Program Overview

Program Overview

The Electrical and Computer Engineering program at the University of Waterloo is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of electrical and computer engineering. The program covers a wide range of topics, including electrical and computer engineering principles, circuits, electronics, and computer systems.

Program Objectives

The main objective of the Electrical and Computer Engineering program is to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles of electrical and computer engineering, as well as practical experience in the design, development, and implementation of electrical and computer systems.

Course Details

The program includes a variety of courses, such as:

• ECE 6604 PD: Distributed Generation
  • Summary: This course covers the technical and economical issues related to distributed generation, including the interconnection of distributed resources to utility distribution systems.
  • Objectives:
    1. Review the available standards for distributed generation interconnection.
    2. Understand the operation of different power sources; traditional and non-traditional.
    3. Modeling and simulation of power distribution systems to investigate different DG interfacing.
    4. Understand impact of DG on distribution system performance, reliability, safety, protection and quality.
  • Course Prerequisites: Basic understanding of modeling of power system elements and analysis techniques is required. Familiarity with a programming language and/or a simulation package such as EMTDC/PSCAD and MATLAB is desirable.
  • Main Topics and Delivery Plan:
    • Lectures | Topic | Sub-Topics
      • 3 | DG Definitions and Standards, DG potential | Definitions and terminologies; current status and future trends, Technical and economical impacts
      • 3 | DG Technologies | DG from renewable energy sources, DG from non-renewable energy sources
      • 6 | Distributed generation applications, Operating Modes | Base load; peaking; peak shaving and emergency power, Isolated, momentary parallel and grid connection
      • 6 | DG interconnection, Interconnection Requirements | Characteristics of DG interface: Rotating machines, Characteristics of DG interface: Static power converters, General protection requirement; effect of transformer connections
      • 6 | Power Quality Issues, Reliability | Voltage regulation; harmonics from DG; improving distribution system PQ via the DG interface, Improving reliability with DG; Adverse impacts of DG on utility reliability
      • 6 | Protection Issues, Islanding, | Utility Issues, Protective relays coordination, Islanding prevention techniques, Safety of personnel; utility-generator load match frequency; utility re-closing; synchronizing
      • 6 | DG Cost Issues | Energy (kWh), demand (kW), power factor penalties and utility standard cost, connection and operating costs and charges; life cycle cost and rate of return analysis
  • References:
    1. R. Dugan, M. McGranaghan, S. Santoso and H. Beaty, Electrical Power System Quality, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN -X.
    2. N. Jenkins, R. Allan, P. Crossley, D. Kirschen and G. Strbac, “Embedded Generation”, The Institute of Electrical Engineering, 2000, ISBN -8
    3. E. Acha, V. Agelidis, O. Anaya-Lara and T.J. Miller, Power Electronics Control in Electrical Systems, Newnes, 2002, ISBN -1.

Research Areas

The program covers a wide range of research areas, including:

• Applied electromagnetics and photonics
• Artificial intelligence
• Biomedical engineering
• Communications and Information Systems
• Computer hardware
• Computer software and systems
• Control, robotics, and autonomous systems
• Integrated devices, circuits, and systems
• Nanoengineering
• Power and energy systems
• Quantum engineering

Student Life

The program provides students with a variety of opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, such as:

• Academic advising
• Capstone design
• Co-op and careers
• Degree planning and enhancement
• Student life
• Scholarships and awards
• Meet our students

Funding, Scholarships, Awards

The program offers a variety of funding opportunities, scholarships, and awards to support students in their academic pursuits.

Alumni and Friends

The program has a strong network of alumni and friends who are actively engaged in the field of electrical and computer engineering. The program offers a variety of opportunities for alumni and friends to stay connected and involved, such as:

• Alumni achievement awards and honours
• Undergraduate Class Photos

Faculty and Staff

The program is taught by a team of experienced and dedicated faculty and staff who are experts in their field. The program also offers a variety of resources and support services to help students succeed, such as:

• Computing support
• Faculty Performance

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.