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School of Engineering Science | Faculty of Applied Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2025

Engineering Science, Electronics Engineering Option Major

Bachelor of Applied Science

This program leads to a bachelor of applied science degree with an electronics engineering option.

Engineering science students develop skills in systems design with a high level of scientific knowledge. This demanding program is aimed at the superior student. The program produces well educated, innovative engineer/scientists with entrepreneurial skills and attitudes who are oriented to new technologies. Program entry is competitive.

Students undertake a basic core of pure, applied and engineering sciences followed by studies in a specialized option. The general BASc program may be completed in eight academic terms plus a minimum of three co-op terms.

ENSC courses emphasize learning, conceptualization, design and analysis. Built into the program are courses on social impacts of technology, finance, management, design methods and entrepreneurship intended to complement scientific studies. A special, integrated communications course completed throughout the program ensures that all graduates have the communication skills necessary to be effective engineers.

This electronics engineering option directly relates to microelectronics and its applications in communications, control and computing. Engineers in this field design and fabricate systems utilizing electronic components and subsystems.

Admission Requirements

The program begins each fall term. However, admitted students may enter in any term.

For detailed university admission requirements, visit www.sfu.ca/students/admission/admission-requirements.html. For more detailed School of Engineering Science admission information, visit www.sfu.ca/engineering.html, or send an email to asadvise@sfu.ca.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants must be eligible for university admission, must submit a university application, and must have successfully completed the following high school courses: Physics 12, Mathematics 12, Chemistry 12, and English 12.

External Transfer from Another Post-Secondary Institution

Admission is competitive. A minimum of 24 units of transferable coursework is required, including:

  • at least one mathematics course chosen from: MATH 152, MATH 232 (or 240);
  • at least one computing course chosen from: CMPT 128 (or 135; or (125 and 127)), 225 and ENSC 151;
  • at least one physics course chosen from: PHYS 121 (or 141), PHYS 221, and PHYS 321

Please see www.sfu.ca/students/admission/admission-requirements.html for further information.

Internal Transfer from Another Simon Fraser University Program

Simon Fraser University students who wish to transfer to engineering science from another program should formally apply for an internal transfer. The qualification for internal transfer will be calculated based on the following four criteria: CGPA, engineering related grade point average (ERGPA) at Simon Fraser University, no more than five repeated courses, and the course load during the term prior to the application deadline. In regards to the course load, we require the term prior to requesting the transfer to the School of Engineering Science, that the student must have been enrolled in at least 12 Simon Fraser University course load units and earned an overall CGPA of 2.5 or higher. Further, Simon Fraser University students applying for admission to the School of Engineering Science are competitively selected for admission on the basis of an engineering-related grade point average (ERGPA). Typically, we expect the ERGPA to be as high as 2.8, and the ERGPA is determined based on the number of seats available. Therefore, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The ERGPA is calculated over all courses the student has taken from this list, where a minimum of three courses from this list is required, such that:

  • at least one mathematics course chosen from MATH 151 (or 150), MATH 152, MATH 232 (or 240), MACM 101, MACM 201
  • at least one computing course chosen from CMPT 128 or 135 or (125 and 127), 225, 275 and ENSC 151
  • at least one physics course chosen from PHYS 120 (or 140), PHYS 121 (or 141), PHYS 221, PHYS 321, PHYS 365
  • additional courses may include: CHEM 121

All three courses must be completed prior to application. For complete information, contact an Applied Sciences Advisor. If a course is a duplicate of any previous course completed at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere, only the last attempt will be included in the average. Admission is competitive and the admission average is established on a per term basis, depending on the number of spaces available.

Second Degree

Please see www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/programs/engineering-science-second-degree/bachelor-of-applied-science.html for information on the requirements for admission to the second degree program. Program requirements for the electronics engineering option are listed below.

Minimum Grading Requirements

A C- grade or better in prerequisite courses is required to enroll in engineering science courses.

Co-operative Education Work Experience

Every engineering science student completes three (3) work terms of practical experience in an appropriate industrial or research setting leading to a project under the technical direction of a practising engineer or scientist. The goal is a complementary combination of work in an industrial or research setting and study in one of the engineering options. The internship may be within the university but in most cases the work site is off campus.

After the first year, students typically alternate between academic and work terms.

At least two of the three mandatory work terms must be completed in industry (ENSC 195, 295, 395). Students may participate in additional work terms but are encouraged to seek diversity in their experience. The three mandatory work terms may include one special co-op term (ENSC 196, 296, 396). Special co-op may include, but is not restricted to, self-directed, entrepreneurial, service or research co-op work terms. Permission of the engineering science co-op office is required.

An optional non-technical work term (ENSC 194) is also available through the engineering science co-operative education office and is often completed after the first two study terms. ENSC 194 does not count toward the mandatory three course requirement.

Upper Division Enrollment Requirements

To be eligible to enroll in upper division engineering courses, excluding ENSC 320, students must have declared their option.

There is an absolute minimum of 80 units completed to enroll in 400-level courses. Please note that specific courses may have higher requirements.

Program Requirements

Students complete the engineering science core course requirements as shown below, which includes additional course requirements for this electronics engineering option. These courses provide basic science, general studies, engineering science, specialized engineering and science, and project and laboratory work.

This program’s core course requirements also consist of non-technical courses which broaden education and develop awareness of social, economic and managerial factors affecting engineering and scientific work.

