CS 105Introduction to Computer Programming 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the fundamentals of computer programming through media computation. Students will learn to write interactive graphical programs. Fundamental language concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and arrays. Programming concepts such as coding style, modular design, testing, and debugging. Media concepts such as 2D graphics drawing, input, animation, and image processing.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- BME121 - Digital Computation (0.50)
- CS115 - Introduction to Computer Science 1 (0.50)
- CS135 - Designing Functional Programs (0.50)
- CS137 - Programming Principles (0.50)
- CS145 - Designing Functional Programs (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- CIVE121 - Computational Methods (0.50)
- ECE150 - Fundamentals of Programming (0.50)
- MSE121 - Introduction to Computer Programming (0.50)
- MTE121 - Digital Computation (0.50)
- NE111 - Introduction to Programming for Engineers (0.25)
- SYDE121 - Digital Computation (0.50)
- Not completed any of the following:
- Not open to students enrolled in programs offered by Faculty of Mathematics
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6294 | 127 / 200 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5991 | 0 / 90 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 2349 | 13 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 105.
- CS 105 – Fall 2026 Course website · Fall 2026 · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
55% liked it59% easy66% useful
From 73 ratings and 21 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
As a non CS major, this course took up way too much of my time. 2 labs, 1 assignment, and 1 quiz per week. Some material was hard to grasp because of fast pacing. Overall, revolting.
Apr 2023 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
While it was a good introduction to coding for a beginner like myself at first, it became increasingly confusing since everything is asynchronous and I found myself struggling a bit towards the middle to end. It's decently time consuming as well. Assignments are pretty difficult but modules are okay and quizzes are easy.
Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is super time consuming with all the assignments, labs and quizzes that are due weekly.
Feb 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This class takes up a huge amount of time. If you're doing this and you have electives take stuff with minimal work. The final exam wasn't bad at all but some of the assignments were quite difficult. Make sure you go to office hours since this is really the only way you learn anything apart from teaching yourself/reading the provided slides.
Dec 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Awful. Hated it
Sep 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
81 posts and comments in 51 threads mention CS 105, September 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.
Fall 2024
Computer science as a fine arts major 17 points, 12 comments
u/Confusedartcat: “… Now I'm taking CS105 and 115(for the computing minor) and I just don't know if it'll even help me get jobs. I don't think anyone will be too keen on hiring a fine arts student for a tech job. I'm trying to do the cs joint honours but there's not a high chance of that happening. …”
Spring 2024
is it a dumb idea to do a cs elective 17 points, 13 comments
“hii i’m an incoming arts student and i’ve always been interested in computer science but haven’t really given much time to learning anything, and i heard that the cs courses are introductory, so …”
u/batson2002: “… there are easier courses designed for non math/cs students such as cs105/114 or you could try out the easier cs course math students take (cs115). …”
u/mreifslp: “Definitely second this. The CS major courses (CS 135/145) I would not recommend since they are fairly difficult and are only foundational mostly for future courses, but CS 105/115 I hear can be pretty useful.”
u/hunterballard44: “I’m an arts psych major and I took cs 105 during my first term. I wouldn’t call it hard but you have to put in the work for it. There was a lab, assignment and quiz every week as well as an in person final exam.”
bird elective ( not online) 2 points, 11 comments
“Im trying to chose a bird course for my elective and all the bird courses are online.. I dont think id do well in online but if I have to i will. …”
u/hunterballard44: “Hi! Bird classes depend a lot on what you’re interested in. It’s easier to dedicate time to things you like. Are there any skills you want to build or subjects just you want to learn more about?”
u/hunterballard44: “… I’m a psych major and I took cs 105 (about as close to a game design class as you can get). There’s also a DAC course that cover game design if that’s what you’re interested in but it’s second year and up and doesn’t cover coding. …”
CS 105 3 points, 2 comments
u/Dull_Abrocoma_5261: “Gonna be a first year in September and wanted to know what I should study in order to get ahead in CS 105. Are there any video lessons or topics discussed in this course that I should study so it doesn't overwhelm me?”
Winter 2024
my friend got caught using chatgpt in his final assigment for cs105 10 points, 11 comments
Spring 2023
CS 105 or CS 115 1 point, 1 comment
u/Chance-Document-5553: “Stuck between these two. from my understanding CS 105 is more animation and artsy also it uses JAVA but CS 115 uses Racket and is more science based? I have 0 coding experience. Please help me chose !!”
u/flurrydingding: “… You can always take CS 105 first and move up in a later term. If you want to start with CS 115 you can probably drop down to CS 105 within the first month but be prepared to learn another programming language in a short timeframe to catch up. …”
Transferring from college to GDBA 2 points, 2 comments
“I'm a domestic student and I currently go to Seneca College enrolled in the computer programming program. …”
u/astoriaa_: “GBDA has 3 mandatory computer science courses which you can put towards a minor in Computing. You may just need to swap out CS 105 for CS 115 and CS 106 for CS 116”
what to learn this summer? 11 points, 23 comments
u/SBCGplayz: “Hello, for context, i am an incoming GBDA student planning to do a minor in computing, as such, i will be taking CS 115 instead of CS 105 which is the fall term required course, however, i have zero previous knowledge of CS, is there anything i should do to prepare myself for CS …”
Admissions / High School Megathread (Fall 2023) 21 points, 71 comments
“This megathread is for prospective frosh and current high school students interested in Waterloo! PSA for new students Ask your questions down below! …”
u/Aech26: “Did CS 105 applicants start receiving offers?”
u/akshatchadha: “Im seeing people saying they requested for early consideration? How did tat work ? Cuz i wrote them an email telling that other uni offers have a deadline of 1st May. They just replied saying the decisions will only come in mid may. (CS 105 applicant btw)”
u/batatis_oman: “anyone get into CS 105?”
u/nfletchx: “Are there any other 105 applicants for math out there who still haven't hear a thing??”
u/katebishopfan: “Cs 105d here, nothing yet. Pretty sure it’s just gonna be a rejection but maybe there’s a chance (I’m coping)”
u/No_Hurry_7922: “got rejected from cs 105”
u/crispyburrito2077: “rejected cs 105”
Fall 2022
Cs 105 vs 114 4 points, 1 comment
u/SnooCapers4377: “CS 105 uses the P5.js library. Absolutely useless. Stick with CS 114.”
Spring 2022
Looking for a tutor? ECON 101, 102, MATH 104,106,BIOL 130, CS 105,106, CHEM 120,123,...... 1 point, 1 comment
GBDA PROGRAM 1 point, 3 comments
“i got accepted into the GBDA program and i have some questions. - What are the courses like in the first year? like what type of classes did you have to take. - Do you have to be social alot? …”
u/astoriaa_: “first year courses are mostly breadth requirements… cs 105/106, arts 130/140, two second language courses, econ 101 and electives. second term you get to take gbda 101 which is your first look at what the program is actually about. really fun course, terry is a great prof.”
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