Engineering Science ENSC

Faculty of Applied Sciences

ENSC 100-3 Engineering Technology and Society

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the practice of engineering, surveying its history and its current state. The social and political aspects of engineering decisions will be illustrated by a number of case studies. (3-0-0)

ENSC 101-1 Writing Process, Persuasion and Presentations

This course provides a general introduction to the principles of effective communication with special emphasis on the writing process, persuasive writing, research papers, and oral presentations. In conjunction with ENSC 100-3, the course also explores current social and ethical issues in engineering. (1-0-0) Corequisite: ENSC 100.

ENSC 102-1 Form and Style in Professional Genres

The major focus of this course is on the style and format of technical writing with attention to laboratory reports and project documentation. This course also examines resumes, cover letters, interview skills and formal reports to help students prepare for their first internship semester. It also addresses listening skills and group dynamics in the context of the team projects undertaken for ENSC 151. (1-0-0) Corequisite: PHYS 131.

ENSC 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design

Digital design concepts are presented in such a way that students will learn how logic blocks can be designed and employed to construct a simple computer. Topics covered include: basic Von Neumann computer architecture; an introduction to assembly language; combinational logic design; and sequential logic design. An interactive logic simulation environment will be provided for assignments. Assembly language programming is introduced. (3-0-0) This course is identical to CMPT 150 and students cannot take both courses for credit. Students who have taken CMPT 290 cannot take this course for further credit.

ENSC 151-2 Digital and Computer Design Laboratory

The practical concepts of assembly language such as programming, digital device interfacing, and hardware/software interfacing will be introduced through a group project. Topics will include: assembler concepts; micro-controllers; the hardware/software interface. Laboratory techniques will also be introduced as needed. This is a project course with a few lectures, or laboratory tutorials. (0-0-4) Prerequisite: CMPT 150 or ENSC 150.

ENSC 194-0 Optional Job Practicum

This is an optional semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to first year engineering science students. This course will not be counted towards the three required co-operative education semesters; however, it will be recorded on the students' transcipts. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195.

ENSC 195-0 Job Practicum I

This is the first semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is given as pass/withdraw/fail (P/W/F) only, based on the employer's and co-operative education co-ordinator's evaluation of the student's work during the semester and on the evaluation of the work report submitted and the oral presentation at the end of the work session.

ENSC 196-0 Job Practicum II

This is the second semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195. ENSC 196 may or may not involve the same employer as ENSC 195. Prerequisite: ENSC 195.

ENSC 201-3 The Business of Engineering

This course covers the business, management and entrepreneurial concepts that are important to engineers who manage projects, run businesses, or need to decide on the most efficient method for accomplishing a task. The topics to be covered include: financial accounting, rates of return, taxes, cost-benefit analyses, marketing, financing methods, and business plans. (3-0-0) Prerequisite: 45 credit hours. This course will be offered for the first time in 99-2.

ENSC 204-1 Graphical Communication for Engineering

This course provides an introduction to graphical communication with attention to manual drafting and computer-assisted design. The course involves the use of several CAD packages for circuit schematic entry, mechanical design and circuit board layout. (1-0-0)

ENSC 220-3 Electric Circuits I

This course will cover the following topics: fundamental electrical circuit quantities, and circuit elements; circuits laws such as Ohm law, Kirchoff's voltage and current laws, along with series and parallel circuits; operational amplifiers; network theorems; nodal and mesh methods; analysis of natural and step response of first (RC and RL), as well as second order (RLC) circuits; real, reactive and rms power concepts. In addition, the course will discuss the worker safety implications of both electricity and common laboratory practices such as soldering. (3-0-1) Prerequisite: PHYS 121 and 131, MATH 232 and 310. MATH 232 and/or 310 may be taken concurrently. Students with credit for ENSC 125 cannot take this course for further credit.

ENSC 225-4 Microelectronics I

This course teaches analog/digital electronics and basic device physics in the context of modern silicon integrated circuits technology. Topics include: qualitative device physics and terminal characteristics; implementations and models of basic semiconductor devices (diodes, BJTs and MOSFETs); circuit simulation via SPICE; basic diode circuits; transistors as amplifiers and switching elements; temperature effects and compensation; single-stage transistor amplifiers; biasing, current sources and mirrors. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 150 or CMPT 150, and ENSC 220. Students with credit for ENSC 222 cannot take this course for further credit.

ENSC 230-4 Introduction to Mechanical Design

This course presents the elements and principles involved in design and analysis of basic mechanical structures and mechanisms. Mechanical elements such as gears, cams and bearings and fundamental relationships between the forces and corresponding motion or deflection are investigated through examples and experiments. This background can then be used in the design, analysis and development of computer controlled machines such as robotic devices. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: PHYS 120, MATH 310.

ENSC 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture

This course deals with the main concepts embodied in computer hardware architecture. In particular, the organization, design and limitations of the major building blocks in modern computers is covered in detail. Topics will include: processor organization; control logic design; memory systems; and architectural support for operating systems and programming languages. A hardware description language will be used as a tool to express and work with design concepts. (3-0-0) Prerequisite: CMPT 150 or ENSC 150. This course is identical to CMPT 250 and students cannot take both courses for credit. Students who have taken CMPT 390 may not take CMPT 250 for further credit.

ENSC 263-3 Special Topics in Engineering Science

Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 264-4 Special Topics in Engineering Science

Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 295-0 Job Practicum III

This is the third semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195. ENSC 295 may or may not involve the same employers as preceding practicum semesters. Prerequisite: ENSC 196.

ENSC 296-0 Job Practicum IV

This is the fourth semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195. ENSC 296 may or may not involve the same employers as preceding practicum semesters. Prerequisite: ENSC 295.

ENSC 300-3 Engineering Design and Management

An introduction and overview of modern concepts of engineering design, problem solving and management. Material is presented through lectures, seminars, case studies, and historical review. Studies involve the interrelationship of such factors as problem definition, feasibility studies, specification, constraints, analysis techniques, evaluation, production project management, conflict resolution, and techniques of supervision. Student participation is expected through presentations of independent readings, case analyses and group projects. (2-2-0)

ENSC 301-3 Engineering Economics

The engineer as business people and entrepreneurs. Preparation of a business plan. The economics of capital projects and production processes. Financial analysis: mortgages, loans, direct costs, depreciation, taxes, financial statements, financing alternatives. Estimation of sales, capital and operating costs of new processes and products. Cash flows. Market evaluation comparison of alternatives. Study is in part through independent reading rather than formal lectures. (3-0-0) Prerequisite: completion of at least 60 credit hours. This course will be offered for the last time in 00-1.

ENSC 304-1 Human Factors and Usability Engineering

The user is often overlooked in the engineer's quest for a functional and efficient design. This course examines the factors that make designs more or less usable and how to integrate usability constraints and testing procedures into the design process. (1-0-0)

ENSC 305-1 Project Documentation and Group Dynamics

This course is integrated with an ENSC project course (either ENSC 340 or 440) that provides practical experience with the design process for development projects. Topics include project management, team writing, project documentation (proposals, functional and design specifications, progress reports, and users manuals), group dynamics and dispute resolution. (1-0-0) Corequisite: ENSC 340 or 440.

ENSC 306-1 Research Methods for Engineers

This course ensures that engineering students are familiar with library resources, database searches, patent searches, and industry standards. The course also covers strategies for formulating research questions and approaching the research task as well as literature surveys and bibliographic conventions. It also provides opportunities for students to explore the implications of technology and to lead group discussions of issues arising from their research.

ENSC 320-3 Electric Circuits II

This course is a second course on electric circuits and the topics covered include: the use of Laplace transform in circuit analysis, including poles and zeros, the frequency response and impulse response; convolution as a method for computing circuit responses; resonant and bandpass circuits; magnetically coupled circuits; three-phase circuits; two port circuits; and filtering. (3-0-1) Prerequisite: ENSC 220. Students with credit for ENSC 125-5 cannot take this course for further credit. Corequisite: ENSC 380.

ENSC 325-4 Microelectronics II

This course introduces Students to analog integrated circuit design in the context of modern silicon integrated circuits technology. Topics included: integrated circuit technology and design tools; integrated component characteristics and limitations, differential amplifiers; multi stage amplifiers; feedback amplifiers; stability and frequency compensation; integrated operational amplifiers; bipolar and MOS digital circuits; analog aspects of digital electronics. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 222 or 225.

ENSC 327-4 Communication Systems

This course represents and introduction to analog and digital communications systems. The main topics are: a review of Fourier Transform; the representation of bandpass signals; random signals in communications, including stationarity, ergodicity, correlation, power spectra and noise; amplitude and frequency modulation; circuits and techniques for modulation and demodulation; frequency division multiplexing; baseband digital communication; time division and multiplexing; an introduction to basic digital modulation schemes such as BPSK, FSK and QPSK. Laboratory work is included in this course. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380 or 382, and STAT 270.

ENSC 330-4 Engineering Materials

An introductory course in materials science which covers materials - their structures, properties, and performance; crystal structures and instruments for structure determination; polymers, ceramics, composites; quality control and reliability. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: CHEM 121, PHYS 121.

