SYDE 461Systems Design Engineering Capstone Project 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Systems Design Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
The first half of a two-term engineering design project continuing the systems design project sequence. Students work in small groups applying the principles of systems design engineering to a situation of concern of their own choosing. Students have individual project supervisors as well as an overall co-ordinator who provides the framework for the term assessments.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 4A
- Enrolled in H-Systems Design Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- BME461 - Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 2 (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRJ 001 | 4643 | 97 / 110 | TTh 16:00–17:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
69% liked it53% easy70% useful
From 16 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Growing up, I always thought the best quality in a teacher was one who believed their subject of tutelage was the most important thing in the world. Then I met Dr. Borland. The FYDP, otherwise fun and interesting, is made a burden by all the busywork he assigns. Treat every deliverable like an English class paper: if you spend hours refining every sentence and perfecting every word - you'll get a 70; if you take a dump on the paper (and cite it in IEEE!!!) - you'll get a 75.
Dec 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The course doesn't provide students with much/any direction on their projects; it's like working on it in a basement except with required long-winded reports that get in the way of building.
Nov 2014 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention SYDE 461, 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 2022
Undergrad courses I've taken tier list (details in comments) 161 points, 13 comments
u/MindTheGap9: “… - GENE403 - I wasn't so sure about this course, but after hearing SYDE461 horror stories I dodged a bullet I think. Prof. Nespoli is great. 4B - ECE457B - Somehow the entire rest of the class was held in rapt attention by some not-very-interesting material. …”
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 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 TAX 616 TAX 619 TAX 620 TN 700 TOUR 603 TPM 1X000 TS 600 TS 610 …”
Fall 2015
SYDE vs SE, balance of hardware&software? 12 points, 15 comments
“I'm a grade 12 student who plans on applying to Waterloo for their engineering programs. I love software and enjoy my time learning new things as well as applying my skills. …”
u/jaydubs12: “Here is a link to the SYDE course list from 1A to 4B. http://www.ucalendar.uwaterloo.ca/1516/COURSE/course-SYDE.htmlSYDE461 There are only a couple software courses that you complete in classes, being: - SYDE 121 (C++) - SYDE 223 (Java, Data structures and algorithms) - SYDE 322 …”
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