Biomedical Engineering

The application of light (photonics), and nano- and micro-devices, in health and medicine.
Our department specializes in biophotonics and biosensors. The term biophotonics denotes a combination of biology and photonics. Photonics is the science and technology of the generation, manipulation, and detection of photons, which are the quantum units of light. Biophotonics is the development and application of optical techniques, particularly imaging, to the study of biological molecules, cells and tissue. One of the main benefits of using optical techniques is that they preserve the integrity of the biological cells being examined. Biophotonics has therefore become the established general term for all techniques that deal with the interaction between biological items and photons. This refers to emission, detection, absorption, reflection, modification, and creation of radiation from biomolecules, cells, tissues, organisms and biomaterials. Our faculty are also involved in the development and application of micro- and nano-sensors for the detection of DNA, proteins, viruses, and other biological materials.

Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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ENGPHYS 2E04 Undergraduate | Analog and Digital Circuits |
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ENGPHYS 2NE3 Undergraduate | Thermal Systems Design |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2P04 Undergraduate | Computational Mechanics: Statics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2QM3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BA4 Undergraduate | Electronics I: Circuits with Non-Linear and Active Components |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BB4 Undergraduate | Electronics II: Embedding and Programming a Micro-Controller |
Sessional Instructor: Mini Thomas
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More | |
ENGPHYS 3E04 / PHYSICS 3N04 Undergraduate | Fundamentals of Physical Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3L04 Undergraduate | Engineering Metrology |
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ENGPHYS 3PD3 Undergraduate | Photonic Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3PN4 Undergraduate | Semiconductor Junction Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3W04 Undergraduate | Signals and Systems for Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4A06 Undergraduate | Design and Synthesis Project |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4I03 / 6I03 Graduate | Introduction to Biophotonics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4MD3 / 6MD3 Graduate | Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4S03 / 6S03 Graduate | Lasers and Electro-Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UB2 Undergraduate | Biosensor Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
Sessional Instructor: Sadman Sakib
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UM2 Undergraduate | Solar Cell Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UN2 Undergraduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UP2 Undergraduate | Photonics Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4X03 / 6X03 Graduate | Introduction to Photovoltaics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4Z03 / 6Z03 Graduate | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology |
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Outline | More |
MECH ENG 4BB3 Undergraduate | Biomechanics |
Sessional Instructor: Fatemeh Jazinizadeh
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MECH ENG 4BF3 Undergraduate | Biofluid Mechanics |
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MECH ENG 4CC3 Undergraduate | Experimental and Computational Biomechanics |
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MECH ENG 6BB3 (Not Offered in 2022-23) Graduate | Biomechanics |
Sessional Instructor: Fatemeh Jazinizadeh
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MECH ENG 6CC3 Graduate | Experimental and Computational Biomechanics |
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ENG PHYS 733 Graduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics (M.Eng) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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ENG PHYS 704 Graduate | Selected Topics in Engineering Physics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Technical Elective | Technical Electives |
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Outline | More |
Interdisciplinary Engineering

Customize your program to suit your own interests.
Interdisciplinary area where new and advanced materials, devices and systems are engineered based on a fundamental understanding of physics.
Our faculty and students push the envelope of new technologies. Research in the Engineering Physics Department emphasizes new engineering disciplines that have emerged in recent years. In these high technology areas the link between basic science and engineering application is particularly important. Research activities stress the fundamental physics that relates to the new technologies, as well as its application to practical engineering problems.
Through strong ties to industry, government, and other centres of excellence, our researchers work with others around the world to create knowledge and find engineering solutions to many of society’s problems and challenges.

Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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ENGINEER 2IW3 Undergraduate | Inclusion in the Engineering Workplace |
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MATLS 2A04 Undergraduate | Introduction to Materials Engineering |
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ENGPHYS 2CM4 Undergraduate | Computational Multiphysics |
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ENGPHYS 2E04 Undergraduate | Analog and Digital Circuits |
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ENGPHYS 2NE3 Undergraduate | Thermal Systems Design |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2P04 Undergraduate | Computational Mechanics: Statics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2QM3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BA4 Undergraduate | Electronics I: Circuits with Non-Linear and Active Components |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BB4 Undergraduate | Electronics II: Embedding and Programming a Micro-Controller |
Sessional Instructor: Mini Thomas
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More | |
ENGPHYS 3E04 / PHYSICS 3N04 Undergraduate | Fundamentals of Physical Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3ES3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Energy Systems |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3L04 Undergraduate | Engineering Metrology |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3NM4 Undergraduate | Numerical Methods for Engineering |
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ENGPHYS 3PN4 Undergraduate | Semiconductor Junction Devices |
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ENGPHYS 3SM3 Undergraduate | Statistical Mechanics |
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ENGPHYS 3W04 Undergraduate | Signals and Systems for Engineering |
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ENGPHYS 4A06 Undergraduate | Design and Synthesis Project |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4MD3 / 6MD3 Graduate | Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4PP3 / 6PP3 Graduate | Plasma Physics Applications |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4QC3 / 6QC3 Graduate | Introduction to Quantum Computing |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4S03 / 6S03 Graduate | Lasers and Electro-Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UB2 Undergraduate | Biosensor Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
Sessional Instructor: Sadman Sakib
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UM2 Undergraduate | Solar Cell Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UN2 Undergraduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UP2 Undergraduate | Photonics Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
MECH ENG 3C03 Undergraduate | Manufacturing Engineering |
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ENG PHYS 733 Graduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics (M.Eng) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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More | |
ENG PHYS 704 Graduate | Selected Topics in Engineering Physics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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More | |
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Technical Elective | Technical Electives |
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Outline | More |
Nanotechnology and Micro-Systems Engineering

Nanotechnology and micro-systems are the technological core of the current computer and communications revolution.
Devices that are constructed on the nanometer or micrometer scale are the technological backbone of modern society. Since the invention of the transistor in 1947 and the introduction of the integrated circuit in the early 1960’s, device components have continuously decreased in size and cost at an exponential rate, while increasing in speed and capabilities. The invention of fibre optic communications, essential for the internet, also relies on the development of optoelectronics, which is the study and application of electronic devices that generate, detect and control light. More recently, the fabrication techniques developed for the integrated circuit industry have also been extended to micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) which create tiny moving mechanical parts such as beams, gears, diaphragms, and springs that are used in inkjet-printers, accelerometers, inertial sensors, micro-mirrors, optical scanners, fluid pumps, and sensors. Novel micro-fluidic devices are also being developed for integration with lab-on-a-chip systems for biomedical and health care applications. The department is also developing nanotechnology to grow integrated circuits and systems directly on a chip.

Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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CHEM ENG 724 Graduate | Materials Characterization by Electron/Ion Microscopy [FALL 2022] |
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CHEM ENG 724 Graduate | Materials Characterization by Electron/Ion Microscopy [FALL 2022] |
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MATLS 2A04 Undergraduate | Introduction to Materials Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2E04 Undergraduate | Analog and Digital Circuits |
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More | |
ENGPHYS 2NE3 Undergraduate | Thermal Systems Design |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2P04 Undergraduate | Computational Mechanics: Statics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BA4 Undergraduate | Electronics I: Circuits with Non-Linear and Active Components |
![]() |
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BB4 Undergraduate | Electronics II: Embedding and Programming a Micro-Controller |
Sessional Instructor: Mini Thomas
|
More | |
ENGPHYS 3E04 / PHYSICS 3N04 Undergraduate | Fundamentals of Physical Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3L04 Undergraduate | Engineering Metrology |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3PN4 Undergraduate | Semiconductor Junction Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3W04 Undergraduate | Signals and Systems for Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4A06 Undergraduate | Design and Synthesis Project |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4MD3 / 6MD3 Graduate | Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4QC3 / 6QC3 Graduate | Introduction to Quantum Computing |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4S03 / 6S03 Graduate | Lasers and Electro-Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UB2 Undergraduate | Biosensor Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
Sessional Instructor: Sadman Sakib
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UM2 Undergraduate | Solar Cell Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UN2 Undergraduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UP2 Undergraduate | Photonics Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4X03 / 6X03 Graduate | Introduction to Photovoltaics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4Z03 / 6Z03 Graduate | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 723 Graduate | Semiconductor Diode Laser Physics |
Sessional Instructor: Jean-Pierre Landesman
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 726 Graduate | Optoelectronic Device Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 733 Graduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics (M.Eng) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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ENG PHYS 752 / MECH ENG 752 Graduate | Advanced MEMS Fabrication and Microfluidics |
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ENG PHYS 704 Graduate | Selected Topics in Engineering Physics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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ENG PHYS 705 Graduate | III-V Materials and Devices (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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ENG PHYS 708 Graduate | Quantum Materials, Devices, and Systems (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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ENG PHYS 729 Graduate | Thin Film Growth and Deposition (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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ENG PHYS 730 / MECH ENG 730 Graduate | Thin Film Characterization (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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ENG PHYS 777 Graduate | Advanced Photovoltaics ( not running in 2022-23) |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 782 Graduate | Solid-State Electronics (not running 2022-23) |
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A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Technical Elective | Technical Electives |
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Outline | More |
Nuclear Engineering and Energy Systems

Inexhaustible energy can be created by harvesting sunlight or nuclear processes.
The sun and stars are powered by nuclear fusion, a process whereby lighter elements are combined to form heavier ones, releasing energy. On earth, nuclear processes are controlled in reactors where nuclear energy is released and converted to electricity for human use. In nuclear engineering, we apply scientific principles, engineering design and analysis, and computer modeling and simulation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Situated on campus is the university’s very own nuclear research reactor, with a long and proud tradition, providing many exciting and unique research opportunities in the areas of reactor physics, nuclear safety analysis, advanced nuclear materials, and nuclear fuel and waste management.
We also conduct extensive research in photovoltaics (solar electricity) in which semiconductor devices are used to convert sunlight directly into electricity. The efficiency by which sunlight can be converted to electricity is approaching 50%, but only by using expensive materials and processes. We are exploring alternative methods of producing high efficiency and low cost solar electricity using nanotechnology and micro-systems engineering.

Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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ENGPHYS 2E04 Undergraduate | Analog and Digital Circuits |
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ENGPHYS 2NE3 Undergraduate | Thermal Systems Design |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2P04 Undergraduate | Computational Mechanics: Statics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3O04 Undergraduate | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer |
Sessional Instructor: Ali Shams
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2QM3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3D03 Undergraduate | Principles of Nuclear Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3ES3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Energy Systems |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3L04 Undergraduate | Engineering Metrology |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3W04 Undergraduate | Signals and Systems for Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4A06 Undergraduate | Design and Synthesis Project |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4D03 / 6D03 Graduate | Nuclear Reactor Physics |
Sessional Instructor: Dr. Benjamin Rouben
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4NE3 / 6NE3 Graduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4P03 / 6P03 Graduate | Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation |
Sessional Instructor: Dr. Benjamin Rouben
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4PP3 / 6PP3 Graduate | Plasma Physics Applications |
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ENGPHYS 4UB2 Undergraduate | Biosensor Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
Sessional Instructor: Sadman Sakib
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UM2 Undergraduate | Solar Cell Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UN2 Undergraduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UP2 Undergraduate | Photonics Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 706 Graduate | Toward a New Era of Nuclear Energy: Messages from Fukushima |
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ENG PHYS 713 Graduate | Nuclear Safety Analysis and Reactor Accidents |
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ENG PHYS 716 Graduate | Nuclear Reactor Heat Transport System Design |
Sessional Instructor: Popov
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ENG PHYS 733 Graduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics (M.Eng) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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More | |
ENG PHYS 704 Graduate | Selected Topics in Engineering Physics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
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More | |
ENG PHYS 707 Graduate | Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management (not offered 2022-23) |
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ENG PHYS 710 Graduate | Nuclear Reactor Dynamics and Control (not offered in 2022-23) |
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ENG PHYS 714 / UN 0803 Graduate | Nuclear Reactor Safety Design (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Snell
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ENG PHYS 715 Graduate | Advanced Nuclear Reactor Thermalhydraulics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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ENG PHYS 718 Graduate | Reactor Heat Transport System Simulation and Analysis (not offered in 2022-23) |
Sessional Instructor: TBA
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 727 Graduate | Advanced Reactor Physics and Analysis (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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ENG PHYS 783 / UN 0806 Graduate | Nuclear Fuel Engineering (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Chan
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ENG PHYS 784 Graduate | Nuclear Fuel Management (not running 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: TBA
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Outline | More |
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Technical Elective | Technical Electives |
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Outline | More |
Photonics Engineering

