Enrich your Degree

The Faculty of Engineering offers 15 undergraduate programs: 14 professional engineering degrees and one world-renowned architecture degree. In addition to a degree in Engineering or Architecture, it is possible to earn Options, Specializations, Minors and an Accelerated Masters.

Options

Options are intended to provide you with a path to expand your degree. For example as a Mechanical Engineering student you may wish to add a Management Sciences option, or as an Electrical Engineering student you may wish to add a Physics option. Options often require taking extra courses beyond your degree's minimum requirements. ​Options generally require 5-8 courses, and appear on graduates' university degrees.

Since engineering programs are very structured, students should decide if they are interested in taking an option as they enter second year.

Available Options
  • Artificial Intelligence: Study and advance ever-greater degrees of efficacy, reliability, and safety, the ways in which machines and systems perceive, see, speak, decide, respond, act, and plan.
  • Biomechanics: Study solutions to health-care problems, birth defect prevention, medical imaging, prosthesis design, and ergonomics.
  • Computer Engineering: Develop skills in the areas of logic, digital hardware, operating systems, computing systems, databases, networks, and security and privacy.
  • Computing: Enrich your studies with knowledge in programming, data structures and algorithms, digital systems, human-computer interaction, and more.
  • Entrepreneurship: Pursue an innovative pathway in engineering, and enrich your studies with courses in venture creation and corporate entrepreneurship.
  • Environmental Engineering: Study pollution control, waste disposal, and health and sanitation.
  • Life Sciences: Understand the structure and function of biological systems (choice of four sub-options):
    • Molecular & Cell Biology
    • Environmental/Ecological Science
    • Biophysical Science
    • Biochemical Science

  • Management Sciences: Solve management problems using social sciences and mathematical models.

  • Mechatronics: Design and develop “thinking” machines and devices.

  • Physical Sciences: Understand the basic physical sciences that lay behind many engineering applications: (choice of three sub-options):

    • Physics

    • Chemistry

    • Earth & Environmental Sciences

  • Quantum Engineering: Focus on foundations, design methodologies and experimental skills to analyze and implement technological platforms using quantum devices, systems and algorithms.

  • Software Engineering: Learn about the design, implementation, and maintenance of large-scale software systems.

  • Statistics: Gain a broad background in applied statistics, including multiple regression, quality control, experimental design, and applied probability.

More information on Options is available in the undergraduate studies calendar.

Specializations

A specialization is intended to formally recognize a focused selection of elective courses within your degree. Specialization offerings are unique to your engineering program and are formally noted on your diploma. Required and recommended courses for various specializations can be found on the specific undergraduate studies calendar page for your program. Currently, not all engineering programs offer specializations.

Some examples of specializations include:

Minors

A minor is a group of 8-10 courses in a specific subject or topic which you would complete along with your major. Engineering does not offer minors to students enrolled in engineering; however they are offered by the other faculties and are described in their sections of the undergraduate studies calendar. 

Students may pursue a minor in any faculty. However, it is uncommon for Engineering students to pursue a minor since it requires significant overloading and may delay your graduation. If you are interested in pursuing a minor, you should connect with your academic advisor as soon as possible in first year.
 

Accelerated Master's program

The Accelerated Master's program allows undergraduate students at Waterloo to fast track a Master of Applied Science (MASc) degree at the University of Waterloo.

You will get to take up to two graduate level courses during your final year of undergraduate studies: one course in 4A and one in 4B or during your work term. You will have the opportunity to undertake research during your final co-op term(s); such experience can be a foundation for your MASc work. The Accelerated Master's program is offered by all the engineering departments at Waterloo.