Master of Engineering (MEng) emphasis:

Forensic Engineering

Questions?

If you have questions about the Forensic Engineering emphasis please contact the Department of Materials Science & Engineering:

Email: materials.engineering@utoronto.ca

Tel: 416-978-3012

For more information, visit the MEng emphases FAQ page »

Forensic engineers are trained to logically investigate and analyze data from disasters, accidents and failures, and present an unbiased assessment of what the underlying cause may have been using deductive methodologies. 

The Forensic Engineering emphasis creates a unique opportunity for students to gain specialized expertise and recognition for a personal and professional commitment to enhance engineering investigation skills that will compliment design skills learned in other courses. Forensic engineers investigate accidents and failures commonly causing personal injury and/or monetary loss – the consequences of which are normally dealt with in a court of law.

Forensic engineering training goes well beyond the expert witness in the courtroom and is a part of professional engineering practice that intersects all disciplines of engineering.

Forensic engineering skills are highly valuable in the assessment of deterioration in infrastructure, product quality and procedural practice improvement as a result of investigations, direct impact on improving engineering design practices and revision of codes and standards to improve public safety.

Students who complete the requirements of the emphasis will have it notated on their transcript.

Program Eligiblity

Graduate students registered in the following MEng programs can specialize in the forensic engineering emphasis:

You cannot apply to the emphasis directly as a standalone program. If you are a prospective student, you can learn more about applying to our MEng programs here. 

Careers

Graduates who complete the Forensic Engineering emphasis are employed by companies in areas including:

aerospace,
construction,
consulting,
environmental services,
forensics
manufacturing,
transportation

and more.

Some of the first roles our graduates secure are:

Manager
Materials manager
Metallurgist
Railyway systems engineer
Safety engineer

The MEng with Forensic Engineering emphasis is not just giving me unique practical skills; it's also giving me a competitive edge in the job market. It's preparing me for specialized roles where the legal system and engineering intersect, setting me up for my dream career. The highlight of my studies at U of T have been the hands-on projects in the forensic engineering and aircraft investigation courses. These experiences have been incredibly engaging and insightful.

Ann Maria Pius, BME MEng student

Emphasis Requirements

MEng students can earn an emphasis in Forensic Engineering by completing four courses, including one core course and three elective courses.

Some courses may satisfy the requirements of multiple emphases. Students may double-count a maximum of one course towards the requirements of any two emphases.

Students cannot earn more than two emphases.

Core Course

MSE1031H: Forensic Engineering

Elective Courses

AER 1604H: Air Accident Investigation
APS 1034H: Making Sense of Accidents
APS 1039H: Enterprise Risk Management
APS 1040H: Quality Control for Engineering Management
APS 1101H: System Dynamic Risk Management
BME 1800H: Biomedical Product Development I
BME 1801H: Biomedical Product Development II
BME 1802H: Applying Human Factors to the Design of Medical Devices
BME 1480H: Experimental Design & Multivariate Analysis
CHE 561H: Risk Based Safety Management
CHE 568H: Nuclear Engineering
CHE 1213H: Corrosion
CHE 1431H: Environmental Auditing
CHE 1432H: Technical Aspects of Environmental Regulations
CHE 1434H: Six Sigma for Chemical Processes
CHE 1436: Risk Assessment for Chemical Process and Safety
CIV 510H: Solid Mechanics II
CIV 518H: Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures
CIV 1163H: Mechanics of Reinforced Concrete
CIV 1171H: Principles of Earthquake Engineering and Seismic Design
CIV 1174H: Finite Element Methods in Structural Mechanics
CIV 1190H: Structures Under Blast and Impact
CIV 1201H: Concrete Technology and Non-Destructive Testing Principles
CIV 1279H: Construction Contract Documents
CIV 1282H: Case Studies in Building Science
CIV 1422H: Dynamic Response of Engineering Materials

CIV 1429H: Advanced Rock Engineering: Fractured Rock Masses
JMB 1050H: Biological & Bio-Inspired Materials
JNC 2503H: Environmental Pathways
MSE 1015H: Mechanical Properties of Solids I
MSE 1016H: Mechanical Properties of Solids II
MSE 1022H: Materials Issues & Application of Advanced Materials in Nuclear Systems
MSE 1032H: Atomistic Modelling of Materials
MSE 1067: Materials Failure
MIE 507H: Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Fundamentals (formerly MIE1224H)
MIE 533H: Waves and Their Applications in Non-Destructive Testing and Imaging
MIE 566H: Decision Analysis
MIE 1301H: Solid Mechanics
MIE 1303H: Fracture Mechanics
MIE 1411H: Design of Work Places (exclusion MIE343)
MIE 1414H: Human Factors in Transportation
MIE 1514H: Systems Design and Engineering: A Product Perspective
MIE 1616H: Research Topics in Healthcare Engineering
MIE 1708H: Collision Reconstruction
MIE 1713H: Analysis and Design of Joints in Manufactured Products
MIE 1714H: Failure Analysis
MIE 1721H: Reliability
MIE 1723H: Engineering Maintenance Management
MIE 1727H: Statistical Methods of Quality Control
MIE 1804H: The Finite Element Method in Mechanical Engineering