Program Overview

Introduction to Systems Design Engineering

The Systems Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo is a multidisciplinary program that integrates engineering, design, and human factors to create innovative solutions to complex problems. This program is designed to develop engineers who can think holistically, considering the interactions between various system components, and who are equipped to work in diverse fields ranging from robotics and biomedical engineering to environmental systems and artificial intelligence.

Program Overview

The program focuses on the fundamentals of engineering and systems thinking, enabling students to tackle large complex challenges using robust design methods. Students will learn to apply design thinking and systems methodologies to real-world challenges, developing innovative solutions to problems in ecological, transportation, physiological, energy, and communication systems.

Sample Courses

In the first year, students will take foundational courses exploring subjects such as design, systems, computation, and human factors in math and computation. These courses provide a base for upper-year classes and include design-thinking skills developed through design workshops. Often working in teams, students will learn to implement solutions by creating, testing, and evaluating prototypes – everything from robotics to user interface design and complex systems, including energy and transportation.

Sample First-Year Courses

• Fall Term (September to December):
  • SYDE101 - Communications in Systems Design Engineering
  • SYDE111 - Calculus 1
  • SYDE113 - Elementary Engineering Mathematics
  • SYDE121 - Digital Computation
  • SYDE161 - Introduction to Design
  • SYDE181 - Physics 1: Statics
• Spring Term (May to August):
  • BME102 - Seminar
  • SYDE112 - Calculus 2
  • SYDE114 - Matrices and Linear Systems
  • SYDE162 - Human Factors in Design
  • SYDE192 - Digital Systems
  • SYDE192L - Digital Systems Laboratory
  • SYDE223 - Data Structures and Algorithms
  • One approved elective

Upper-Year Courses

For information about courses past the first year, students can refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Customizing Your Degree

Options

Options are a way to provide students with a path to expand their degree and get a secondary emphasis in another subject or area. Some available options include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Biomechanics
• Computer Engineering
• Computing
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Management Sciences
• Mechatronics
• Physical Sciences
• Quantum Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Statistics

Specializations

A specialization is recognition of selected elective courses within the degree. Specialization offerings are unique to the engineering program and are listed on the diploma. Specializations available to Systems Design Engineering students include:

• Human Factors & Interfaces Specialization
• Intelligent & Automated Systems Specialization
• Physical & Mechatronics Systems Specialization
• Societal & Environmental Systems Specialization

Co-op and Careers

The co-op program provides students with an unrivaled opportunity to gain paid work experience before graduation. Students will alternate between school and work every four months, integrating classroom learning with real-world experience.

Example Co-op Positions

• Product design/development
• Rapid prototype software developer
• Product manager
• User experience designer
• Application developer
• Control systems software designer co-op
• Machine learning developer
• QA analyst
• Automation engineer
• Systems software engineer

Capstone Design Projects

Capstone Design is the culmination of the engineering undergraduate student experience, creating a blueprint for innovation in engineering design. Students will work on projects related to their chosen discipline, applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and on co-op work terms.

Example Projects

• SynapSync: A project that synchronizes neuroimaging with cognitive test results, correlating brain activity with human behavior.
• Fridge Friends: A tool that uses computer vision to track fridge inventory and gas sensors to alert users prior to food spoilage.

Student Design Teams

The Sedra Student Design Centre consists of over 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to design teams and student projects. Some examples of design teams include:

• Engineers Without Borders
• UW Blueprint
• Alternative Protein Project

Alumni Stories

Systems Design Engineering alumni have gone on to achieve great things in their careers. Some examples include:

• Sylvia Ng: CEO of ReturnBear, an e-commerce returns business.
• Michael Litt & Devon Galloway: Founders of Vidyard, a video-sharing startup.
• Ellen McGee: Programs manager at Microsoft, hired after a successful final co-op term.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Systems Design Engineering compare to Mechatronics Engineering?

Systems Design Engineering focuses on building a base of general engineering knowledge and design methodology, while Mechatronics Engineering focuses specifically on the design of effective mechatronic systems.

How does Systems Design Engineering compare to Computer, Systems, and Software engineering?

Systems Design Engineering covers a wider variety of systems, while Computer, Systems, and Software engineering programs focus almost exclusively on computing systems.

How does Systems Design Engineering compare to Management and Industrial Engineering?

Systems Design Engineering includes many industrial engineering methods as part of its core curriculum, but also enables students to determine where they focus their studies in upper years.