CS 371Introduction to Computational Mathematics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
- Cross-listed
- AMATH 242
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 3 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A rigorous introduction to the field of computational mathematics. The focus is on the interplay between continuous models and their solution via discrete processes. Topics include pitfalls in computation, solution of linear systems, interpolation, discrete Fourier transforms, and numerical integration. Applications are used as motivation.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Earned a minimum grade of 60% in each of the following:
- CS114 - Principles of Computing for Science (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Complete 1 of the following
Antirequisites
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5699 | 0 / 80 | MW 16:00–17:20 |
| LEC 002 | 6307 | 0 / 80 | MW 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2192 | 69 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TST 101 | 6426 | 0 / 160 | Mar 4 18:30–20:20 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 371.
- CS 371/AMATH 242 - Introducation to Computational Mathematics Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 371 | SCS Other · cs.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Sep 2020 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
64% liked it68% easy67% useful
From 66 ratings and 20 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Pretty interesting content
Oct 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Big old nothing burger
Aug 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Random content and the assignments and tests felt so disconnected from each other. The midterm/final were also outta of so little marks that one simple computational mistake costs you hella marks.
Apr 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
We got to bring our own cheat sheet to the exams, so they were pretty easy. My only complaint is the assignments required MATLAB which was never taught in lecture.
Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Blegh. I thought I would get a more theoretical approach to the content covered in CS 370, but it turned out to be relatively the same. The course admin could never seem to decide if they wanted us to do proofs or only calculations. The assignments and exams were completely different in how/what they tested (majority coding assignments with hand calculations v.s. proof based exams). The course is extremely easy though.
Aug 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
309 posts and comments in 241 threads mention CS 371, December 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
Bad CS student needing advice on doing math research and double majoring? 1 point, 2 comments
“I’m a 4B CS major not in coop who would normally graduate next term but I want to try adding a math major and adding years to my undergrad to do research. …”
u/amsyed10385: “… To do a double major CS and Math though, you need to switch to BMATH CS which requires CS 360/365 and CS 370/371 as well, keep that in mind. …”
any 2nd year cs courses that you can take with cs 116? 5 points, 6 comments
“Is there any 200 CS courses that are direct successors of 116? or do I need to take 136 no matter what?”
u/fisherfam: “There are no CS major courses (CS 24X) that are direct successors of CS 116. There are however the non-CS major courses (CS 23X) that have only 116 as a requirement.”
u/cubing_starwars: “There’s also AMATH 242 which is cross listed with CS 371”
UW Math "Must-Take" Upper Year Math Courses 16 points, 10 comments
“What would you say is a useful upper year math course that everybody should take, regardless of their specialization?”
u/mmooner: “Pmath 333 if you're considering grad school Stat 341 Cs 371”
Winter 2025 courses, manageable? 7 points, 1 comment
u/SpiritedTie9025: “Hello guys, my current courses selection is: CO331, CO487, CS371, PMATH340, PMATH334 and CLAS104. More than one people told me CO487 is actually pretty chill, and so does CS371 and PMATH340. (if u good at math, and I think so). …”
MATH 239 vs. CS 731 for Stat Major (Finance, data) 3 points, 1 comment
u/New-Strawberry-8484: “Should I take MATH 239 or CS 371? I'm a STAT major but looking to work in finance on the more data/tech side. I'm interested in pushing the data direction into machine learning and modeling territory, but frankly have no idea what those would entail just yet. …”
u/lvadecima: “… good for ML (from what I heard), and all of them are locked behind co250 Can't comment on cs371 since I haven't taken it”
u/Kassaking777: “CS371 introduces some topics like the floating point problem, how to compute matrix stuff faster, integral any function, interpolation, etc. The exams are also a good test of your ability in computing. …”
Course Notes and Outline CS 371 4 points, 1 comment
u/gooseatwaterloo: “Can someone share course outlines and course notes of CS 371? Thanks so much.”
CS 370 5 points, 6 comments
“Next term will be my next term (provided can pass all courses...loll), I really need your insights to answer my questions for CS 370: 1) Is it using Python or Matlab? …”
u/dave7364: “take 371”
u/gooseatwaterloo: “May I know why? Also, could you please help to answer above questions based on your experience in CS 371? Thanks !”
Spring 2024
Possible to double major in applied math + CS? Just curious. 1 point, 11 comments
“The CS course schedule seems rigid with little room for double majoring, however I would assume there is some overlap between the math classes?”
u/Kassaking777: “There is overlap "CS371", seems most ppl don't realize it XD. …”
Easiest 3 year General Math Degree Courses 2 points, 4 comments
“Got a few terms left but all I care bout atp is getting a high grade, what courses would you consider the easiest to do? I’m taking only 3 courses next term, 2 math and 1 non math. …”
u/Kassaking777: “… even spend time learning and ended up with 98 for both) PHYS249 (just an easy version of CS371/370 but non-math :) They also waste some time teaching ppl MATH136 so really easy for math ppl)”
CO or CM (not able to transfer CS) 7 points, 5 comments
“Hi, I am a Farm student just finished 1b, and I found that I am very interested in Computer, Coding, so I decide to transfer to CS by the end of 1a. …”
u/Kassaking777: “… If you are good at high school math and MATH137/138, take CS245 and see if you can get in (and just drop it if you feel you can't get a 90+), and if not get in then take CS371 (you need to take MATH237/235 in advance). …”
Lin alg heavy courses 13 points, 10 comments
“I love math235 and I'm sad that there's no Lin Alg 3. What are some courses that use a lot of Lin alg? Would CS484 or CS480 fit this? CS475 isn't available next term, and I've already taken CS370”
u/Osteospermum: “CS 370/371 and 475 cover numerical linear algebra if you liked computation and matrix decompositions and the sort. PMATH 347 and 348 cover abstract algebra if you liked the theorems and vector spaces. …”
Bird CS for Minor Computing 5 points, 10 comments
“Hi, I need 2 more CS courses (need 1 from 3xx/4xx and the other one is just any CS) for my minor Computing. Can someone suggest what CS bird courses that I can take? Thanks so much.”
u/AHpache182: “Are you in faculty of Math?”
u/AHpache182: “I have taken CS 371. It is more difficult and more theory-based than 370.”
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