CIVE 422Finite Element Analysis
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Civil Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course focuses on the development of the basic fundamentals of finite element method with applications in fluid flow, mass transport, solid mechanics, and structures. Topics include discrete problems, matrix methods, variational principle, method of weighted residuals, element shapes, and interpolation functions.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Students must be in level 4B
- Enrolled in H-Architectural Engineering, H-Civil Engineering, H-Environmental Engineering, or H-Geological Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- ME559 - Finite Element Methods (0.50)
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4528 | 0 / 60 | T 13:00–14:20 Th 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1788 | 30 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 4529 | 0 / 60 | Th 15:30–16:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
0% liked it75% easy50% useful
From 1 rating and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Understand the shape functions and the weak form formulation and you should be set for the course.
Apr 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention CIVE 422, April 2023 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 2024
Did anyone here take the CIVE 422 final? How do you feel about it? 5 points, 1 comment
u/Jsap6: “I was hovering around mid 80 going in but I honestly think I failed the final. Doesn't help that the final will be weighed MORE if you fail, going from 50% weight to 60% and dropping assignment grades (which I imagine most people got near 100% on). …”
Fall 2023
Unsuccessful course enrolment? 1 point, 4 comments
“So I am an inbound exchange student. The early enrolment results are here and I got registered in 3 courses only? …”
u/impanini: “CIVE422 and CIVE382 happen at the same time (1-2:20 on tuesday and thursday), so you cant take both courses. PHIL358 also happens during your SE350 lecture, so that's why that one was also not successful. …”
CIVE 422 / 505 1 point, 1 comment
u/SnooHedgehogs8530: “Has anyone here taken CIVE 422 or 505.. I have a few questions.”
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/Civil_Enginerd: “CIVE 422’s midterms and finals were both brutal”
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