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Engineering I (Discovery Track)

McMaster University

Engineering: blue ink subject illustration
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Checked 2026-11-05

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Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadline

  • OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades

    2027 entry

    School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry
  • No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
  • No single OUAC deadline
  • University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply
Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites
  • ENG4UEnglish
  • MCV4UCalculus and Vectors
  • SCH4UChemistry
  • SPH4UPhysics
  • Complete the OSSD and six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the four named prerequisites. Co-op grades are excluded.
  • McMaster considers applicants with an average of at least 87% and a completed supplementary application. Selection depends on the applicant pool.
McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
Application steps

Entry terms · Fall (September)

Full-time first-year Engineering I Discovery and direct-entry tracks for September 2027.

McMaster Engineering · Fall 2027 entry tracks
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissionsMcMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
  2. Step 2Apply through OUAC
    • Create your application and select this program.
    OUACOUAC
  3. Step 3Academic documents for your applicant category
    • Canadian high school applicants outside Ontario upload the requested records to the Applicant Portal. Uploaded records can support initial review; accepted conditional offers require final official transcripts. Current Ontario high school applicants follow the separate instructions rather than sending unrequested records.
    McMaster transcripts and documentsMcMaster transcripts and documents
  4. Step 4English test results, if required
    • When English proficiency evidence is required, IELTS, TOEFL and other accepted test results must come directly from the testing centre.
    McMaster direct submission of language resultsMcMaster direct submission of language results
  5. Step 5Select Engineering I Discovery Track (MED) if you want to choose your discipline after first year.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissionsMcMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
  6. Step 6Rank up to two options within one Engineering application. McMaster only considers your alternate if it cannot offer your preferred option.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissionsMcMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
  7. Step 7Check the McMaster Applicant Portal for any documents required for your applicant category.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissionsMcMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
  8. Step 8Submit the Kira Talent assessment with three recorded video responses and one written response.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissionsMcMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
Applicant pathways
Ontario high school

Ontario high school applicants

  • Complete the OSSD and six Grade 12 U/M courses, including ENG4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U.
  • McMaster excludes co-op grades from admission calculations.
McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
Discovery and direct entry

Fall 2027 Engineering I applicants

  • Discovery and the direct tracks complete the same Engineering I year. Discovery students rank disciplines after first year.
  • McMaster uses first-year grades, preferences and available space for Discovery allocation. Free Choice admission has separate conditions.
  • McMaster lists Nuclear Engineering among the direct tracks. The published calendar lists it as pending Ministry approval.
McMaster Engineering · Fall 2027 entry tracks
Engineering supplementary application

Engineering I high-school applicants and designated upper-level applicants

  • Kira Talent uses three recorded video questions and one written question. Each video gives 10 seconds to prepare and two minutes to respond. The written response gives seven minutes.
  • One supplementary submission covers multiple eligible Faculty of Engineering applications.
  • First-year high-school applicants submit by January 28, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Upper-level Engineering transfers and second-degree applicants submit by April 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
McMaster Engineering · Fall 2027 Kira application
IB subjects and Ontario prerequisites

Ontario OSSD applicants presenting individual IB courses; full IB Diploma admission remains a separate curriculum route

  • Individual IB courses may be considered if you also complete a recognized secondary-school qualification. The full IB Diploma is a separate admission curriculum.
  • Where your program requires mathematics, Analysis and Approaches SL satisfies MHF4U and MCV4U. Analysis and Approaches HL or Applications and Interpretation HL satisfies MHF4U, MCV4U and MDM4U.
  • Applications and Interpretation SL satisfies MHF4U and MDM4U; the published equivalency does not include MCV4U. Use the subject prerequisites for your chosen program.
McMaster current IB certificate eligibility and published Ontario mathematics equivalencies
Ontario course formats and repeated-course review

Ontario high-school applicants; exact programme prerequisites remain controlling

  • Summer school, online, night and correspondence courses from a Ministry-accredited institution can be used without penalty. Summer courses immediately before September entry cannot be used for that admission.
  • For up to two repeated courses, McMaster uses the highest reported mark. More than two repeated courses or one course taken three or more times may require an explanatory letter. Courses completed after June 30 before the fall intake are excluded.
mcmaster ontario policy · official applicant policy
McMaster English Language Diploma alternative

Ontario applicants who do not meet the published English-proficiency requirement

  • The Ontario applicant page directs an applicant who does not meet English proficiency to consider changing the OUAC programme choice to the McMaster English Language Diploma (MELD). MELD is a separate choice with its own requirements; this is not a waiver or a promise of entry into every held bachelor programme.
mcmaster ontario policy · official applicant policy

