SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC POLICY AND PLANNING NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAM PROPOSAL. Motion: That the new Engineering Program be approved in principle.

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1 Motion Number (assigned by Steering Committee of Senate): SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC POLICY AND PLANNING NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAM PROPOSAL Motion: That the new Engineering Program be approved in principle. A. General Information Program Title: Engineering Program Objectives: To provide CEAB accredited engineering undergraduate programs to meet the demands for engineering education in Northern BC. Credential upon Completion of the Program: Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering or Bachelor of Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering Program Offering the Degree: Engineering (new program) Implications for the Cooperative Education Option: A 5-term co-op option will be available for both the Civil and Mechanical Engineering degrees starting in second year. Co-op options are popular in engineering programs and the students are encouraged to obtain work experience throughout their degree. A high percentage of students are expected to choose the co-op option, with numbers approaching 30 to 40 per year once the new engineering programs achieve accreditation status. The co-op office was consulted and new rules specific to the engineering co-op program will be established and added to the calendar once the programs are approved. The engineering specific rules will include application dates for entrance into the co-op program, workshop requirements, and work term requirements. It is expected that a new co-op coordinator for the engineering program will be required. Relationship of Proposed Program to the Mandate of the Institution: Similar to the Environmental Engineering program, the proposed engineering program aligns with the Natural Resources and Environment and the Commerce and Community Sustainability academic clusters. It is assumed that the new programs will be in CSAM, however due to accreditation requirements will need to be under the direction of a Professional Engineer. The proposed program will integrate with CNC s engineering offerings and proposed technologist offerings, providing a Northern path for complete engineering education. This responds to the requirements of local industries and companies for engineers trained in Northern BC as expressed through the establishment of the Northern Technology and Engineering Society of BC (NTES). Proposed Start Date: Upon approval by the Board and preparation for delivery Suggested Institutional Priority: High B. Program Description General Calendar Description: SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 1 of 8

2 Engineering (BASc Program) Engineering at UNBC offers three undergraduate degrees: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and the joint UBC/UNBC Environmental Engineering program. The following sections cover the rules and curriculum for the Civil and Mechanical Engineering programs. For the rules and curriculum of the Environmental Engineering program refer to the Environmental Engineering calendar entry in the Environmental Programs section. The engineering programs each offer a challenging curriculum, through which students acquire a strong foundation in engineering science, mathematics, technology and design. Graduates of Civil and Mechanical Engineering also have valuable business skills. The programs are tailored to provide expertise in the engineering environment in northern British Columbia, offering specialized technical electives in the field of timber structures, renewable energy, and geotechnics. The community of industry and Professional Engineers in northern British Columbia was instrumental in the establishment of the engineering program at UNBC, and continues to support the program though coop sponsorships and internship programs. Students in both the mechanical and civil engineering programs are eligible to participate in these programs to gain valuable work experience prior to graduation. Coop sponsorships provide contact with industry in a formal arrangement that lasts throughout the degree, whereas internship sponsorships allow both students and industry to work together on a semester-by-semester basis. Admission Requirements Admission to the program is limited and is based on academic qualifications and available space. Priority admission will be given to students who meet admission criteria and apply by the deadline of March 1. Admission each year is to the September Semester only. Applicants from BC and Yukon secondary schools must: Have an average of at least 75% in the following four courses: Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Math 12, English 12, Physics 12 and one other provincially examinable grade 12 Science course. Chemistry 11 or an equivalent is strongly recommended. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission. Under exceptional circumstances the prerequisites may be waived. Other applicants must demonstrate that they possess qualifications at least equivalent to the BC and Yukon requirement. Residency The minimum residency requirement at UNBC is 72 credits (two full academic years). Transfers Transfers into the program are allowed provided that the prerequisite courses or articulated courses are completed, and that space is available in the program. Acceptance of transfers into the program will be based upon GPA, with priority given to those with the highest GPA. Regardless of the articulated courses transferred, students must satisfy the residency requirement (see above). SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 2 of 8

