School of Architechture
“Create the blueprints for a great career.” In one of North America’s top schools of architecture, you’ll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you can combine it all with co-op. However, the core of pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. You’ll get your own dedicated space in our studio where you’ll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects. Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression. It all happens in a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 kilometres south of the main Waterloo campus, complete with labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.
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Sample First Year Courses
ARCH 126 – Environmental Building Design
ARCH 113 – Visual and Digital Media 2
ARCH 142 – Introduction to Cultural History
ARCH 110 – Visual and Digital Media 1
ARCH 120 – An Introduction to Architectural Ideas and Communications
ARCH 172 – Building Construction 1
ARCH 173 – Building Construction 2
ARCH 192 – Design Studio
ARCH 193 – Design Studio
ARCH 143 – Settlements, Sanctuaries, and Cities
Sample Upper Year Courses
ARCH 327 – Architecture of the Urban Environment
ARCH 212 – Digital Fabrication
ARCH 246 – Cultural Encounters 600-1600
ARCH 442 – Contemporary Architectural Theory
Sample Co-op Jobs
3D architectural visualization artist
Architectural designer
Intern architect
Architectural student
Architectural assistant
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Product designer
Urban designer
Project manager
Associate architect
Architectural Engineering
If you have strong artistic and creative abilities combined with a solid background in math and science, architectural engineering could be the perfect field for you. This discipline bridges architecture and civil engineering, focusing on the science and engineering principles behind building design and construction. As a student, you'll study mechanics, structural analysis, and structural design, with a strong emphasis on math during the first two years. You'll also learn about energy efficiency, sustainable building practices, and smart/green technologies, equipping you to create structures that are not only safe and functional but also environmentally responsible and efficient.
Architectural Engineering
“Build better buildings - and a brighter career in the process.” Combine engineering expertise with architectural savvy to boost the energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability of buildings. In Waterloo's newest engineering program, you'll learn how to design, renovate, and retrofit flexible buildings that adapt to different needs. And have the opportunity to combine it all with co-op. You'll cover all the science and engineering that goes into good building design, including mechanics, structural analysis, structural design and more. In third year, you'll study at Waterloo's world-class School of Architecture, deepening your understanding of aesthetics, culture, and other elements of design. As a result, you'll graduate speaking the language of both engineers and architects — a skill that will put you on the fast track to leadership in the building design industry.
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Sample First Year Courses
AE 125 – Structural Design Studio
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
AE 199 – Seminar
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
AE 100 – Concepts Studio
AE 104 – Mechanics 1
AE 105 – Mechanics 2
AE 115 – Linear Algebra
AE 121 – Computational Methods
AE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
AE 101 – History of the Built Environment
Sample Upper Year Courses
AE 200 – Enclosure Design Studio
AE 265 – Structure and Properties of Materials
AE 377 – Structural Timber Design
CIVE 507 – Building Science and Technology
Sample Co-op Jobs
Building Science Restoration Project Coordinator
Design and Energy Performance Specialist
Energy Sustainability Engineering Assistant
Jr. Conservation Management Coordinator
Microclimate Coordinator
Residential Engineering Designer
Architectural Engineering/BIM Consultant
Building Envelope/Structural Technician
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Acoustical engineer
Building Information Modeling (BIM) specialist
Building inspector
Building systems engineer
Construction project manager
Facade engineer
Lighting engineer
Structural engineer
Sustainability consultant
Urban planner
Civil Engineering
The Architectural Engineering program will focus heavily on building design. In contrast, Civil Engineering is a more general field with more breadth. The Civil Engineering curriculum includes design of all large municipal infrastructure components. Students in both programs will take courses in structural analysis and design (i.e. how to determine forces in structures and size their members, connections, etc.). Architectural Engineering students will also take courses on building science and systems, such as HVAC, in the place of courses that Civil Engineering students take on transportation networks, water distribution systems, geotechnical engineering and more. Architectural Engineering students will be able to work for design consulting firms specializing in the design, construction, renovation and rehabilitation of buildings. Civil Engineers are more likely to get jobs with municipalities, provincial highway authorities and construction companies. There is certainly some overlap between these programs. However, the Architectural Engineering program has been developed to address highly specified issues particular to building construction.