Degree requirements

Required courses and electives
  • Engineering I requires 37 units, including 31 core units and 6 approved complementary studies elective units. Complete WHMIS as well.
ReferencesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I effective Fall 2027, printed pp. 73–76McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I Discovery and Direct Entry progression, printed p. 71McMaster Engineering · common first-year academic advisingMcMaster Engineering · complementary studies electivesMcMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedulesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109McMaster · Nuclear Engineering degree
Grades and academic standing
  • Progressing to Level II requires the 31 core units and a cumulative GPA of at least 4.0 on the 12-point scale.
  • Discovery students rank Level II programs. Placement depends on GPA, preference order and available seats. A direct-entry track normally leads to its corresponding Level II program.
ReferencesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I effective Fall 2027, printed pp. 73–76McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I Discovery and Direct Entry progression, printed p. 71McMaster Engineering · common first-year academic advisingMcMaster Engineering · complementary studies electivesMcMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedulesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109McMaster · Nuclear Engineering degree
Credits and degree requirements
  • Students entering Level II follow the calendar in effect in their year of Level II entry.
  • Engineering & Management requires a separate competitive Level II application and at least 63% in ECON 1B03. Engineering & Society also requires a competitive Level II application.
ReferencesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I effective Fall 2027, printed pp. 73–76McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I Discovery and Direct Entry progression, printed p. 71McMaster Engineering · common first-year academic advisingMcMaster Engineering · complementary studies electivesMcMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedulesMcMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109McMaster · Nuclear Engineering degree

Program facts

Academic minimum87% minimum
McMaster Engineering I Discovery Track · 2027/28 Ontario admissions
Co-opOptional co-op · 12 verified work months for the designation

Co-op is optional in each Engineering I track. A co-op designation requires at least 12 months of verified work, equivalent to three four-month terms.

University work-study information
McMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedulesCheck work experience options

Majors & specializations

Discovery students rank disciplines after completing the common Engineering I year. The published Nuclear Engineering plan remains conditional on Ministry approval.

Engineering & Management

BEng

Apply after first year to combine eligible engineering disciplines with business and management in a five-year degree.

Published requirements

Courses

Fall 2027 Engineering I across all Discovery and direct-entry tracks. Course list covers the common 31-unit core and WHMIS. Six approved elective units complete first year.

Engineering I · common first year8 listed

37 units: 31 core units and 6 approved complementary studies elective units. WHMIS is also required.

  • CHEM 1E03General Chemistry For Engineering I3 credits

    Explore bonding, chemical structure, energy and electrochemistry.

  • ENGINEER 1P13Integrated Cornerstone Design Projects In Engineering13 credits

    Work in teams on design projects combining computation, communication and sustainability.

  • MATH 1ZA3Engineering Mathematics I3 credits

    Learn differentiation, optimization and integration with applications.

  • MATH 1ZB3Engineering Mathematics Ii-A3 credits

    Extend calculus into differential equations, series, polar coordinates and partial derivatives.

  • MATH 1ZC3Engineering Mathematics Ii-B3 credits

    Study linear systems, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and complex numbers.

  • PHYSICS 1D03Introductory Mechanics3 credits

    Study mechanics including Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotation and harmonic motion.

  • PHYSICS 1E03Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields3 credits

    Study oscillations, waves, interference, circuits, electric potential and magnetic fields.

  • WHMIS 1A00Introduction to Health and Safety0 credits

    Learn laboratory safety practices and hazardous-materials information procedures.

McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Engineering I effective Fall 2027, printed pp. 73–76
Co-op preparation1 listed

For students enrolled in co-op. Students admitted to co-op through OUAC are enrolled in the first fall term.

  • ENGINEER 1EE0Introduction to Career Planning & Employment0 credits

    Prepare for work through career planning, job searches, résumés and interviews.

McMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedules
Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering

published Level II plan10 listed

35 units. McMaster's calendar also lists NUCLST 1N03 for progression to Nuclear Engineering.

  • ENGPHYS 2A04Electricity and Magnetism4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 2CD4Computational Mechanics: Dynamics4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 2E04Analog and Digital Circuits4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 2NE3Thermal Systems Design3 credits
  • ENGPHYS 2NM4Numerical Methods for Engineering4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 2P04Computational Mechanics: Statics4 credits
  • NUCLST 2N03Nuclear Technology & Society3 credits
  • ENGINEER 2PX3Engineering: Communications and Social Impact3 credits
  • MATH 2Z03Engineering Mathematics III3 credits
  • MATH 2ZZ3Engineering Mathematics IV3 credits
McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109
published Level III plan10 listed

35 units.

