Conflicts
It is not unusual to find many conflicts with electives in the 4th year schedule. However, to reduce the conflicts…
1) For the capstone course (ElecEng 4OI6) do NOT be concerned about getting into the same section as someone you want to be in a project group with! The project groups are formed between all sections of both capstone courses. The professors each supervise some of the groups, regardless of sections.
2) Try to find a schedule where only your capstone course (ElecEng 4OI6) is causing a conflict, because the capstone courses generally have flexible meeting times when the term is underway, as once groups are formed the members find mutually convenient times to work together. The scheduled timeslots are there to ensure there is a time that can be used if/when needed by the professor to have occassional group meetings and assessments.
If you can’t avoid a conflict:
1) Enroll in the Elective course that you want most! When you submit the Conflict request the other course will be added to your timetable if a seat is available (we will definitely get you a seat if it’s a Required course).
2) If the conflict involves your capstone course, the process is slightly different than normal. When choosing which professors to submit your Conflict Request form to, instead of sending it to the capstone course professor, send it to Kelly Lyth (“Not listed here” on the drop down menu) for the fastest authorization, as she has authority to sign for the capstone courses.
Find the Conflict request form in the Advising section of our website.
Final Year – ElecEng 4OI6: Capstone Course (group project)
Capstone group project course (ElecEng 4OI6):
This is a group project course. Groups of students design and develop a project using the cumulative knowledge they’ve gained throughout their degree.
As of 2019-20, FCA Canada (Fiat Chrysler) has partnered with us, giving our students a very exciting opportunity! If you are interested in the automobile industry, consider designing a project that would be of interest to FCA Canada! For more information contact Dr. Berker Bilgin – bilginb@mcmaster.ca
At the end of the course, in April, you will present your project at the “ECE Expo”. This event is our department’s biggest event of the year! Representatives from industry will be there, so it could very well launch your career! Some industry reps will be judging your project on a set criteria, and the top projects win prizes!
There will be hundreds of visitors dropping in over the course of the day at ECE Expo, including the media! Photographs and videos will be taken (by entering the event you consent to be photographed).
Throughout the day you will be doing informal presentations to the visitors who are curious about your project (this will serve as good practice for your formal presentation to the judges!). The team of judges will spend approximately 20 minutes with your group. You should prepare a presentation for the Judges which is approximately 5-10 minutes in length. The Judges will then ask questions. All group members should have equal time speaking in the presentation. Also, you might want to designate each student to answer particular types of questions from the Judges.
Participation in this event is part of your grade.
Every group will have a space assigned for them, the display of their project and a visual presentation board. The ECE Department will cover the cost of printing a large format poster for each group. This visual display is to show the development and workings of your design. For examples, check out the ones displayed in the main hallway of the ITB Annex (by the ECE Department Office ITB-A111).
The ECE Department will assist groups in obtaining project parts. The IEEE Student Branch (ITB-141) is a great resource for parts and information. Many manufacturers will provide parts to students for free, so make inquiries!
For a better idea of the event, check out the webpage: https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/ece/ece-expo
The ECE Expo is a great opportunity, so keep an eye out for emails from the UG Admin Assistant to help you make the most out of it.
Final Year – Individual Research Project Courses
Individual Research Project Courses (4OH4 and 4OJ4) are counted as “ECE Technical Electives”.
These 4-unit courses provide an opportunity to do research on an advanced topic under the supervision of a faculty member. They foster initiative and independent creativity.
Prerequisite(s): Prior arrangement with an Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty member, a minimum cumulative GPA of 9.5, registration in Level IV or V
Students with GPAs under 9.5 , but close, may still request Permission however the faculty member’s authorization must be seconded by the Associate Chair of ECE.
Each of these course codes can only be taken ONCE.
ElecEng / CompEng 4OJ4 – taken in either Fall Term or Winter Term (only 1)
ElecEng / CompEng 4OH4 – taken in either Fall Term or Winter Term – this is an “Advanced” course, so you may only enroll in this if you have taken 4OJ4 – this can be either continuing the research from the 4OJ4 course, or a new different research project, either with the same professor or a different professor.
Request Procedure:
If you wish to take an individual research project course please discuss the possibility with the professor of your choice (you can find their areas of research at www.eng.mcmaster.ca/ece/people/faculty). The discussion will include the nature of the project and the goals for the course. Once a plan is in place, submit an ECE Permission request form along with a copy of your Unofficial Transcript to that professor for authorization. If you do not have a minimum cumulative GPA of 9.5, the professor must obtain approval from the Associate Chair of the Department, by way of email, before authorization is final. Once all necessary authorization is obtained, the professor must forward the request form and approvals to the ECE UG Admin Assistant for final processing.
Permission form and process: https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/ece/undergraduate-advising#Permissions-and-Pre-requisites
Final Year – Experiential Engineering Design course (ENGINEER 4EX3 A/B):
Experiential Engineering Design course (ENGINEER 4EX3 A/B):
This 3-unit course provides an opportunity to receive formal recognition of the design-based experiential learning conducted within the atmosphere of technically-oriented McMaster Engineering Teams. Students who are active participants in a technically-oriented Team may seek permission to enroll in this course. This course will be used a technical elective as credit towards your degree.
The course is held through both the Fall and Winter terms, with students meeting regularly during the academic year with the course coordinator to provide an update on their progress. Each student will be required to maintain a Learning Portfolio that documents their contributions towards their Team’s objectives. Each student will be assessed on their Learning Portfolio at mid-term and end-of-year, with final assessment being in the form of Pass/No-Pass.
If you wish to take the Experiential Engineering Design course please refer to this webpage: Experiential Learning | Faculty of Engineering (mcmaster.ca)
Final Year – Graduating and Convocation
If you are not receiving any emails about graduation but expect to be graduating, please contact Sally Williams at willsal@mcmaster.ca
Graduating students will be involved in Kipling (The Calling of An Engineer) as well as Convocation (the Graduation ceremony).
Kipling, Iron Rings and Class Composite photographs are handled by the Engineering Alumni Office (JHE-A201). Refer to that information on their webpage
Convocation information can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website . Tickets for the Convocation are for guests only (students do not need a ticket).
The Electrical & Computer Engineering Society (ECES) hosts a Kipling Breakfast, the morning of the Kipling ceremony. Tickets for this buffet breakfast will be sold at a very nominal price a couple of weeks prior to the day. ECE graduating students, faculty members and staff participate in this event, as we bid farewell to each other.
A formal Kipling dance will be organized by the McMaster Engineering Society (MES).