Although there is no strict requirement to complete the curriculum in the sequence that is strongly suggested by the school, deviating from the course completion schedule may lead to scheduling and prerequisite problems in subsequent terms. To view the suggested course schedule, visit http://www.sfu.ca/engineering/undergraduate_students/academic-programs/electronics/curriculum-revised.html.

Core Course Requirements

The following core courses are required for the engineering science major in electronics engineering and cannot be substituted for "equivalent" courses in other areas without prior approval by the school. "Equivalent" courses taken without prior approval will not be applied to graduation requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor within their program for details on obtaining permission.

CHEM 121 - General Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)
ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics (4)
ENSC 100W - Engineering, Science and Society (3)
ENSC 105W - Process, Form, and Convention in Professional Genres (3)
ENSC 120 - Introduction to Electronics Laboratory Instruments Operation and Measurement Techniques (2)
ENSC 151 - Introduction to Software Development for Engineers (4)
ENSC 180 - Introduction to Engineering Analysis (3)
ENSC 204 - Graphical Communication for Engineering (3)
ENSC 220 - Electric Circuits I (4)
ENSC 225 - Microelectronics I (4)
ENSC 251 - Software Design and Analysis for Engineers (4)
ENSC 252 - Fundamentals of Digital Logic & Design (4)
ENSC 254 - Introduction to Computer Organization (4)
ENSC 280 - Engineering Measurement and Data Analysis (4)
ENSC 316 - Engineering Electromagnetics I (3)
ENSC 320 - Electric Circuits II (4)
ENSC 324 - Electronic Devices (3)
ENSC 325 - Microelectronics II (4)
ENSC 327 - Communication Systems (4)
ENSC 350 - Digital Systems Design (4)
ENSC 351 - Embedded and Real Time System Software (4)
ENSC 380 - Linear Systems (3)
ENSC 383 - Feedback Control Systems (4)
ENSC 405W - Capstone A: Project Design, Management, and Documentation (3)
ENSC 406 - Engineering Ethics, Law, and Professional Practice (2)
ENSC 410 - The Business of Engineering (3) or ENSC 411 - The Business of Entrepreneurial Engineering (4)
ENSC 416 - Engineering Electromagnetics II: Design (4)
ENSC 425 - Electronic System Design (4)
ENSC 426 - High Frequency Electronics (4)
ENSC 427 - Communication Networks (4) or ENSC 428 - Digital Communications (4)
ENSC 440 - Capstone B: Engineering Design Project (3)
MATH 151 - Calculus I (3) *
MATH 152 - Calculus II (3)
MATH 232 - Applied Linear Algebra (3)
MATH 251 - Calculus III (3)
MATH 254 - Vector and Complex Analysis for Applied Sciences (3)
MATH 260 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 120 - Mechanics and Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 121 - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism (3)

* or Math 150-Calculus I with Review(4) if you do not meet the MATH 151 prerequisites

Complementary Studies Elective Courses

For students in the electronics engineering option, the university has agreed to reduce the total units required in B-Soc and B-Hum courses to nine (or three courses), with at least one course (three units) in each category. Since ECON 103-4 is a B-Soc course, for these students at least one complementary elective should be from the B-Hum category and at least one should be from the Central Issue, Methodology, and Thought Process category as required by CEAB. Please note that the same course can satisfy both of these requirements and the other complementary elective course can be any other course from either of the two categories listed below. A list of complementary studies electives can be found at http://www.sfu.ca/engineering/current-students/undergraduate-students/requirements-and-policies/electives.html. Other courses may be acceptable with undergraduate curriculum committee chair approval.

Engineering Science & Design Elective Courses

Engineering Science and Design (ESD) Electives may be offered by departments other than the School of Engineering Science, but they must satisfy the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) engineering science and engineering design requirements. Generally, engineering science has roots in mathematics and basic sciences, but carries knowledge further toward creative applications that could include simulation, experimental procedures, modelling and the development of mathematical or numerical techniques. Application to the identification and solution of practical engineering problems is stressed.

Engineering Design requires students to demonstrate an ability to design solutions for complex, open-ended engineering problems and to design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate attention to health and safety risks, applicable standards, and economic, environmental, cultural and societal considerations.

Each option has a pre-approved list of electives that may include one or more pre-approved ESD electives. Note that these courses may have prerequisites not required for your option; these prerequisites would still need to be taken in order to enroll in the elective. Students interested in taking an ESD elective course that does not appear on this list should contact the Chair of their option/Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and obtain his/her approval in writing before proceeding with the course.

Students in the electronics option must complete a minimum of 12 units from the engineering science & design elective course list, only one of which can be at the 300-level. The remaining engineering science and design units can be fulfilled using courses as specified at http://www.sfu.ca/engineering/undergraduate_students/academic-programs/electronics/curriculum-revised.html.

NOTE: SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the School of Engineering Science may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor's degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor's program and the requirements of the master's degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html or please contact the Engineering Science Graduate Program Committee Chair.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

WQB Requirement Modifications for Engineering Science Students

For engineering science students, these university requirements are modified as follows.

  • for students in the electronics engineering option, the total number of Breadth-Social Sciences (B-Soc) and Breadth-Humanities (B-Hum) courses is reduced to three courses, with at least one course in each category

In addition, the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) requires that one complementary studies elective in the ENSC curriculum must be in the Central Issue, Methodology, and Thought Process category.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Please see Faculty of Applied Sciences Residency Requirements for further information.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.