School of Architechture
The Architectural Engineering program will be an accredited engineering program, so graduates will be able to start working towards P.Eng status. Course content-wise, the program is actually closer to Civil Engineering than Architecture. Courses will cover content on mechanics, structural analysis and structural design, as well as heavy math content in the first two years. Architectural Engineering graduates will have a better understanding of the science and engineering behind good building design – not just the structural aspects, but also energy efficiency, sustainable building design and smart/green building design. Architectural Engineering only covers enough about the aesthetic aspects of building design to be able to communicate intelligently with architects in their own language on this subject. In Architecture, these aesthetic aspects are a much greater focus.
Biomedical Engineering
“From concept to human-centered solutions, biomedical engineers transform health through innovation.” Design bionic limbs. Create laser-guided surgical devices. Develop wearable tech to help athletes perform better. In Biomedical Engineering, you’ll use engineering know-how to develop better ways to diagnose illnesses, treat health problems, and enhance health. You’ll study biomechanics, physics, chemistry, and design. With that broad knowledge, you’ll be able to collaborate with all kinds of different experts: biologists, medical practitioners, policy makers, and engineers, to name a few. You’ll also learn to model and design complex biomedical systems—and you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience through two years of paid co-op work terms, plus a fourth-year design project. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to create tomorrow’s life-saving and life-enhancing innovations.
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Sample First Year Courses
BME 121 – Digital Computation
BME 122 – Data Structures and Algorithms
BME 161 – Introduction to Biomedical Design
BME 181 – Physics I - Statics
BME 186 – Chemistry Principles
SYDE 111 – Calculus 1
SYDE 112 – Calculus 2
SYDE 113 – Elementary Engineering Math
SYDE 114 – Matrices and Linear Systems
BME 101/BME 101L – Communications in Biomedical Engineering/Laboratory
BME 162 – Human Factors in the Design of Biomedical and Health Systems
Sample Upper Year Courses
BME 285 – Engineering Biology
BME 355 – Physiological Systems Modelling
BME 381 – Biomedical Engineering Ethics
BME 386 – The Physics of Medical Imaging
Sample Co-op Jobs
Robotics and embedded sensor research assistant
Medical device design
Bioengineering research assistant
Signal processing algorithm developer
Medical device software developer
Junior biomedical engineer
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Apple Watch hardware engineer
Brain-computer interface designer
Clinical application analyst
Product development specialist
Software engineer
System designer
Systems integration engineer
Computer Engineering
“Why choose? Develop software savvy and hardware know-how.” Want to design a brain stimulator to combat symptoms of Parkinson's disease? Develop software to protect companies from cyber-attacks? Between labs and lectures, you'll gain experience with all aspects of computers, from chips and wiring to software, networks, and communications. Meanwhile, your co-op terms will give you 2 years of paid work experience. You’ll graduate ready for a career as a software developer, hardware engineer, IT specialist, systems designer, and more.
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Sample First Year Courses
ECE 102 – Information Session
ECE 105 – Classical Mechanics
ECE 106 – Electricity and Magnetism
ECE 108 – Discrete Mathematics and Logic 1
ECE 124 – Digital Circuits and Systems
ECE 140 – Linear Circuits
ECE 150 – Fundamentals of Programming
ECE 190 – Engineering Profession and Practice
ECE 192 – Engineering Economics and Impact on Society
ENGL 192/COMMST 192 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 117 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 119 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
ECE 198 – Project Studio
Workplace Hazardous Materials Milestone
Sample Upper Year Courses
ECE 222 – Digital Computers
ECE 252 – Systems Programming and Concurrency
ECE 380 – Analog Control Systems
ECE 458 – Computer Security
Sample Co-op Jobs
QA developer
Infrastructure engineering intern
iOS developer
Data scientist
Data engineering student
Full stack web developer
Software developer
Test automation developer
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Network administrator
Firmware engineer
Software engineer
Software Engineering & Computer Science
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Software Engineering have common elements: they all stress an understanding of both digital hardware and software, though to varying degrees, and they all hone students' problem-solving skills. As well, graduates of all three programs may compete for some of the same jobs. However, the programs have different objectives. Computer Engineering (CE) deals with designing, developing, and operating computer systems. At its core, Computer Engineering concentrates on digital hardware devices and computers, and the software that controls them. Advanced courses focus on standard designs and techniques for specific application domains. In contrast to CS and SE, Computer Engineering emphasizes solving problems in digital hardware and at the hardware-software interface. Computer Science (CS) focuses on understanding, designing, and developing programs and computers. At its core, Computer Science concentrates on data, data transformation, and algorithms. Advanced courses present specialized programming techniques and specific application domains. The CS program is less structured than the CE and SE programs, giving students more flexibility to build depth or breadth in a variety of application domains or in the fundamentals of Computer Science. Software Engineering (SE) deals with building and maintaining software systems. It is more software-oriented and has a greater emphasis on large software applications than Computer Engineering. It is more applied than Computer Science, placing greater emphasis on the entire software development process, from idea to final product. It is also more disciplined than Computer Science, applying more systematic practices to help ensure that products are reliable and safe.
Chemical Engineering
“Life. Energy. Environment. Global solutions through chemical engineering.” Learn to engineer the products we use every day. Turn fuel into energy, waste into resources, and raw material into finished products in one of the largest chemical engineering departments in Canada, and one of the top 100 in the world. You’ll develop expertise in chemistry and materials science — plus you’ll learn the systems analysis skills to design, implement, and manage processes from start to finish. You’ll put that knowledge to work during your six co-op terms: creating an impressive résumé, exploring different career areas, and earning money to help pay for your education.
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Sample First Year Courses
One Communication course
CHE 100 – Chemical Engineering Concepts 1
CHE 101 – Chemical Engineering Concepts 2
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
CHE 120 – Computer Literacy and Programming for Chemical Engineers
CHE 161 – Engineering Biology
CHE 180 – Chemical Engineering Design Studio 1
CHE 181 – Chemical Engineering Design Studio 2
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
PHYS 115 – Mechanics
Sample Upper Year Courses
CHE 480 – Process Analysis and Design
CHE 314 – Chemical Reaction Engineering
CHE 331 – Electrochemical Engineering
CHE 341 – Introduction to Process Control
CHE 361 – Bioprocess Engineering
Sample Co-op Jobs
Supply chain assistant
Process analyst
Quality project coordinator
Production coordinator
Reliability engineer
Data analyst
Continuous improvement engineer
Manufacturing engineer
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Project engineer
Process specialist
Production engineer
Engineering coordinator
Quality specialist
Process engineer
Civil Engineering
“Make the world your sandbox. (Hardhat included.)” Bring on the bulldozers! In one of Canada’s largest (and the world's top 100) civil engineering programs, you’ll learn to design and maintain the massive infrastructure we all depend on: bridges, highways, airports, tunnels, dams, pollution-control facilities, and more. This is a degree with lots of flexibility. Once you’ve completed your foundational courses, you can choose from a wide variety of technical electives in structural, transportation, geotechnical, and water/environmental engineering. You’ll apply your knowledge during your six co-op work terms. This is your chance to test drive different career options: work for major construction and engineering companies, get experience with local or provincial governments, or spend a term abroad. You’ll graduate ready to create structures — in Canada or overseas — that stand the test of time.
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Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
CIVE 100 – Civil Engineering Concepts
CIVE 104 – Mechanics 1
CIVE 105 – Mechanics 2
CIVE 115 – Linear Algebra
CIVE 121 – Computational Methods
CIVE 153 – Earth Engineering
CIVE 199 – Seminar
ENGL 191/COMMST 191 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
CIVE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
Sample Upper Year Courses
CIVE 332 – Civil Systems and Project Management
CIVE 310 – Introduction to Structural Design
CIVE 241 – Transport Principles and Applications
CIVE 491 – Engineering Law and Ethics
Sample Co-op Jobs
Structural engineering student
Project manager
Estimator
Concrete lab technician
Transportation planner
Diagnostics civil engineer
Quality control technician
Field technician
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Project manager
Civil engineer
Field engineer
Structural design engineer
Structural engineer
Tunnel engineer
Electrical Engineering
“Set yourself up for an electrifying future.” Behind just about every advance in information, power, and energy, you’ll find an electrical engineer. Join the ranks of those innovators with a degree from Waterloo, whose electrical engineering program is ranked 1st in Canada and 31st in the world (Academic Rankings of World Universities 2024). You’ll study the fundamentals of electromagnetism, circuits, algorithms, and instrumentation. You'll also gain hands-on experience starting right in first year, thanks to paid co-op work terms and some of the best electrical engineering student labs in North America. When you graduate, you’ll have hundreds of career paths open to you: from designing power stations and aircraft control systems to pioneering the future of microprocessors and telecommunications systems.
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Sample First Year Courses
ECE 102 – Information Session
ECE 105 – Classical Mechanics
ECE 106 – Electricity and Magnetism
ECE 108 – Discrete Mathematics and Logic 1
ECE 124 – Digital Circuits and Systems
ECE 140 – Linear Circuits
ECE 150 – Fundamentals of Programming
ECE 190 – Engineering Profession and Practice
ECE 192 – Engineering Economics and Impact on Society
ENGL 192/COMMST 192 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 117 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 119 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
ECE 198 – Project Studio
Sample Upper Year Courses
ECE 307 – Probability Theory and Statistics 2
ECE 375 – Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
ECE 406 – Algorithm Design and Analysis
ECE 260 – Electromechanical Energy Conversion
Sample Co-op Jobs
Hardware designer
Electrical engineering intern
Test systems engineering
Artificial intelligence undergraduate researcher
Assistant information analyst
Hardware design engineer
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Engineering product manager
Application specialist
Software engineer
Programmer
Business technology analyst
Electrical designer
Hardware engineer
Environmental Engineering
“Engineering for a better, more resilient future.” Clean up contaminated soil. Prevent E. coli outbreaks. Design smarter ways to treat and manage water. Canada’s largest Environmental Engineering program gives you the technical rigour of an engineering degree combined with scientific know-how and environmental insights. You’ll take courses in engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, and more, drawing on that broad base of knowledge to tackle water, soil, and air pollution. Meanwhile, you’ll gain two years of paid experience through your co-op work terms, allowing you to earn money to help pay for your education and discover the career areas that fit you best. You’ll graduate ready to clean up the world’s pollution — and to prevent future environmental problems.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
CIVE 104 – Mechanics 1
CIVE 105 – Mechanics 2
ENGL 191/COMMST 191 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
ENVE 100 – Environmental and Geological Engineering Concepts
ENVE 115 – Linear Algebra
ENVE 121 – Computational Methods
ENVE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
ENVE 153 – Earth Engineering
Sample Upper Year Courses
ENVE 277 – Air Quality Engineering
ENVE 330 – Lab Analysis and Field Sampling Techniques
ENVE 382 – Hydrology and Open Channel Flow
ENVE 573 – Contaminant Transport
Sample Co-op Jobs
Program developer
Industrial wastewater engineering
Project coordinator
Field engineer
Tides and water levels assistant
Technical writer
Environmental engineering assistant
Drainage design engineering assistant
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Water resource engineer
Operations specialist
Geomatics analyst
Project coordinator
Environmental specialist
Water resources specialist
Environmental consultant
Geological Engineering
“Put your future on solid ground - and help the world do the same.” Use your knowledge of soil and rock behaviour to solve complex problems. Ensure the safety of dams and pipelines, assess risks for landslides and earthquakes, remove hazardous waste from groundwater, and more. Waterloo’s program is one of only two in Ontario. You’ll take Civil Engineering classes, where you’ll learn design and problem-solving skills. You’ll also take Earth Sciences classes, where you’ll acquire a solid background in geosciences. Meanwhile, through co-op, you'll gain two full years of related work experience. When you graduate, your degree can take you around the world — working in oil and gas, mineral exploration, hazard waste removal, groundwater management, and more.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
