The Department of Systems Design Engineering is a globally unique interdisciplinary department with flexible and innovative programs dedicated to the study of complex systems and their design.
Our interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs blend engineering, mathematics, and social sciences to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle the most pressing technological challenges of today and tomorrow. In addition to our new Biomedical Engineering program, Systems Design remains committed to Human Factors, Mechatronics, and Societal and Environmental Systems.
Capstone Design Projects
Each year, graduating Systems Design Engineering and Biomedical Engineering students collaborate in teams to tackle real-world challenges. Applying their knowledge and creativity to engineer solutions that make a difference, students create cutting-edge technology using their design-thinking skills, developed throughout their academic journey. Capstone prepares students to confidently tackle challenges, drive change, and positively impact society as they begin their careers.
In 2024, three BME teams participated in the Esch Pitch Competition: Adapt, Saturn, and ClarifEye. Adapt and Saturn each won $12K while ClarifEye won a $5K People's Choice Award.
News
iSPARK - Students learn to design better solutions
The University of Waterloo hosted the iSPARK workshop to advance undergraduate and graduate student design skills.
Building new bones with help from 3D printing
Biomedical engineers develop a new material to produce bone grafts for better surgery outcomes.
SYDE research team wins Best Student Design Award at IEEE NANO 2024
A paper from Dr. John Yeow and his grad students won Best Nano Student Design Competition Award at IEEE NANO 2024 in Spain.