Faculty of Applied Sciences

About Faculty of Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences at Simon Fraser University is an academic division located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, with additional undergraduate and graduate academic programs delivered at the university's Surrey and Vancouver campuses. Established alongside the growth of Simon Fraser University’s specialized technical faculties, the Faculty of Applied Sciences focuses on education, research, and innovation in engineering, computing, and technology-related disciplines. It operates under the governance of Simon Fraser University, a public research university accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The faculty’s primary mission centers on providing rigorous academic instruction, fostering interdisciplinary research, and preparing students for professional careers in the technology and engineering sectors through practical and theoretical coursework.

Academic offerings within the Faculty of Applied Sciences are organized across several main departments and schools, including the School of Computing Science, the School of Engineering Science, the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, and the Sustainable Energy Engineering program. The School of Computing Science offers undergraduate and graduate degrees covering core areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, theoretical computer science, and human-computer interaction. The engineering divisions provide specialized undergraduate programs leading to Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in areas including biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electronics engineering, engineering physics, systems engineering, mechatronic systems engineering, and sustainable energy engineering. Graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels are also offered across all departments, emphasizing advanced research, technological development, and specialized industry applications.

The educational programs within the Faculty of Applied Sciences are structured to meet national and international professional standards. The undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, a standing committee of Engineers Canada, which ensures that graduates fulfill the academic requirements necessary to pursue registration as Professional Engineers in Canada. Similarly, specific computing science degree options hold accreditation through the Computer Science Accreditation Council of the Canadian Information Processing Society. The curriculum integrates fundamental mathematics, physical sciences, and computational theory with applied design projects, practical laboratory work, and mandatory or optional cooperative education work terms. The cooperative education program allows students to complete paid, relevant industry work terms as part of their degree requirements, connecting classroom instruction with practical professional experience.

Facilities across the campuses support the research and teaching objectives of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. On the main Burnaby campus, the faculty utilizes specialized laboratories, high-performance computing clusters, hardware testing facilities, and dedicated project space for robotics, microelectronics, and software development. The Surrey campus houses facilities tailored to mechatronics and sustainable energy engineering, including specialized labs for clean technology development, advanced manufacturing, smart grid testing, and integrated mechanical-electronic design. These spaces are equipped with industry-standard software, fabrication equipment, testing instruments, and computational tools designed to support both undergraduate instruction and faculty-led research projects.

Research strengths within the Faculty of Applied Sciences span a range of technical and scientific fields. Major areas of research activity include machine learning, computer vision, data mining, robotics, biomedical signal processing, telecommunications, micro-electro-mechanical systems, quantum computing applications, and clean energy technologies. Faculty members and graduate students collaborate with public and private sector organizations, government agencies, and international research institutions. Research funding is secured through national granting councils such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and various provincial and industry research partnerships. These research activities contribute to scientific publications, technological patents, and industrial solutions.

Student admission to the Faculty of Applied Sciences is competitive and based on academic achievement, particularly in secondary or post-secondary mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing courses. The faculty provides academic advising, career services, mentorship initiatives, and support for student-led technical organizations and competitive teams, such as robotics clubs, satellite design teams, and software development groups. By maintaining structured academic frameworks, industry-aligned accreditations, and modern laboratory infrastructure, the Faculty of Applied Sciences functions as a core component of Simon Fraser University’s science and technology education model in Western Canada.