Energy Engineering

General information

Ontario Tech University is one of a handful of universities in Canada that offers a dedicated undergraduate program in Energy Engineering. Energy Engineering is an interdisciplinary program and perhaps one of the broadest engineering disciplines that covers different engineering fields. Thus, its graduates are in high demand by various industries and employers. A typical Energy Engineering program, would overlap with different aspects of engineering applications including electrical, mechanical and nuclear, to name a few.

The Energy Industry has demonstrated increased demand to include environmentally conscience energy sources that focus on the efficient use of energy systems, as well as energy security and reliability. In this program, students will learn different aspects of energy systems including hydrogen,electrical, nuclear, renewable and energy storage.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U) with a minimum average of 60 per cent, Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), and Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required, with no grade below 60 per cent. All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Professional designation

All of our undergraduate engineering programs have been fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). This program is designed to meet the CEAB requirements. Note: The new Energy Engineering program will be reviewed for accreditation in 2026-2027, to coincide with the first graduation class, as per CEAB requirements. Each graduate is eligible to apply for licensing as a professional engineer (PEng) in any province or territory in Canada.

Program details and degree requirements

To be eligible for an honours Bachelor of Engineering degree in Energy Engineering, students must successfully complete 132 credit hours, including all courses outlined here. For elective options, see the following list.

All courses in Year 1, except SSCI 1470U, are prerequisites to all non-elective courses in Year 3.

All courses in Years 1 and 2, except SSCI 1470U, are prerequisites to all non-elective courses in Year 4.

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the order and timing of courses as indicated, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings,
please visit the faculty website at engineering.ontariotechu.ca.

Year 1 (33 credit hours)

• COMM 1050U – Technical Communications
• ENGR 1015U – Introduction to Engineering
• MATH 1010U – Calculus I
• MATH 1850U – Linear Algebra for Engineers
• PHY 1010U – Physics I
• CHEM 1800U – Chemistry for Engineers
• ENGR 1025U – Engineering Design
• ENGR 1200U – Introduction to Programming for Engineers
• MATH 1020U – Calculus II
• PHY 1020U – Physics II
• SSCI 1470U – Impact of Science and Technology on Society

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• ENEE 2160U – Energy and Environmental Impacts
• ENEE 2210U – Introduction to Alternative Fuels
• MANE 2220U – Structure and Properties of Materials
• MATH 2860U – Differential Equations for Engineers
• NUCL 2860U – Fluid Mechanics
• Liberal Studies Elective*
• ELEE 2790U – Electric Circuits
• ENGR 2100U – Computational Engineering Applications
• NUCL 2010U – Thermodynamic Cycles
• STAT 2800U – Statistics and Probability for Engineers

Year 3 (33 credit hours)

• ENEE 3030U – Computer-Aided Design
• ESNS 3380U – Strength of Materials
• MECE 3260U – Introduction to Energy Systems
• MECE 3350U – Control Systems
• MECE 3410U – Electro-Mechanical Energy Conversion
• NUCL 3930U – Heat Transfer
• Liberal Studies Elective*
• ELEE 3260U – Power Systems
• ENEE 3265U – Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
• ENGR 3360U – Engineering Economics
• MANE 4160U – Artificial Intelligence in Engineering

Year 4 (33 credits)

• ELEE 4115U – Fundamentals of Smart Grid
• ENEE 4161U – Solar Energy
• ENEE 4163U – Wind and Hydro Energy
• ENGR 4760U – Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers
• ENGR 4960U – Capstone Systems Design for Energy Engineering I
• MANE 4380U – Life Cycle Engineering
• ENGR 4961U – Capstone Systems Design for Energy Engineering II
• ENEE 4260U – Integrated Energy Systems
• Three Engineering Electives*

Engineering electives

Courses selected for the engineering elective must be approved by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Engineering courses from other engineering programs may be allowed as engineering electives provided students have the prerequisites and the courses extend the students’ knowledge through greater depth in an advanced area, or greater breadth in a complementary field. Not all of the listed engineering electives will necessarily be offered each year.

The following are approved courses as engineering electives:

• AUTE 3450U – Combustion and Engines
• ELEE 4125U – Smart Grid Networking and Security
• ENEE 4460U – Sustainable Community Energy Systems
• NUCL 4640U – Nuclear Plant Operation
• NUCL 4460U – Nuclear Power Systems
• MANE 3120U – Thermo-mechanical Processing of Materials
• MANE 4280U – Robotics and Automation
• MECE 3230U – Thermodynamic Applications
• MECE 4450U – Thermal Environmental Engineering

Liberal Studies electives

Complementary studies, including courses in humanities, social sciences, arts, management, engineering economics, ethics and communication, are included in engineering programs to complement the technical content of the curriculum and thereby provide graduates with a broader perspective of their role in society. Inclusion of complementary studies also satisfies several accreditation criteria of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Courses or parts of courses covering engineering economics, ethics, and the impact of technology on society, as well as courses that develop the student’s capability to communicate orally, visually and in writing, are essential to the education of an engineer and therefore are included in all of our engineering programs.

Liberal studies electives are included in each engineering program to ensure adequate coverage of subject matter that deals with central issues, methodologies and thought processes of the humanities and social sciences. Such material is required in the education of an engineer. Liberal studies electives can include, but are not limited to, courses dealing with cultural analysis; historical analysis; literature and the arts; knowledge, cognition, and moral reasoning; and social and behavioural analysis.

Foreign language and business courses may not be used as liberal studies. Courses can be approved as liberal studies electives for students in engineering programs at the university by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (or designate), in accordance with these principles.

Courses selected for the liberal studies electives must be approved by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Liberal studies electives are subject to change. An updated list of liberal studies electives will be maintained online at engineering.ontariotechu.ca.

Program learning outcomes

The following outcomes outline the knowledge and skills students will have achieved upon completion of the program.