ECE 498AEngineering Design Project
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Team-oriented design-project which comprises a significant design experience based on the knowledge and skills acquired by students in previous courses and on co-operative work terms. Development of the design specification and plan documents, followed by the initial design work.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 4A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Computer Engineering, or H-Electrical Engineering
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
34% liked it35% easy49% useful
From 62 ratings and 12 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Useless report writing class. No time to make a good project because all our time is spent on report writing.
Jul 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is very dependent on the project you choose and your group mates. Regardless, it has a very large focus on documentation rather than actual implementation, which I understand, but it’s unfortunate. Also, Ayman presents the course with a huge emphasis on power, which is irrelevant for majority of groups, and largely seemed to ignore CE-focused projects. Additionally, the hardware constraints greatly limit some students interests such as exploring ASICs, protocols, etc. Be sure to choose your consultant well, otherwise, they might not be able to accurately assess your project or help. Lastly, I wish they had introduced capstone to us in 3B so coming up with a project that was…
Aug 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Report writing class, don't expect to be designing. 50-ish pages of reports or so. Make sure that you are working on your prototype as you need results to talk about in the design doc.a
Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Writing paper work isn't fun, but building something you actually care about is.
Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Your experience with this course will heavily depend on your group and how well you get along with them. As you probably can expect, building your project will take the most time, but writing reports will make up the majority of your mark. Generally though, as usual for waterloo ece, another poorly designed engslop course you need to take that eats up way too much time. Start working on your project early and just be grateful that this project course isn't run by David Lau.
Jul 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
7 posts and comments in 6 threads mention ECE 498A, February 2014 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.
Winter 2021
ECE 498A and 498B 1 point, 1 comment
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… ECE 300A ECE 300B ECE 318 ECE 356 ECE 358 ECE 361 ECE 390 ECE 400A ECE 400B ECE 451 ECE 484 ECE 498A ECE 498B ECE 499 ECE 600 ECE 601 ECE 604 ECE 606 ECE 611 ECE 613 ECE 614 ECE 621 ECE 630 ECE 633 ECE 635 ECE 636 ECE 637 ECE 639 ECE 650 ECE 651 ECE 658 ECE 6604PD ECE 6610PD ECE …”
Spring 2017
Computer Engineering 3rd/4th year question 4 points, 8 comments
“Are there any other courses for CEs that need you to have your circuits lab kit or are they not needed anymore? Will just leave it home if Its not needed anymore”
u/lord_fiend: “For FYDP i.e. ECE 498A and B”
Spring 2016
I think we're going to fail FYDP... 19 points, 12 comments
“My group likely failed 498A, long story, don't ask how. Does anyone know for certain what happens if you fail FYDP in 4A, but pass your other courses?”
u/PeacefuIIy: “You won't fail. Even if your project doesn't work. Most of the marks come from the report. ECE498A is a troll course. In case your curious, even ECE498B is the same thing, 60% being the report we just handed in yesterday (but a more complete copy).”
u/PeacefuIIy: “… All my friends are complaining how the main concern of ECE498A/B is the report writing. We write the report in "present tense", but everything we write is like we've already completed the entire project (when it isn't even 2 months into ECE498A). …”
Corrections to This Engineering Courses Spreadsheet Needed? (Further information in comments) 9 points, 20 comments
u/Frozen-Placenta: “… Also in fourth year there is no difference between the 4th year project of EE and CE, so technically both take ECE 498A/B (but GENE403/4 is cross-listed). …”
Winter 2014
3B Switching stream mid-way through co-op term 2 points, 4 comments
“Hi uwaterloo, A little background before I get into my question.. Just finished my 3B term as an ece, going into 4A in the summer. I'm on my co-op term at the moment. …”
u/TpKing243: “… This means that courses such as ECE 498A and ECE400A won't be offered, which isn't the end of the world, but the department may just not let it happen.”
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