The branch of science & engineering that involves the generation, control, & detection of light to provide useful applications for society.
From manufacturing to medicine, the applications of light are everywhere. Photons are the quantum mechanical unit of light. They play a central role in many technologies. In the past two decades, photonics engineering experienced explosive growth in fibre optic communications, where light is used to transfer information over great distances. This formed the basis of the internet. The application of light also extends to many other industries such as medicine, displays, and sensors.
Photonics is also beginning to play a bigger role in clean, renewable electrical energy generation through solar and thermal photovoltaics (solar electricity). Our research encompasses a wide spectrum of projects involving light sources, lasers and light emitting diodes, photodetectors, sensors, photovoltaics, and optical displays. We are also conducting research in biophotonics, a fast emerging field in which light is used for applications in medicine, biomedical engineering, life sciences, agriculture, and environmental science.

Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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ENGPHYS 2NE3 Undergraduate | Thermal Systems Design |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2P04 Undergraduate | Computational Mechanics: Statics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 2QM3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |
![]() |
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BA4 Undergraduate | Electronics I: Circuits with Non-Linear and Active Components |
![]() |
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3BB4 Undergraduate | Electronics II: Embedding and Programming a Micro-Controller |
Sessional Instructor: Mini Thomas
|
More | |
ENGPHYS 3E04 / PHYSICS 3N04 Undergraduate | Fundamentals of Physical Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3ES3 Undergraduate | Introduction to Energy Systems |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3L04 Undergraduate | Engineering Metrology |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3PN4 Undergraduate | Semiconductor Junction Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 3W04 Undergraduate | Signals and Systems for Engineering |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4A06 Undergraduate | Design and Synthesis Project |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4H04 Undergraduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics |
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4I03 / 6I03 Graduate | Introduction to Biophotonics |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4MD3 / 6MD3 Graduate | Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4S03 / 6S03 Graduate | Lasers and Electro-Optics |
Sessional Instructor: Sidra Farid
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UB2 Undergraduate | Biosensor Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
Sessional Instructor: Sadman Sakib
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UM2 Undergraduate | Solar Cell Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UN2 Undergraduate | Advanced Nuclear Engineering Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4UP2 Undergraduate | Photonics Design & Fabrication Laboratory |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4X03 / 6X03 Graduate | Introduction to Photovoltaics |
|
Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4Z03 / 6Z03 Graduate | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 723 Graduate | Semiconductor Diode Laser Physics |
Sessional Instructor: Jean-Pierre Landesman
|
Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 726 Graduate | Optoelectronic Device Physics |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 733 Graduate | Research Project in Engineering Physics (M.Eng) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
|
More | |
ENG PHYS 704 Graduate | Selected Topics in Engineering Physics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
|
More | |
ENG PHYS 705 Graduate | III-V Materials and Devices (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 721 Graduate | Optical Amplifiers and Lasers (not offered 2022-23) |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 729 Graduate | Thin Film Growth and Deposition (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 730 / MECH ENG 730 Graduate | Thin Film Characterization (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
Sessional Instructor: Various
|
More | |
ENG PHYS 734 Graduate | Nonlinear Optics (Not offered in 2022-2023) |
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More | |
ENG PHYS 777 Graduate | Advanced Photovoltaics ( not running in 2022-23) |
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Outline | More |
ENG PHYS 782 Graduate | Solid-State Electronics (not running 2022-23) |
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Outline | More |
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Technical Elective | Technical Electives |
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Outline | More |
Smart Systems

Smart systems integrate various sensors and actuators to analyze and control a process.
Related Faculty
Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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ENGPHYS 3PD3 Undergraduate | Photonic Devices |
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Outline | More |
ENGPHYS 4MD3 / 6MD3 Graduate | Nanoscale Semiconductor Devices |
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Smart systems integrate various sensors and actuators to analyze and control a process. Smart systems cover a wide range of technologies, ranging from nano- and micro-device engineering to nuclear power systems to health care devices. Nuclear power reactors, such as McMaster’s nuclear reactor, employ smart systems that measure and provide feedback for proper control of the reactor. In Engineering Physics, we are developing a “Smart Home” that seeks to integrate various home sensors to provide safer living for elderly persons. Engineering Physicists are seeking to integrate various electronic devices, making them faster and cheaper, but also giving them new functionalities.
Nano- and micro-device engineering seeks to miniaturize and integrate electronic components to make unique digital devices. This has enabled computer processor speeds to increase from a few MHz decades ago to several GHz today, and to shrink cell phones from the size of bricks to practical hand-held devices. These are just two examples of how nano- and micro-device engineering has revolutionized the world and will continue to do so. Engineering Physicists are involved in the design and fabrication of next generation devices in this exciting and fast-paced field. Smart systems seek to integrate diverse electronic and optoelectronic devices, such as electronic circuits, photodetectors, sensors, light modulators, and lasers into a single integrated system.
Micro-electro-mechanical systems, known as MEMS, are tiny moving machines usually made from the element silicon. MEMS can include tiny vibrating structures that may be used to generate and detect electromagnetic waves, used to produce radio frequency identification tags for tracking packages or parts in a manufacturing line. Engineering Physicists are developing MEMS devices as sensitive detectors used in medicine and biology (e.g., to detect viruses). MEMS devices can be used to create tiny fluid pumps to mix small volumes of chemicals. This could be used in the pharmaceutical industry in drug testing, or by a physician to test for diseases. MEMS are used to move tiny mirrors used in digital micro-mirror devices (DMD) such as projection displays. Finally, MEMS are used in optical communications to produce tiny moving mirrors that control where light goes. Smart systems seek to integrate these diverse functions into a single chip for sensing and actuating.
Mechatronics refers to the control and feedback mechanisms used in manufacturing processes. For example, in the manufacture of a substance, you might want to measure the pressure in a reaction chamber and use that pressure to open or close a valve to keep the pressure constant. Mechatronics involves instrumentation, data acquisition and processing, actuators, motors and motion controllers, electronics, robotics, etc. – basically, anything that can be used to measure and control a process. Smart systems seek to cost effectively integrate these diverse functions into a single system. Companies hiring product or process engineers will be interested in Engineering Physicists with some knowledge in mechatronics. If you’ve read this far, you’ll realize that Engineering Physicists design and fabricate components and systems used in mechatronics such as MEMS and electronic devices. In Engineering Physics at McMaster, you will be involved in a number of hands-on mechatronics projects such as our 4A06 Project that will prepare you for this important field.