BUS 121WCritical Thinking and Communication Skills (WLU)
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 3 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Taught at Wilfrid Laurier University. Refer to WLU Undergraduate Calendar for course description.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or MATH/ELAS
Antirequisites
- Not completed any of the following:
- COMM102
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6033 | 167 / 1000 | TTh 08:30–09:50 |
| LEC 051 | 5763 | 0 / 20 | MW 16:00–17:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2282 | 22 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 6080 | 8 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 102 | 6081 | 10 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 103 | 6082 | 8 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 104 | 6083 | 6 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 105 | 6084 | 8 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 106 | 6200 | 11 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 107 | 6085 | 7 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 108 | 6086 | 6 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 109 | 6087 | 7 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 110 | 6088 | 10 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 111 | 6089 | 7 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 112 | 6090 | 0 / 1000 | W 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 113 | 6091 | 0 / 1000 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 114 | 6092 | 0 / 1000 | M 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 115 | 6093 | 0 / 1000 | M 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 116 | 6312 | 0 / 1000 | W 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 117 | 6077 | 8 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 118 | 6078 | 8 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 119 | 6252 | 8 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 120 | 6363 | 10 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 122 | 6364 | 3 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 125 | 6365 | 9 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 126 | 6366 | 9 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 128 | 6367 | 7 / 1000 | T 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 130 | 6368 | 6 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 131 | 6369 | 0 / 1000 | W 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 137 | 6370 | 7 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 142 | 6489 | 0 / 1000 | W 17:30–18:50 |
| LAB 150 | 6480 | 2 / 1000 | T 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 151 | 6371 | 0 / 1000 | W 19:00–20:20 |
| LAB 152 | 6486 | 2 / 1000 | T 20:30–21:50 |
| LAB 174 | 6079 | 0 / 20 | M 08:30–09:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
25% liked it44% easy41% useful
From 104 ratings and 23 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Horrible course. Horrible prof. Assignments have no clear guidelines. You lose marks on things not because you didn't know how to do them well, but because you didn't know you had to do them. Laura always changed up the requirements last minute without informing everyone, and even the TAs weren't sure what was required until they actually had to grade it. Next, the learning assessments (aka tests). They either did not give us enough time to do the tests, or they marked them extremely unfairly. In Laura's eyes, "uploading the reputation of the program" means ensuring the course average stays low, not grading students based on their work. On top of all this, Laura decided not to record the…
Apr 2021 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
A little less of a waste of time than BU111, but not by much.
Sep 2016 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
L course
May 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Course was not too death but the assignments were all over the place
Mar 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Really boring class with a very demanding nature (through multiple parts of a project) and content was very generic and can be learned through other classes.
Aug 2016 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
12 posts and comments in 11 threads mention BUS 121W, January 2016 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 2021
Applying for an exception to take a course and its pre-requisite in the same term (Form 70A) 4 points, 2 comments
u/FarmerFrank88: “I have 5 courses left to graduate, but one of them (BUS 121W) is a pre-req for an other (BUS 481W). I'm hoping to take them all in Winter 2022 (as 121W is not offered in the Fall). …”
Fall 2020
u/PresentBlock1035: “BUS 121W is kinda useless IMO”
Spring 2020
About transfer credits 0 points, 4 comments
“Hey guys, I am an incoming first-year student going into BBA/BCS program. I have the option of receiving Math 137, Econ 120W, and Econ 140W by doing AP cal BC, macroecon, and microecon. …”
u/PM_ME_E8_BLUEPRINTS: “I would take credits for ECON 120W and ECON 140W. As for MATH 137: Do you care more about progression or learning? - Progression. - Accept the transfer credit and take MATH 138. - Learning. …”
u/PM_ME_E8_BLUEPRINTS: “… My recommendation for 1A: BUS 111W CS 135 MATH 135 MATH 138 Communications List I course (ENGL 109, SPCOM 100, or SPCOM 223) 1B: BUS 121W CS 136 MATH 136 STAT 230 ECON 250W or ECON 260W Most DDs take the comm course in 1B but 1A is hit or miss with how difficult you find MATH …”
Unpopular Opinion: Double Degree Program. Has any DD faced a similar experience? 11 points, 9 comments
u/airbus707: “lmao DD people really think their top but dont realize that their BBA degree doesn't mean shit”
u/airbus707: “yes im sure your employer is grateful that you have business expertise from ECON 140W and BUS 121W”
Fall 2017
Can BUS111W and BUS121W be taken together? 0 points, 6 comments
u/sillylion14: “I'm in 2A and I'll have to take these two courses sometime in my undergrad. I was thinking of grinding both of them in the same term. And how hard are these courses for ppl who have done this?”
Spring 2017
Course change possible from CS to BBA/CS (Dual Degree) for incoming Fall 2017 student? 1 point, 5 comments
“I got into CS at UW and I'm thinking of attending this fall. This other program, the BBA/CS Dual Degree seemed to attract me more than my regular CS with Co-op programme. …”
u/esorvas: “… During first year, if you complete CS 135, CS 136, BUS 111W, BUS 121W, MATH 135, MATH 137, ECON 101 (or 120W), and ECON 102 (or 140W), where the W courses are at Laurier, you'll have a good chance of being allowed to transfer (especially if you have an average >80 overall, but …”
Winter 2017
Can someone from Math faculty switch to the Double degree (BCS/BBA)? 2 points, 7 comments
“Can a waterloo CS co-op student switch to the double degree program on their first year?”
u/sub49: “Yes, see this: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/bbabcs-transfers”
u/sub49: “… Applicants that have completed most or all of the following courses are more likely to be successful: CS 135, CS 136, BUS 111W, BUS 121W, MATH 135, MATH 137, ECON 101 (or 120W) and ECON 102 (or 140W). The number of transfer students who will be accepted will be very limited. …”
Spring 2016
CS/Math students, what electives did you take first year? 8 points, 31 comments
“None of them sound particularly interesting to me.”
u/Yyawhoo: “BUS 111W, ECON 101, BUS 121W, ECON 102, SPCOM 100. All of them were required by my program though. SPCOM 100 was my choice between SPCOM 100, 223, and ENGL 109. Looking back I would not have chosen SPCOM for the communications course. It was dry memorization. …”
Retaking Math 136? 2 points, 2 comments
“So I'm currently choosing courses for my 2nd year in FARM and I'm really not feeling confident about 235 (linear algebra). …”
u/marmoshet: “… BUS 121W extends this project. AFM 102|From what I've heard from friends in AFM and math/CPA, this course isn't too bad, especially if you like accounting. …”
Winter 2016
Looking for an interesting elective 0 points, 7 comments
“going in 3A ECE next term, struggling to find an elective that I like. Why can't there be a single art course that teaches practical drawing or crafting... sad halp. me.”
u/mujura: “Have you tried looking into some laurier courses? You can cross enroll no problem.”
u/mujura: “… Courses you can take without signing the form are but not limiting to: ECON 120W, ECON 140W, BUS 111W, BUS 127W, BUS 121W and probably more.”
What CS courses taken in 1A? 0 points, 23 comments
“Hello, I am entering UW CS soon so I would like a heads up. I should be getting AP credit for MATH 137, and hopefully I will score 80+ on Euclid so I can take the more advance math class. …”
u/Huex3: “… finance or economics in conjunction, then taking AFM101, ECON101/102, BUS111W/AFM131 or BUS121W are some electives you may want to start with. …”
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