CS 430Applications Software Engineering
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
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.
An investigation into the role and function of software engineering practice in the construction of computer based systems. Topics include: requirements and specification; documentation techniques; analysis and design; implementation; testing and maintenance; management issues.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- CS330 - Management Information Systems (0.50)
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- Not open to students enrolled in H-BBA & BCS Double Degree, H-Computer Science (BCS), H-Computer Science (BMath), JH-Computer Science (BCS), JH-Computer Science (BMath), H-Computing & Financial Management, H-Data Science (BCS), or H-Software Engineering
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6562 | 71 / 90 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
| TST 101 | 6781 | 71 / 90 | Nov 5 16:30–18:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 8411 | 0 / 90 | W 10:00–11:20 F 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 8412 | 23 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 430.
- CS 430 Applications Software Engineering (Development) • CS 430 F26 Course website · Fall 2026 · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 430 | SCS Other · cs.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Dec 2018 Remove
- CS 430 Applications Software Engineering Other · cs.uwaterloo.ca · posted on r/uwaterloo Dec 2018 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
67% liked it82% easy48% useful
From 15 ratings and 6 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Winter 2022 "online-to-in-person" semester consisted of 4 assignments, a group project (report and presentation), a midterm exam, and a final exam. Light to moderate workload.
Course content leans heavily towards written work, with little to no programming knowledge required. Content focuses on software development approaches and different software concepts (eg. development practices, user interface design, types of software testing). Interesting and (relatively) easy!Apr 2022 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
F25. somewhat interesting material, talking about different ways/workflows a SW project is implemented. TA's were somewhat harsh, but the material is pretty intuitive. Not a really high stress course.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
easiest course I've taken in undergrad
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This was probably the professors fault more than the course. Learned nothing practical and everything was terribly presented.
Nov 2017 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Definitely easier than other 4th year CS courses. Exams were mostly short-answer and long-answer questions, and no multiple choice, so be prepared to answer some things in detail.
Apr 2015 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
84 posts and comments in 69 threads mention CS 430, April 2015 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
CS 430 Notes 2 points, 0 comments
u/loversrock28: “The CS 430 final this term was open book so I have about 13 pages of lecture notes printed (all 21 lectures are in it). I didn't want to waste the paper, so if anyone planning on taking it in the future wants them, I'd be happy to give them to you :) Feel free to DM me!”
CS338 and CS330 usefulness for finding coop? 1 point, 1 comment
u/YeetGiao2023: “Mainly wanting to take CS338 to learn SQL in hopes to find a coop and CS330 for CS431/CS430 in hopes of finding coop. If anyone knows, is it better to take CS330 online or in-person?”
Cs 430 1 point, 1 comment
u/investindachest: “Is anyone taking cs430 this term?”
Studying together for F24 6 points, 1 comment
u/loversrock28: “… CS 430 I made this post a while back but hopefully more people are in the class now, so maybe more responses. …”
Spring 2024
Which is more bird: CS200 vs. CS338 vs. CS430 4 points, 2 comments
u/birdman4023: “I am looking to pick 2 of the 3 mentioned above. Which two are the easiest (e.g. minimal work and easy to pass)?”
u/Laeriana: “If you're looking to pick two out of the three, I would suggest CS 338 and CS 430. While CS 200 is very straightforward in terms of its material, it is A LOT of work to undertake. …”
u/almostmathmatician: “is there any sort of programming in cs 430?”
Fall 2023
CS430 2 points, 1 comment
u/Maremesscamm: “Hi, has anyone here taken CS430. What are your thoughts is it difficult? What is the hardest part of the class?”
CS430 1 point, 0 comments
Cs430 1 point, 2 comments
u/Lanky-Ad7141: “Why cs430 not offered in winter 2024? Should it be offered in fall or winter? The other question is, will winter 2025 shall be offered cs430? It totally messed my plan up.”
u/COCS2022: “According to the following web site, CS 430 is offered each winter: https://odyssey.uwaterloo.ca/ofcourse/app/”
Spring 2023
Most Industry Useful CS Courses for Non-CS Majors? 21 points, 18 comments
“Was just wondering if someone could give insight into the most useful CS courses for non-CS majors. I know there arent many avaiable at 200 level but if there are any other courses that anyone …”
u/Jaffe240: “… CS 330 MIS, CS 370 Numerical Computation or CS 430 Software Engineering. …”
u/nanaeem: “… CS 135+CS136+CS136L (alternatively CS115+CS116+CS136+CS136L) CS 246 CS 231 CS234 CS338 CS430 (but it requires CS330) CS431 (but it requires CS330) CS436”
Easiest level 300/400 math course 24 points, 14 comments
“I know there is a post about this, but that is five years old, and looking at UWflow, some courses have been restructured. Any advice on what courses may still fit into this?”
u/ShallowCup: “CS 330 and 430 were pretty easy.”
u/SavageMathie: “cs 330 and cs 430. cs 338 is not as easy as these, but if ur decent at SQL and hate memorization its good too.”
u/gooseinwaterlooo: “CS 330/ CS 430/ PMATH 330/ PMATH 340/ ACTSC 371 / STAT 332 / STAT 430”
Winter 2023
Anyone taking cs 430? 5 points, 1 comment
u/muffin_pigeon: “I'm a bit worried, today the prof was talking super fast with a pretty thick accent and I couldn't understand like 50% of what he was saying. The stuff on learn seems to be un-updated and from winter 2021 too.”
Anyone taking cs 430? 1 point, 0 comments
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