BME 122Data Structures and Algorithms
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Biomedical Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to data structures and algorithms with emphasis on abstraction, problem-solving, and efficient organization of data. Topics include recursion, dynamic memory management, sequential and linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, fundamental algorithms for sorting and searching, and the analysis of algorithm efficiency in terms of time and memory. Problem-solving strategies, abstraction, and good programming style are emphasized with applications drawn from biomedical domains such as electronic medical records, health care management systems, and related biomedical data operations.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Biomedical Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- SYDE223 - Data Structures and Algorithms (0.50)
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4668 | 0 / 134 | TTh 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1890 | 1 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 4682 | 0 / 134 | F 12:30–13:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it53% easy93% useful
From 38 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
ts too hard for me
Apr 2026 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The content that should have been taught in this course would have been very very useful for co-op search and technical interviews. Unfortunately, the prof did not deliver all the content. I'm not sure if she went over all of it, but the content wasn't in depth or anything. Not much coding or implementing practice, mostly just looking through slides that had not so great descriptions. The assessments were easy, but what's the point of having an easy course that doesn't teach you the content properly. Prof assumed we knew how to code in C++, many including myself did not. Overall, this course was really disappointing.
May 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Great course although it was pretty daunting at first! I really appreciated the pace. The concepts were easy to understand and they made sure you had enough time to do the assignments (2+ weeks). Textbook was light and they taught straight from it, including the examples, since they wrote the book. Very useful as one of my interview questions for co-op were related to data structures.
Jul 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Tests were easy, Leetcode helps. Exam was more difficult, expect it to be different from the quizzes. The content makes more sense when you do practice problems. Topics are important for interviews and work.
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The lectures were very thorough, clear, and organized. As the topics were taught well, the content was easy to pick up and useful. The assignments and quizzes were relatively easy and served as a nice grade boost. The slides and sample questions were very useful in preparing for the midterm and final, which were fair.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention BME 122, April 2018 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
Course Outline for BME122 2 points, 3 comments
u/narcissistic_despair: “Hello, I'm an international student that will be coming over for exchange soon, I just wanted to ask if anyone has the course outline for BME 122 - Data Structures and Algorithms. Will appreciate if anyone has it, thanks!”
Spring 2020
Best CS/ECE TE’a (other department suggestions appreciated) 1 point, 8 comments
u/reachoutc: “I'm just curious what your situation is that you'd have an antireq for CS240. Also if you're not in CS, it's going to be pretty difficult to get into CS courses.”
u/reachoutc: “… I'm not sure if this is the case for SE but when people transfer from BME to CS, they are given credits for CS135/CS136 for taking BME121/BME122, and so they still take CS240 in a future term. I think this might be the case for you. …”
MTE140 vs SYDE 223 (Data Structures and Algorithms) 0 points, 4 comments
u/RewardingGoblin: “They're actually the exact same course along with BME 122, so just pick whichever fits your schedule or has the better instructor”
Winter 2018
Calling to all Trons who have taken MTE140 2 points, 8 comments
“Hey tron mans, Do you remember any old exam questions? My squad does not want to get spanked on this final but there is nary an old final to practice with.”
u/jacer21: “You can probably find tons of practice questions from old SYDE 223, ECE 250, or CS 240 exams”
u/watson-and-crick: “SYDE 223 is run pretty differently from MTE 140/BME 122, so I'm not sure if that will help too much. I know when Tizhoosh teaches it he makes it really theoretical whereas this one tends to be more writing code. Not sure if the other ones will help or not”
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