uwloo

SYDE 262Engineering Economics and Sustainability

Units
0.50
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Systems Design Engineering

When it runs

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

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

The course explores the complex relationship between economic systems and environmental health, analyzing how conventional economic models often conflict with sustainable practices. The concepts addressed are broadly applicable to many professional and personal decisions, including making purchasing decisions, deciding between project alternatives, evaluating different processes, and balancing environmental and social sustainability justice against economic costs. The goal is to develop an understanding of the benefits and limitations of market economies in achieving environmental and social well-being.

Prerequisites

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • BME364 - Engineering Biomedical Economics (0.50)
    • MSE261 - Engineering Economics: Financial Management for Engineers (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 0014746102 / 110MW 09:30–10:50
TUT 1014747102 / 110F 14:30–15:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

29% liked it82% easy39% useful

From 56 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Useless course wasting my time. Content is dry, questions are annoying, I don't think this will ever apply to my life in any way.

    Jun 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course should have been really easy, but the disorganization of the course content made it harder to understand. Effort put into the course is pretty on-par for an obligatory degree requirement that most people won't use again.

    Mar 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • First half is ECON 101/102, second half is BET/FINANCE 101. Midterm and final EZ, and assignments are free.

    Jan 2020 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Basic econ with some interest calculation formulas. Sections on accessing economic impacts of design are not well developed.

    Jul 2015 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Super easy to get high marks in. Didn't require much work at all.

    Mar 2015 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention SYDE 262, 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.

Winter 2023

is SYDE useless? 0 points, 16 comments

“I’m a grade 12 student who applied to SYDE but I am now having second thoughts between syde and comp eng. …”

u/intwhale: “what syde courses can you take as electives in ece?”

u/ExtensionBus5737: “From my understanding, it appears that the courses that make SYDE SYDE are: SYDE 162, 261, 263, 262 and the capstone projects in year 4. ECE has similarly described courses for most except 262. It also appears that ece has engineering projects in year 4”

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Winter 2022

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: “… SYDE 101L SYDE 111 SYDE 113 SYDE 121 SYDE 161 SYDE 181 SYDE 182 SYDE 202 SYDE 212 SYDE 252 SYDE 262 SYDE 283 SYDE 286 SYDE 292 SYDE 292L SYDE 401 SYDE 411 SYDE 461 SYDE 533 SYDE 543 SYDE 553 SYDE 575 SYDE 631 SYDE 677 SYDE 682 SYDE 740 SYDE 750 SYDE 770 SYDE 780 TAX 600 TAX 614 …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar