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Sustainable Energy Engineering Major
Overview
The School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) is the first of its kind in Western Canada. Immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary learning environment and develop in-demand skills that prepare you to become a global leader in clean technology.
Become industry-ready to work in traditional engineering roles as well as emerging sectors such as cleantech, renewable energy, smart cities, sustainable manufacturing, clean power generation and utilization, and sustainable food and water solutions.
Program Highlights
- Accredited curriculum allows you to fulfill the requirements to become a professional engineer
- Direct admission, start studying as a major from the first day of classes
- One-year, paid co-operative education allows you to explore your career paths
- Interdisciplinary curriculum combines courses from Faculty of Science, Faculty of Environment, and Beedie School of Business
- Immersive experiences put your skills into practice during team-based, community-engaged projects
- Final year two-semester capstone in which you will develop a significant sustainable energy engineering project under the guidance of a faculty member
school
description Major
calendar_month 4 years
Why Choose Sustainable Energy Engineering at SFU?
Program at-a-glance
The Sustainable Energy Engineering program is all about innovation and using technology for social good. The four year program is delivered on our Surrey Campus.
Years 1 & 2 will provide a scientific and engineering foundation on which the rest of the program will build upon.
Years 3 & 4 will offer a unique portfolio of advanced engineering courses including technologies and systems for energy harvesting, conversion, storage and use. In addition to engineering, students will learn entrepreneurship, economics and policy studies.
Capstone projects will require students to design and implement sustainable energy solutions, and to integrate business, social and economic models into sustainable engineering design.
Mandatory co-operative education will provide students the opportunity to take part in three paid work terms in the industry. This will allow students to earn industry experience and sharpen their skill sets.
What you'll learn
This four-year Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering (B.Sc.) is taught at SFU’s Surrey campus in our newest state-of-the-art building. Some core topics covered throughout this degree include:
Electric Circuits
The fundamental elements of electrical circuits including circuit laws; series-parallel circuits; charging and discharging characteristics of DC RL and RC circuits, methods of circuit analysis.
Power Systems
Interconnected power systems including generators, transformers, electric motors and transmission lines; active and reactive power flow; protection systems, circuit breakers, and grid voltage.
Fluid Mechanics
Students are introduced to principal concepts related to fluid mechanics for engineers, emphasizing the basics of fluid statics and fluid motion, with applications in energy system engineering.
Energy Management
An interdisciplinary approach to transforming energy systems. Perspectives include thermodynamics, resource and technological potentials, economic evaluation, and political-economy assessment of policy constraints.
Business
Economic and entrepreneurial concepts for engineers who manage projects or run businesses. Topics include financial accounting, economic equivalence, project and cost-benefit analyses, financing methods and business plans.
Computer Programming
Introduction to computing science and programming, using a systems oriented language, such as C or C++. Students will learn object-oriented programming, designing and testing programs, and embedded systems.
Meet Our Students
"I was drawn to the variety of subject areas covered in the program, as it offers me a well-rounded understanding not only of engineering but also of science, environmental studies and business. Each course provides a new perspective and I look forward to applying the knowledge I gain from this program to my future career.”
Career Possibilities
The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career opportunities that await. Armed with the necessary knowledge and skills, graduates pursue careers in jobs such as:
- Clean transportation
- Clean technology
- Control and Automation Engineer
- Design specialist
- Electrical engineer
- Fuel cell development
- Industrial and Manufacutring engineer
- Product Development engineer
- Production engineer
- Research & Development Scientist
- Rewnewable & Hybrid Power Engineering
- Systems engineer
- Sustainable manufacturing engineer
- Vehicle Software & Technical Program Manager
- Water resources analyst
Sample Course Schedule
Curious about how your upcoming schedules might shape up? Click below to explore a sample timetable created from courses planned for Fall 2022 and beyond.
*details are subject to change
Year 1
Term 1 (Fall)
- SEE 110 Energy, Environment, & Society
- MATH 151 Calculus I
- CMPT 130 Intro to Computer Programming I
- SEE 100 Engineering Graphics & Software for Design
- SEE 101W Process, Form & Convention in Professional Genres
- PHYS 140 Mechanics & Modern Physics
Term 2 (Spring)
- SEE 111 Integrated Energy Solution I
- MATH 152 Calculus II
- MATH 232 Applied Linear Algebra
- CMPT 135 Intro to Computer Programming II
- CHEM 121 General Chemistry & Lab
- PHYS 141 Optics, Electricity & Magnetism
- PHYS 140 Mechanics & Modern Physics
Term 3 (Summer)
- SEE 221 Statics & Mechanics of Materials
- MATH 251 Calculus III
- MATH 260 Intro to Differential Equations
- SEE 230 Electric Circuits
- SEE 241 Measurement, Analysis & Forecasting
Year 2
Term 1 (Fall)
Co-op
(Industrial or Special Internship)
Term 2 (Spring)
- SEE 222 Engineering Materials for Energy Systems
- SEE 224 Thermodynamics for Energy Engineering
- SEE 251 Electric Machines & Energy Conversion
- SEE 231 Electronic Devices & Systems
- SEE 242 Computational Methods for Engineers
- SEE 225 Fluid Mechanics
Term 3 (Summer)
- SEE 310 Integrated Energy Solution II
- SEE 324 Heat & Mass Transfer for Energy Engineering
- BUS 238 Intro to Entrepreneurship & Innovation (B-Soc)
- SEE 331 Power Electronics
- SEE 341 Signals & Systems
Year 3
Term 1 (Fall)
Co-op
(Industrial or Special Internship)
Term 2 (Spring)
Co-op
(Industrial or Special Internship)
Term 3 (Summer)
- SEE 351 Bioprocess Engineering Systems
- SEE 352 Power Generation & Conversion
- SEE 332 Power Systems Analysis & Design
- SEE 354 Energy Storage
- SEE 300 The Business of Engineering
- SEE 342 Feedback Control Systems
Year 4
Term 1 (Fall)
- SEE 410W Sustainable Energy Design Project I
- SEE Technical Elective I
- SEE Technical Elective II
- SEE 325 Mechanical Design with FEA, - or - SEE 333 Network & Communication Systems
- REM 350 Energy Management for a Sustainable Climate and Society (B-Soc)
- SEE 402 Professional Engineering Ethics and Practice
Term 2 (Spring)
- SEE 411 Sustainable Energy Design Project II
- SEE Technical Elective III
- GEOG Elective (GEOG 324 Geography of Transportation, -or- GEOG 362W Geography of Urban Built Environments)
- Complementary Elective (B-Hum)
Related News
SEE Students Compete in Canadian Engineering Competition
Following success at the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC) last year, students from the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) have excelled once again. A team of undergraduate students which included Erin Flood, Gloria Lai, Amanda Luu and Jasleen Sandhu placed second in their competition category.
2023 Canadian Engineering Competition Winners
Following success at the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC) last year, students from the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) have excelled once again. A team of undergraduate students which included Erin Flood, Gloria Lai, Amanda Luu and Jasleen Sandhu placed second in their competition category.