Mechanical Engineering – Artificial Intelligence specialization

General information

Mechanical engineering is one of the core engineering disciplines that overlaps with other engineering disciplines—electrical, chemical, civil, computer and software, to name a few. It is interdisciplinary and one of the broadest engineering disciplines, and graduates are in high demand by various industries and employers.

Students have the option to specialize in Artificial Intelligence within the four-year Mechanical Engineering program. The specialization in Artificial Intelligence gives students a solid foundation on the main aspects of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, including Deep Learning, and their application to solving modern engineering problems and challenges. In addition, students will learn the ethical implications of the use of Artificial Intelligence in engineering and society.

Developed in consultation with industry, the Mechanical Engineering curriculum provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of mathematics, computing and science, with significant content in engineering sciences and design. In addition to classroom lectures, students participate in tutorials, laboratories, computer simulations, field visits, independent research and design tasks, individual and group projects, as well as presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Complementary studies including liberal studies electives, collaborative leadership, economics, and ethics and law for professionals, promote a broader understanding of the needs of society and technology’s impact on it. Students gain technical expertise along with the understanding of business and humanities required for an integrated approach to mechanical engineering.

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

Our undergraduate engineering programs in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science have been fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Each graduate is eligible to apply for licensing as a professional engineer (PEng) in any province or territory in Canada. Note that our newest programs, Energy Engineering  and Industrial Engineering , will go for accreditation in 2026-2027 when the first classes of students reach fourth year.

Program details and degree requirements

To be eligible for an honours Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering – Artificial Intelligence Specialization, students must successfully complete 135 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, 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 (33 credit hours)

• MANE 2220U – Structure and Properties of Materials
• MATH 2860U – Differential Equations for Engineers
• MECE 2230U – Statics
• MECE 2310U – Concurrent Engineering and Design
• MECE 2320U – Thermodynamics
• ELEE 2790U – Electric Circuits
• ENGR 2100U – Computational Engineering Applications
• MECE 2420U – Solid Mechanics I
• MECE 2430U – Dynamics
• MECE 2860U – Fluid Mechanics
• STAT 2800U – Statistics and Probability for Engineers

Year 3 (36 credit hours)

• ENGR 3150U – Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• MANE 3190U – Manufacturing and Production Processes
• MECE 3030U – Computer-Aided Design
• MECE 3270U – Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines
• MECE 3350U – Control Systems
• MECE 3420U – Solid Mechanics II
• ENGR 3360U – Engineering Economics
• MECE 3210U – Mechanical Vibrations
• MECE 3220U – Machine Design
• MECE 3230U – Thermodynamic Applications
• MECE 3390U – Mechatronics
• MECE 3930U – Heat Transfer

Year 4 (30 credit hours)

• Liberal Studies elective*
• ENGR 4170U – Deep Learning
• ENGR 4760U – Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers
• ENGR 4950U – Capstone Systems Design for Mechanical, Automotive, Mechatronics and Manufacturing Engineering I
• MECE 4290U – Finite Element Methods
• MECE 4210U – Advanced Solid Mechanics and Stress Analysis
• Liberal Studies elective*
• ENGR 4951U – Capstone Systems Design for Mechanical, Automotive, Mechatronics and Manufacturing Engineering II
• ENGR 4270U – Machine Learning Applications
• Engineering elective*

*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:

• ENGR 3160U – Engineering Operations and Project Management
• ENGR 4570U – Indigenous Design and Technology
• MANE 3120U – Thermo-mechanical Processing of Materials
• MANE 3300U – Integrated Manufacturing Systems
• MANE 3460U – Industrial Ergonomics
• MANE 4015U – Reliability and Maintenance
• MANE 4045U – Quality Control
• MANE 4190U – Principles of Material Removal Processes
• MANE 4280U – Robotics and Automation
• MANE 4380U – Life Cycle Engineering
• MANE 4600U – Additive Manufacturing
• MANE 4700U – Introduction to Tribology: Friction, Wear and Lubrication
• MECE 3260U – Introduction to Energy Systems
• MECE 3410U – Electro-Mechanical Energy Conversion
• MECE 4000U – Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
• MECE 4250U – Advanced Materials 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.