Why choose? Develop software savvy and hardware know-how.
Want to design a brain stimulator to combat symptoms of Parkinson's disease? Develop software to protect companies from cyber attacks? Create the next groundbreaking gaming platform?
Between labs and lectures, you'll gain experience with all aspects of computers, from chips and wiring to software, networks, and communications. Meanwhile, your co-op terms will give you 2 years of paid work experience.
You’ll graduate ready for a career as a software developer, hardware engineer, IT specialist, systems designer, and more.
Computer Engineering admission 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 low to mid-90s
Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Computer Engineering.
First-year Computer Engineering courses
September to December
January to April or May to August
* Milestones and courses with deadlines for successful completion are shown in the terms where they are normally completed. Work-term report courses (WKRPT 201, WKRPT 301, WKRPT 401) are considered milestones with deadlines for successful completion
After first year
- See the range of courses available in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- View all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
ECE 254 – Operating Systems and Systems Programming
ECE 320 – Computer Architecture
ECE 405 – Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
ECE 452 – Software Design and Architectures
As an Engineering student in North America's largest co-op program, you'll graduate with two years of work experience, earn money to help pay for your education, and be able to try out different career areas.
Gain two years of experience in the co-op program
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Test automation developer
- Software developer
- Full stack web developer
- Data engineering student
- Data scientist
- iOS developer
- Infrastructure engineering intern
- QA developer, mobile
Sample co-op employers
- Apple
- Microsoft Corporation
- Salesforce.com
- Mitre Media
- Connected Lab
- Public Service Commission of Canada
- Aviva Canada
- Ford Motor Company of Canada
Engineering school in Canada (US News & World Report 2018)
Offered by the Faculty of Engineering
Students earn $17,800 on average per co-op term
What can you do with a degree in Computer Engineering?
Waterloo Computer Engineering graduates commonly pursue careers in software and hardware development and engineering. They often work in software, technology, and automotive companies.
Recent graduates
- Engineer – Slack Technologies
- Software Engineer – Microsoft
- Firmware Engineer – Tesla Motors
- Network Administrator – OpenText
- Engineer, Software – Zynga
- Innovation Technical Lead – Sun Life Financial
- Chief Technology Officer – Rave Media
Possible professional designation
Study in a high-tech hub
Waterloo Region is home to more than 1,000 technology companies, including Google and Kik, providing lots of co-op and career opportunities.
Calling all hackers
Bring your ideas to life at Hack the North — Canada’s biggest hackathon — which attracts more than 1,000 students from around the world each year.