CIVE 104 – Mechanics 1
CIVE 105 – Mechanics 2
ENGL 191/COMMST 191 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
GEOE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
GEOE 100 – Environmental and Geological Engineering Concepts
GEOE 115 – Linear Algebra
GEOE 121 – Computational Methods
GEOE 153 – Earth Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
Sample Upper Year Courses
EARTH 231 – Mineralogy
EARTH 437 – Rock Mechanics
EARTH 438 – Engineering Geology
GEOE 353 – Geotechnical Engineering 1
Sample Co-op Jobs
Geotechnical and materials technician
Water/wastewater project assistant
Rock mechanics assistant
Mining/energy engineering student
Industrial buildings inspector
Project coordinator
Field engineer
Geotechnical engineering assistant
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Junior program engineer
Geotechnical engineer
Water specialist
Rock mechanics engineer
Geotechnical designer
Geological engineer
Mechanical Engineering
“Put your career in gear.” If you love things that move, this is your program. At Waterloo, you’ll develop the skills you need to design everything from switches to spacecrafts. You’ll get a broad foundation in all aspects of mechanical design: mechanics, power, control, and manufacturing. You’ll also learn to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, solve problems, come up with high-impact innovations, and have the chance to apply it all to real work experiences in co-op. Where you use those skills is up to you. Mechanical engineers work in all kinds of fields, constantly looking for ways to make machinery faster, lighter, cleaner, and more reliable. And with two years of career-relevant experience on your résumé by the time you graduate, you’ll definitely impress potential employers.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
ME 100B – Seminar
ME 100 – Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 1
ME 101 – Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 2
ME 115 – Structure and Properties of Materials
PHYS 115 – Mechanics
ME 123 – Electrical Engineering for Mechanical Engineers
Sample Upper Year Courses
ME 250 – Thermodynamics 1
ME 321 – Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines
ME 435 – Industrial Metallurgy
ME 547 – Robot Manipulators: Kinematics, Dynamics, Control
Sample Co-op Jobs
Technical business analyst
SQL application developer
Product management associate
Business systems analyst
In-field data collection analyst
Data scientist
Business analyst
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Supply chain logistics
Senior hardware engineer
Production engineer
Quality control engineer
Mechanical engineer
Management Engineering
“Optimize your future with data-driven, human-centred business decisions.” Cut waiting times for surgery. Streamline supply chains. Fine-tune airline routes. In the Management Engineering program, you’ll learn to analyze how organizations operate and apply engineering skills to increase their efficiency. Over the course of your degree, you’ll develop expertise in data analytics, information systems, operations and supply chain management, and organizational behaviour. You'll also have the opportunity to gain paid work experience through co-op. By graduation, you’ll have the know-how to design and manage complex systems, optimizing the flow of energy, materials, people, and information. And you’ll find no shortage of companies looking for your skills: in software, finance, supply chain management, health care, manufacturing, and more.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
ENGL 192/COMMST 192 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
GENE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
MSE 100B – Seminar
MSE 100 – Management Engineering Concepts
MSE 121 – Introduction to Computer Programming
MSE 131 – Work Design and Facilities Planning
PHYS 115 - Mechanics
Sample Upper Year Courses
MSE 333 – Simulation Analysis and Design
MSE 434 – Supply Chain Management
MSE 436 – Decision Support Systems
MSE 446 – Introduction to Machine Learning
MSE 543 – Analytics and User Experience
Sample Co-op Jobs
Technical business analyst
SQL application developer
Product management associate
Business systems analyst
Supply chain logistics
In-field data collection analyst
Data scientist
Business analyst
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Applications developer
Software developer
User experience researcher
Software engineer
Technical consultant
Data scientist
Supply chain analyst
Project coordinator
Business systems analyst
System Design Engineering
While systems design engineering covers some similar topics such as scheduling and optimisation, ergonomics, information management and project management, they have a stronger focus on the design of mechanical and electrical systems, placing more emphasis on product design and development. Management engineers typically work at the next higher level of analysis and solution design; more emphasis is placed on optimisation and system efficiency. Compared to systems design engineering, management engineering contains a lot more courses in supply chain management and information technologies.
