CS 452Real-Time Programming
- 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.
Intended to give students experience with tools and techniques of real-time programming, this course includes not only issues of microcomputer architecture and a real-time programming language and operating system, but also hands-on experience programming a microcomputer for applications such as process control, data acquisition and communication.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- 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
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6185 | 0 / 58 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2389 | 56 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 452.
- Wait for redirect or click here! Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 452 | SCS Course website · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Martin Karsten’s site Remove
- CS 452: First Impressions Other · taylorpetrick.com · posted on r/uwaterloo Sep 2017 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
91% liked it29% easy91% useful
From 33 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Easy bird course.
Apr 2018 · liked it · 14 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Easy stuff!
Jun 2013 · liked it · 11 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I've been looking forward to taking this course since first year, and it did not disappoint! The reviews are true - it's tough, time consuming, and when you've spent a week debugging ~15 lines of assembly, it can be pretty aggravating. But boy, lemme tell ya, when things actually _work_, it's incredible.
While we did get cut off by COVID, it was a blessing in disguise, since it meant we didn't have to do any of the really tricky pathfinding / collision avoidance stuff with the trains 😌
Shameless plug, but check out daniel5151/ts7200 on Github! We wrote an emulator for the ARM board used in the class, which lets you do the first couple deliverables from the comfort of your own home ;DSep 2020 · liked it · 5 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
An all-encompassing course. Exercises effective collaboration, forward-thinking, performance, extensible design, automation; everything. Expect 50+ hours of work on the first week and 20+ hours on all other weeks.
Sep 2013 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Best course I've taken in all my time at Waterloo. You're working on real problems, not canned busywork. Every assignment is open-ended, and Bill loves when you come up with creative solutions, even if they aren't perfect. Even if you never touch hardware again, the problem solving skills you learn in the lab are a huge asset in any discipline. Yes, it does take a good amount of time. No, you don't need to live in the lab to complete the course. Yes, the time you spend will be worth it.
Aug 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
622 posts and comments in 466 threads mention CS 452, August 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
Easiest Faculty of Mathematics Course for Engineering AI option 5 points, 7 comments
u/Agishan: “… CO463 \- Convex Optimization and Analysis (0.50) CO466 \- Continuous Optimization (0.50) CS452 \- Real-Time Programming (0.50) CS479 \- Neural Networks (0.50) CS484 \- Computational Vision (0.50) STAT341 \- Computational Statistics and Data Analysis (0.50) STAT440 \- …”
hi are u a cute & single cs girl that can take cs 452 in winter 2024 1 point, 0 comments
GPA boosters 9 points, 14 comments
“Basically the title. Looking for some super easy/"common sense" courses to take. I've heard about the CLAS courses and any other suggestions would be appreciated!”
u/Dazzling-Deer-9689: “CS145 I heard is crazy easy”
u/_Andoroid_: “Cs452 is very easy as well”
CS 452, CS 488 + one other course. Doable? 3 points, 1 comment
u/s01arpunk: “I originally had just 488 and 492 in my basket but now I'm thinking I might wanna take a stab at the hardest course in my major (452) before I graduate. I'll be going into 4B and I only need to take three more classes. …”
university of waterloo in 2005 💀💀 394 points, 42 comments
u/acreddited: “Started September '05. Can confirm this is accurate.”
u/Zealousideal_Cow3166: “I think that's CS452”
Spring 2024
Waterloo slang? 75 points, 30 comments
u/Impossible_Leave_693: “Trains for CS452”
Interesting courses for CS upper year (3A+) 13 points, 14 comments
“I am in CS, and I am just (after exams) done with with 2B. I only have CS 341 and CS 350 left in the mandatory courses for CS, and I will be on my 3A term in the coming Winter term. …”
u/confused-student1028: “Cs444 cs452 cs488”
CS499T 2 points, 0 comments
u/imokipullup: “Anyone have experience taking 499T? What's the workload like compared to other courses - CS350, CS 343, CS 452 Also it would be cool to see some examples of old CS499 theses, I remember finding some on the internet but I lost the link 😂😂😂😂😂”
200+ bird course fall 2024 3 points, 8 comments
“saw my course schedule and i didnt get clas 201 so i wanna have a replacement in the case that i cant enroll into it next week. …”
u/confused-student1028: “Can444, cs488, cs452”
Who Said Spring Term Was More Chill? 75 points, 20 comments
“I feel like I have more stress, pressure and deadlines this term than any of my previous terms. And I feel like I have a lack of "work-life balance" 🥲😭”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Tell me about it, I'd rather do the CS big 3 in a single term than do what I'm doing right now”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “CS 452, CS 488, CS 444”
Question regarding balancing gpa and extracurriculars 2 points, 3 comments
“Hi, I am thinking to go to waterloo for their honours biology program and was wondering, is it possible to have a really high (as close to 4.0 as i can) gpa while also having time during the day to …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “… This isn't an absolute rule given courses like CS 452 can become a full-time job, but it's a pretty good guideline as an upperbound I think science students typically take 4-5 courses per term, plus labs so that's only 50 ish hours/week. …”
How much sex would this semester provide me? 28 points, 5 comments
“3B CS, thinking about taking these courses (only 4): - CS 350 - CS 346 - CS 449 (holy grail of cs 🦅s) - CO 489 Is this semester easy-ish, or should I remove 489? …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Don't worry, CS 350 alone will satisfy your libido and more. The others are closer to foreplay. If I might suggest, I recommend CS 492 as a popular lubricant. If you prefer it... rough, then CS 452 may suit your exquisite tastes”
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