Students eager to be at the forefront of solving the world's most pressing challenges have a unique new program to consider at Simon Fraser University.
The innovative School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) has announced a 16-month Master of Engineering program, which is now accepting applications for a fall 2025 start.
The program is designed for recent graduates with a degree in engineering or closely related disciplines in natural sciences. It aims to give students the skills and knowledge needed for them to hit the ground running in emerging clean-tech sectors, such as renewable power generation, clean buildings and zero-emission vehicles.
"We know there is a huge demand for this type of expertise," says SEE's director, professor Zafar Adeel. "As we look for solutions on how to address challenges related to global climate change, there's a broad realization that you need people with specialized engineering backgrounds: Folks who specialize in technological advances and innovations that are sustainable, efficient and will boost the economy.
"We are developing a brand-new engineering domain and we're looking at providing young professionals and fresh graduates the skills to be natural leaders in this rapidly growing field."
- Join our School of Sustainable Energy Engineering on Nov. 5 for an upcoming info session on their new Master of Engineering program to discover what unique learning opportunities are offered. RSVP here
Over four consecutive terms, the curriculum provides a grounding in fundamental engineering concepts and their application to sustainable energy engineering. It introduces the broader context of energy's interactions with air, land, water and food and the role of economics and energy policy.
In addition to engineering-specific courses, the program rounds out students' skills with courses on how to identify opportunities and bring research to market from the Beedie School of Business and relevant electives from across SFU.
In the final two semesters of the program, students will undertake a team-based capstone project, working directly with external partners on an in-depth technical project with direct, real-world impacts.
Meeting global challenges
The program is the latest offering at Surrey-based SEE, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.
SEE focuses on engineering fields related to the harvesting, storage, transmission and use of clean energy.
The innovative school emerged to address a gap identified by the provincial and federal governments: the urgent need for engineers trained in new technologies that can change our world by tackling the causes and impacts of climate change.
"In the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS), we are proud to offer several distinct graduate programs that allow our students to meet the ever-broadening needs of society," says Eugene Fiume, Dean of FAS. "Canada is a global leader in renewable resources, sustainability, and clean technologies. As such, our MEng program will provide students with technical competencies to advance their careers in these areas from an engineering perspective.
"Students in the MEng program will receive an interdisciplinary education to acquire comprehensive technological and leadership skills. This aligns with the commitment of SEE, FAS, and SFU to providing sustainable solutions to our communities."
Training tomorrow's leaders
Two cohorts have already graduated from SEE's Bachelor of Applied Science program, which is accredited as providing the educational basis for students to become professional engineers.
Given how unique and specialized the program is, students from SEE have gone on to leading domestic and international companies ranging from zero-carbon buildings (such as RJC Engineers) to changing the future of transportation (such as Ballard Power Systems and Tesla).
Recent graduate Yasmin Dibai, now undertaking a Master of Applied Science degree while working at a major engineering consulting firm, said all the students in her program shared the same passion for using engineering to tackle climate change.
"When I was trying to determine what discipline of engineering to pursue, it was really important for me that I was actually contributing to societal issues," she says. "When I got to SEE and met my cohort, I realized we were all there for the same reason."
Dibai said the school provided her with foundational engineering skills and it wasn't long after her initial co-op placement that companies started calling due to her unique knowledge of sustainable energy innovations.
"We do have those traditional engineering skills and combining that with sustainability is great because the world is your oyster at that point in terms of careers," Dibai says.
"When companies talk to me, they are genuinely interested in sustainable energy engineering. I think the job market favours SEE students because everyone is moving toward sustainability but few have that skillset."
Studying in the state-of-the-art building at SFU Surrey and having expert, yet approachable, faculty mentor her through the program sealed the deal, she says.
"I'd absolutely recommend the Master of Engineering program if you're thinking of applying," she says. "For me, sustainability is a mindset. It goes beyond buzzwords. It's about looking at everyday processes and questioning if there's an energy efficient way to do this, in hopes of changing for the betterment of the planet. That's what SEE is all about."
For more information on Master of Engineering in Sustainable Energy Engineering program or the other programs SEE offers, visit www.sfu.ca/see.
