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School of Sustainable Energy Engineering | Faculty of Applied Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Fall 2024

Sustainable Energy Engineering

Master of Applied Science

The master of applied science (MASc) in sustainable energy engineering (SEE), offered through the Faculty of Applied Sciences, is a research-intensive program that has a primary emphasis on the MASc thesis. The program aims to offer a unique ecosystem for advanced research in sustainable energy engineering. Through training in formal coursework and hands-on research, SEE graduates will be capable of working with integrity to invent, improve, design and deploy sustainable clean energy technologies addressing the clean energy needs for now and the future. Candidates will develop a strong aptitude for research and exceptional quantitative, analytical, and design skills in areas such as sustainable harvesting, conversion, storage, distribution, utilization, transition, and management of energy and environmental resources.

Admission Requirements

Admission is competitive. Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulation 1.3 in the SFU Calendar, and have the following:

  • An undergraduate (bachelor's) degree in a related field; 
  • Submitted evidence of capability to undertake substantial original research;
  • Identified a faculty member as a supervisor.

Program Requirements

This program consists of course work (12 units) and a thesis (18 units) for a minimum of 30 units. Students who lack the necessary background knowledge may, at the discretion of the supervisor or the supervisory committee, be asked to complete additional courses beyond the program requirements in order to broaden the students' preparation for undertaking thesis work.

Students must complete

SEE 810 - Sustainability and Sustainable Energy Technologies (3)

Examines the core concepts of sustainability for graduate students in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE). Principles of sustainability and the role of technology in addressing critical challenges relating to society’s use of energy are discussed. Specific topics will include technologies for low-impact/renewable electrical energy generation, distribution, and utilization in stationary and mobile applications. It is required for students in the SEE MASc program and is optional for students in the SEE PhD program. Prerequisite: Open to SEE MASc students or permission of the Graduate Program Chair. Corequisite: SEE 896 (MASc) or SEE 897 (PhD).

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Min Xu
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Surrey
Surrey
SEE 811 - Technical Communication Skills (3)

Communication skills, knowledge and strategies to support successful graduate student research in engineering including communicating clearly and concisely with interdisciplinary, technical, and non-technical audiences. Students will learn to identify areas for investigation, propose a writing project, source relevant and reliable literature, use an intentional writing process, address rhetorical issues of audience, purpose and style, and practice constructive, analytical and empowering peer review. A special emphasis will be communicating with policy audiences. Students will practice clear, concise, and impactful professional presentations for interdisciplinary audiences.

SEE 896 - MASc Research Seminar (0) *

Presentation and discussion of current research topics. Includes guest speakers, student presentations, readings, and professional development workshops. A focus is building a community of sustainability scholars while enhancing student well-being. MASc students must enroll in SEE 896 every term in which they are enrolled, until all program requirements have been met. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Min Xu
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey

and at least two of (with a minimum of one SEE course)

ENSC 801 - Linear Systems Theory (3)

State-space analysis of finite dimensional continuous and discrete time linear systems. Linear vector spaces, linear operators, normed linear spaces, and inner product spaces. Fundamentals of matrix algebra; generalized inverses, solution of Ax=y and AXB=Y, least square and recursive least square estimation, induced norm and matrix measures, functions of a square matrix, Cayley-Hamilton and Sylvester's theorems, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) with applications. Analytical representation of linear systems, state-space formulation, solution of the state equation and determination of the system's response. Controllability, observability, duality, canonical forms, and minimal realization concepts. Stability analysis and the Lyapunov's method. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Faisal Beg
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
ENSC 802 - Stochastic Systems (3)

The application of theories in probability, random variables and stochastic processes in the analysis and modelling of engineering systems. Topics include: a review of probability and random variables; random deviate generation; convergence of random sequences; random processes; auto correlation and power spectral-density; linear systems with stochastic inputs; mean-square calculus; AR and ARMA models; Markov chains; elementary queuing theory; an introduction to estimation theory. Areas of application include digital communications, speech and image processing, control, radar and Monte Carlo simulations. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

ENSC 810 - Statistical Signal Processing (3)

Processing techniques for continuous and discrete signals with initially unknown or time-varying characteristics. Parameter estimation; Bayes, MAP, maximum likelihood, least squares the Cramer-Rao bound. Linear estimation, prediction, power spectrum estimation, lattice filters. Adaptive filtering by LMS and recursive least squares. Kalman filtering. Eigenmethods for spectral estimation. Implementation issues and numerical methods of computation are considered throughout. Prerequisite: ENSC 802 and 429 or their equivalents.

ENSC 833 - Network Protocols and Performance (3)

This course covers the techniques needed to understand and analyse modern communications networks. The main topics are as follow: practical techniques for the design and performance analysis of data communication networks; performance analysis of error control, flow and congestion control, and routing; networks of queues using stochastic and mean value analysis; polling and random access LANs and MANs; wireless networks; broadband integrated services digital networks and asynchronous transfer mode; optical networks. Prerequisite: ENSC 802 or permission of instructor.

ENSC 835 - Communication Networks (3)

Techniques needed to understand and analyze modern data communications networks. Basic architecture of packet networks and their network elements (switches, routers, bridges), and the protocols used to enable transmission of packets through the network. Techniques for collection, characterization, and modeling of traffic in packet networks. Aspects of traffic management, such as call admission control and congestion control algorithms in packet networks and the influence of traffic on network performance. Prerequisite: ENSC 427 or permission of the instructor.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Ljiljana Trajkovic
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, Thu, 6:30–7:50 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, Thu, 6:30–7:50 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
ENSC 854 - Integrated Microsensors and Actuators (3)

Microelectronic transducer principles, classification, fabrication and application areas. Silicon micromachining and its application to integrated microelectronic sensors and actuators. CMOS compatible micromachining, static, dynamic and kinematic microactuator fabrication. Integrated transducer system design and applications. Students will be required to complete a micromachining project in the microfabrication lab at ENSC. Prerequisite: ENSC 475 and ENSC 495 or permission of instructor.

MSE 722 - Fuel Cell Systems (3)

Scientific and engineering principles of fuel cell systems, including fundamental electrochemistry, applied thermodynamics, and transport phenomena. Types of fuel cells: low temperature and high temperature fuel cell systems and applications. Students are required to complete a project.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Erik Kjeang
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
Surrey
LAB1 Erik Kjeang
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
MSE 726 - Introduction to Engineering Design Optimization (3)

Theories, methods, and applications of optimization in support of engineering design. Topics include classic optimization methods, metaheuristics and evolutionary algorithms, Design of Experiments, and metamodel-based design optimization approaches. Students are required to complete a project.

MSE 780 - Manufacturing Systems (3)

Overview of manufacturing systems: industrial robotics, numerical control and metal cutting, manufacturing system components and definitions, material handling systems, production lines, assembly systems, robotic cell design, cellular manufacturing, flexible manufacturing systems, quality control, and manufacturing support systems. Students are required to complete a project.

MSE 812 - Advanced 3D Printing (3)

Provides insight regarding advanced additive manufacturing technologies in various mechatronic applications. Comprehensive knowledge is presented relevant to advanced 3D printing technologies including direct writing, paste extrusion, and laser direct writing. Topics range from 3D printable material design to application-driven engineering design technology trends including state-of-the-art 3D printed applications. Students will learn the practical perspective of advanced additive manufacturing with various engineering materials: polymers, metals, composites, nano-materials, and biomaterials.

MSE 821 - Advanced Conduction Heat Transfer (3)

Advanced course on conduction heat and mass transfer. Fundamental elements of heat conduction. Laplace's equation and its applications. Analysis and modelling of engineering systems involving conduction heat transfer. Experimental methods related to conductive heat transfer. Introduction to cooling systems commonly used in microelectronics industry. Recommended: MSE 223 and MSE 321 or their equivalents.

MSE 822 - Advanced Convection Heat Transfer (3)

Advanced course on convection heat and mass transfer. Fundamental elements of fluid flow and heat transfer using conservation principles. Analysis and modelling of engineering systems involving convective heat transfer. Experimental methods related to convective heat transfer. Heat/mass transfer and cooling/heating systems commonly used in energy management systems such as microelectronics industry, HVAC systems, fuel cell technologies, and automotive industry. Recommended: MSE 223 and MSE 321 or their equivalents.

SEE 820 - Materials Design for Energy Systems (3)

Modern engineering materials design for energy system applications. Predictive modelling and design implications applied to energy systems. Advanced theoretical and experimental investigations will be discussed to understand the methodologies for design of materials and machinery to be applied to the energy conversion. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897. Recommended: SEE 222.

SEE 821 - Membranes and Filtration (3)

Water usage and global water shortages; principles of membrane separation including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis; physico-chemical criteria for separations and membrane materials; basic mass transport in mixed solute systems; polarization and fouling; prediction of membrane performance; operational issues, limitations, energy requirements and system configurations. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897. Recommended: SEE 224 and SEE 225.

SEE 850 - Energy Storage Systems (3)

Electrochemical, mechanical and thermal energy storage techniques; integration for stationary and mobile applications; design tradeoffs to understand environmental impacts, cost, reliability, and efficiency. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897. Recommended: SEE 224 and SEE 230.

SEE 891 - Directed Studies (3)

Directed Study in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Vahid Hosseini
TBD
G200 TBD
G300 TBD
G400 TBD
G500 TBD
G600 TBD
G700 TBD
G800 TBD
G900 TBD
SEE 893 - Special Topics I (3)

Special Topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Taco Niet
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
SEE 894 - Special Topics II (3)

Special Topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Mariana Resener
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
SEE 895 - Special Topics III (3)

Special Topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Corequisite: SEE 896 or SEE 897.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Mohammadreza Karamad
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
STAT 604 - Analysis of Experimental and Observational Data (3)

The standard techniques of multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance, and their role in experimental research. Prerequisite: Any course in Statistics. Open only to students in departments other than Statistics and Actuarial Science. Students with credit for STAT 302 may not take this course for further credit.

and a thesis

SEE 898 - MASc Thesis (18)

MASc Thesis. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Corequisite: SEE 896.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 TBD
G200 TBD

* Students must enroll in this course every term.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements within six terms.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.