Engineering & Society Program

The core courses in the Engineering & Society program examine the complex interactions between technology and society, sustainability, and ethically responsible engineering.

The focus electives you take during your 5-year program will let you pursue a field of study that complements your engineering degree. To view a list of courses available please visit the Academic Calendar and navigate to the course listings page. 

You'll also have the option to pursue a minor in a variety of subjects including business, sustainability, and innovation.

Students in the Society program must take a minimum of 18 units of Focus Electives which can be chosen from any course offered at McMaster outside of the Faculty of Engineering (as long as prerequisites are met). First-year complementary electives do not count towards the 18 units for the Society program.

This is the first course in Society, where students will be introduced to the concept of inquiry. Through lectures, workshops, class trips and discussions, students will develop their ability to research, develop and write an inquiry.

• Develop inquiry and critical thinking skills.
• Oral and written communication skills are developed through a variety of written assignments, presentations and discussions.
• Explore and develop interpersonal skills.

Students through means of lectures, discussions, presentations and projects will explore the social and environmental impacts that shaped the evolution of technology. The historical relationship of culture and technology is explored to understand the context of our world today.

• An understanding of what technology is at its core.
• Understand the cultural aspects of the evolution of technology.
• Develop teamwork and problem solving through in class activities and a final presentation.

This course builds on skills of inquiry built in previous courses and focuses on the issue of innovation and creativity of technology and the role that engineering has in technology’s development. Through an inquiry presentation in groups, the background, adoption and consequences of technology are explored. Conscious identification of bias is explored through reflection.

• Understand and recognize the role that personal bias has when discussing and researching a topic.
• Analyze the implication and effects of a technology in the past, present and future.
• Develop research strategy skills.
• Develop the ability to think critically of ideas presented in class discussion.

This course investigates the underlying relationship between society and technology and the impact engineers have in the development of the interdependent connection between the two, now in the present as well as in the future as the connection becomes more complex. This course includes case studies of current and future technology in society, class discussions and a final group inquiry proposal seminar.

• Understand the nature of the society-technology relationship.
• Analyze the social and environmental aspects of the relationship.
• Understand and appreciate the impact engineering will have in the future of technology and the role engineers will need to have to society.
• Learn to develop a well structured central question.

The focus of the course is on sustainability, the natural environment and concepts of preventive engineering. These topics are studied and applied through specific case studies in a series of 10 class field trips. These class trips explore various aspects of industry and urban development.

The culmination of the Engineering & Society program is a final individual year long inquiry report that must be presented orally and submitted as a final paper. The topics are of the student’s choice but must relate to connection between technology and society and the implications for a practising engineer. Students are supervised by one faculty member throughout the year.

In multi-disciplinary groups, students will complete a capstone design project that incorporates holistic design, social sustainability and ethical engineering.

• Define all aspects of the term sustainability
• Develop alternate solutions through effective brainstorming
• Evaluate alternatives using qualitative methodologies
• Synthesize an engineering solution that incorporates social, environmental and economic sustainability

RMM-801 is the Risk Management Manual and Policy for Field Trips, Research Activities, and Student Placements. For Faculty Members and/or Departments planning Field Trips, please ensure you read this manual carefully and follow the procedures as outlined.

All Field Trips/Research Activities/Student Placements must have an approval form submitted as outlined in the Field Trip Policy Manual, RMM-801. Please ensure all necessary approvals are obtained (based on the level of risk) prior to the date of the trip.

**Any and all field trips with a significant or extreme risk level must have the approval of EOHSS and Senior Management **

Field Trip Checklists and Participant Waiver forms must be filled out by every participant before the trip. Be sure to customize the type of event and type of injury/risk as required.

 Please submit the Checklists and Waiver forms to the Engineering and Society Office (JHE-A214/C) for record-keeping purposes.