Our planet is in need of clean and renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, geothermal, tidal and biomass. Carleton University’s program in Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering provides you with the analytical, technical and marketing skills needed to design, build, operate and enhance sustainable energy systems. Teaching you fundamentals that will allow you to work in either Mechanical or Electrical engineering, this program is designed to hone your knowledge in a crucial sector. If you would like to participate in the development of environmentally responsible and economically beneficial solutions for energy generation, distribution and usage—this could be the engineering program for you.
The Carleton Advantage
The Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree program in Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering offers:
- a problem-solving approach to learning, as well as a professional focus on sustainability and renewable energy technologies;
- the opportunity to follow one of two study streams suited to your background and interests;
- a challenging final-year design project that brings together knowledge, skills and expertise gained in the program; and
- generous scholarships to high-standing applicants.
Our Laboratory and Research Facilities
Carleton University laboratory, fabrication and computer facilities are state-of-the-art. You will have access to:
- an energy, combustion and air emissions laboratory;
- a fuel cell development laboratory;
- a thermodynamics/energy conversion laboratory;
- a power electronics and smart grids laboratory; and
- Carleton’s microfabrication facility for photovoltaics and power harvesting.
Your Co-op Opportunities
As a student in the Sustainable & Renewable Energy Engineering program you will have the opportunity to apply to the Co-operative Education Program. Co-op integrates degree-related, paid work terms into your degree program. A minimum of four work terms are required to obtain the Co-op designation on your degree. Often, the four consecutive work terms following third year take place with the same employer.
Our program is associated with a number of public and private organizations craving expertise in sustainable and renewable energy, giving students valuable work experience and contacts that will benefit them in the future.
The pattern of work and study terms for the co-op option is shown in the following table.
| Calendar Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
| 1 | study term 1 | study term 2 | |
| 2 | study term 3 | study term 4 | work term |
| 3 | study term 5 | study term 6 | work term |
| 4 | work term | work term | work term |
| 5 | study term 7 | study term 8 |
Choosing the Right Program
The BEng program in Sustainable & Renewable Energy Engineering is fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. When you graduate from the program, you will meet the educational requirements for registration as a professional engineer.
There are two streams in the program:
- Stream A: Smart Technologies for Power Generation and Distribution
- Stream B: Efficient Energy Generation and Conversion
Both streams provide a solid core of courses and laboratory work that will prepare you for a successful professional career in industry and the public sector or for further studies at advanced levels. Stream A emphasizes Electrical Engineering aspects of the energy sector, while Stream B emphasizes Mechanical Engineering. Courses in basic and applied science, in combination with topics such as electronics, systems, environmental issues, heat transfer and thermodynamics (depending on your chosen stream) will give you the technical and professional tools to deal with the challenges of the energy field.
Course Structure
The courses of a typical Sustainable & Renewable Energy program are shown below.
(A) – Course taken in Stream A only
(B) – Course taken in Stream B only
Note: As study terms and courses offered may vary, please refer to the Carleton University Undergraduate Calendar for specific program requirements.
Your Future Opportunities
Graduates from the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering program find challenging positions in energy intensive industries and related government agencies,
including power utilities, generating facilities, distribution networks, smart grids and the construction industry. They are also in demand by manufacturers of materials and equipment for renewable energy projects, the hybrid vehicle design industry, and emerging service industries specializing in energy efficiency, to name only a few.
Alumni Feature
Matthew Woods, 2020 graduate and Energy EIT/Project Manager at WalterFedy.
The role Matt is in now as an Engineering Intern (EIT) for WalterFedy has him working through complex issues for various clients. As a sustainable and renewable energy engineering graduate, Matt has had an advantage in the workplace because his skillset is coveted by employers who are looking for graduates with a background in mechanical engineering reinforced with sustainability experience.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Sustainable & Renewable Energy Engineering program, you must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including a minimum of six 4U/M courses.
Your six courses must include four prerequisite courses:
- Advanced Functions
- Chemistry
- Physics
- One of the following:
- Calculus and Vectors (strongly recommended for applicants to all engineering programs)
- Biology
- Earth and Space Science
Although it is not an admission requirement, at least one 4U course in either English or French is recommended. Equivalent courses may be substituted at the appropriate 4U level.
Since the number of qualified applicants may be greater than the number of available spaces, cut-off averages and required marks may vary.
If you are from outside Ontario, or outside Canada, please visit Carleton’s Undergraduate Admissions website for details on your specific program’s requirements.