CS 116Introduction to Computer Science 2
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 6 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course builds on the techniques and patterns learned in CS 115 while making the transition to use of an imperative language. Generative and structural recursion. Mutation (assignment) and its role in an imperative language. Primitive types and basic I/O. Sequencing, selection, looping. Function definition and use. File and console I/O. Issues in computer science.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CS114 - Principles of Computing for Science (0.50)
- CS136 - Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction (0.50)
- CS137 - Programming Principles (0.50)
- CS138 - Introduction to Data Abstraction and Implementation (0.50)
- CS146 - Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- MSE240 - Algorithms and Data Structures (0.50)
- NE111 - Introduction to Programming for Engineers (0.25)
- Not completed any of the following:
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6168 | 169 / 200 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5754 | 0 / 100 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 002 | 5755 | 0 / 100 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 003 | 5908 | 0 / 100 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 004 | 5909 | 0 / 100 | TTh 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 005 | 5756 | 0 / 100 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2173 | 468 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TST 101 | 6174 | 0 / 500 | Feb 1 19:00–20:50 Mar 1 19:00–20:50 Mar 15 19:00–20:50 Mar 25 19:00–20:50 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 116.
- CS 116: Home Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- Carmen's CS 116 Resources Page (Unofficial) Course website · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Carmen Bruni’s site Remove
- CS 116 | SCS Other · cs.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Nov 2021 Remove
- CS 116 Other · online.cs.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Sep 2020 · gone now; archived copy from Jan 2021 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it75% easy88% useful
From 412 ratings and 83 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
6
Jan 2023 · didn’t like it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Good course, much more useful than 115.
Jul 2014 · liked it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
又臭又长
Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
It's a horrible course. I wouldn't suggest anyone take this course in an online format as the professors just provide us with the content and we need to make us teach ourselves. I had not taken Computer Science in my high school and thought that coming here can clear my concepts, but they didn't teach anything and made us learn everything by ourselves. I strongly recommend everyone don't take this course.
Apr 2021 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Horrible course. The assignments are thrown on students as if there are no other courses to pay attention to. In a period of 4 months, 9 assignments at least 6 of them asked to code GAMES. Online term, makes it all the more difficult because the modules do not even cover 1/3rd of what is asked on the assignments. This course is designed to fail.
Nov 2020 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
999 posts and comments in 709 threads mention CS 116, April 2011 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
sort of failed cs135 but im enrolled in 136 so what happens? 11 points, 6 comments
u/Ok_Music_9008: “Did you get above 50 but below 60 in CS135? You can also take CS116 and try to get above a 70 average to take CS136 as well if that's what you meant by sort of failed, otherwise you'll prob have to retake 135 next term yea”
Failed a CS course, feeling lost. 18 points, 6 comments
u/RealMrG005e: “Cs135/racket is just a big pile of shit(forgive me), it’s an awkward language. Getting a low mark doesn’t mean anything. Racket is completely different from python and c. You can still do well in next term cs116/136. I got 70ish in 135 and a high 90 in 136.”
46 percent in cs115 6 points, 7 comments
“I got a 46, is there any way they could round up to 50? Has anyone every been Able too? I need to pass this course and I had passing grades until before the exam, where I struggled due some …”
u/iamanaybaid555: “46 is a default mark you get if you didn’t meet the exam requirement. I don’t think it’s reflective of the actual mark you got.”
u/CSplays: “You probably wouldn’t want to do that anyway. But, cs 115 is a requirement cs116”
CS 135 to 136 transition 2 points, 3 comments
“Did hella shit on CS 135 (fuck Racket), how much harder or easier is CS 135/136L, is it worth considering dropping down to 116 to boost GPA?”
u/my_copingmechanism: “i did very well in cs135 but was crushed by cs136 😭 plus the labs in cs136l take way too long and aren't even counted towards your gpa. if you didn't do well in cs135 i would not recommend taking cs136, definitely drop down to cs116 instead”
Help with Honors Mathematics 1B and 2A term 9 points, 3 comments
u/MinuteRemarkable9989: “… and an elective and expect to do fairly well in them (thank mr goose) 1B: MATH136, MATH138, CS116, STAT230 and ECON101 online I plan to take 116 since i heard STAT230 is a heavy courseload and dont want to be forced to compromise on splitting time between classes. 2A. …”
Feeling lost and embarrassed 29 points, 14 comments
“I’m a CS major with 0 prior programming experience, only getting in because of my love for math. I decided to drop CS135 to 115 after struggling in order to grasp the concepts at a slower pace. …”
u/mmimetamorphosis: “it isn't the end of the world, there's literally a recommended course sequence for students who take CS115 and CS116 and you still graduate on time. …”
u/Informal-Layer2241: “… i took cs 115, then cs 116, then cs 136 over the summer. to be honest, im super happy it worked out this way. 116 allowed me to learn python, and i liked the way the lessons were structured. it was nice having a bit of time to get my feet under me. …”
CS115 final 10 points, 5 comments
“no way I’ll pass bro”
u/onemanshow59: “If CS115 is like this you're in for a rude awakening w CS116”
u/fundaykaide: “hmm I found CS 116 significantly easier then CS 115, it varies by person”
Failed cs115 15 points, 4 comments
u/Deep-Apartment9323: “I want to kms I didnt expect the exam to be 99% recursion and failed without a doubt. What’s next? Do i take the course again next term? When do i take cs 116?”
Cs 116 Final 5 points, 2 comments
u/Substantial-Unit8203: “How was it for you guys?”
Where can I find more practice questions for CS135? And for next term should I switch to CS116 if I’m not doing CS? 5 points, 1 comment
u/Any-Masterpiece-2774: “Basically the title, I’m currently in Math and Business Administration major (the one degree one), is it necessary for me to take CS136 since I already felt a little pressure from CS135?”
u/f50_thousand_miles: “not necessary to take cs 136 as a mathbus student, all the required courses just need cs 116 as pre req. source: am mathbus major last time I took it, there were a lot of past exams posted on the website and it was pretty helpful”
cs116 final 3 points, 1 comment
u/IndustryGlad: “how'd u guys find it?”
Cs 116 2 points, 1 comment
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
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