MTE 320Actuators and Power Electronics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Mechatronics Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Review of circuit analysis and basic electromagnetic theory. Power electronics: power electronics circuits, H bridges, PWM control, interfacing, power amplifiers. DC servo and stepper motors, AC synchronous and induction motors. Transformers. Introduction to typical speed and torque control techniques of motors.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MTE120 - Circuits (0.75)
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Mechatronics Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- ME269 - Electromechanical Devices and Power Processing (0.50)
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4687 | 0 / 130 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1900 | 112 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 201 | 4690 | 0 / 43 | Jan 22 13:30–16:20 Feb 5 13:30–16:20 Feb 26 13:30–16:20 Mar 19 13:30–16:20 Apr 2 13:30–16:20 |
| LAB 202 | 4691 | 0 / 43 | Jan 18 13:30–16:20 Feb 1 13:30–16:20 Mar 1 13:30–16:20 Mar 15 13:30–16:20 Mar 29 13:30–16:20 |
| LAB 203 | 4692 | 0 / 44 | Jan 20 13:30–16:20 Feb 3 13:30–16:20 Mar 3 13:30–16:20 Mar 17 13:30–16:20 Mar 31 13:30–16:20 |
| TUT 101 | 4689 | 0 / 130 | Th 08:30–09:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
93% liked it48% easy90% useful
From 54 ratings and 8 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Ramadan El-Shatshat is a great prof who knew what he was talking about. Make sure to do the problem sets as they are similar difficulty and style to the exams. Labs were easy but the post-lab was quite difficult. They're not weighted that much though so make sure to do well on the exams.
Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Professor Kazerani's lectures mostly summarized and explained his written notes (which were extremely clear). You could get away with skipping his lectures, reading his notes, and doing the problem sets. The assessments were fair with around 75% of the content problems similar to those from the problem sets. The other 25% was made up of MC concept questions.
Feb 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
My only issue with this course is that I took it during the first fully-only term during the COVID-19 pandemic and the TA thought he could be heard over the large motors in the lab videos. Not to be an arrested development narrator about it, but he was wrong. Otherwise, this was a joyful course to complete.
May 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Extremely useful course
Dec 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Good course, but focused more on transformers and electromagnetism rather than a high level overview of motors and power electronics. You learn more specifics about motor armatures, etc. Not seeing this useful unless you specialize in power electronics
Sep 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
16 posts and comments in 12 threads mention MTE 320, November 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
This terms MTE320 TA was awesome!! 1 point, 0 comments
This terms MTE320 TA was awesome!! 1 point, 0 comments
This terms MTE320 TA is frickin awesome!! 1 point, 0 comments
Spring 2022
A GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAN AN OPTION 29 points, 15 comments
u/1000Ditto: “… |:-|:-| |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\[F,W\]| |H|One of ECE (356\[F\], 454\[S\], 455\[S\], …”
Spring 2021
145/145 voters agree that the time provided was insufficient 54 points, 9 comments
u/steven_0: “… We had the same issue with him in MTE 320 (he made us write exams with approx half the time that would normally be allotted and nothing changed). Pretty sure he does it to prevent cheating. …”
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/ApatheticPost: “… - MTE 320 - Actuators & Power Electronics: Power circuits and motors basically. Lab was very hands-on for this. We got to play with motors and stuff. - MTE 325 - Microprossesor Systems: The only mandatory embedded course in tron. …”
Fall 2019
MTE 320/325 1 point, 0 comments
u/notskule: “Can someone please share the course outlines for MTE 320 and 325?”
Fall 2018
3A Tron Labs? 0 points, 1 comment
u/zzDubzz: “How big are the group sizes for MTE 320 and 325? Also how are they? Thanks :)”
Tron 3A lab sizes? 0 points, 0 comments
u/zzDubzz: “Question for ma 3A trons, how big are the lab groups for MTE 320 and MTE 325?”
Fall 2016
Trons/Mechs, course selection help please? 1 point, 4 comments
u/cooliokats: “I'm in SYDE, and looking at a few courses to take as technical electives. Thoughts on ME 269 (electromechanical devices and power processing) and MTE 320 (actuators and power electronics)? They seem pretty similar, and I am debating between the two”
u/Shu-Wei: “I took ME 269 in my 3B term and thought it was pretty interesting and useful (MTE 320 wasn't offered in the winter until this year). …”
u/cooliokats: “… ME 269 has a much longer lab and seems to be slightly different in content than MTE 320. So in your opinion, it does not make a difference in which one I end up choosing for the 3B semester? …”
u/Shu-Wei: “I recall ME 269 only has labs about every other week, not sure how MTE 320 works. If you want to take MTE 420, it doesn't matter which one you end up taking IMO. …”
Fall 2015
Transferring from Mechatronics to Systems (1A) 6 points, 10 comments
“Contemplating transferring from mechatronics to systems design. Love the electrical and programming components of mechatronics, but the mechanical design portion (especially mte100) is something I …”
u/annihilatron: “they're not that mechanically based. About 1/4 of your courses will be grounded in mechanics/kinematics only, 1/4 will be pure electrical/controlsystems, 1/4 will be motors and the mix of …”
u/annihilatron: “everyone has to take a thermodynamics course. Trons get this condensed version which is two courses in one. actually a programming course for hardware. …”
u/straemer: “HAHAHA, you're kidding right? More like "oh lol, you don't have any pre-requisites for this course, so enjoy drawing random lines between boxes! Oh, and there's no textbook, so enjoy watching recordings of a prof talking into a microphone with lots of feedback! …”
Fall 2011
Applying for exchange. Suggested subjects? 6 points, 22 comments
“Hi I'm an engineering student from the University of Technology, Sydney applying to come on exchange to Waterloo. …”
u/rmvvwls: “Can anyone help me get a copy of a detailed subject guide for MTE 320? …”
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