CS 436Networks and Distributed Computer Systems
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to networks, protocols, and distributed systems. Layered models, resource management, naming, addressing and routing, reliable communication, security, and higher-level services.
Prerequisites
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- CS230 - Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems (0.50)
- CS241 - Foundations of Sequential Programs (0.50)
- CS241E - Foundations of Sequential Programs (Enriched) (0.50)
- CS246 - Object-Oriented Software Development (0.50)
- CS246E - Object-Oriented Software Development (Enriched) (0.50)
- CS251 - Computer Organization and Design (0.50)
- CS251E - Computer Organization and Design (Enriched) (0.50)
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.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5609 | 0 / 70 | MW 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2193 | 39 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 436.
- CS436 Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 436 | SCS Course website · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Martin Karsten’s site Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it69% easy83% useful
From 11 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The super low-level stuff later on in the course is most likely not useful to most people but the app, transport, and network layer were interesting and useful. The little bit about security at the end was also interesting and somewhat useful. Socket programming assignments weren't hard. Midterm and final had some weird questions that I don't remember being taught but it was a good class for the most part.
Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
took it online in winter 2021 and this course was absolutely stupid. the content was interesting but in order to prepare for exams you had to memorize a lot. plus there were socket programming assignments even though that wasn't taught at all. can be easy to score but not interesting at all.
Sep 2021 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who is not in CS but is interested in network programming. The materials are extremely useful, and they teach you how to do socket programming. Not difficult at all if you spend your time on the assignments and materials.
May 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The course content from lectures was interesting, as expected. The re were three assignments, weekly homework, a midterm, and a final. The exams were open book. Not required, but worth taking.
Dec 2014 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Interesting course. Learned a lot.
Dec 2012 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
70 posts and comments in 60 threads mention CS 436, April 2014 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.
Spring 2024
CS Minor Possible? (Math) 18 points, 12 comments
“I’m entering my 2A term for Math and want to pursue a Stats major and continue seeing CS minor as an option on the Math Faculty page. …”
u/Intelligent-Show-815: “Cs230 cs234 cs246 cs371 cs436 cs487 cs476 cs475 cs479 cs431 cs338 cs330 cs136 cs135”
u/ClarkeVice: “CS 230, CS 234, CS 330, CS 338, CS 431, and CS 436 don’t count toward the minor requirements.”
Winter 2024
Most Useful CS course you took in your undergraduate career. 7 points, 10 comments
“Hello, this question is targeted more towards alumni or graduate/4th/5th year students but I was wondering which CS course in your undergrad you found was the most useful. …”
u/Massive_Class3968: “… I took cs 231, cs 234, PHYS 449(machine learning for physics), cs 431, and cs 436 recently. …”
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/nanaeem: “… CS 246 CS 231 CS234 CS338 CS430 (but it requires CS330) CS431 (but it requires CS330) CS436”
Winter 2023
CS436 Lecture Notes 2 points, 0 comments
What’s been your easiest and hardest year so far? 10 points, 16 comments
u/TheRealArjun: “EZ: 1B - CHEM 123, MATH 138, PHYS 122/122L, PHYS 124, PHYS 175/175L Not EZ (tied in difficulty tbh): 3B - AMATH 353, AMATH 373, CS 436, CS 467, ECE 459, PMATH 332 4A - ECE 222, ECE 351, PHYS 434, PHYS 442, PHYS 454, PHYS 475 WT5 - ECE 350, ECE 454, Coop 5 4B is looking bad and …”
Fall 2022
PMATH 330/340 VS CS436 5 points, 1 comment
u/kxxstlx: “I need to take 2 out of the 3 but all of them have time overlaps. Any suggestions as to which two to take / which ones are easier? Has anyone taken these courses and can share their experience?”
Spring 2022
4xx math courses 4 points, 10 comments
“Are there any 4xx math courses that only require a 1st or second year course as a prerequisite? For example pmath340 only requires math135, but I was wondering if there are any other math classes …”
u/TheRealArjun: “AMATH 456, 475 (not sure if pmath majors usually take those Calc 4, ODE 1 prereqs), CS 467 / PHYS 467 / CO 481 (same course), CS 436, 487”
Computer Engineering or Math? 1 point, 16 comments
“Hey I'm kind of looking for advice on what program to choose I got into both Computer Engineering and Math at waterloo, and I know they are completely different programs but I'm unaware of which too …”
u/steakhousebobby123: “If CS + CO is taken why not try CO with a CS minor? Plus the CO degree should be good enough to get jobs like the ones u are describing Also don't just do a program because its prestigious. …”
u/Electronic-Bird-7789: “… The only courses I really want to take as a math student are as follows: CS 479(neural networks) CS 436(networks and distributed computer systems) These are ones I cant take: CS 341(algorithms), CS 350 (operating systems), CS 458(security and privacy), CS 480(ML), CS 484(CV) I …”
Is STAT 444 as bad as they say? 0 points, 14 comments
“Prof Shoja’eddib Chenouri is teaching it this term. Heard awful things about him (non existent course outline, only explained the project vaguely in a lecture, no solutions to the quizzes at all, …”
u/Important_Winter_651: “I just finished my 4B let me rank all my 4xx courses in difficulties: Hard CS476 > CS487 > CS479 > CS475 = STAT444 > CS436 > CS431 Easy The main reason is that 444s context is not really that hard or rigorous.”
Winter 2022
[deleted by user] 1 point, 2 comments
u/UncleJax007: “Hi I am also in CS 436 and would like to study it together”
u/Niggymous: “hey I’m in cs 436, I pm’ed you”
Computing Minor 4 points, 16 comments
“I'm currently a first year in Math, and want to switch into CS. At this point it's not even realistic cause it's basically impossible to transfer. So I'll probably just take a Computing Minor. …”
u/ParmaMan: “… Courses like CS 231/234/370/338/430/431/436 are pretty useful. Also, if you want to take the restricted CS courses, consider doing an academic exchange at a school that offers all the core CS courses (you could end up taking 10 of them)! …”
CS 338 Stat 443 2 points, 6 comments
u/artifixia: “… How is CS 436? I've done most of the non-major CS courses, stat 441-4 I'm not a CS student. …”
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