Software Engineering
Software Engineering applies computer science and engineering to the design of software systems. Software Engineering students take a large number of computer science and computer engineering courses at the interface of digital hardware and software, as well as core software engineering courses on software development. In contrast, Management Engineers design, implement, and manage complex management systems. Increasingly, those management systems are implemented as software and information systems. Therefore, information/software systems design comprises a major theme area in Management Engineering, with a number of courses falling in the areas of computer science, software engineering, and information systems. In this regard, of the 13 other engineering programs offered at the University of Waterloo, only the Software Engineering and Computer Engineering programs have more such courses in their core curriculum. While Management Engineering students learn how to design and build basic information systems, they do not get training in low-level systems programming. For example, a software engineering student will learn about real time systems, concurrent programming, and operating systems while Management Engineering students will not have any exposure to these topics. Likewise, Software Engineering students do not learn about important application areas of Management Engineering such as supply chain management, operations planning, and inventory control nor do Software Engineering students learn fundamental methods such as stochastics, simulation, and optimization as part of their core curriculum. Simply put, Management Engineering students learn to solve large real-world problems of businesses and organizations that are implemented in software, while Software Engineering students learn to solve a wide range of software problems including low-level systems programming.
Nanotechnology Engineering
“Design solutions measured in billionths of a meter.” Nanotechnology is revolutionizing everything from smartphones to cancer treatment. Put yourself on the forefront of that revolution at Waterloo. In Canada’s first undergraduate nanotechnology engineering program, you’ll use principles from biology, chemistry, electronics, and quantum physics to create materials and machines far too small to see with the naked eye. You'll gain extensive experience in your lab courses and through co-op positions. In your upper years, you’ll spend eighth months at a time on work terms, so you can really dig deep into a project — and graduate with a seriously impressive résumé.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
MATH 117 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 119 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
NE 100 – Introduction to Nanotechnology Engineering
NE 112 – Linear Algebra for Nanotechnology Engineering
NE 109 – Societal and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology
NE 110 – Introduction to Nanomaterials Health Risks
NE 111 – Introduction to Programming for Engineers
NE 113 – Introduction to Computational Methods
NE 121 – Chemical Principles
NE 125 – Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
NE 131 – Physics for Nanotechnology Engineering
NE 140 – Linear Circuits
Sample Upper Year Courses
NE 336 – Micro and Nanosystem Computer-aided Design
NE 345 – Photonic Materials and Devices
NE 471 – Nano-electronics
NE 481 – Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology
NE 408 – Nanosystems Design Project
Sample Co-op Jobs
Food technologist
Quality project coordinator
Optical development engineering
Material handler
Laboratory research assistant
Research & development engineering
Polymer engineering intern
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Research engineer
Data scientist
Product manager
Project engineer specialist
Engineering program manager
Device development engineer
Software Engineering
“Because today, even your fridge is full of software.” Whether you want to create a VR training program for surgeons, the next "swipe right" dating app, or an autonomous car, software engineers have endless career options in today’s tech-enabled world. At Waterloo, you won’t just write code. You’ll also analyze software architecture, apply algorithms, understand digital hardware systems, and design human/ computer interfaces. Plus, you’ll learn how to work in teams and manage projects, all while being taught within one of the best universities in the world for software engineering (ranked 22nd in the world for research performance, EduRank 2024). Then, during your co-op, you’ll put those skills to work at leading companies or hot new startups. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to create reliable, affordable, and faster software for all kinds of different purposes.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
SE 102 – Seminar
CS 137 – Programming Principles
CS 138 – Introduction to Data Abstraction and Implementation
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
ECE 124 – Digital Circuits and Systems
ECE 140 – Linear Circuits
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 117 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 119 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
MATH 135 – Algebra for Honours Mathematics
SE 101 – Introductions to Methods of Software Engineering
Sample Upper Year Courses
SE 212 – Logic and Computation
SE 350 – Operating Systems
SE 464 – Software Design and Architectures
