Graduate Co-op
Master’s and PhD students may complete 4 to 12 months of co-op experience in various types of organizations, including corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, startups and research institutions.
- Length
- Full-time and part-time options
- Degree
- Master of Engineering (Co-op Available)
- Type
- Course or project-based
- Options
Program highlights
Want to help guide Industry 4.0 into the future? This Master’s program is the only one of its kind in Canada that delivers specialized training in digital manufacturing, automotive, automation, and smart, connected systems.
Careers
This program will position you for a career in developing and managing cyber-physical systems that leverage software, hardware and real-time data to make businesses more efficient and our everyday lives easier.
Flexibility
Recommended 16 months full-time (minimum 12 months and maximum 24 months) or 40 months part-time (domestic only).
Useful Links
Admission requirements
- Academic Prerequisites
-
Honours Bachelor’s Degree (4 Year) in Engineering, Sciences, or equivalent.
- Anticipated Admission Range
- B average (73-76% or 8.0/12) in last two years of study (20 technical courses)
- Supplementary Application
- Required
What you'll gain
As a student in the MEngS&T program, you will have opportunities to:
- Build expertise in designing and optimizing systems using advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality, robotics, human-machine interfaces, IoT, and other components of cyber-physical systems.
- Develop skills to communicate and present your concepts and prototypes to team members and stakeholders.
- Adopt a design thinking approach to produce user-oriented, innovative systems.
- Attain digital manufacturing savvy, which is essential for a successful a career in Industry 4.0.
If you believe that intelligent systems comprised of AI applications and components connected via networks (or the cloud) are the future, this is the program for you.
This program is particularly well suited for applicants with backgrounds in Electrical, Software and Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, and Automation Systems. Students from other engineering and science disciples who are comfortable with writing solution procedures as software code, and who wish to refocus their careers on automation or data science, are also invited to apply.
How to apply
In addition to the general requirements for entry into a graduate program in Engineering, students must hold a four-year degree in a STEM discipline, with at least a B average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.0 GPA out of 12) in the final two years of study, in all courses in the discipline, or relating to the discipline, in which the applicant proposes to do graduate work.
IELTS/TOEFL: International students are required to present a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum requirements 5.5 in reading and writing and 6 in listening and speaking). Minimum TOEFL score is 88.
Candidates may be enrolled on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students will complete the degree in twelve consecutive months of study. Students are admitted for September. Part-time students will normally be expected to complete the program in 28 months.
McMaster students may receive advanced standing for up to two courses (note that a maximum of two 600-level courses can count towards a SEPT graduate program) with the approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
| September 2025 Admissions | January 2026 Admissions | |
| Application Portal opens | November 1, 2024 | June 15, 2025 |
| International Student Deadline | March 14, 2025 | July 14, 2025 |
| Domestic Student Deadline | June 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 |
International applicants are encouraged to apply early as the visa application process may take 3 months or more.
Tuition & Fees
30 credit units are required to complete this degree and tuition is paid per credit unit. Please view the per-unit fees for the current academic year here.
Students enrolled in multiple academic years ( e.g. January admission) pay the fees corresponding for the academic year the term is within. The University reserves the right to correct typographical errors or to adjust the Tuition and Fees schedule at any time it deems necessary.
Other Fees:
- Application Fee: $150.00
- Online Interview Fee (Kira Talent): $60.00
- Non-refundable deposit upon acceptance: $500.00
Step 1: Click on the link above to open your application with McMaster University. Alternatively, please visit the Graduate studies portal.
Step 2: Answer all application-related questions.
Step 3: Register for your online interview (Kira) and ensure that you complete the $60 payment. Note that the $60 is in addition to your $110 application fee. They are separate charges.
- The registration and payment link are embedded in your application questions.
Step 4: Gather, and upload all required documents.
- Your current resume or CV, including academic and professional experience
- Your clearly written Statement of Interest (This is a letter explaining your interest in the program, at a maximum of 2 pages).
- Recent IELTS or TOEFL scores (within the last 2 years) required for international students. Minimum IELTS score 6.5 overall (minimum requirement 5.5 in reading and writing and 6 in listening and speaking). Minimum TOEFL score is 88. Note that if your medium of instruction was English and this is documented on your transcripts, you do not need to submit an ELP test.
- Transcripts from all post secondary institutions you have attended.
- Please note that all documents must be uploaded before application submission. CV, SOI, IELTS/TOEFL and Transcripts are uploaded in the same section of the application.
Step 5: Add Academic Referee contact information.
- Contact information for 2 Academic References must be entered in online application. Referees will be contacted via our electronic referencing system
- Academic references are to come from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
- In cases where an applicant has been away from academic study for 5 or more years, we will consider one professional reference.
- Please note that we do not accept reference letters uploaded by the applicant.
Step 6: Pay $110 application fee, and submit application.
- Only submit your application once all the above documents have been uploaded, you have entered contact information for both academic references, and you have paid your Kira fee.
- *Applications will not be reviewed unless all items noted above are submitted at the time of application*.
Step 7: Complete your Kira interview.
- Applicants will be sent a link to complete their Kira interview within one week of application submission and Kira fee payment.
- Applicants will not receive a link unless they have fully submitted their application, and have submitted the $60 Kira fee payment.
Step 8: You will be contacted if there are any issues with your application. Please do not email about the status of your application. Applicants will be contacted once a decision regarding the application has been made.
- Please note that if you are accepted to one of our programs, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $500 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable if you withdraw your acceptance.
Important Notes:
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documents are uploaded, the referees have responded, and the Kira online interview has been completed. All applications must be completed in full in advance of the application deadlines in order to be considered.
- Official transcripts are not required unless an applicant is granted an offer of admission. Documentation sent via post will not be considered for your application.
- Applications will not be considered until we receive copies of transcripts noting grades up to at least Term 7 of your undergraduate studies.
Program structure
Full-time students are expected to complete the program in 16 months. The actual duration of studies may be shorter (not less than 12 months) or longer (not more than 24 months), for students who work faster or slower.
Domestic students (Canadian citizens or permanent residents) may complete their MEng Systems & Technology degree on a part-time basis and establish their schedule according to how much time they can devote to studies. Part-time students complete the program in 40 months.
Automation and Smart Systems enables graduates to design and implement automation systems, monitor real time operations, and apply data science methods to analyze and improve performance of systems across various industries, including manufacturing, smart buildings and cities, agriculture, prepared foods, pharmaceutical production, and beyond.
There are two pathways towards the degree:
- Project-based pathway: 8 courses(24 units)+ project(6 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 3 – 4 core courses
- 0 – 1 elective courses
- 2 project courses
Students pursuing the 8 courses + project pathway are also required to register for two project courses:
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part I (3 units)
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part II (3 units)
- Courses-only pathway: 10 courses (30 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 4 – 6 core courses
- 0 – 2 elective courses
Required courses:
- SEP 769 – Cyber Physical Systems (3 units)
Professional Development courses
- SEP 6EP3 – Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation (3 units)
- SEP 6MK3 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 units)
- SEP 6TC3 – Technical Communications (3 units)
- SEP 6X03 – Livable Cities, The Built and Natural Environment (3 units)
- SEP 709 – Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy (3 units)
- SEP 710 – International Governance and Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
- SEP 725 – Practical Project Management for Today’s Business Environment (3 units)
- SEP 760 – Design Thinking (3 units)
- SEP 770 – Total Sustainability Management (3 units)
- SEP 773 – Leadership for Innovation (3 units)
Core courses:
- SEP 713 – Cloud Computing (3 units)
- SEP 728 – Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial Internet of Things (ioT) Systems (3 units)
- SEP 740 – Deep Learning (3 units)
- SEP 742 – Visual Perception for Autonomous Vehicles (3 units)
- SEP 752 – Systems Modeling and Optimization (3 units)
- SEP 758 – Software Design Tools and Methods (3 units)
- SEP 759 – Prototyping Web and Mobile Applications (3 units)
- SEP 767 – Multivariate Statistical Methods for Big Data Analysis and Process Improvement (3 units)
- SEP 775 – Introduction to Computational Natural Language Processing (3 units)
- SEP 780 – Advanced Robotics and Automation
- SEP 785 – Machine Learning (3 units)
- SEP 791 – Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality
- CAS 771 – Introduction to Big Data Systems and Applications (3 units)
Recommended elective courses:
- SEP 6CS3 – Computer Security (3 units)
- SEP 6DA3 – Data Analytics and Big Data (3 units)
- SEP 6DM3 – Data Mining (3 units)
- SEP 718 – Industrial Automation (3 units)
- SEP 723 – Industrial components, networks and interoperability (3 units)
- SEP 783 – Sensors and Actuators (3 units)
Each concentration area has a set of recommended elective courses. Students wishing to take an elective course outside of the recommended electives need to obtain a permission from their graduate advisor.
For more details please refer to the Graduate Calendar.
W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology strives to offer a full complement of courses every academic year; some of the course listed here are currently being reviewed. Their offering is subject to the pending internal approval.
Automotive is a specialized stream within Engineering Systems & Technology.
The Automotive stream prepares graduates for careers in developing autonomous vehicle systems, transportation smart systems, and beyond. If you’re excited about the future of self-driving vehicles and the infrastructure that enables them, this choice is for you.
There are two pathways towards the degree:
- Project-based pathway: 8 courses(24 units)+ project(6 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 3 – 4 core courses
- 0 – 1 elective courses
- 2 project courses
Students pursuing the 8 courses + project pathway are also required to register for two project courses:
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part I (3 units)
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part II (3 units)
- Courses-only pathway: 10 courses (30 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 4 – 6 core courses
- 0 – 2 elective courses
Required courses:
- SEP 769 – Cyber Physical Systems (3 units)
Professional Development courses
- SEP 6EP3 – Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation (3 units)
- SEP 6MK3 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 units)
- SEP 6TC3 – Technical Communications (3 units)
- SEP 6X03 – Livable Cities, The Built and Natural Environment (3 units)
- SEP 709 – Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy (3 units)
- SEP 710 – International Governance and Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
- SEP 725 – Practical Project Management for Today’s Business Environment (3 units)
- SEP 760 – Design Thinking (3 units)
- SEP 770 – Total Sustainability Management (3 units)
- SEP 773 – Leadership for Innovation (3 units)
Core courses:
- SEP 6AE3 – Internal Combustion Engines (3 units)c
- SEP 6DV3 – Vehicle dynamics (3 units)
- SEP 711 – Electric Powertrain Components Design (3 units)
- SEP 716 – Automotive Safety Design (3 units)
- SEP 722 – Electric Drive Vehicles (3 units)
- SEP 724 – Intelligent Transportation Systems (3 units)
- SEP 734 – Issues in Vehicle Productions (3 units)
- SEP 740 – Deep Learning (3 units)
- SEP 742 – Visual Perception for Autonomous Vehicles (3 units)
- SEP 775 – Introduction to Computational Natural Language Processing (3 units)
- SEP 798 – Management and Control of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Recommended electives courses:
- SEP 780 – Advanced Robotics and Automation (3 units)
- SEP 783 – Sensors and Actuators (3 units)
- SEP 791 – Augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality (3 units)
- MECH ENG 6Z03 – CAD/CAM/CAE (3 units)
Each concentration area has a set of recommended elective courses. Students wishing to take an elective course outside of the recommended electives need to obtain a permission from their graduate advisor.
For more details please refer to the Graduate Calendar.
W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology strives to offer a full complement of courses every academic year; some of the course listed here are currently being reviewed. Their offering is subject to the pending internal approval.
The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is changing manufacturing to be agile through additive manufacturing, data analytics, AI, and cyber twins of facilities. These become essential tools for informed decision making and process optimization. Our concentration in Digital Manufacturing is for students who want to focus on additive manufacturing and robotics integrated via ioT / iioT with decision making systems.
There are two pathways towards the degree:
- Project-based pathway: 8 courses(24 units)+ project(6 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 3 – 4 core courses
- 0 – 1 elective courses
- 2 project courses
Students pursuing the 8 courses + project pathway are also required to register for two project courses:
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part I (3 units)
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part II (3 units)
- Courses-only pathway: 10 courses (30 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 4 – 6 core courses
- 0 – 2 elective courses
Required courses:
- SEP 769 – Cyber Physical Systems (3 units)
Professional Development courses
- SEP 6EP3 – Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation (3 units)
- SEP 6MK3 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 units)
- SEP 6TC3 – Technical Communications (3 units)
- SEP 6X03 – Livable Cities, The Built and Natural Environment (3 units)
- SEP 709 – Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy (3 units)
- SEP 710 – International Governance and Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
- SEP 725 – Practical Project Management for Today’s Business Environment (3 units)
- SEP 760 – Design Thinking (3 units)
- SEP 770 – Total Sustainability Management (3 units)
- SEP 773 – Leadership for Innovation (3 units)
Core courses
- SEP 718 – Industrial Automation (3 units)
- SEP 723 – Industrial components, networks and interoperability (3 units)
- SEP 728 – Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial Internet of Things (ioT) Systems (3 units)
- SEP 735 – Additive Manufacturing (3 units)
- SEP 740 – Deep Learning (3 units)
- SEP 752 – Systems Modeling and Optimization (3 units)
- SEP 758 – Software Design Tools and Methods (3 units)
- SEP 759 – Prototyping Web and Mobile Applications (3 units)
- SEP 780 – Advanced Robotics and Automation (3 units)
- SEP 783 – Sensors and Actuators (3 units)
- SEP 791 – Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality (3 units)
Recommended elective courses:
- SEP 6FM3 – Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) and Flexible Manufacturing (3 units)
- SEP 742 – Visual Perception for Autonomous Vehicles (3 units)
- SEP 767 – Multivariate Statistical Methods for Big Data Analysis and Process Improvement (3 units)
- SEP 775 – Introduction to Computational Natural Language Processing (3 units)
- SEP 785 – Machine Learning (3 units)
Each concentration area has a set of recommended elective courses. Students wishing to take an elective course outside of the recommended electives need to obtain a permission from their graduate advisor.
For more details please refer to the Graduate Calendar.
W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology strives to offer a full complement of courses every academic year; some of the course listed here are currently being reviewed. Their offering is subject to the pending internal approval.
The Process Systems Stream is now temporarily unavailable for the 2024/2025 Academic year and are not taking applications at this time.
Process Systems stream enables its graduates to developed advanced capabilities required for successful careers as technical experts in chemical, petrochemical, refining, pharmaceutical, food, and power industry groups.
The stream is best suited for applicants with a degree in chemical or biochemical engineering, chemical or biochemical technology, process automation, or systems engineering.
There are two pathways towards the degree:
- Project-based pathway: 8 courses(24 units)+ project(6 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 3 – 4 core courses
- 0 – 1 elective courses
- 2 project courses
Students pursuing the 8 courses + project pathway are also required to register for two project courses:
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part I (3 units)
- SEP 799 – MEng Project in Systems and Technology, Part II (3 units)
- Courses-only pathway: 10 courses (30 units)
- 1 required course
- 2 – 3 professional development courses
- 4 – 6 core courses
- 0 – 2 elective courses
Required courses:
- SEP 769 – Cyber Physical Systems
Professional Development courses
- SEP 6EP3 – Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation (3 units)
- SEP 6MK3 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 units)
- SEP 6TC3 – Technical Communications (3 units)
- SEP 6X03 – Livable Cities, The Built and Natural Environment (3 units)
- SEP 709 – Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy (3 units)
- SEP 710 – International Governance and Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
- SEP 725 – Practical Project Management for Today’s Business Environment (3 units)
- SEP 760 – Design Thinking (3 units)
- SEP 770 – Total Sustainability Management (3 units)
- SEP 773 – Leadership for Innovation (3 units)
Core Courses:
- SEP 718 – Industrial Automation (3 units)
- SEP 739 – Distributed Computing for Process Control (3 units)
- SEP 740 – Deep Learning (3 units)
- SEP 750 – Model Predictive Control Design and Implementation (3 units)
- SEP 751 – Process Design and Control for Operability (3 units)
- SEP 752 – Systems Modeling and Optimization (3 units)
- SEP 767 – Multivariate Statistical Methods for Big Data Analysis and Process Improvement (3 units)
- SEP 783 – Sensors and Actuators (3 units)
Recommended elective courses:
- SEP 6IT3 – Internet Technologies and Databases (3 units)
- CHEM ENG 740 – Advanced PSE Tools and Methods (3 units)
- CHEM ENG 773 – Advanced Concepts of Polymer Extrusion (3 units)
Each concentration area has a set of recommended elective courses. Students wishing to take an elective course outside of the recommended electives need to obtain a permission from their graduate advisor.
For more details please refer to the Graduate Calendar.
W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology strives to offer a full complement of courses every academic year; some of the course listed here are currently being reviewed. Their offering is subject to the pending internal approval.
A maximum of two courses can be selected from the following list:
Electrical Engineering
- ECE 710 – Engineering Optimization
- ECE 732 – Non-linear Control Systems
- ECE 736 – 3D Image Processing and Computer Vision
- ECE 744 – System-on-a-Chip (SOC) Design and Test: Part I – Methods
- ECE 778 – Introduction to Nanotechnology
Software Engineering
- SFWR ENG 6HC3 – The Human Computer Interface
Computer Science
- COMP SCI 6F03 – Distributed Computer Systems
- COMP SCI 6TE3 – Continuous Optimization
Computing and Software
- CAS 771 – Introduction to Big Data Systems and Applications
Facilities
This unique facility offers students the opportunity to design their own projects and experiments in a laboratory setting. The Learning Factory is equipped with leading manufacturing technologies. Local networks allow students to capture and analyze data collected using a variety of sensors and feedback from automation systems. Students will have opportunities to use metal 3D-printing, robotics, a variety of Programmable Logic Controllers, and more.
The lab is equipped with 3D printers and machining equipment. You will develop your skills and comfort working with these tools to make your design vision into an operational prototype in metal or plastic.
Tools and equipment accessible in the lab include:
- 3D Metal Printers
- CNC lathe and router
- PCB soldering station
- 3D Polymer Printers
- Laser cutter for plastic sheets
- Bench scale tools including a drill press, band saw, etc.
The McMaster Automotive Resource Centre is located at 200 Longwood Ave.
Students in the M.Eng. Manufacturing Engineering program can access this facility by appointment. The space can be used for prototyping in course and project work. The SEP 762 Prototyping tools and methods course uses the MARC facility.
Tools and equipment accessible in the lab include:
- CNC lathe and router
- PCB soldering station
- 3D Polymer Printers
- Bench scale tools including a drill press, band saw, etc.
Houses workstation computers that can be accessed for CAD design and modelling simulation. Access is based on scheduled availability.
Accessible within the ETB 524 studio space. This network supports engineering computing and 3D prototyping via your laptop. This allows you to use your laptop as an interface, while outsourcing the “heavy lifting” of highly detailed design work to a mainframe server.
Student projects
Kyle D’mello, Zi Ren Wang, and XuLiang Qi
Program: M. Eng. In System and Technology
Project Name: IoT Hydroponics System
Project Impact: Urban Stalk is an agriculture enterprise focused on the sustainable, local production of food in any setting, even the heart of a busy city. The group’s vertical farming process represents the future of food production. The innovative approach is highly sustainable, and because it is local in nature, substantially reduces transportation costs.
The team’s work in partnership with Urban Stalk focused on an automated hydroponics system that monitored the ideal environment for plant growth, including pH level, water level, air temperature and relative humidity, as well as irrigation control and nutrient solution intake.
Project Partner: Urban Stalk
Preparing for success: For Kyle D’mello, he entered the MEST program having had minimal exposure to Industry 4.0 and the automation side of manufacturing and production. The program, which focuses on these areas, introduced Kyle to the manufacturing sector and gave him insights into the emerging technologies being used.
“The courses, even though they are being held online are being taught by very knowledgeable professors who are always willing to help. Furthermore, there is a hands-on component which provides very valuable experience,” says Kyle.
Kyle is currently in his second term of the MEST program, and preparing for a co-op placement with ArcelorMittal Dofasco, a steel company located in Burlington, Ontario.
Get Involved
If you’re looking for opportunities to engage with the McMaster community beyond your program, you will find a wealth of clubs and co-curricular activities to capture your interests.
This student-run club plans social and professional development events for students in W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology students. For more information, please visit: https://gsa.mcmaster.ca/septs/
While the MES is primarily undergraduate focused, there are opportunities for graduate students to get involved as well. Through the MES you can also connect with a multitude of professional association chapters, clubs, conferences, design competitions, hack-a-thons, and more. For further information visit: https://www.macengsociety.ca/
This interdisciplinary, co-curricular program brings together students from across every faculty and program to address challenges in the Hamilton area. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students and a great way to connect with other students, faculty and subject matter experts from different organizations across the region. For additional information, please visit: https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/macchangers/
For those who like to stay active and social, join one of the many recreational sports leagues that you run through McMaster Athletics & Recreation. Further information can be found here: https://rec.mcmaster.ca/programs/intramural-sports-0
Co-opsand experiential learning
Co-op is an optional component of the Master of Engineering Systems and Technology program.
McMaster established its graduate student co-op program in 2017, seeing it grow rapidly. Employers are quickly embracing it as a mechanism for recruiting talent and expertise.
There are several steps you must complete before you begin applying to co-op positions. Firstly, ensure you enrol in the Graduate Co-op Prep Course ENG 701 in September. You will also need approval from your program chairperson before accepting a co-op placement. Speak with the Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) if you have any questions.
Co-op and Student Life
-
Explore Co-op
-
Engineering Graduate Society
Visit the EGS siteThe EGS actively supports engineering graduate students through events, workshops, bursaries, and collaboration with various campus organizations, focusing on representation, community building, and academic and professional development.
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Life in Hamilton
Discover Hamilton, ONHamilton, also known as The Hammer or Steeltown, is a thriving city close to the U.S. border and Toronto, with easy access for students commuting from the Greater Toronto Area via the on-campus GO Bus Terminal.
Need moreinformation?
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