Management Engineering degree

Optimize your future with data-driven, human-centred business decisions

Want to launch a career in business analytics, management, software development, or industrial engineering?

Management Engineering could be your perfect fit. In this interdisciplinary program, you'll gain skills in advanced data analytics, software development, machine learning, optimization, supply chain management, psychology, and economics.

You’ll integrate engineering’s technical capabilities with organizational know-how. Learn to build advanced models to draw insights from large datasets, cut surgery waiting times, streamline supply chains, or fine-tune airline routes. Or manage the launch of new software products with the help of AI. Your degree lands you at the intersection of artificial intelligence, business, and beyond.

Through six paid co-op work terms, you'll graduate with the know-how to design and manage complex systems in Canada and abroad. You'll lead teams as a product manager, extract insights and identify trends as a business data analyst, solve organizational problems as a consultant, or build technical systems as a software developer. Get ready to optimize your future!

What courses will you take in Management Engineering?

First-year courses

You’ll take courses in math, programming, natural sciences, and core management engineering topics— building a foundation in analytical thinking, problem-solving and technical communication.

September to December

MSE 100 – Management Engineering Concepts
MSE 121 – Introduction to Computer Programming
CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers
MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering

January to April

MSE 131 – Work Design and Facilities Planning
ENGL 192/COMMST 192 – Communication in the Engineering Profession
PHYS 115 - Mechanics
GENE 123 – Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
MATH 118 – Calculus 2 for Engineering
One approved science elective

This is a sample schedule. Courses are subject to change.

After first-year

Your upper-year courses will cover data analytics, optimization, software systems, operations management and organizational behaviour, with projects that apply engineering tools to solve complex business and management challenges.
View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

MSE 211 – Organizational Behaviour
MSE 332 – Deterministic Optimization Models and Methods
MSE 342 – Principles of Software Engineering
MSE 434 – Supply Chain Management
MSE 446 – Introduction to Machine Learning
MSE 543 – Analytics and User Experience

View "Management Engineering at the University of Waterloo" on YouTube

Faculty:
Faculty of Engineering

Degree:
Bachelor of Applied Science in Management Engineering

Available as a co-op program?
Co-op only

Available as a regular program?
No

Available as a minor?
No

Engineer efficiency. Use engineering concepts and data analytics to optimize courier routes, hospital wait times, businesses, and even finance practices.

Integrated skillset. Draw from your knowledge of software development, process improvement, and understanding of organizations to manage the design and evolution of software products in some of the world's largest tech corporations.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

In the world's leading co-op program, you'll explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Sample co-op job titles

Business analyst
Product manager
Data scientist
Supply chain analyst

Business systems analyst
SQL application developer
Full-stack developer
Technical program manager intern

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in first year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Co-op
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Co-op	Co-op
Fifth	Study	Study	-

Your first work term will be at the end of first year (May to August 2027).

From code to capital: Stefan started his co-op journey in web development, then made a bold leap into the fast-paced world of finance - coding, trading, and exploring London’s vibrant markets along the way.

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in management engineering?

Graduates often pursue careers in software development, big data analysis, and industrial engineering. They commonly work for research centres, technology companies, and more.

Recent graduates

Product manager - Loblaw Digital
Engineering program manager - Apple
Data analyst - Wayfair
Data scientist - Shopify
Software development engineer - Amazon
Senior manager, digital strategy - RBC Wealth Management
Software developer, lead - Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Supply chain analyst - Weston Bakeries
Technical consultant - Bentley Canada
Data analytics consultant - KPMG

Possible professional designation

Professional Engineer

Management Engineering alumni stories

Amy Tai, an alumna, describes her data science experience at Microsoft.
Helen Jiang, an alumna, describes her experience in her career as a product manager.
Rhea Philip, an alumna, describes her career in consulting.

Learn about the future of careers in business.

Common questions about the program

What is the difference between Management Engineering and a business program?

In a typical business degree program, you concentrate more on business functions such as accounting, finance, sales, human resources, and marketing and earn credits to qualify for professional designations such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

In contrast, Management Engineering provides more focus and greater depth in engineering design, science, and mathematics and deals with identifying and solving the problems that organizations face when deciding how to make better products and services how to run the business more efficiently and effectively. As a Management Engineering graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply for a professional engineering (PEng) designation.

