BScE Instrumentation & Controls Option for ChE, ECE, ME

The departments of ChE, ECE and ME have cooperated to implement a multidisciplinary option in Instrumentation & Control (I & C) at the BScE level. It is structured so that students in ChE can focus on Process Instrumentation & Control, ME students can emphasize Mechatronic Instrumentation & Control, and ECE students can major in Digital Instrumentation & Control. Students would not be restricted to the corresponding area of specialization, however -- in fact, a more interdisciplinary approach is encouraged. In any case, BScE students in these departments may assemble a package of courses that cover the core subjects of Instrumentation & Control and specialize in a way that is suitable to their engineering discipline and/or career objectives.

This option was created in response to strong industry demand. At the time it was established, an important objective of Monenco AGRA (now AMEC Inc.), Elsag Bailey Canada (now a subsidiary of ABB) and NB Power was strengthening engineering education in I & C. More recently, the Canadian Process Control Association (CPCA -- an industrial group to promote the area, with 18 corporate members including ABB, Foxboro, Honeywell, ITT Barton, Neles Controls, Rockwell Automation, etc.) has granted a scholarship in I & C to UNB, again, to strengthen education in this area at UNB. Enrolment in the option is a stipulation of the scholarship.

One final motivation for creating the option is the fact that it is multidisciplinary and interdepartmental. We believe that the idea of disciplines coming together to work in a broadly pervasive area such as industrial control and instrumentation is enriching for all concerned, students and faculty alike.

Students considering this option are encouraged to work with faculty advisors to make the experience as valuable and comprehensive as possible. For example, students taking advantage of UNB's PEP or Co-op program may be able to use that experience as the basis for their Thesis / Senior Project as well, with advance consultation and planning. The following table indicates the structure of the option (check the latest official calendar listings for the official requirements): ____________________________________________________________________________ Dept. -> ChE ECE ME ____________________________________________________________________________ Prerequisite: ChE 4601* EE 3323* ME 4623* ____________________________________________________________________________ I & C Option: ME 3703** ME 3703** ME 3703* ChE 5614 or ME 5643** *** ME 5643** EE 4343 EE 4343 EE 4343 ME 5653 ME 5653 ME 5653 + ChE 4221/4222 + EE 4013/4023 + ME 4843/4853 - ChE 3434 + 1 ATE from list + 1 ATE from list ____________________________________________________________________________ Notes: * Currently in departmental core ** Course needed to achieve complete coverage of the I&C Foundation Topics (*** ECE students cover this in core) - Course deleted from core for ChE students in this option, to keep the total credit hours unchanged ChE 4221/4222, EE 4013/4023 and ME 4843/4853 are the core Senior Thesis/Project (each being two term courses) - the thesis/project must be related to I & C; confer with your departmental I & C Option representative (below) ___________________________________________________________________________ Area Technical Electives (ATEs) may be chosen from the following: EE 4353 Robotics EE 4163 Electronic Instrumentation (ECE students only) EE 4332 Feedback Control Systems (ECE students only) EE 4543 Digital Signal Processing I (ME students only) ME 4673 Introduction to Mechatronics ME 5163 Machinery Vibration & Noise ME 5663 Hydraulic Power Systems ME 5683 Mechatronics Applications ChE 5534 Process Identification for Advanced Control _______________________________________________ In the event that a required course is not offered as scheduled an area elective will be designated as a required course. You should register for this option with your departmental Undergraduate Coordinator or Secretary and the Registrar, so that progress can be tracked and requirements met in an efficient and timely manner.

If you are interested in this option, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the organizers,
Information supplied by: Dr. James H. Taylor
Last update: 2004 April 19