THUNDER BAY — Lakehead University is starting a new engineering program for the upcoming academic year.
The university announced earlier this week it has received approval from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to introduce a mechatronics program on its Thunder Bay campus.
Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, and computer science into a four-year course that will give graduates a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Wilson Wang, a professor in the university's department of mechanical and mechatronics engineering who is credited with spearheading the new program, indicated that the university is now one of six in Canada to offer a bachelor's degree in mechatronics.
While it is the first year for the program in Thunder Bay, a total of 30 students have enrolled in their first year.
Wang says once graduated, students will have a variety of career options available.
"Almost all the industrial sectors like manufacturing, transportation, mining energy, the electro-mechanical engineering include, for example, the common robots, different types of robots, the general industrial robots, movable robot drones, autonomous cars, these electromechanical mechanical systems or products or we call them computer control," Wang said.
Students could pursue careers as a mechatronics engineer, aeronautical engineers, CAD product design engineer, mechanical design engineer or project manager.
"The purpose is to leverage existing industrial consortium affiliated with to provide a unique value proposition for the province for Canada and to provide an innovative training environment for the students," Wang said.
"It encompasses expertise and unique resources in the Faculty of Law, the MB A, the related engineering program, and computer science to train students in all the aspects such as the legal framework, environmental sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact."
More details about the new program can be found directly on Lakehead University's website.