3 Fees An annual degree program fee of $100 is used to pay for student membership in the APEGBC Member Advantage Program for Students (MAPS) and to fund student professional activities. MAPS membership provides access to APEGBC services, including job postings, scholarships, industry events and online services such as Engineer in Training (EIT) Experience Reporting & Review System Co-operative Education Co-operative education is an optional but strongly recommended element of both the Civil Engineering program and the Mechanical Engineering program. The co-op option within each of the Civil and Mechanical Engineering programs will be administered by UNBC co-op office. Students will be eligible to apply for the co-op option during their first academic year at UNBC and to experience their first work term at the end of their first year at UNBC. Program Requirements Common First Year for Civil and Mechanical Engineering Programs CHEM COMM CPSC ENGL or NRES ENGR ENGR ENGR MATH MATH MATH PHYS PHYS Chemistry for Engineers Introduction to Canadian Business Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming Writing and Communication Skills Communication in Natural resources and environmental studies. Introduction to Engineering Statics Case Studies in Engineering Calculus I Calculus II Linear Algebra Introductory Physics I: Mechanics Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity Specialties within Program: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Related Programs at Other Institutions: Engineering programs exist at all major universities, including UBC, UBCO, UVic, and SFU in British Columbia. The proposed program is unique in location and is geared to provide relevant training for Northern BC as documented in the Applied Technical and Engineering Education Consortium (ATEEC) report. There is a strong preference from northern employers for engineers trained in Northern BC for both location specific knowledge and for increased employee retention. Relation to Existing Programs: The existence of a new engineering program will complement the current environmental engineering program at UNBC. The calendar entry for the Environmental Engineering program is separate from the proposed new programs since the rules, curriculum, and structure of the Environmental Engineering program are different. Consultation with UBC on possible modifications of the UBC/UNBC Environmental Engineering program to bring it into closer alignment with the proposed Civil and Mechanical programs will take place once the new programs are more concrete. Articulation Arrangement: The first year of the Civil and Mechanical Engineering programs has been designed to be compatible with the first year engineering programs offered at many SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 3 of 8

4 colleges in BC. Specifically, the program is designed to allow for seamless transfer from the first-year engineering program at CNC (students at CNC wil need to take the equivalent of COMM 100 as their humanities elective). The articulation objective will be the same as at UBC, which allows students guaranteed admission with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in CNC s first year engineering certificate. In addition, a three year path will be defined for students with a twoyear engineering technologist diploma from CNC who wish to upgrade to an engineering degree. This will include a separate articulation agreement with CNC. For students in nonengineering degrees, there are no specific articulation procedures (we will rely on the BC Transfer Guide). Consultations with Other Institutions: There have been many meetings with CNC to assure alignment of the proposed engineering degrees with the proposed technologist diplomas at CNC. In addition, a representative from CNC is on the UNBC Engineering Advisory Council. C. Need for Program Enrolment Projections: We expect a minimum of students annually to enrol in this program with increasing numbers as the program matures and gains recognition. Student demand will be high due to the unique and innovative program and strong employment prospects in northern BC. Students will come from grade 12, first year engineering transfer programs (e.g. CNC), and CNC s technology program. Initially, high school students are expected. CNC s current annual enrolment of 28 students into their engineering transfer program can be expected to supply at least 15 students as many will want to stay in Northern BC. In the first 3-4 years of the program we expect 15 students per year to upgrade their technology diplomas to engineering degrees (due to a known backlog in demand), which will settle to an additional 5 students per year going forward. Similar to the Environmental Engineering program, we can expect mature students and students from across Canada to increase the above numbers by approximately 25%. As with any new engineering program, the program will be reviewed for accreditation at the time of the first graduating class. Once the degrees achieve accreditation status, we expect an increase in the number of students. Cultural, Social and Economic Needs: Education within a community is a vital ingredient in the social fabric of society. Northern BC has benefited socially and culturally from the creation both of UNBC and the medical school at UNBC, and will continue to benefit from the addition of engineering education within the northern community. Given the wealth of engineering work in the north, the northern economy will be enhanced through the creation of both Civil and Mechanical Engineering degrees, as evidenced by the common industrial experience of higher attrition rates amongst engineering employees educated in the south. Minimizing this loss of valuable training time would in itself boost the economy in the north. However, the economy will also benefit from northern entrepreneurial engineering graduates, armed with degrees enhanced by business skills, making their own work and starting their own engineering enterprises in the north. Labour Market Demands: See the ATEEC report ( Labour Market Projections and Forecasts for Northern BC at for a detailed list of the demand for engineers in Northern BC. Development of the central and northern portions of BC requires SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 4 of 8

