SYDE 351Systems Models 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Systems Design Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to systems modelling and analysis. Graph theoretic models and formulation of system equations. State space formulation and solution. Time and frequency domain solutions. Application to engineering systems.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Systems Design Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- MTE351 - Systems Models 1 (0.50)
Leads to
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names SYDE 351.
- Models Other · real.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Nov 2015 · gone now; archived copy from Nov 2015 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
43% liked it24% easy47% useful
From 100 ratings and 32 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Charbel Azzi is an excellent teacher, he empathizes with us as students and teaches us industry-applicable knowledge. He is honestly such a sweet guy and a joy to be taught by, with him this course was never too stressful, but also very valuable.
Aug 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Heard many a horror stories about this course from upper years, how it was boring, dry, no online resources. Very glad Charbel took over the course, he is super organized, posts lots of helpful content and will help both you as an individual and the class as a whole. He has also revamped the course totally to be more than just 4 months of linear graph theory and added practical components as well as training us in SimulationX. As always, his assessments are always fair and reflect the material taught in the course. Only negative would be him supporting England in the Euros 👎🏽
Aug 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
very interesting topic which could be generalized to any physical systems (electrical,mechanical, thermodynamical, fluids) but also very esoteric and somewhat seems antiquated in most applications (i.e. there are other ways to model the same problem used )
Aug 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
without a doubt one of the most useless course in tron
Apr 2017 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Azzi has made this course (so far) very manageable. Instructions are clear, tutorial is helpful, he does it again! Course content itself is like a mix of 255, 182, and 292... I wouldn't say I like it but it isn't a drag.
Jun 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
22 posts and comments in 20 threads mention SYDE 351, September 2015 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
Worst Exams Taken 40 points, 15 comments
“With grades coming out and the recent exam crying threads, what were some of your worst exam stories? For me was leaving my Stat 440 exam half blank and left an hour early praying I passed Hopefully …”
u/QuestionTuesdayFTW: “SYDE 351. 9am exam ET became 7am my time (This was online) and I ended up sleeping 30 mins into the exam. Tbh even if I woke up on time it wouldn't have helped because that course and exam I truly had no clue what I was doing. Closed-book too (not that it mattered)”
Spring 2022
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.”
Winter 2022
Undergrad courses I've taken tier list (details in comments) 161 points, 13 comments
u/MindTheGap9: “… - SYDE351 - I wish this course was taught by (not Birkett). Again should be a SYDE bread&butter course but alas I didn't learn much. Also SPRING PENDULUM. - SYDE361 - This course might have been good, but COVID. Also Borland. …”
What is the hardest course you took in waterloo 29 points, 66 comments
u/QuestionTuesdayFTW: “SYDE 351, though you kinda have to expect the worst when your professor is a Savage”
Need a ride from Pearson to Waterloo? DM me! 106 points, 6 comments
u/particularly_loopy: “… Tron students: as a fellow Tron, we can talk shit about our program and MTE 220 or SYDE 351 New students: want advice from a 4th year? …”
Average Gordon Savage Lecture 121 points, 19 comments
u/YuckieBoi: “The pain of having him two terms in a row”
u/YuckieBoi: “Syde 252 2B and then syde 351 3A”
Fall 2021
What is your least favourite course? 31 points, 55 comments
u/QuestionTuesdayFTW: “SYDE 351, the content was interesting but having a professor literally named Savage doesn't end well”
Winter 2021
2B mechatronics 4 points, 3 comments
“what's 2B for tron like (esp for the mandems that took it online)? should i be concerned/in awe that there's a prof whos name is literally prof savage?”
u/QuestionTuesdayFTW: “Savage is bad, Barby also isn't great. It's 2B || !2B for a reason”
u/Holodexsex322: “… He does live up to his reputation and SYDE 351 was probably the most useless course I have had so far.”
Spring 2020
Spicy Learn Discussion Thread Drama 127 points, 16 comments
u/burzerk: “anyone in syde 351 can comment on this? is the OP right or is he just complaining for no reason (never taken the class so idk how it is)”
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: “… - SYDE 351 - Systems Models: Teaches you how to model many types of physical systems. Neat way of thinking about things. - MTE 360 - Controls: Cool course on designing control systems. …”
Spring 2019
Anyone writing SYDE 351 supp exam this term? 4 points, 2 comments
u/throwaway203482: “If yall got rekt by savage the first time and wanna pass this time, lmk, esp. if you're in the bay area and wanna study or something”
Winter 2019
Equivalent course to Systems Models 1 3 points, 0 comments
u/prospectiveNTU: “… The Waterloo course code is SYDE351, and here is the course description: [Introduction to systems modelling and analysis. Graph theoretic models and formulation of system equations. State space formulation and solution. Time and frequency domain solutions. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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