uwloo

CHE 120Computer Literacy and Programming for Chemical Engineers

Units
0.50
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Chemical 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.

Using computers as problem-solving tools. Introduction to computer architecture and networking. Effective use of command line interfaces and graphical user interfaces. Word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Introduction to programming and numerical computing using a high-level interpreted programming language. Programming fundamentals including flow charts, variables, design and use of functions, strings and text input/output, relational operators, conditionals, collections, loops. Numerical computing, plotting, and file input/output.

Prerequisites

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

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 0014980113 / 120WF 10:30–11:20
WF 10:30–11:20
Oct 2 12:30–13:20
Nov 6 12:30–13:20
Nov 27 12:30–13:20
LEC 0028831118 / 120MW 15:30–16:20
MW 15:30–16:20
Oct 5 12:30–13:20
Nov 9 12:30–13:20
Nov 23 12:30–13:20
LAB 101498175 / 80M 10:30–11:50
M 10:30–11:50
LAB 102524781 / 80T 10:30–11:50
T 10:30–11:50
LAB 103883275 / 80Th 10:30–11:50
Th 10:30–11:50
TST 2015368231 / 240Oct 27 12:30–14:20
Oct 27 10:30–12:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

76% liked it80% easy80% useful

From 49 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • surprisingly fun course with a solid instructor. Very informative in python programming but I've yet to use any programming in my 2 COOP terms. That being said, if you note what the instructor says in-class you will be sure to do well in this course. The only thing you need to battle with is to resist the temptation of skipping lectures because all her test questions are essentially word-for-word repeats of what she teaches in lectures.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • first half was easy, but the second half is more challenging relatively compared to first half.

    Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • it is a bit hard to a rookie in programming...but if you have a basic understanding of programming, you will be able to pass it easily.

    May 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Very basic python but the final project was fun and Pendar is a great teacher.

    Mar 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Very easy overview, you don't need any programing knowledge going into the course.

    Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention CHE 120, May 2014 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.

Fall 2023

am I gonna make it. 6 points, 13 comments

u/Successful-Stomach40: “I don't think you have anything to worry about. It's a big adjustment not getting the 99s from hs but I feel like you're beating the vast majority of people... …”

u/allgotthatonehomie: “I forgot to clarify, 90s are in the two lighter courses I have (one existing expressly for the purpose of raising the major’s averages) which are CHE120 & 180. In the rest of them, I’m just meeting 70s and am hoping to scrape by with them as well by the end of finals. …”

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Spring 2023

shitty 1A chem eng advice from an upper yr 1 point, 5 comments

u/Quiinzy: “… you just threw a dart at all eng programs and said fuck it Courses: \- You have 6 courses, CHE 100, 102, 120, 180, MATH 115, 116 CHE 100: You learn chem eng stuff here, first half is probably gonna suck and be boring as hell (unit conversions, pressure in manometers, least …”

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Spring 2017

Incoming Students Megathread 67 points, 909 comments

“Hi all, If you are an incoming student, feel free to utilise this thread to ask for advice or information regarding classes and university life. …”

u/pxtience: “Does CHE102 involve organic chemistry? Thank you in advance.”

u/snowy12345678: “i think so well, at least i did see it in the textbook, idk if they cover it tho, bc it's the same textbook used by science students in CHE120”

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Spring 2014

Failed CHE102 last year 1 point, 0 comments

u/chemFailure: “I decided to make up this course by doing one of the online offerings CHE120 or CHE123. Which of these courses are easier? And are they easier than che102 (I know I could have passed it but I was on highschool high and didn't study for this exam at all thinking it'd be easy). …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar