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 undergraduate and graduate programs blend engineering, mathematics, and social sciences to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle today's and tomorrow's most pressing challenges.
Our Systems Design Engineering program teaches students to create innovative solutions to complex problems by thinking holistically. Learn to consider interactions between various system components, work on design projects, and apply design thinking methodologies to real-world challenges.
Our Biomedical Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to create biomechanic and biomedical devices while relating them to biology and physiology to improve quality of life. Learn to develop tools for medical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention utilizing an engineering systems approach.
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.
Home to Centre for Society, Technology and Values
The Centre for Society, Technology and Values (CSTV) is a uniquely UWaterloo interdisciplinary centre that sets out to explain and examine social aspects of technology and technological change.
News
A busy fall Open House
On Saturday, November 9th hundreds of potential students gathered to learn about both Systems Design Engineering and Biomedical Engineering programs.
Computer Museum's Artificial Intelligence Pop-Up Exhibit
Scott Campbell, Director of Centre for Society, Technology and Values and Associate Professor in the Teaching Stream, helped organize a pop-up exhibit at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum that focuses on AI.
Dynamics of Large Oscillations in Electrostatic MEMS published by SYDE professor
Dr Eihab Abdel-Rahman has published the first catalogue of nonlinear dynamic phenomena at the micro-scale.
Events
Grad Seminar: Synthesis of User Interfaces with Categorical Methods
Seminar by Marta Zheplinska
Join in-person