ENSC 340-4 Engineering Science Project

This course is based around a group project that consists of researching, designing, building and testing the hardware implementation of a working system. The course also includes material on how to design for safety, engineering standards and human factors. (1-0-4) Prerequisite: ENSC 151, 225 and 351. Students with credit for ENSC 440 cannot take ENSC 340 for further credit. Corequisite: ENSC 305.

ENSC 350-3 Digital Systems Design

This course deals with advanced topics in digital design such as advanced state machine concepts, asynchronous design, hardware description languages, bus interfacing and DSP architecture. It also covers both the architecture and programming of field programmable logic devices. Some laboratory work is expected. (3-0-1) Prerequisite: ENSC 151 and 250 or CMPT 250.

ENSC 351-4 Real Time and Embedded Systems

This course concentrates on the problems encountered when attempting to use computers in real time (RT) and embedded applications where the computer system must discern the state of the real world and react to it within stringent response time constraints. Both design methodology and practical implementation techniques for RT systems are presented. Although some hardware will be involved, it should be noted that this course concentrates on real time software. (2-0-4) Prerequisite: CMPT 101, 250 or ENSC 250 or CMPT 290. ENSC 151 is highly recommended. Students with credit for ENSC 385 cannot take this course for further credit.

ENSC 363-3 Special Topics in Engineering Science

Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 364-4 Special Topics in Engineering Science

Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 380-3 Linear Systems

The objectives of this course are to cover the modelling and analysis of continuous and discrete signals using linear techniques. Topics covered include: a review of Laplace transforms; methods for the basic modelling of physical systems; discrete and continuous convolution; impulse and step response; transfer functions and filtering; the continuous Fourier transform and its relationship to the Laplace transform; frequency response and Bode plots; sampling; the Z-transform. (3-0-1) Prerequisite: ENSC 125 or 220, and MATH 310. Students with credit for ENSC 281 or 382 cannot take this course for further credit. Corequisite: ENSC 320. This course will be taught for the first time in semester 00-1.

ENSC 383-4 Feedback Control Systems

This course is an introduction to the analysis, design, and applications of continuous time linear control systems. Topics include transfer function representation of open and closed loop systems, time domain specifications and steady state error, sensitivity analysis, time and frequency response, and stability criteria. It includes a treatment of methods for the analysis of control systems based on the root locus, Bode plots and Nyquist criterion, and their use in the design of PID, and lead-lag compensation. Lab work is included in this course. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380.

ENSC 387-4 Introduction to Electro-Mechanical Sensors and Actuators

This course provides an introduction to sensors and actuators for electromechanical, computer-controlled machines and devices. Topics include operating principles, design considerations, and applications of analog sensors, digital transducers, stepper motors, continuous-drive actuators, and drive system electronics. Component integration and design considerations are studied through examples selected from applications of machine tools, mechatronics, precision machines, robotics, aerospace systems, and ground and underwater vehicles. Laboratory exercises strengthen the understanding of component performance, system design and integration. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380 or 382.

ENSC 395-0 Job Practicum V

This is the fifth semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195. ENSC 395 may or may not involve the same employers as preceding practicum semesters. Ideally, students should enrol in ENSC 498 instead of ENSC 395. Prerequisite: ENSC 296 and permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 396-0 Job Practicum VI

This is the sixth semester of work experience in the Co-operative Education Program available to engineering students. Credit is awarded as in ENSC 195. ENSC 396 may or may not involve the same employers as preceding practicum semester. Students should strongly consider enrolling in ENSC 498 instead of 396 at this time. Prerequisite: ENSC 395 and permission of the undergraduate curriculum chair.

ENSC 400-402-4 Directed Studies in Engineering Science

Directed reading and research in a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor. Admission requires agreement by a proposed faculty supervisor and submission of a proposal to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. Upon completion of a directed study course, the student must submit a copy of the `deliverables' to the chair of the undergraduate curriculum committee. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee chair.

ENSC 406-2 Social Responsibility and Professional Practice

This course explores the social implications and/or environmental impacts of a technology relevant to the participants' field of study through research. This course also uses lectures, case studies and group discussions to increase awareness and understanding of the legal ethical responsibilities of professional engineers, including issues of worker and public safety. (2-0-0) Prerequisite: 100 credit hours or permission of the instructor.

ENSC 407-1 Engineering Law and Ethics

This course uses lectures, case studies and group discussions to increase awareness and understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of professional engineers. Students exercise their skills as critical thinkers and persuasive writers. (1-0-0)

ENSC 408-0 Writing for Publication

This course examines a range of issues related to the process of publishing articles in professional journals including audience analysis, the publication process, referencing and format conventions, and anonymous reviews. It also provides a focused review of the writing process as well as how style and form can impact upon the reader's comprehension of information.

