In May, on the CEAB’s recommendation, the Engineers Canada Board approved a motion to change Criterion 3.4.6 to reduce the minimum required accreditation units (AUs) in a program from 1,950 to 1,850. The CEAB had also approved a motion to change Appendix 7, Interpretive statement on Accreditation Unit Categories, to account for the 100 AU reduction.

The reduction does not affect the minimum required subtotal of 1,545 AUs—the number arising from the five curriculum components (mathematics, natural sciences, complementary studies, engineering science, and engineering design)—but rather those beyond this number. These have been lowered from 405 to 305 AUs.

AU category

Minimum AU required

Mathematics

195

Natural sciences

195

Mathematics and natural science

420

Engineering science

225

Engineering design

225

Engineering science and engineering design

900

Complementary studies

225

Sub-total

1,545

TOTAL AU

1,950 1,850

 

The revised criterion will be effective starting in the 2021/2022 accreditation visit cycle, and, therefore, will be reflected in the 2020 Accreditation Criteria and Procedures Book to be published later this year.

This action results from recommendations coming out of the 2019 consultation on the Curriculum content measurement: Beyond the AU. To learn more about the paper’s recommendations, and to read the consultation summary, please visit our website.