Justin Pachikara grew up with a passion for cars. He attended auto shows with his dad, watched countless car movies and took his driver's test as soon as he could.
When the time came to plan for his career, his family wasn't surprised he chose engineering.
"Most people see cars as a means to go from point A to B, but I feel like there's more to cars than just that," he says.
Not only are there structural and aesthetic considerations, he says, but the two also need to complement each other to maximize fuel efficiency, safety and performance.
Brock University's first class of Integrated Engineering students gets hands on in their learning though the Fundamentals of Engineering course.
Pachikara is one of 33 students in the first cohort of Brock University's new Integrated Engineering program, which takes key concepts from traditional engineering fields, such as mechanical, software, civil and electrical, and brings them together into a single program where students learn about each field as well as the connections between them.
In addition to choosing Brock for its positive reputation and its location in Niagara, Pachikara is excited to be learning from passionate and attentive professors.
"I really enjoy how much the faculty cares for this program and its students," he says. "They prioritize our input, which I really enjoy."
Like Pachikara, Andrew Chahoud's career path was influenced by his childhood experiences. He has always been interested in the ways things are built and spent his time creating structures with Lego, playing with puzzles, watching how-to programs and helping his father renovate their basement.
"My dad and I would spend hours just building stuff. We were novices, so everything would take us three times as long figuring out how to frame and put up drywall," he says. "Engineers think differently. The way we approach equations and projects in class is similar to what professional engineers do to solve problems in the field."
Among their first-year courses, both Chahoud and Pachikara especially enjoy the Fundamentals of Engineering Design course taught by Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi, which offers hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications.
"Students engage with activities that deepen their understanding of engineering principles while cultivating practical skills essential for future careers," says Mofidi.
Labs covering topics such as hands-on 3D modelling and additive manufacturing, which are layer-by-layer production techniques, focus on building proficiency in essential design and prototyping skills. Sessions equip students with the ability to visualize complex structures and components, refine designs and prepare them for real-world engineering tasks, such as product development and construction management.
"I get really excited to do hands-on projects," says Chahoud. "For me, creation is what engineering is about showing the world what I can do."
The application of computer-aided design and additive manufacturing in the labs closely mimics processes used in industries like automotive, aerospace and product design.
"This not only helps students understand geometric transformations and spatial relationships but also allows them to produce physical prototypes, enhancing their ability to translate theoretical models into practical, workable designs," says Mofidi.
In addition to Mofidi's course, Integrated Engineering students' first-year calendar consists of courses designed specifically for engineers, such as physics, applied calculus, linear algebra and programming for engineers, as well as a course on chemical principles and properties.
While they are only two months into their program, Chahoud and Pachikara are happy with their choice to study Integrated Engineering at Brock and can already see its promising future.
"I feel like Brock Engineering is going to be a hot spot," says Chahoud. "One day soon, it'll be one of the best Engineering schools in Canada."