5 engineers. A recent 10 year outlook into employment needs in the province has predicted there will be a shortage of 42,150 workers in Professional Occupations in Natural and Applied Science by According to the Applied Technical and Engineering Education Consortium (ATEEC) the shortage of engineers in northern BC from to likely to be about 440. Engineering & Technology employers are starting to expand their enterprises as the economy recovers from the recession but have difficulty finding qualified people as was predicted in the ATEEC report. A strong demand for both Civil and Mechanical engineers is outlined in the ATEEC report. Other Benefits: The local engineering community has expressed strong support for engineers trained in the north, as demonstrated by the establishment of the Northern Technology and Engineering Society of BC (NTES; It is common knowledge throughout industry in northern BC that engineers educated in southern BC often accept jobs in the north to gain experience, but continue their careers elsewhere. Ultimately the economy of the north can reach its full potential only if highly qualified Engineering and Technology people are trained in the north. Engineers trained in the north will help sustain diversified regional development, sustain rural and remote communities and people, and support the New North: a knowledgebased, resource economy connected to the world. D. Faculty Faculty list: Steve Helle, Assistant Professor Jianbing Li, Associate Professor Jueyi Sui, Associate Professor Ron Thring, Professor In addition, new faculty and new teaching resources will be needed. Engineering faculty with Professional Engineering status will be needed to teach the new engineering courses. Expected Teaching Loads: New resources will be needed for Chemistry (new course and lab sections), Physics (new lab sections), Computer Science, and Math. For Math, a new section in each of the 6 MATH courses will be required, along with more TA s (3 new TA s and 1 new faculty). Physics will also require one new faulty member and TA s to deliver the first year physics content, with the possibility of providing new physics courses for the engineering students. New sections may be required for NRES 100, ENGL 170, and CPSC 110. New courses include 1 new CHEM course, 17 new ENGR courses, 25 CIVL courses, and 18 new MECH courses. Of these, there are: 1 new CHEM laboratory course, 4 new ENGR laboratory courses, 8 CIVL laboratory courses, and 8 new MECH laboratory courses. An estimate by the UNBC Engineering Planning committee (chaired by Mike Ivanof) for new hires is: Civil Engineering: 10 Faculty, including 3 SLIs and a Chair; 4 support (technician, Lab manager Admin Assistant); 6 Full Time TAs; plus 1.5 Faculty in support Sciences and Library Mechanical Engineering: 10 Faculty, including 3 SLIs and a Chair; 3 support (technician, Lab manager Admin Assistant); 6 Full Time TAs; plus 0.5 Faculty in support Sciences and Library. A smaller numbers of Faculty in support sciences and Library is listed for Mechanical than for Civil to accommodate the eventuality that funding may be available for only one program. In such a case, it would be civil and reducing the number of programs will not correspondingly reduce the need for Faculty in support sciences and Library. Research Funding: All new faculty are expected to have active research programs in engineering and multi-disciplinary fields. SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 5 of 8

6 E. Program Delivery Distance Learning Components: None Class Size and Structure: Most courses will be lecture based, with class sizes of up to 60 students. Many of the courses will have lab components, with hands on activities. Experiential Learning: Experiential learning includes labs, design projects, tours, professional activities organized by faculty, professional activities organized by students (and partially funded through the student professional fees), engineering club activities, participation in regional and national engineering conferences and competitions, internships, summer jobs and co-op. F. Program Resources Administrative Requirements: Each new Engineering program will require a program chair (with P. Eng. designation) and associated administrative assistants. Operating Requirements: An estimate by the UNBC Engineering Planning committee (chaired by Mike Ivanof) is: Civil Engineering: 11 Faculty, including 3 SLIs and a Chair; 4 support (technician, Lab manager Admin Assistant); 6 Full Time TAs; plus 1.5 Faculty in support Sciences and Library Mechanical Engineering: 8 Faculty, including 3 SLIs and a Chair; 3 support (technician, Lab manager Admin Assistant); 6 Full Time TAs; plus 0.5 Faculty in support Sciences and Library New faculty member for Physics and Math Engineering Co-op director Capital Requirements: A new building is required to house the additional classrooms, research labs, and most importantly the Civil and Mechanical Engineering teaching labs. Civil and Mechanical Engineering labs need to be large and built to support heavy structures. In addition a machine shop is required to build and maintain lab equipment. Start-up Costs: Special Resource Requirements: G. Library Resource Requirements (See attached form) H. Evaluation Academic Quality of Program: The Civil and Mechanical Engineering programs have been designed to meet the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) requirements for curriculum content and for graduate attributes. The CEAB specifies the number of math, basic science, engineering science, and engineering design courses required. The CEAB also specifies specific content, such as engineering law, economics and a humanities requirment. SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 6 of 8

7 Methods of Internal Institutional Review: The curriculum has been developed and reviewed by the UNBC Engineering Planning committee (chaired by Mike Ivanof) and the Engineering Advisory Council (chaired by Dr. William McGill). The Engineering Advisory Council has members from industry, from APEGBC, from CNC, from government, and from the regions of Northern BC, and has provided direction on the content of the degrees and feedback on the curriculum. The curriculum has been reviewed by members of the local branch of APEGBC, and by professional engineers at UNBC. In addition, the curriculum has been peer reviewed and revised as appropriate following external peer review. Relevant External Program Experts: I. Miscellaneous Special Features: Attachment Pages (in addition to required Library Form): 0 pages J. Authorization College: College Council Motion Number: College Council Approval Date: INFORMATION TO BE COMPLETED AFTER SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC POLICY AND PLANNING MEETING Brief Summary of Committee Debate: Motion No.: Moved by: Committee Decision: SCAPP Seconded by: Approved by SCAPP: Date Chair s Signature For recommendation to, or information of Senate. SCAPP New Academic Program Proposal Motion Form Page 7 of 8

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