period of 8 to 16 consecutive months, from May to September of the following year, as engineering interns at the corresponding corporations. After completing the Co-operative Internship, students return to Ryerson and complete their 4th year of study. Enrolment in the Co-operative Internship extends the program length from four to five years.

After securing an internship position the Co-operative Internship students will be enrolled in the course WKT 99A/B Co-operative Internship Program during the academic year in which they work as interns. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Completion of the Co-operative Internship Program will be identified on the student's transcript as WKT 99A/B: Co-operative Internship Program.

Optional Specialization in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OS EIE)

This option provides students with a solid foundation in innovation and entrepreneurship theory as well as the immersive experience of advancing and shaping an idea into a business. The lecture courses cover principles of engineering economics, entrepreneurship and innovation management, and technology based new venture creation. The practicum will guide students through the process of identifying a new business concept, developing their technology, and preparing their business for market readiness. For eligibility, registration and course information see Optional Specialization in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OS EIE).

Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OS MS)

Students can enrich their studies and hone their management skills with the Optional Specialization in Management Sciences. Courses within the optional specialization cover four major areas in management sciences: Strategic Engineering Management, Operations Management/Operations Research, Finance, and Organizational Behaviour. For eligibility, registration, and course information see Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OS MS).

Engineering Transfer Credits

Applicants approved into an Engineering program cannot expect to receive any transfer credits in Engineering discipline or Engineering related discipline courses if their applicable post-secondary education was not completed at a program accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (external link, opens in new window)  (CEAB).  

Core and professional engineering course transfer credits will ONLY be granted at the time of admission. An Offer of Admission will notify the applicant of transfer credit decision(s) subject to acceptance of their Offer.

Liberal studies discipline courses taken at CEAB accredited or non-accredited schools will be considered for either lower- or upper-level liberal studies transfer credit. College courses, in general, are not eligible for transfer credit except in the case of lower-level liberal studies courses.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and two upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, and Undeclared Engineering

ARB, CHN, FRE, GRK, SPN and WLG courses are not available for credit.

BLG 181, BMS 150, CHY 182, CHY 183, ITM 277, MEC 110, PCS 111, PCS 181, PCS 182 and SCI courses are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering

BLG 599, BLG 699, CHY 583, CHY 599, CPS 650, MTH 511, MTH 599 and PCS 581 are not available for credit.

ARB 301, ARB 401, CHN 301, CHN 401. FRE 301, FRE 401, SPN 301, SPN 401, SPN 510 and SPN 610 are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

CEN 100 Introduction to Engineering
CEN 199* Writing Skills
CHY 102 General Chemistry
MTH 140 Calculus I
MTH 141 Linear Algebra
PCS 211 Physics: Mechanics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

CPS 125 Digital Computation and Programming
ECN 801 Principles of Engineering Economics
ELE 202 Electric Circuit Analysis
MTH 240 Calculus II
PCS 125 Physics: Waves and Fields

* CEN 199 is graded in a pass/fail basis.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

COE 318 Software Systems
COE 328 Digital Systems
ELE 302 Electric Networks
MTH 312 Differential Equations and Vector Calculus
PCS 224 Solid State Physics

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CMN 432 Communication in the Engineering Professions
COE 428 Engineering Algorithms and Data Structures
ELE 401 Field Theory
ELE 404 Electronic Circuits I
MTH 314 Discrete Mathematics for Engineers

NOTE:

  • All required courses in 1st and 2nd semesters are prerequisites to all required courses in 3rd semester.
  • Some courses have 3rd semester prerequisites in addition to all 1st and 2nd semester required courses. Please refer to the course description chapter of this calendar.

  

5th & 6th Semester

Revised 2017-2018.

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

COE 538 Microprocessor Systems
ELE 504 Electronic Circuits II
ELE 531 Electromagnetics
ELE 532 Signals and Systems I
MTH 514 Probability and Stochastic Processes

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ELE 632 Signals and Systems II
ELE 635 Communication Systems
ELE 637 Energy Conservation
ELE 639 Control Systems
MEC 511 Thermodynamics and Fluids

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

  

7th & 8th Semester

Revised 2017-2018. Students admitted before Fall 2015 who are pursuing an Option, see 2016-2017 calendar (opens in new window)  for requirements.

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

ELE 700* Engineering Design

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from the following:

ENG 503 Science Fiction
GEO 702 Technology and the Contemporary Environment
HST 701 Scientific Technology and Modern Society
PHL 709 Religion, Science and Philosophy
POL 507 Power, Change and Technology

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table I.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CEN 800 Law and Ethics in Engineering Practice
ELE 800* Design Project

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table II.

* ELE 700 has a GPA Weight of 0.50. ELE 800 has a GPA Weight of 1.50. ELE 700 and ELE 800 must be taken in the same academic year.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Shahrzad Esmaili, MEng, MASc
Patent Agent
Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh

Tarek Khan, MASc
Product Development Engineer
AMD

Hassan Kojori, PhD, PEng, FIEEE
Senior Principal Engineer
Honeywell

Tom Murad, PhD, PEng, FEC, SMIEEE
Head, Engineering & Technology Academy
Siemens Canada

Mario Ramirez, MASc, PEng, CCE
Director, Medical Engineering
Sick Kids Hospital

Adel Sedra, PhD, PEng, FCAE, FRSC, FIEEE
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
University of Waterloo

Please see the department website (opens in new window)  for updates to the Advisory Council.