ENSC 424-4 Multimedia Communications Engineering

This course covers the technical basis for multimedia communications systems. The main topics are as follows: methods for audio and visual signal compression and processing; the communications requirements of multimedia systems, such as synchronization, quality of service and bandwidth; the architectures and protocols associated with multimedia communications networks. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380 or 382.

ENSC 425-4 Electronic System Design

Aspects of design using digital and analog integrated circuits as circuit blocks for the realization of required system functions are treated, with project activities in the laboratory. Topics include differential amplifiers; operational amplifiers - non-ideal aspects; slew rate, gain error, sensitivities. Active filter design. D/A and A/D conversion. MSI and LSI digital circuits, combinational and sequential: decoders, encoders, multiplexers, ROM's, counters, controllers. Communication circuits: AM and FM modulators and demodulators, multiplexers, pulse modulation. Laboratory work is included in this course. (2-0-4) Prerequisite: ENSC 222.

ENSC 426-4 High Frequency Electronics

Transmission lines and waveguides, microwave devices, travelling wave devices. An introduction to the theory of radiation, antennae and wave propagation, and microwave scattering theory. The design of complete communication systems incorporating microwave, optical and satellite channels. Laboratory work is included in this course. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: PHYS 324.

ENSC 427-4 Communication Networks

Quantitative performance analysis and design of data and integrated services networks. Re-transmission error recovery schemes, networks of queues, congestion control, routing strategies. Multiple access techniques in data networks, design for specified throughput and delay performance. Wireless networks, routing approaches in mobile networks. Analysis and design of broadband integrated services digital networks, asynchronous time division multiplexing. Laboratory work is included in this course. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 327 or permission of instructor.

ENSC 428-4 Data Communications

This course will cover the physical-layer design issues in digital communication systems. The major topics covered are: information measures and the notion of channel capacity; link budgets; digital modulation techniques, including the signal space concept and optimal detectors, error performance in noise, suboptimal detectors, pulse shaping, synchronization, and equalization; error control techniques such as block and conventional codes, as well as comparisons between FEC and ARQ. Laboratory work is included in this course. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 327 and 351 or 385.

ENSC 429-4 Discrete Time Systems

Discrete time signals and systems, sampling and quantization. The Discrete Fourier Transform and fast transforms. Digital filters, IIR and FIR, design procedures and implementations. Quantization noise in digital filters and transforms. Random signals, the response to linear systems to random signals. Introduction to adaptive systems. Introduction to system architectures for digital signal processing. Laboratory work includes familiarization with digital signal processing software packages. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380 or 382, and 327.

ENSC 440-4 Capstone Engineering Science Project

This capstone design course is based around a group project that consists of researching, designing, building, and testing the hardware implementation of a working system. The course also includes material on how to design for safety, engineering standards, and human factors. (1-0-4) Prerequisite: ENSC 151, 225, 351, and any two courses from ENSC 325, 327, 383 and 387. Students with credit for ENSC 340 cannot take ENSC 440 for further credit. Corequisite: ENSC 305.

ENSC 450-4 VLSI Systems Design

This course provides an introduction to the design of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits and systems using mainly CMOS technology. It links computer architecture and design limitations with integrated circuit physical layout issues. Topics will include: CMOS technology and circuit layout rules; combination and sequential logic; logic simulation; systems design; design for verification and testability. Some consideration is given to the question of when to use off-the-shelf programmable logic or full custom VLSI (e.g. for DSP). (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 151, 222 or 225, and CMPT 250 or ENSC 250.

ENSC 460-462-4 Special Topics in Engineering Science

Studies in areas not included within the undergraduate course offerings of the engineering science program. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: permission of the director.

ENSC 481-4 Designing for Reliability

Aspects of quality control and reliability in manufacturing environments will be discussed, including stress and strain, failure modes, reliability testing, statistical and experimental methods, and destructive/non destructive testing. (2-0-4) Prerequisite: ENSC 330.

ENSC 483-4 Modern Control Systems

Analytical representation of the finite dimensional linear systems, analysis and design of linear feedback control systems based on the state space model, and state/output feedback. Topics include: review of the linear spaces and operators, mathematical modelling, state space representation and canonical forms, controllability, observability, realization of transfer function, and solution of the state equation. Applications include: stability concepts and definitions. Lyapunov's Direct Method, design of the state and output feedback control systems, eigenspectrum assignment, and state estimator design. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 383.

