uwloo

MTE 220Sensors and Instrumentation

Units
0.50
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Mechatronics Engineering

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Review of circuit theory; input-output relationships, transfer functions and frequency response of linear systems; operational amplifiers, operational amplifier circuits using negative or positive feedback; diodes, operational amplifier circuits using diodes; analog signal detection, conditioning and conversion systems; transducers and sensors, difference and instrumentation amplifiers, active filters. This course includes individual assessment of technical communication.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • MTE120 - Circuits (0.75)
      • MTE201 - Experimental Measurement and Statistical Analysis (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 2B or higher
    • Enrolled in H-Mechatronics Engineering

Corequisites

  • Completed or concurrently enrolled in:
    • SYDE252 - Linear Systems and Signals (0.50)

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • SYDE292 - Circuits, Instrumentation, and Measurements (0.50)

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0014663123 / 130TTh 09:30–10:50
LAB 201466543 / 43Sep 23 13:30–16:20
Oct 7 13:30–16:20
Nov 4 13:30–16:20
Nov 18 13:30–16:20
Dec 2 13:30–16:20
LAB 202475838 / 43Sep 24 13:30–16:20
Oct 8 13:30–16:20
Nov 5 13:30–16:20
Nov 19 13:30–16:20
Dec 3 13:30–16:20
LAB 203475942 / 44Sep 25 13:30–16:20
Oct 9 13:30–16:20
Nov 6 13:30–16:20
Nov 20 13:30–16:20
Dec 4 13:30–16:20
TUT 1014664123 / 130F 08:30–09:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

67% liked it28% easy91% useful

From 79 ratings and 14 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This course made me remember why I chose trons and not mech.

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This is a fantastic course for anyone who enjoys circuits. Even if you struggled in MTE120, you'll probably do better in this course, because the concepts are a lot more intuitive and there are a lot more applications to the real world instead of just foundational theory. The soldering lab was annoying but otherwise labs were interesting, and the project is a rare chance to explore a topic you're passionate about.

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is mostly applications of MTE120 knowledge. Enables you to design interfacing circuit for a sensor. Labs were fair in difficulty and length. The lab kit was a bit expensive ($100 tot, $50 each group member). W-store will almost always mess up one or two things in lab kit, like miss a SMT capacitor/resistor, not give you any thru hole op-amps, etc. Course content is not easy but if you have Derek Wright you'll be fine; he's great at teaching this course, lots of analogies to help you understand stuff, funny stories to engage you from course stuff to his co-op experience during undergrad. This course runs parallel with MTE252, you'll find stuff like bode plots and filters taught…

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Absolutely loved this course. I'm a more ME oriented guy but this is definitely making me consider EE more as a professional field. Derek Wright is a very engaging and down to earth lecturer, making his lectures fun and tangible. The project was arguably one of the best I've seen in my career so far: pick a circuit and talk about it. He made it very open ended so you can go as deep or as surface level as you'd like and still get a good grade. I went all out and got something good enough to talk about in interviews. I personally enjoyed everything about this course and if you have Derek Wright you'll be in good hands, he's continuously improving the course.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Pretty good and large curve. Content is heavily based on the fundamentals of MTE 120.

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

41 posts and comments in 33 threads mention MTE 220, December 2011 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.

Spring 2024

Easy Electives 1 point, 8 comments

“Hello, I am committed to UWaterloo General Sciences Honours Co-op Undergrad starting in the fall of 2024. I get to select an elective for the first two academic semesters. …”

u/TheKoalaFromMars: “I'd recommend MTE 220 (basic light switch design), CS 480 (how to learn), PHYS 476 (baby physics), MTE 241 (how to use windows 10), any if you're really into things that move, TRAINS!”

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Spring 2023

Fall 2022

What 2B Tron does to a mf 225 points, 37 comments

u/dw2wrigh: “… For example, I have kept the class updated that the MTE 220 labs are undergoing a complete redesign. We have a full-time employee and alumnus focused on this task. As important stakeholders, I’ve kept you in the loop and plan to present the lab redesign to gather your feedback. …”

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Spring 2022

Is "Tron was a mistake" still a thing? 29 points, 23 comments

“What were the reasons for the sentiment anyways? Other than ECE, it seems like Tron is the next eng program that have the most ppl hating their program. …”

u/QuestionTuesdayFTW: “Mostly centers around a specific course and our program director making it unbearable. The prof is kinda unreasonable but even he was against the changes proposed for his course. …”

u/Kevlar_socks: “It's okay to say Jim Barby and MTE 220, he can't hurt you anymore”

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A GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAN AN OPTION 29 points, 15 comments

u/1000Ditto: “Hey all, here's an example (by yours truly) of how to plan an option. as someone who has been trying to get many options in but having a hard time, might as well write down my process so others can kind of benefit from it. …”

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Waterloo Mechatronics 2 points, 20 comments

“Hi, Any Trons Here? I just want to know what your opinion is about the program. Got in back in March and would appreciate any input/advice :)”

u/uwthrowaway111111: “… Like most programs, we have a few not-great profs and classes (MTE 220 and SYDE 351 are the well-known ones) but if you put the work in you'll do okay.”

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Winter 2022

Urgent Help Needed 32 points, 13 comments

“I have an exam today, I can either get a DNW or absolutely bomb it and get some mark between 10-30. Which one should I do? Does DNW carry any other repercussions with in?”

u/720545: “… I also know of at least one major course (MTE 220) that lets you retake just the final if you fail it but get over some mark. I don’t know about other faculties, but I’d just take the final. …”

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Spring 2020

Asking for advice between TRON and Mechanical Engineering - transferring before 1A 0 points, 1 comment

“Hello! I'm considering transferring to mechatronics before 1A starts, and right now I'm faced with some questions: 1. …”

u/FiveFlavourFire: “… There are some courses (MTE 220, project courses) that can hit like a truck if you do not use your time wisely. 2. Tron is more like ME, ECE, SYDE until you get access to TEs - tron does not have strong SE representation in its core courses. …”

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Winter 2020

[Serious] What should I expect from TRON? 36 points, 34 comments

“Hi all, I recently accepted my offer for Mechatronics Engineering at Waterloo (yay). However, as I keep reading about people's experiences with the program on this subreddit, I'm not really sure what …”

u/scinortahcem: “… (1A has MTE 100, 2A has MTE 219, 2B has MTE 220/MTE 241, 3A has MTE 325, 3B has MTE 380). If you despise working with others, well you're gonna have a tough time. …”

u/ApatheticPost: “… - MTE 220 - Sensors and Instrumentation: Analog filter circuits and amplifiers. Heavy course but I've heard of people who did related electrical co-ops after this and were very well prepared. Very intense course with intense lab component. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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