About Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Traditional roles
Mechanical engineers design and oversee the manufacturing of products ranging from medical devices to batteries. They design power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, elevators, escalators, conveyor systems and automated transfer stations. Mechanical engineers use computers extensively to integrate sensors, controllers and machinery. They create and analyze designs, run simulations and test how machines will interact with connected systems.
Today's emerging roles
Mechanical engineers often work on the newest industrial pursuits, particularly in biomedical engineering, automation and robotics. These engineers play key roles in improving the range and performance of hybrid and electric cars, advancing alternative energies, and creating solutions in bioengineering and nanotechnology.
Historical timeline
Sept. 1, 1965
The first female engineering professor is appointed at the University of Alberta, Calgary (UAC)
April 1, 1965
Faculty of Engineering status is granted at UAC
July 1, 1966
Department of Mechanical Engineering is established when UAC becomes the University of Calgary
July 1, 1966
Dr. Douglas Norrie becomes our first department head
Sept. 1, 1966
Our first doctoral student – A.K. Aston-Eikrem – is admitted
Aug. 1, 1967
Our department moves into the new B Block of the engineering complex
May 1, 1968
CIL Explosives and High Pressure Research Laboratory is established
Sept. 1, 1968
Our first fourth-year class is 20 students
May 26, 1969
Our first 18 students graduate with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Oct. 7, 1969
Our first doctoral degree is granted to Francis K-C Yip
July 1, 1970
Dr. Allan Doige steps in as our acting department head
Sept. 6, 1971
Dr. Ghazi Karim steps in as acting department head
Sept. 1, 1972
Dr. Doige is appointed as our department head
July 1, 1976
Dr. Glockner is appointed as our department head
Sept. 1, 1976
The Rubber Lugger Design Competition is started - challenging students to design a single rubber-band-powered machine for maximum travel distance
May 30, 1979
Four women are our first females to graduate with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering
July 1, 1981
Dr. Doige steps in as our acting department head
July 1, 1982
Dr. Glockner resumes his position as department head after a one-year sabbatical
Sept. 1, 1982
Our first female graduate students - Halina Motriuk - starts an MSc degree
Dec. 1, 1982
Alumnus Dr. Robert Thirsk is selected as one of Canada's first six astronauts
May 11, 1983
The CAD/CAG/CAM graphics facility and the CNC Matsuura Machining Centre both open
July 1, 1987
Dr. Doige steps in as acting department head
July 1, 1988
Dr. Graham Reader is appointed as our department head
Sept. 1, 1989
The minor in computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) is introduced
June 6, 1990
Our first CIM minor students graduate
Oct. 1, 1990
The Division of Manufacturing Engineering is established within the department
Sept. 1, 1991
The Mechanical Engineering Department relocates to the Petro Canada building in the Research Park on the north end of our main campus
Jan. 1, 1993
Dr. Richard Rowe steps in as our acting head
July 1, 1994
Dr. Graham Reader becomes our department head
Feb. 6, 1998
Our name change to the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering is approved by the University of Calgary's Board of Governors
June 1, 1998
Our first BSc in Manufacturing Engineering students graduate along with our first petroleum minor students
Sept. 1, 1998
Our full-year design course for fourth-year students is introduced
Jan. 1, 1999
Dr. Peihua Gu becomes our department head
Sept. 1, 2002
Our minor in mechatronics is introduced
Nov. 1, 2005
Dr. Ron Hugo becomes our acting department head
July 1, 2006
Dr. Hugo is appointed as our department head
Jan. 1, 2014
Dr. Marcelo Epstein steps in as our interim department head
Jan. 1, 2015
Dr. Robert Brennan is appointed as our department head
Sept. 1, 2018
A full-scale renovation of the Mechanical Engineering building is complete, with new labs, offices, meeting spaces and facilities throughout the entire building
Jan. 1, 2020
Dr. Janet Ronsky is appointed as our department head
Jan. 1, 2021
Dr. Qiao Sun is appointed as our department head
July 1, 2022
Dr. Philip Egberts steps in as our acting department head
July 1, 2023
Dr. Qiao Sun resumes her appointed as our department head