  • ENGPHYS 3CM4Computational Multiphysics4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 3ES3Introduction to Energy Systems3 credits
  • ENGPHYS 3L04Engineering Metrology4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 3MB4Embedded Systems4 credits
  • ENGPHYS 3W03Signals and Systems for Engineering3 credits
  • MATLS 3M03Mechanical Behaviour of Materials3 credits
  • NUCENG 3D04Principles of Nuclear Engineering4 credits

    Explore fission, radioactivity and interactions of radiation with matter. Labs use the McMaster Nuclear Reactor.

  • NUCENG 3O04Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer: Introduction4 credits
  • NUCENG 4P03Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation3 credits
  • ENGINEER 3PX3Engineering Economics3 credits
McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109
published Level IV plan8 listed

36–38 units, including 6–8 approved technical elective units.

  • ENGINEER 4A03Ethics, Equity and Law in Engineering3 credits
  • MATLS 4ME3Material Degradation in Nuclear Environment3 credits
  • NUCENG 4AN6 A/BNuclear Engineering Design and Synthesis Project6 credits

    Develop and model a solution to a nuclear engineering problem in a year-long team capstone.

  • NUCENG 4D04Nuclear Reactor Physics4 credits
  • NUCENG 4FC3Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Waste Management3 credits

    Study fuel production, properties, reprocessing and failure detection.

  • NUCENG 4NE3Advanced Nuclear Engineering3 credits
  • NUCENG 4RP4Radiation Protection and Health Physics4 credits
  • NUCENG 4TH4Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer: Nuclear Thermalhydraulics4 credits
McMaster Undergraduate Calendar · Nuclear Engineering BEng, printed pp. 108–109
Elective choices
  • Complete 6 units of approved complementary studies electives in the Engineering I plan.
  • Students entering Engineering & Management need ECON 1B03. The chosen Level II degree determines later complementary and technical electives.
Study routes

Discovery students rank disciplines after completing the common Engineering I year. The published Nuclear Engineering plan remains conditional on Ministry approval.

  • Discovery Track
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Physics
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Software Engineering
Study locations
Published academic-unit location
The Registrar’s academic-advising directory lists the Faculty of Engineering office in John Hodgins Engineering Building, H-301. This is an academic contact office; individual Engineering course rooms are separate.Mcmaster: named eng academic-unit location

Careers

Career examples

  • Civil Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Transportation Engineer

Employers in student profiles

6
  • Aecon
  • EllisDon
  • Hatch Ltd.
  • Ericsson Canada Inc.
  • IBM
  • SOTI Inc.
Employers in student profilesPublished career informationMcMaster · Civil Engineering careers and co-op examplesMcMaster · Software Engineering careers and co-op examplesMcMaster · Nuclear Engineering degreeEngineers Canada · McMaster accredited engineering degreesMcMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedules
Scope and qualifications

Civil, Software and Nuclear Engineering publish potential careers. The listed employers are examples from McMaster’s Civil and Software Engineering co-op pages.

Selected Civil, Software and Nuclear Engineering career examples, with sample co-op employers from the Civil and Software Engineering pages. Accreditation is degree-specific.

Professional recognition

Engineers Canada lists the established Engineering degrees separately, including Chemical and Bioengineering. Accreditation for Management and Society applies to the engineering component. Nuclear Engineering does not appear in the current McMaster list.

Scope and qualifications

Selected Civil, Software and Nuclear Engineering career examples, with sample co-op employers from the Civil and Software Engineering pages. Accreditation is degree-specific.

AccreditationPublished professional recognitionMcMaster · Civil Engineering careers and co-op examplesMcMaster · Software Engineering careers and co-op examplesMcMaster · Nuclear Engineering degreeEngineers Canada · McMaster accredited engineering degreesMcMaster Engineering · undergraduate co-op rules and schedules

Costs

Engineering I

Published cost estimate

2026–27 · Full-time first-year calculator estimate · CAD

Ontario students example · Choose your category

Tuition$12,694.70 est.
Books and supplies$1,215 est.
Residence
Residence
Not estimated
Meal plan
Not estimated
Estimated subtotalNot available

University calculator estimates · Ancillary fees excluded

Housing and meals are outside this estimate.

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