SE 465 – Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Sample Co-op Jobs
Algorithms engineering
Production engineering
iOS developer
Software developer
Mobile developer
Data scientist
Tools and automation engineering intern
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Senior software engineer
Web development engineer
Innovation specialist
Software developer
Software development engineer
Software engineer
Computer Engineering & Computer Science
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Software Engineering have common elements: they all stress an understanding of both digital hardware and software, though to varying degrees, and they all hone students' problem-solving skills. As well, graduates of all three programs may compete for some of the same jobs. However, the programs have different objectives. Computer Engineering (CE) deals with designing, developing, and operating computer systems. At its core, Computer Engineering concentrates on digital hardware devices and computers, and the software that controls them. Advanced courses focus on standard designs and techniques for specific application domains. In contrast to CS and SE, Computer Engineering emphasizes solving problems in digital hardware and at the hardware-software interface. Computer Science (CS) focuses on understanding, designing, and developing programs and computers. At its core, Computer Science concentrates on data, data transformation, and algorithms. Advanced courses present specialized programming techniques and specific application domains. The CS program is less structured than the CE and SE programs, giving students more flexibility to build depth or breadth in a variety of application domains or in the fundamentals of Computer Science. Software Engineering (SE) deals with building and maintaining software systems. It is more software-oriented and has a greater emphasis on large software applications than Computer Engineering. It is more applied than Computer Science, placing greater emphasis on the entire software development process, from idea to final product. It is also more disciplined than Computer Science, applying more systematic practices to help ensure that products are reliable and safe.
Systems Design Engineering
“Use systems thinking and turn your degree into more than the sum of its parts.” Cutting-edge biomedical innovations like remote patient monitoring and surgical robots. Ergonomic equipment and machines for comfortable office spaces. Smart cities and intelligent, automated warehouses. Self-driving cars, drones, and efficient transportation systems. What do they all have in common? They’re all systems. And with careful thought given to design, every individual piece within them works together to create a successful, cohesive whole. As a Systems Design Engineering student, you’ll build your design knowledge and improve how the world functions! Take a systems approach when using your engineering, math, and science skills to find connections that advance technology and innovation. While studying the fundamentals of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, as well as design methods and systems modelling, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from four specializations to become both well-rounded and focused on what interests you most. Our project-based approach gives you opportunities to apply your learning to real problems in a wide range of industries. With two full years of paid co-op experience by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to design comprehensive, ground-breaking solutions for the toughest engineering problems.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
SYDE 101/SYDE 101L – Communications in Systems Design Engineering/Laboratory
SYDE 102 – Seminar
SYDE 111 – Calculus 1
SYDE 112 – Calculus 2
SYDE 113 – Elementary Engineering Math
SYDE 114 – Matrices and Linear Systems
SYDE 121 – Digital Computation
SYDE 161 – Introduction to Design
SYDE 162 – Human Factors in Design
SYDE 181 – Physics 1: Statics
SYDE 192/192L – Digital Systems/Lab
SYDE 223 – Data Structures and Algorithms
Sample Upper Year Courses
SYDE 261 – Design, Systems, and Society
SYDE 263 – Engineering Prototyping
SYDE 351 – Systems Models 1
SYDE 411 – Optimization and Numerical Methods
Sample Co-op Jobs
Machine learning developer
Control systems software designer co-op
Application developer
User experience designer
Product manager
Rapid prototype software developer
Product design/development
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Energy manager
Software engineer
Applications engineer
Senior solutions engineer
Hardware program manager
Software development engineer
Management Engineering
Industrial engineering traditionally focuses on the application of engineering methods for the improvement of manufacturing and industry-related processes, but has broadened to include other work-related domains such as health care and information management. This is the focus of Waterloo’s management engineering program, which is offered by our Department of Management Sciences. Systems design engineering includes many industrial engineering methods as part of its core curriculum, such as scheduling and optimization, human factors and ergonomics, information management, and project management, which are applied in students’ first-year team design projects. However, our students also learn the basics of the mechanical, electrical, computing, civil, and software engineering disciplines, which enables them to determine where they focus their studies in upper years.
