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Degree Options:

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Co-op)

Automation Engineering Technology

Prepare yourself for a career in automation through this multidisciplinary program with subjects from chemical, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

Current Student Inquiries:

Email:
Phone:
+1 905.525.9140 x 23635
Office:
ETB 210
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Future Student Information

Overview

Develop highly tuned analytical and design skills and gain specialized knowledge in sensors, instruments, actuators, industrial networks, process control and automation, SCADA, programming, statistical process control, internet technologies, and the integration of plant floor data with business systems.

The program also integrates core business and management skills and is an Accredited Business Degree (ACBSP).  Read about ACBSP Accreditation here.

In 4.5 years, students graduate with a degree from McMaster University, an advanced diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology – Process Automation and Certificate in Business from Mohawk College, and 12 month of co-op work experience. 

Sample Careers:

  • Junior Controls & Systems Engineer, Polycon
  • Manufacturing Engineer, General Motors
  • Process Engineer, US Steel Canada

Further Study:

  • M.Eng. Design, School of Engineering Practice & Technology, McMaster University
  • M.Eng. Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University
  • M.Eng. Manufacturing, McMaster University 

George - Automation Engineering Technology

George - Automation Engineering Technology

"We get a lot of hands-on experience in labs and design courses and have small classes, where we have hte opportunity to talk more with professors. In our co-op, we interact a lot with industry and try to understand what they need to make improvements in their fields."

 

 

The W. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology is a member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ABCSP) with its dedication to teaching excellence and student achievement in engineering technology management education. The Automation Engineering Technology program has been awarded ACBSP accreditation.

Important information:

Degree Type

Combined Degree/Diploma Program

LENGTH

4.5 years

ACADEMIC Requirements

High School Diploma

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

View Calendar

Program Structure

The program is made up of technical courses that are specialized according to your chosen stream. In addition, courses in business, management, and communications complement your sudies. Finally 12 months of co-op are integrated into your studies. 

 
Fall
Winter
Summer
Year 1

Level 1A

Level 1B

 Optional Co-op Work Term
Year 2

Level 2A

Level 2B

Co-op Term 1
Year 3

Level 3A

Co-op Term 2

Co-op Term 3
Year 4

Level 3B

Level 4A

Optional Co-op Work Term 
Year 5

Level 4B

 

  

Course List: 

To view a list of required courses for the current academic year, please view the following page: https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=41&poid=21921&returnto=8648

Please note that requirements may change depending on when you started the program. Please view your 'Academic Requirements' in Mosaic for accurate information.

 

Level 2A Courses
Course Code Course Title
PROCTECH 2CA3 CAD for Design 
PROCTECH 2CE3 Chemical Engineering I: Mass Balance 
PROCTECH 2EE3 Electricity and Electronics II 
PROCTECH 2IC3 Instrumentation and Control 
ENGTECH 2MA3 Mathematics III 
GENTECH 2HR3 Human Resource Fundamentals 

 

Level 2B Courses
Course Code Course Title
PROCTECH 2EC3 Chemical Engineering II: Energy Balance 
PROCTECH 2I03 Industrial Organic Chemistry 
PROCTECH 2PL3 Introduction to PLC Programming 
ENGTECH 2MT3 Mathematics IV 
GENTECH 2EE3 Engineering Economics 
GENTECH 2MP3 Management Principles 
Level 3A Courses
Course Code Course Title
PROCTECH 3CT3 Control Theory I 
PROCTECH 3PL3 Advanced PLC Programming and Control 
SMRTTECH 3CC3 Cloud Computing and Internet of Things
ENGTECH 3ES3 Engineering Statistics
GENTECH 3FF3 Financial Systems 
GENTECH 3MT3 Project Management 

Please note that students enter streams in 3B. The application process to the Smart Systems Stream occurs at the end of 3A.

