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.
in Canada for engineering (US News & World Report 2020)
Gain two years of experience in the co-op program
Students earn $15,700 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
Why Waterloo Mechanical Engineering?
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.
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Monthly topics include how to choose a university program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, and more.
Questions? Ask a student!
Contact an Engineering student ambassador to learn about their experience.
Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.
First-year courses and beyond
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
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
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.
Read about how Aleks used his co-op term to bring water to communities in need on our Beyond Ideas website.
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.
Recent graduates
- Mechanical Engineer – Apple
- Engineer in Training – Shell Canada
- Reactor Designer – Candu Energy
- Mechanical Engineer – Imperial Oil
- Quality Control Engineer - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
- Production Engineer – SeedMaster
- Senior Hardware Engineer – Teledyne DALSA
Possible professional designation
Learn about the future of careers in engineering.
Student life, including Women in Engineering
Student design teams
Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of our 20+ student-led design teams! Design teams include rocketry, concrete canoe, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Space X Hyperloop, Formula Motorsports, Engineers Without Borders, and more.
You’ll meet people with similar interests and goals, benefit from networking with experts in the engineering profession, and develop some great skills for your résumé.
Women in Engineering
Women in Engineering (WiE) supports female students and engineers while encouraging the next generation of women to pursue careers in engineering. Regardless of gender, orientation, or background, you’re welcome to join this inclusive community to participate in outreach events as well as mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
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.
Engineering Society (EngSoc)
EngSoc is run by students for students and provides many 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 get involved and meet other students through an annual conference, semiformal, career fair, charity events, community outreach, and much more!
Campus-wide activities
Our campus is packed with opportunities to get involved – no matter how unique your interests. Between our 250+ student-run clubs, sports and recreation opportunities, student government, and events, student life at Waterloo has something for everyone.
"You get to learn to do by doing. There are multiple projects to apply what we learn beyond just practice problems. Co-op is a huge learning opportunity. The four-month terms let you try a variety of industries, allowing me to shape my career path."Delainey, third-year Mechanical Engineering co-op student
Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree
Ready to learn more?
Current Research
Visit our Waterloo Stories website to learn about research in Mechanical Engineering being conducted at Waterloo
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).
Offered by the Faculty of Engineering
Apply directly to this program on your application
