Program Overview

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Mechatronics Engineering Program

The Mechatronics Engineering program at the University of Waterloo is designed to create the future's smart machines. Students will learn to design and develop sophisticated machines by combining expertise in mechanical engineering, control engineering, electronics, and computer science.

Program Description

In this multidisciplinary program, students will develop intelligent electromechanical devices and integrated systems by pulling together knowledge from different fields. The program focuses on the latest in sensing, computing, and communication devices, including autonomous vehicles, drones, 3D printers, smartphones, satellite systems, and robotics.

Courses

Courses in the first year concentrate on basic mathematics, physics, computation, and engineering materials. Second and third-year courses delve deeper into Mechatronics Engineering, covering topics such as:

• Electromechanical devices
• Kinematics and dynamics of machines
• Computer interfacing
• Real-time operating systems
• Electromechanical machine design
• Control systems

Sample First-Year Courses

The following is a sample schedule for first-year courses: 1A Term | 1B Term
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CHE102 - Chemistry for Engineers MATH115 - Linear Algebra for Engineering MATH116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering MTE100 - Mechatronics Engineering MTE121 - Digital Computation | MATH118 - Calculus 2 for Engineering MTE100B - Seminar MTE111 - Structure and Properties of Materials MTE119 - Statics MTE120 - Circuits MTE140 - Algorithms and Data Structures

Customizing Your Degree

Students can customize their degree with options, which provide 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
• Physical Sciences
• Quantum Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Statistics

Co-op Program

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. The co-op sequence can start either halfway through the first year or after the first year.

Example Co-op Positions

Some example co-op positions for Mechatronics Engineering students include:

• Systems software engineering
• Robotics software developer
• Hardware engineering intern
• Mechanical designer-automation
• Control systems software design
• Instrumental engineering
• Product manager
• Application developer

Careers

Graduates of the Mechatronics Engineering program can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Systems engineer
• Telematics engineer
• Product design engineer
• Firmware engineer
• Program manager
• Mechanical engineer
• Android partner engineer
• Artificial intelligence researcher

Capstone Design Projects

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

Example Capstone Design Projects

Some examples of Capstone Design projects include:

• Sous-Bot: A design for a more autonomous food preparation experience
• F1 Auto Aero: A project to automate the drag reduction system within a Formula 1 racing team's aerodynamic model

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:

• UW REACT: A team that builds fully autonomous FRC robots
• UW Orbital: A team that builds a CubeSat with the goal of competing in the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge
• UW Robotics Team: A team that focuses on the field of autonomous vehicles and competes in various competitions

Alumni

Some notable alumni of the Mechatronics Engineering program include:

• Mihaela Vlasea (BASc '08): Recognized as one of the 20 most influential academics in smart manufacturing
• Alex Rodrigues and Brandon Moak: Founders of Embark Trucks, which recently announced a proposed merger deal to go public
• Shahed Saleh (BASc '24): Completed several undergraduate research positions and published five research papers
• Christina Sullivan (BASc '23): Worked on a co-op placement at Williams Racing and turned it into a full-time role in Formula One racing

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of its work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The university is committed to reconciliation and has an active Office of Indigenous Relations.