Level 3B Courses by Stream
Industrial Systems Stream Smart Systems Stream
GENTECH 3LS3 GENTECH 3LS3
Quality Control and Assurance Methods Quality Control and Assurance Methods
GENTECH 3ET3 GENTECH 3ET3
Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovation Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovation
PROCTECH 3CE3 PROCTECH 3CE3
Chemical Engineering III: Unit and Process Design Chemical Engineering III: Unit and Process Design
PROCTECH 3MC3 PROCTECH 3MC3
Motion Control and Robotics Motion Control and Robotics
SMRTTECH 3DE3 SMRTTECH 3DE3
Digital Electronics Digital Electronics
PROCTECH 4SS3 PROCTECH 4SS3
System Specification and Design System Specification and Design

 

Level 4A Courses by Stream
Industrial Systems Stream Smart Systems Stream
GENTECH 4TS3 GENTECH 4TS3
Technology and Society Technology and Society
OR OR
GENTECH 4MB3 GENTECH 4MB3
Fundamentals of Marketing Fundamentals of Marketing
GENTECH 4OM3 GENTECH 4OM3
Operations Management Operations Management
PROCTECH 3IT3 PROCTECH 3IT3
Internet Technologies and Databases Internet Technologies and Databases
PROCTECH 4TR1 PROCTECH 4TR1
Capstone Design Project I Capstone Design Project I
PROCTECH 4IC3 SMRTTECH 4ID3
Industrial Networks and Controllers IoT Devices and Networks
PROCTECH 4CT3 SMRTTECH 4ES3
Advanced Control Theory  Embedded Systems

 

Level 4B Courses by Stream
Industrial Systems Stream Smart Systems Stream
GENTECH 4FT3 GENTECH 4FT3
Strategic Management Strategic Management
GENTECH 4TE3 GENTECH 4TE3
Technology Ethics and Sustainability Technology Ethics and Sustainability
PROCTECH 4TR3 PROCTECH 4TR3
Capstone Design Project II Capstone Design Project II
PROCTECH 4AS3 SMRTTECH 4AI3
Industrial System Components and Integration Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
PROCTECH 4MS3 SMRTTECH 4SC3
Manufacturing Systems  Smart Cities and Communities
PROCTECH 4MH3 SMRTTECH 4HM3 (max 20 std)
Machine Health and Remote Monitoring Human Monitoring and Smart Health Systems
OR OR
SMRTTECH 4HM3 (max 20 std) PROCTECH 4MH3
Human Monitoring and Smart Health Systems Machine Health and Remote Monitoring

 

Co-op and Experiential Learning

Gaining relevant co-op experience is an essential part of earning a B.Tech. degree. This required program component will allow students to gain valuable work experience and career connections.

While support and guidance is available through the Engineering Co-op and Career Services to assist students with your job search, resume writing and interviewing skills, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to satisfy the co-op program requirement.

Our top 5 co-op employers for the Process Automation Technology program are:

  • ABB
  • ArcelorMittal Dofasco
  • ATS Automation
  • Endress+Hauser
  • Rockwell Automation

For further information, visit the co-op website »

Admission Requirements

Please apply to the McMaster University Admissions Office through the online application form available on the Ontario Universities Application Centre website. The next available intake is Fall 2020. Some details are listed below.

Admissions for Bachelor of Technology - Automation Engineering Technology I

We require 6 grade 12 U/M courses including:

  • English (ENG4U)
  • Calculus (MCV4U)
  • Chemistry (SCH4U)
  • Physics (SPH4U)

The anticipated admission average is expected to be 78-82%.

OUAC Code: MPT

Degrees Acquired:

  • Bachelor of Technology from McMaster University
  • Advanced Diploma from Mohawk College in Chemical Engineering Technology
  • Business Management Certificate from Mohawk College

Co-op: Mandatory - 12 months, 3 terms

No supplementary documents required for admission.

Application Deadline for Fall 2021 intake: April 1st, 2021

Target Enrolment: 240 students 

Not a Canadian high school student? Email thinkeng@mcmaster.ca for details on international or transfer student admission requirements.

FAQs

What is a Bachelor of Technology? How does it differ from a Bachelor of Engineering? How is the program structured? Why does the program include so much focus on "management"?

Have some burning questions about the Bachelor of Technology program within the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology? 

Get all your questions answered HERE

Still have more questions? Contact thinkeng@mcmaster.ca!

Future Directions

Many B.Tech. students inquire about study opportunities available to them after completing their undergraduate degree. With your four year degree from McMaster University, you can now move on to pursue professional designations or further education at the graduate (Master's or Doctoral) level.

B.Tech. Post-Graduate Pathways: A Summary

Note: The above chart is not a comprehensive overview of all available programs; rather, it outlines some popular options offered by McMaster University as a way to illustrate the variety of choices available to you as a B.Tech. graduate.

The following four pathways are typically of interest to graduates:

  • Professional Engineer Designation (P.Eng.)
  • Master's level studies (M.Eng., M.Sc., or M.A.Sc.) in engineering
  • Master's level studies in technology and entrepreneurship (W.Booth)
  • Master's level studies in business (MBA)

Every program has different requirements for admission and a unique admission process. Some general information can be found below. Students are encouraged to contact the graduate programs of interest directly for more information.