ENSC 488-4 Introduction to Robotics

Fundamentals of robotics: mathematical representation of kinematics, dynamics and compliance. Planning and execution of robot trajectories. Feedback from the environment: use of sensors and machine vision. A brief introduction to robot languages. Different application domains for manipulator robots, e.g., assembly, manufacturing, etc. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 383. Recommended: ENSC 230 is strongly recommended for Systems Option students.

ENSC 489-4 Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing

Survey of methods for computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), including experience with basic systems in the laboratory component of the course. The student will be introduced to computer integrated manufacturing and flexible manufacturing systems concepts. The use of finite element modelling and analysis will be presented through examples from thermal studies as well as mechanical stress analysis. Issues in constructing and using integrated CAD/CAM in a production environment will be discussed. Emphasis will be on the use of such techniques in light industry, particularly related to electronics manufacturing. The Quick Chip facility will be available for student projects, as well as a manufacturing cell consisting of several robots and computer control systems. (3-0-2) Prerequisite: ENSC 281 or 380 or 382.

ENSC 491-1 Special Project Laboratory

This course is intended for students wishing to pursue laboratory research on a specific topic outside the standard course offerings. Each student must be sponsored by a faculty member who will oversee the project. A proposal of the student's special project must be submitted to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. The credit value of the project will be assessed during this review phase and the student will be directed to register in the appropriate course. Upon completion of a special project laboratory course, the student must submit a copy of the `deliverables' to the chair of the undergraduate curriculum committee. Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee chair.

ENSC 492-2 Special Project Laboratory

This course is intended for students wishing to pursue laboratory research on a specific topic outside the standard course offerings. Each student must be sponsored by a faculty member who will oversee the project. A proposal of the student's special project must be submitted to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. The credit value of the project will be assessed during this review phase and the student will be directed to register in the appropriate course. Upon completion of a special project laboratory course, the student must submit a copy of the `deliverables' to the chair of the undergraduate curriculum committee. Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee chair.

ENSC 493-3 Special Project Laboratory

This course is intended for students wishing to pursue laboratory research on a specific topic outside the standard course offerings. Each student must be sponsored by a faculty member who will oversee the project. A proposal of the student's special project must be submitted to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. The credit value of the project will be assessed during this review phase and the student will be directed to register in the appropriate course. Upon completion of a special project laboratory course, the student must submit a copy of the `deliverables' to the chair of the undergraduate curriculum committee. Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee chair.

ENSC 494-4 Special Project Laboratory

This course is intended for students wishing to pursue laboratory research on a specific topic outside the standard course offerings. Each student must be sponsored by a faculty member who will oversee the project. A proposal of the student's special project must be submitted to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. The credit value of the project will be assessed during this review phase and the student will be directed to register in the appropriate course. Upon completion of a special project laboratory course, the student must submit a copy of the `deliverables' to the chair of the undergraduate curriculum committee. Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee chair.

ENSC 495-4 Introduction to Microelectronic Fabrication

This provides an introduction to the practice and theory of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication. The practical area will be covered in lectures and reinforced with laboratory experience where the students will manufacture diodes, transistors and small circuits. Major areas covered will be: clean room technology and economics, silicon wafer production, thermal oxidation, photolithography, thin film deposition (evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, epitaxy), etching (wet, plasma, sputtering, reactive ion), diffusion, ion implantation, multi-layer conductor technology, packaging, device yields, plus examples in CMOS and bipolar IC's. This course is directed at any student with a basic background in transistor operation and is also an optional course for those in engineering physics. (2-0-4) Prerequisite: ENSC 222 or 225.

ENSC 498-3 Engineering Science Thesis Proposal

The student's time in this course is devoted to supervised study, research and development and work leading to a formal proposal for the project work in ENSC 499. This activity can be directly augmented by other course work and by directed study. The locale of the work may be external to the University or within a University laboratory, or may bridge the two locations. Supervision may be by the company sponsoring the internship or by faculty members, or through some combination. A plan for the student's ENSC 498 activities must be submitted to the school at least one month prior to the start of the semester in which the course will be taken. Preparation of the undergraduate thesis project proposal is the formal requirement of this course and the basis upon which it is graded. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: at least 115 credits or permission of the academic supervisor.

ENSC 499-9 Engineering Science Undergraduate Thesis

A thesis is based on the research, development and engineering project undertaken in the student's Co-operative Education Program. Registration for ENSC 499 takes place in the semester in which the thesis will be presented and defended. Formal approval of the topic by the School of Engineering Science is given by the granting of the grade of pass for ENSC 498. The locale of the work, supervision and other arrangements follow those for ENSC 498. Grading of the thesis will be on a pass/fail basis, but recognition will be given to outstanding work. Prerequisite: ENSC 498.