Systems Design Engineering

Get creative. And still get an engineering degree.

Cross boundaries. Connect the dots. Look at the bigger picture. Systems Design is designed for people who want the rigour of an engineering degree plus the flexibility to explore topics outside traditional engineering disciplines.

You’ll examine the people, materials, tools, software, and other factors involved in any engineering problem. You’ll learn to look at the system as a whole and assess how one change will affect another element, using a variety of modelling, analysis, and design methods.

Our project-based approach gives you lots of opportunity to apply your learning to real problems. Plus you’ll get two full years of work experience through our co-op program.

Once you graduate, your options are wide open: our grads go on to engineering consulting, project management, graduate school, medical school, startups, and more.

200 electives = lots of choice

Systems Design is Waterloo’s most flexible engineering program — you can choose from 200 different electives.

Add international experience

Grab your passport and take advantage of Canada’s biggest engineering exchange program, with 81 opportunities in 30 countries.

Why Waterloo Engineering?

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With its renowned co-op program and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is one of the world’s top engineering schools. You'll have access to emerging technologies, innovative professors, and world-class facilities.

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

Gain two years of experience in the co-op program

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

Systems Design 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.

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First-year courses

September to December

SYDE 101/SYDE 101L - Communications in Systems Design Engineering
SYDE 111 - Fundamental Engineering Math 1
SYDE 113 - Matrices and Linear Systems
SYDE 121 - Digital Computation
SYDE 161 - Introduction to Design
SYDE 181 - Physics 1

May to August

SYDE 102 - Seminar
SYDE 112 - Fundamental Engineering Math 2
SYDE 114 - Numerical and Applied Calculus
SYDE 162 - Human Factors in Design
SYDE 192/192L - Digital Systems/Lab
SYDE 223 - Data Structures and Algorithms
One Complementary Studies Elective course

After first year

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

Sample upper-year courses

SYDE 286 – Mechanics of Deformable Solids
SYDE 351 – Systems Models 1
SYDE 411 – Optimization and Numerical Methods
SYDE 544 – Biomedical Measurement and Signal Processing

Gears Offered through 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

Product design/development
Rapid prototype software developer
Product manager
User experience designer
Application developer
Control systems software designer co-op
Machine learning developer

Sample co-op employers

Deloitte
Yelp
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc
Shopify
Atomic Labs

What can I do with a degree in Systems Design Engineering?

Waterloo Systems Design Engineering graduates commonly pursue careers in business analysis, technology consulting, and applications engineering. They often utilize their interdisciplinary skills to work for manufacturing companies, accounting firms, technology companies, and more.