Overview
The Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies (MEng SGST) is a unique graduate program aimed at providing students with the competencies required to conduct research, plan, design, implement, maintain, commission, and operate Smart Grid systems and applications in the electric utility and related sectors.
About the program
The MEng in SGST program leverages BCIT’s decade long research results, domain expertise, world-class infrastructure, seasoned faculty, and strategic partnerships with industry. Graduates of MEng in SGST will develop hands-on knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts involved in Smart Grid technologies employed in Critical Infrastructure, including applications in renewable energies, green transportation, and smart cities.
Who it’s for
The program caters to professionals currently employed in the industry, as well as those interested in continuing their education. As a BCIT Flexible Learning (formerly Part-time Studies) program, MEng SGST enables students to enrich and complement their Smart Grid domain knowledge outside normal working hours without interfering with their current jobs, thereby preparing them for exciting future careers in the carbon-constrained economy of the new millennia. MEng SGST’s learning outcomes are achieved through a combination of theoretical studies, complemented with hands-on project work at BCIT or in industry.
What grads can do
The program prepares students with the skills and capacity to combine knowledge from several areas traditionally taught in separate programs, including electrical power systems, computer science, and ICT (information and communications technology) to address strategic challenges, which the utility industry across the world faces in reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to Green Economy.
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Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted:
- October 1st* to April 15th*
- April 16th* to June 30th*
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: Effective Fall 2024, BCIT will implement English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories for programs requiring a minimum of English 12 with 50%, 67%, or 73% into Categories 1,2,3, and Graduate Studies. This will allow students who have met their English Language Proficiency requirements using a method other than BC Secondary School English to easily see the equivalent option for their desired program. Applications submitted for intakes scheduled to start on or after September 1, 2024, (or received starting October 1, 2023 for programs with rolling start dates) will be evaluated using the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories. The ELP categories replace the previous English requirements.
Competitive Entry: Two-step process
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: one of the following:
- Two years of full-time post-secondary education in English in an English-speaking country with 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities, or social sciences (67%) from a recognized institution or
- View other ways to meet the English requirement
- Entry options: one of the following:
Option 1: standard entry- Post-secondary education: bachelor’s degree in electrical or electronics engineering, with a minimum GPA of 2.8 out of 4.0 (70%) based on the entire program.
Option 2: alternate entry
Alternate Entry is for applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree in electrical or electronic engineering and may need to take bridging courses before being accepted to the program. Applicants are required to have the following post-secondary education:
- Post-secondary education: bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.8 out of 4.0 (70%) in a relevant discipline, such as: software engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, information, or communications technology.
Alternate entry applicants must complete a Pre-entry Assessment form to have their education, experience, and interest assessed by the program. After the review, bridging courses may be recommended for the applicant to take to apply for the program.
- Email a completed Pre-entry Assessment form [PDF] to: meng_sgst@bcit.ca.
- You may be requested to send additional documents or meet with the program head.
- Once your pre-entry assessment has been approved, submit it to your online application.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department Review
All complete applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Selection Committee and ranked on a competitive basis. The applicants that are best suited for success in the program will be offered acceptance.
Only complete applications that include all the required supporting documentation will be evaluated.
For engineering disciplines outside of electrical and electronics you may need to, or it may be identified that, you require a bridging course to get accepted and succeed in the program. We have developed and recommend BCIT’s ELEX 0101 online course: Modern Power System and Circuit Fundamentals, providing the fundamentals of electric circuits and systems.
Recommended for success
Applicants with sufficient knowledge base in electrical power systems, computer science, or ICT (information and communications technology) will have a higher chance of being successful in this program. Since admission into the program will be on a competitive basis, applicants with relevant industry experience will have an advantage due to the applied nature of the program.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Students who are unable to complete the capstone project with their valid status in Canada must take online elective courses to fulfill this program requirement.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees pages for more information:
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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- Next up Courses
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
1. Required courses (27.0 credits): |
Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
Seminars (0 credits): | |||
SGST 9010 | Applied Research Methods, Policies, and Ethics | ||
SGST 9020 | Applied Research Proposal Development | ||
Applications (9.0 credits): | |||
SGST 9110 | Introduction to Smart Electricity Grids | 3.0 | |
SGST 9120 | Modern Electric Utility Systems Management | 3.0 | |
SGST 9130 | Smart Cities and Sustainable Transportation | 3.0 | |
Interfaces (9.0 credits): | |||
SGST 9210 | Advanced Power Systems Analysis | 3.0 | |
SGST 9220 | Information & Communication Technology in Electric Utilities | 3.0 | |
SGST 9230 | Power System Protection & Control | 3.0 | |
Components: complete three courses from the following (9.0 credits): | |||
SGST 9310 | Microgrid Design, Operation & Control | 3.0 | |
SGST 9320 | Renewable & Distributed Energy Systems | 3.0 | |
SGST 9330 | Data Acquisition and Analytics in Electric Utilities | 3.0 | |
SGST 9340 | Energy Storage & Power Electronics | 3.0 | |
2. Capstone project or electives option (6.0 credits): |
Credits | ||
Choose one of the following options: Complete the capstone project. |
|||
SGST 9410 | Capstone Project | 6.0 | |
Or Complete 6.0 credits of electives. You may choose to take the below directed studies course, an additional course from the above Components cluster, or another relevant master’s-level course in an accredited program. |
|||
SGST 9430 | Directed Studies in Smart Grid (Elective Course) | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 33.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
Program length
This program is offered on a part-time basis.
Students can complete the program in as little as four terms (18 months) and have a maximum of five years to complete the program requirements.
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online and is offered on a course-by-course basis.
Delivery methods for each course will be tailored to specific learning outcomes.
Courses are delivered in a format that combines online synchronous and asynchronous learning activities, team-based and individual projects, and laboratory experience with the SGST equipment and apparatus accessible remotely.
Given the significance of BCIT’s current training assets on Burnaby campus, efforts are underway to make such assets safely and securely accessible to students as virtual platforms.
Program location
Courses are offered through distance and online learning.
Program structure
Components | Credits |
---|---|
1. Course work
|
27.0 |
2. Capstone project or elective option
|
6.0 |
Total | 33.0 |
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Graduating & Jobs
Graduates of the proposed program could be employed as engineers and engineering managers in support of the electric utility sector, including consulting firms, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), government agencies, think tanks, and the electric utility companies.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Ali Palizban, PhD, PEng
Program Head
Tel: 604-451-6924
Email: Ali_Palizban@bcit.ca
Staff
Matthew Pedley, BASc, PEng
Associate Dean
Tel: 604-432-8976
Email: Matthew_Pedley@bcit.ca
Rosmin Gilani
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8369
Email: rgilani@bcit.ca
Selina Li
Program Assistant
Tel: 604-456-8027
Email: meng_sgst@bcit.ca
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- Next up SGST Fees
SGST Fees
The total tuition is approximately $32,000.00 for domestic students. BCIT Flexible Learning (formerly Part-time Studies) courses for international students will carry three times the tuition fee. For more information, please review the Tuition for Flexible Learning section of the International Students – Tuition & Fees page.
Books & supplies
The approximate cost for recommended textbooks is $800 per semester.
(General estimated cost, subject to change)
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Contact Us
Selina Li
Program Assistant
Tel: 604-456-8027
Email: selina_li@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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