Program Overview

Overview of Systems Design Engineering

The Systems Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo focuses on building a strong foundation in systems thinking, user needs, and engineering problem-solving. Students learn to design technology and devices that are easy, safe, and comfortable for people to use, and to assess how one change will affect another element by using a variety of modelling, analysis, and design methods.

Program Details

• Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
• Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering
• Co-op Program: Available as a co-op program only
• Regular Program: Not available as a regular program
• Minor: Not available as a minor

Course Structure

The program includes a range of courses that cover systems modelling, simulation, human factors engineering, statistics, optimization, and machine learning. 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.

First-Year Courses

• SYDE 101/SYDE 101L – Communications in Systems Design Engineering/Laboratory
• SYDE 111 – Calculus 1
• SYDE 113 – Elementary Engineering Math
• SYDE 121 – Digital Computation
• SYDE 161 – Introduction to Design
• SYDE 181 – Physics 1: Statics

Upper-Year Courses

• SYDE 261 – Design, Systems, and Society
• SYDE 263 – Engineering Prototyping
• SYDE 351 – Systems Models 1
• SYDE 411 – Optimization and Numerical Methods

Specializations

Students can choose from four specializations to become both well-rounded and focused on what interests them most:

• Human Factors & Interfaces – Design technology and devices that are easy, safe, and comfortable for people to use.
• Intelligent & Automated Systems – Create smart machines and robots that can think, make decisions, and work on their own using AI and control systems.
• Physical & Mechatronic Systems – Build machines by combining mechanics, electronics, and computer programs to create things like robots and automated devices.
• Societal & Environmental Systems – Explore how technology affects people and the planet, focusing on creating solutions that are good for society and the environment.

Co-op Program

The co-op program provides students with two full years of paid co-op experience by the time they graduate. Students normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating their classroom learning with real-world experience.

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

Career Opportunities

Waterloo Systems Design Engineering graduates commonly pursue careers in business analysis, technology consulting, and applications engineering. They often utilize their interdisciplinary skills to work for manufacturing companies, accounting firms, technology companies, and more.

• Hardware program manager – Microsoft
• User experience designer – CIBC
• Transportation planner – WSP
• Project design engineer – Apple
• Project lead – Space Robotics
• Product manager – Shopify
• Energy manager – Hydro Ottawa
• Senior solutions engineer – D2L

Admission Requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including:

• Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission averages: Individual selection from the high 80s to low 90s.

Student Life

Waterloo Engineering goes far beyond lectures, with a vibrant community that works hard and plays even harder. Students can sing in an a cappella group, join a varsity or intramural team, compete in design challenges or hackathons, volunteer, or lead a student society.

• 96% employment rate within 6 months of graduating, compared to the Ontario average of 89% for Engineering students.
• 90% graduation rate, higher than the Ontario average of 82%.
• 95% retention rate from first to second year.

Student Design Teams

Students can have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of the 35+ student-led design teams, including rocketry, concrete canoe, small airplanes, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Engineers Without Borders, and more.

Engineering Society (EngSoc)

EngSoc is run by students and provides social and academic events and services to make the experience as a Waterloo Engineering student the best it can be.

Women in Engineering

Women in Engineering (WiE) supports women and non-binary engineering students and alumni, while encouraging the next generation to pursue a future career in engineering. Any student is also welcome to join Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM), a student-run club that promotes equality in STEM through skills workshops, discussions, and guest speakers.