Electrical and Computer Engineering - Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Engineering 7

Engineering 7 (E7) Building on Waterloo's East Campus.

Expand your engineering knowledge through advanced study and research in one of our 14 areas of specialization with the Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program.  

Electrical and Computer Engineering is at the core of almost everything – through coursework, original research and a thesis, you’ll explore creative and innovative solutions for the everyday needs of society spanning from communications to energy and technology, guided by our internationally recognized faculty and researchers.  

You’ll have the opportunity to work in our world-class research labs and centres, establish connections with our partners in industry, and access a suite of competitive funding opportunities. The program will prepare you for a career in leading engineering firms, corporations, government agencies, or further research at the PhD level.


Research fields

  • Applied Electromagnetics and Photonics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Communications and Information Systems
  • Computer Hardware
  • Computer Software and Systems
  • Control, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems
  • Integrated Devices, Circuits and Systems
  • Nanoengineering
  • Power and Energy Systems
  • Quantum Engineering

Research project opportunities for this program

Electric Vehicle Integration in Microgrids

The widespread deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in residential areas faces several critical challenges: (i) limited availability of parking spaces, (ii) insufficient power distribution capacity to meet growing charging demands in densely populated neighbourhoods, and (iii) the high cost, long deployment timelines, and limited scalability and resiliency of state-of-the-art charging infrastructure, particularly during power system outages.

This project aims to address these challenges by developing a compact, low-footprint EV charging station based on a microgrid architecture. The proposed system will be capable of reliable operation during grid outages while minimizing adverse impacts on the utility grid under normal operating conditions. By integrating local energy resources and intelligent control, the charging station will offer enhanced resiliency, ability to expand, and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional solutions.

Control and Protection of Inverter-Dominated Power Systems

Global efforts to combat climate change are driving a fundamental transformation of electric power systems. Increasing integration of renewable energy resources (RESs), rapid growth in direct-current (DC) loads driven by electric vehicle (EV) charging, and the modernization of aging infrastructure through high-voltage DC (HVDC) links are accelerating the transition from traditional alternating-current (AC) grids toward hybrid AC–DC power systems.

Power electronic inverters serve as the critical interface between AC and DC systems. However, most deployed inverters today are grid-following (GFL), meaning they inject current based on measured grid voltage and frequency. While GFL inverters perform well in strong grids, high penetration levels can lead to instability in low-inertia or weak power systems. Grid-forming inverters (GFMIs), which locally regulate voltage and frequency, offer improved stability and enable islanding and resilient operation. Despite their advantages, widespread integration of GFMIs presents significant technical challenges in control, protection, and interoperability. This project aims to address these challenges by developing advanced control and protection solutions for inverter-dominated power grids. 

Program overview

Department/School: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 24 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1(for admission in September)
  • June 1(for admission in January of the following year)
  • October 1(for admission in May of the following year)

Key contacts

Request more information about an Engineering program

Jack DeGooyer

It's really like an apprenticeship in many ways where people walk you through the ideas you have and an aid you in your design process.

Jack DeGooyer, Electrical and Computer Engineering, MASc

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires either
    • (i) a 75% overall standing in the last two years, or equivalent, in a relevant four-year honours bachelor's degree or equivalent, or
    • (ii) a 75% overall standing or equivalent, in a relevant four-year honours bachelor's degree or equivalent, as the minimum requirement for admission to a master's program for applicants educated at a Canadian institution.
  • A 75% overall standing or equivalent, in a relevant four-year honours bachelor's degree or equivalent is the minimum requirement for admission to a master's program for applicants educated outside of Canada.
  • At the time of admission, each student must have a faculty supervisor who has endorsed the recommendation for admission.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume

  • Statement of interest
    • A statement of maximum 500 words explaining your interest in and fit for the program you’re applying to, uploaded as a supporting document in the online application. Review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion.

  • Transcript(s)

  • References
    • Two references are required; at least one from academic sources.
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 4.5 (writing 4.5, speaking 4, reading 4, listening 4), IELTS 6.5 (writing 6.0, speaking 6.0)

Tuition and fees