Much of today's technology could not be created without the expertise of electrical engineers. Satellite communication, television, computers, wireless networks, radio, and energy distribution all involve electrical engineering.
Through co-op work terms and access to some of the best electrical engineering student labs in North America, you'll gain experience starting right in first year. Study digital communications over channels such as the Internet. Learn to use computers to control a production line. Or develop the next generation of wireless networks.
Co-op means that you'll graduate with 2 years of co-op work experience, earn money, and be able to try out different career areas even before you finish school. With 500 technology companies in Waterloo Region, you can easily gain paid co-op work experience with leading companies.
In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a design symposium, where you'll be able to show off your fourth-year project to the public, including potential employers and investors.
About Electrical Engineering
- Available as a co-op program only
- Starts in first year so apply directly to this program on your application
- Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering
- Offered by the Faculty of Engineering
- Waterloo ranks top 4 in Canada, top 100 in the world for Electrical Engineering (QS World University Rankings 2017)
Admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 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)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Admission averages: Individual selection from the mid-80s
- An Admission Information Form is required
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements database
First-year courses
September to December
CHE 102 - Chemistry for Engineers
ECE 105 - Classical Mechanics
ECE 150 - Fundamentals of Programming
ECE 190 - Engineering Profession and Practice
MATH 115 - Linear Algebra
MATH 117 - Calculus 1 for Engineering
January to April or May to August
ECE 102 - Information Session
ECE 106 - Electricity and Magnetism
ECE 108 - Discrete Mathematics and Logic 1
ECE 124 - Digital Circuits and Systems
ECE 140 - Linear Circuits
MATH 119 - Calculus 2 for Engineering
What other courses will you take?
See the range of courses available in Electrical and Computer Engineering. You can also view all the courses required for your degree.
Co-op
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 positions
- Web Solution Developer - eCommerce, Velcro Canada Inc
- Junior Power Electronics/Firmware field trial, Blue Heron Systems
- Web Developer, Western Financial Consulting
- Intel Technical Administrator, The Economical Insurance Group
- Software Developer, Evertz Microsystems Ltd
- Technical Assistant, Wintel Computers
- Junior Developer/Business Analyst (Notes & Web Developer), PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- Information Technology Analyst, The Michener Institute
Co-op work/study sequences
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | School | Co-op | School |
| Second year | Co-op | School | Co-op |
| Third year | School | Co-op | School |
| Fourth year | Co-op | School | School |
| Final year | Co-op | School | |
|
Fall = September to December, Winter = January to April, Spring = May to August There is a second work-study sequence where co-op starts in the spring of first year. |
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Careers
Recent graduates
- Design Engineer, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
- Software Developer Engineer, Amazon.com
- Camera Design Engineer, Apple
- Audio Technology Developer, BlackBerry Limited
- Electrical Control & Design Engineer, Control System Innovators Corp
- Solutions Engineer, Sandvine Corporation
- Design Engineer, J&B Engineering Inc
- Engineering Specialist, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
- Energy Analyst, Toronto Hydro Corporation
- Embedded Software Engineer, Motorola Solutions
Possible professional designation
Learn more about Electrical Engineering
- Visit the Electrical Engineering website
- Join us for a campus tour
- Request a Faculty of Engineering brochure
