Mechanical Engineering

Put your career in gear

If you love things that move, this is your program. At Waterloo, you’ll develop the skills you need to design everything from switches to spacecraft.

You’ll get a broad foundation in all aspects of mechanical design: mechanics, power, control, and manufacturing. You’ll also learn to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, solve problems, come up with high-impact innovations, and have the chance to apply it all to real work experiences in co-op.

Where you use those skills is up to you. Mechanical engineers work in all kinds of fields, constantly looking for ways to make machinery faster, lighter, cleaner, and more reliable.

And with two years of career-relevant experience on your résumé by the time you graduate, you’ll definitely impress potential employers.

Get your hands dirty

At Waterloo, you'll have access to well-equipped labs for design and experimentation (including our highly popular engine dissection lab).

Put the pedal to the metal

Gain hands-on experience with student teams that design everything from Formula SAE race cars and solar cars, to clean snowmobiles, submarines, and satellites.

Why Waterloo Mechanical Engineering?

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Part of Canada's largest engineering school, the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering department at the University of Waterloo is home to nearly 1,600 undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff.

in Canada for engineering (US News & World Report 2019)

briefcase Gain two years of experience in the co-op program

Money flower Students earn $13,300 on average per co-op term

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.

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First-year courses

September to December

ME 100 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 1
CHE 102 - Chemistry for Engineers
MATH 115 - Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering
PHYS 115 - Mechanics

January to April or May to August

ME 100B - Seminar
ME 101 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 2
ME 115 - Structure and Properties of Materials
GENE 123 - Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
MATH 118 - Calculus 2 for Engineering
One Complementary Studies Elective Course

After first year

See the range of courses available in Mechanical Engineering.
View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

ME 250 – Thermodynamics 1
ME 321 – Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines
ME 435 – Industrial Metallurgy
ME 547 – Robot Manipulators: Kinematics, Dynamics, Control

Gears Offered by the Faculty of Engineering

click Apply directly to this program on your application

grad cap 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

Assistant design / production engineering
Mechanical designer
Project engineering
Quality assurance
Machine operator
Manufacturing student
Maintenance & Facilities assistant
Product developer

Sample co-op employers

Linamar Corporation
Natural Resources Canada
ArcelorMittal
WalterFedy
Canadian Tire Corporation
Bruce Power Inc
University of Waterloo
Bombardier Inc

What can you do with a degree in Mechanical Engineering?

Waterloo graduates often pursue careers in automation, automotive aerospace, and forensics. They commonly work for media companies, technology companies, vehicle manufactures, and more.