Walter G Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology

Students can continue their studies within the Walter G Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology through any of the five professional Master's programs offered:

  • Master of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI)
  • Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP)
  • Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (MEME)
  • Master of Engineering Design (M.Eng. Design)
  • Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI)

B.Tech. students or graduates who are interested in any of the professional master's programs offered by W Booth School should contact the relevant grad studies representative to arrange for an interview with a faculty member. The same advice would apply to those seeking graduate programs outside of W Booth School.

For interested fourth years...

There are now 400/600 level courses available for you to take in your final year of B.Tech!

What is a 400/600 level course?

These are 400 level courses in your program that are cross listed at the 600 (graduate level). The 600 level course is an undergraduate course with additional work, commonly extra assignments or a project beyond the requirements for the corresponding 400 level course.

The 600 level course can be taken by undergraduate students (with permission from the course Professor) or graduate students. If you wish to complete a 400 level course, with 600 level credit, speak with your instructor at the start of the term. 

What is the advantage of taking a 600 level course?

Students in B.Tech. can take up to 2 courses at the 600 level. Upon successful completion of a course, a PASS/FAIL notation will be made in the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology (SEPT) Graduate Program office, which will allow you to receive credit for these courses should you enter into one of the SEPT Master’s programs.

What are some examples of 400/600 courses offered in Fall 2017?

AUTO TECH 4AS3/SEP 6AS3
Advanced System Components and Integration

AUTO TECH 4AT3/SEP 6AT3
Conceptual Design of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

PROC TECH 4SS3/SEP 6SS3
System Specification and Design

BIO TECH 4BI3/SEP 6BI3
Bioinformatics

BIO TECH 4BS3/SEP 6BS3
Biotechnology Regulations

BIO TECH 4TB3/SEP 6TB3
Advanced Biotechnology

*not ALL B.Tech. courses qualify for advanced credit for ALL M.Eng programs - consult your department head for more information.

For more information on your eligibility for M.Eng programs offered by W.Booth, please contact wbooth@mcmaster.ca!

Professional Engineer Designation (P.Eng.)

Please see the following FAQs for Professional Engineering Licensure as it relates to BTech students. 

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degrees are typically course-based (as opposed to research-based) and are also sometimes referred to as project-based master's degrees, since M.Eng. degrees usually comprise a combination of course work and a project. The nature of the project is usually "professional" rather than "research" (e.g. dealing with design or manufacturing problems in industry).

These kinds of programs are considered to be an excellent fit for graduates of B.Tech. programs which concentrate on developing advanced technological skills in an environment which is more concerned with application than with research. The advanced coursework in the master's degree program and the experience developing, conducting, and completing a major application-oriented project would provide a good educational base for technologically-focused positions in industry.

Most of the Engineering Departments at McMaster University offer M.Eng. degree programs; the details of these can be found in the calendar of McMaster University's School of Graduate Studies or on departmental web pages.

Master of Science or Applied Science (M.Sc. or M.A.Sc.)

McMaster University's research-based master's degree programs in engineering lead to a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or a Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.). Typically, these programs require a relatively small number of courses and a major research project culminating in a thesis. A research-based master's program is considered the ideal route towards doctoral studies.

Research-based master's programs are suitable for B.Tech. graduates who have a very definite career objective in fundamental and/or applied research. B.Tech. graduates interested in these programs should have very strong mathematical abilities.

Most engineering departments at McMaster University offer M.A.Sc. degree programs; the details of these can be found in the calendar of McMaster University's School of Graduate Studies or on departmental web pages.

B.Tech. students or graduates wanting to pursue a research master's program at McMaster University are advised to contact the relevant department and arrange for an interview with a faculty member. A useful approach is to do some preliminary and preparatory investigation to identify professors whose research program aligns well with the interests and skills of the student. The same advice would apply to those seeking admission to programs at other universities.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

MBA programs offered at McMaster University and other universities provide an opportunity for university degree graduates in a variety of fields to develop a broad set of advanced business administration skills. Typically, these programs are course-based and may include a co-op component (e.g. the MBA program offered by McMaster's DeGroote School of Business). MBA programs are suitable for B.Tech. graduates who wish to broaden their career opportunities to include leadership positions which require both technological and management education.

Note that successful completion of an MBA program could position the student for PhD studies in business.