Nevertheless, you’ll take a number of courses — required and electives — that may traditionally be found in business programs, covering topics such as economics, finance, organizational behaviour and design, management of technology, and entrepreneurship.

What is the difference between Management Engineering and Software Engineering?

Software Engineering applies computer science and engineering to design software systems. Software engineers take lots of computer science and computer engineering courses at the interface of digital hardware and software, as well as core software engineering courses on software development.

In contrast, management engineers design, implement, and manage complex management systems. Increasingly, those management systems are implemented as software and information systems. Therefore, information/software systems design comprises a major theme area in Management Engineering, with a number of courses in computer science, software engineering, and information systems.

As a Management Engineering student, you’ll learn to solve large real-world problems of businesses and organizations that are implemented in software. As a Software Engineering student, you’ll earn to solve a wide range of software problems including low-level systems programming.

What is the difference between Management Engineering and Industrial Engineering?

According to the Institute for Industrial and Systems Engineers, industrial engineers design processes and systems that improve quality and productivity by eliminating waste of time, money, materials, energy, or other commodities. There are some similarities between management and industrial engineering programs, including a significant overlap in the type of courses in the two programs. In fact, management engineering could be considered a contemporary industrial engineering program.

While the Management Engineering curriculum has a large overlap with many industrial engineering programs at other universities, there are two main differences.

Industrial engineering programs vary in the extent to which they include information/software systems design. Waterloo’s Management Engineering program has a very strong information/software systems component, with perhaps the largest concentration of such courses than most industrial engineering programs in Canada.

Where industrial engineering has traditionally focused on the application of engineering methods to improve manufacturing and industry-related processes, management engineering broadens that focus to include other domains such as finance, business intelligence, health care, and information management.

Do I take classes with students from other engineering programs?

In general, you’ll likely be with the same students for most courses throughout the program. Usually, we’re able to schedule all of the Management Engineering students to be in the same classes. In later years, as you begin to take electives, you’ll likely find yourself in classes with students from other engineering programs.

What is the ratio of men to women in the program?

Each cohort of students is different, but women typically make up 40-50% of the students in Management Engineering. The first-year Management Engineering class in 2024 was about 49% women.

Student life in Engineering

Waterloo Engineering goes far beyond lectures, with a vibrant community that works hard and plays even harder. Sing in an a cappella group, join a varsity or intramural team, compete in design challenges or hackathons, volunteer, or lead a student society! Whatever your interests, you’ll be in good company.

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

Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of our 35+ student-led design teams!

Design teams include 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 your experience as a Waterloo Engineering student the best it can be.

Benefit from mentoring for first-year students or meet other students through an annual conference, semi-formal, career fair, charity events, community outreach, and much more!

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.

Campus-wide activities

Our campus is packed with opportunities to get involved – no matter how unique your interests.

Between our 200+ student-run clubs, sports and recreation opportunities, student government, and events, student life at Waterloo has something for everyone.

"I love the flexibility of this program; it encourages me to explore a variety of subjects which I find freeing and exciting! I absolutely love my classmates and know that I’ll remain friends with them for a long time. " Prithika, first-year Management Engineering student

Read about co-op from an alumni →

Admissions 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 mid- to high 80s

There are supplementary information forms, including the Admission Information Form, which are required for admission. We'll email you detailed instructions once we receive your application. An online video interview is required for Faculty of Engineering scholarships and is strongly recommended for admission.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Related programs

Software Engineering

Systems Design Engineering

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact the Faculty of Engineering which can answer any questions you have.

You can also visit our Management Engineering program website or Email a program representative.

From the Missing Manual

Management Engineering graduate Thevany wearing a purple shirt looking and smiling at the camera

As a high school student, Thevany was set on studying math. “I would have said absolutely no to engineering,” she laughs. That changed when a friend attended a Waterloo info session and came back with a recommendation. Now the Management Engineering graduate is leading international projects in modernization and data strategy.