Software Engineering
Programs in computer engineering and systems engineering focus almost exclusively on computing systems (hardware/software), while Systems Design covers a much wider variety of systems that may or may not include computing systems. Similarly, Waterloo’s software engineering program focuses almost exclusively on software development. Many systems design students find themselves in software-oriented (programming) type jobs, especially during early work terms. However, our students are not bound to follow an exclusively computer or software-oriented path. Students take approximately one computer-based course per term for the first two years of study, after which they may choose to take electives that are related to computers and software, or concentrate on areas such as human-ergonomic and societal-environmental systems. Senior design projects cover a wide range of applications, environmental systems modeling, conflict analysis, pattern recognition, intelligent systems, human-computer interaction, and biomechanics.
Mechatronics Engineering
In systems design engineering, the focus in the early semesters is on building up a base of general engineering knowledge, as well as knowledge and experience with design methodology that can be applied broadly. Students can then take technical electives and work on advanced design projects in areas that are of particular interest to them, such as mechatronics, intelligent systems, human-computer interaction, systems modelling, and alternative energy. In contrast, the mechatronics engineering program focuses specifically on the design of effective mechatronic systems that combine mechanical, electronic, computer, and software concepts, such as robotics, vehicular systems, and “smart” devices. For students interested in both the broad application of design and mechatronic systems, the best approach may be to combine the Systems Design program with a Mechatronics Option.
Mechatronics Engineering
“Build the next generation of robots (and cars and wearable tech and…)” From the ATM down the street to the drone that will one day deliver your pizza, computer-controlled electromechanical systems drive all kinds of technology. Learn to design those systems in Waterloo’s Mechatronics Engineering program — the first of its kind in Canada. You’ll develop expertise in mechanical engineering, electronics, control engineering, and computer science, pulling together know-how from these different fields to develop sophisticated machines. During your co-op terms, you’ll have the chance to try out different career paths, earn money to pay for your education, and build a résumé guaranteed to impress potential employers.
Read more about this program here
Sample First Year Courses
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
MTE 121 – Digital Computation
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
MTE 100B – Seminar
MTE 100 – Mechatronics Engineering
MTE 111 – Structure and Properties of Materials
MTE 119 – Statics
MTE 120 – Circuits
MTE 140 – Algorithms and Data Structures
Sample Upper Year Courses
MTE 220 – Sensors and Instrumentation
MTE 322 – Electromechanical Machine Design
MTE 262 – Introduction to Microprocessors and Digital Logic
MTE 544 – Autonomous Mobile Robots
Sample Co-op Jobs
Application developer
Product manager
Instrumental engineering
Control systems software design
Mechanical designer-automation
Hardware engineering intern
Robotics software developer
Systems software engineering
Sample Full-Time Jobs
Reactor designer
Android partner engineer
Mechanical engineer
Program manager
Firmware engineer
iPhone product design engineer
Telematics engineer
Systems engineer