ECE 260Electromechanical Energy Conversion
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Power systems and their fundamental components and models. Introduction to the principles of electromechanical energy conversion, including transformers and rotating machines, in particular (direct current) dc, induction and synchronous machines.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- ECE106 - Electricity and Magnetism (0.50)
- Students must be in level 2B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Computer Engineering, or H-Electrical Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5015 | 115 / 150 | MF 11:30–12:50 Sep 17 12:30–13:20 Oct 1 12:30–13:20 Oct 22 12:30–13:20 Nov 5 12:30–13:20 Nov 19 12:30–13:20 Dec 3 12:30–13:20 |
| LAB 201 | 5033 | 31 / 40 | Sep 24 08:30–11:20 Oct 8 08:30–11:20 Nov 5 08:30–11:20 Nov 19 08:30–11:20 Dec 3 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 202 | 5325 | 29 / 40 | Sep 21 08:30–11:20 Oct 5 08:30–11:20 Nov 2 08:30–11:20 Nov 16 08:30–11:20 Nov 30 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 203 | 5397 | 32 / 40 | Sep 22 08:30–11:20 Oct 6 08:30–11:20 Nov 3 08:30–11:20 Nov 17 08:30–11:20 Dec 1 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 204 | 8147 | 23 / 30 | Sep 23 08:30–11:20 Oct 7 08:30–11:20 Nov 4 08:30–11:20 Nov 18 08:30–11:20 Dec 2 08:30–11:20 |
| TUT 101 | 5016 | 115 / 150 | W 16:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
95% liked it79% easy93% useful
From 19 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Exams were fair, Lab quizzes were a bit brutal. Midterm and final exam questions were similar to the practice questions, so make sure you do those as they release and don't fall behind. I recommend making your own cheat sheet prior to exams to summarize all of the formulas and info you need to know.
Jun 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very useful course for EEs going into power. The exam is significantly harder than the problems given in examples and problem sets.
Feb 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Introduction to electromechanical machines and some simple power systems concepts. Useful for anyone trying to go into Power Theory
Aug 2019 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
11 posts and comments in 7 threads mention ECE 260, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2022
2B Electrical Engineering 2 points, 7 comments
u/snakeyksnake: “Any insights to the courses this term specifically ece 260 (electromechanical energy conversion) and ece 231 (semiconductor physics) and their labs. Haven’t been able to find much online about these courses”
u/SirNinjaToast: “… ECE260: - Course is basically about circuits for motors and generators. Course concepts are not too hard to grasp. It's just circuit analysis but with phasors which you learned towards the end of ECE140 mixed in with concepts you'll learn about motors/generators. …”
Spring 2022
A GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAN AN OPTION 29 points, 15 comments
u/1000Ditto: “… to get the degree, &x200B; |List|Courses| |:-|:-| |A|ECE 240 \[2A\]| |B|ECE 224\[2B\]| |C|ECE 260 \[F,S\], ME 269\[f,w\], MTE 320\[W,S\]| |D|ME 212\[F,S\], ME 321\[W,S\]| |E|One of ECE (481\[S\], 488\[W\])| |F|ECE 486\[S\]| |G|ME 321\[W,S\] + ME 220\[F,S\] = ME 322\[F,W\]| …”
Winter 2021
Any Thoughts on ECE 260, ECE 318 or ECE 418? 3 points, 1 comment
u/AnUglyDumpling: “ECE 260 was a lot of fun, especially because of Mohammed Nassar, he's one of the best profs out there. He'll do everything to make sure you understand stuff. He even gave us his personal cell number and said no hours of the day were off-limits. …”
Fall 2020
Dropping a course in 3B ECE 5 points, 2 comments
u/shoestealerz: “… I did a 8 month gap between 3A and 3B so I had the option of switching from the 2016 calendar to the 2017 calendar which is ECE373 and ECE260 (2017) vs ECE224 and ECE360(2016). I chose the 2017 one and am hard regretting it while getting shafted in the midterm. …”
Winter 2019
ECE260 course outline 3 points, 2 comments
u/Justforoutline: “Hey guys, Can anyone pm me ece260 course outline? Thanks”
Fall 2017
ECE Advice 4 points, 14 comments
u/qhdhekdkdiduxyu: “… And looking at the courses down the line, such as Electromechanical Energy Conversion (ECE 260), Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (ECE 375) and a bunch of other EE courses, I just don’t feel I am competent enough in physics to succeed. …”
u/useless_amp: “… Lastly, ECE 260 is a new course, but it sounds like a power course (motors, and generators). If it is, then the course will probably develop the physical concepts with physics first before abstracting away to the circuit level. …”
How hard are the ece X60’s relative to other ece courses? 0 points, 5 comments
u/NonobservantStack: “title looking for advice. and what courses should i aim to do well in before i start ece260. currently in 1A”
u/tris_for_the_guys: “ECE 260 is a new course under the modified curriculum so I think your year will be the first to take it. It sounds similar to the existing ECE 361 though which isn't too difficult. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them