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ECE 203Probability Theory and Statistics 1

Units
0.50
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Electrical and Computer Engineering

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Ensemble model of randomness. Conditional probability, independence, and Bayes' theorem. Random variables, probability distribution functions. Expected values. Collections of random variables, joint and marginal probability distributions, and correlation. Introduction to random processes.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • ECE108 - Discrete Mathematics and Logic 1 (0.50)
      • MATH119 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • ECE205 - Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers (0.50)
      • MATH211 - Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 2B or higher
    • Enrolled in H-Computer Engineering, or H-Electrical Engineering

Antirequisites

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0015068113 / 150TW 13:30–14:50
Sep 10 13:30–14:20
Sep 24 13:30–14:20
Oct 8 13:30–14:20
Oct 29 13:30–14:20
Nov 12 13:30–14:20
Nov 26 13:30–14:20
LEC 0025069133 / 148TW 10:00–11:20
Sep 10 10:30–11:20
Sep 24 10:30–11:20
Oct 8 10:30–11:20
Oct 29 10:30–11:20
Nov 12 10:30–11:20
Nov 26 10:30–11:20
TUT 1015070113 / 150Th 15:30–16:20
TUT 1025150133 / 148Th 08:30–09:20

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

42% liked it45% easy60% useful

From 86 ratings and 23 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Get Oleg'd lmao

    Nov 2022 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Olegalul

    Dec 2022 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The easiest course in 2B. The midterm and the final were hard but fair. Shechem Kandeepan Sumanthiran is a great instructor. Although he is still is PHD student, he is the best instructor this term compared to other professors with 20+ years of teaching experience, which is a pretty sad fact for the students in the ECE department

    Dec 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • not sure what i was learning past the basic probability from pre-midterm but there was definitely content

    Aug 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Can't really rate this course as the prof didn't really do anything (including showing up to his exam)

    Dec 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

22 posts and comments in 20 threads mention ECE 203, December 2017 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

Exam paper sealed in bags 4 points, 7 comments

“On my way walking to my desk in PAC, I saw a section of tables with the exam paper sealed in transparent bags. …”

u/fisherfam: “There are no section 081 exams that occur at 12:30 (which I am assuming is when you saw this packet) so my guess for the class is either ECE 203, ECE 373 or PSCI 281. No idea why it’s sealed.”

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Winter 2024

ECE 2B S24 1 point, 2 comments

u/Tight_Document_1513: “Has anyone been taught by these professors during their 2B term? ECE298 - Pope ECE207 - Dabbagh ECE224 - Pellizoni R ECE208 - Harris ECE203 - Yang E-H ECE252 - Zarnett Any advice/tips would be appreciated.”

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Spring 2023

ECE 602 with Oleg Michailovich 1 point, 14 comments

“Has anyone taken ECE602 Introduction to Optimization with Oleg Michailovich? It will help if you have taken any other course with him and can tell me a bit about the prof, Thanks.”

u/RandomDude_102: “Took ECE 203 with him. Guy shows up for our final with our finals 1-2 hrs after we were supposed to start. Very confusing when he tried to explain some concepts. …”

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Winter 2023

Biggest disaster of a course you have ever been in and why? 82 points, 30 comments

“In honor of stat231, share the biggest clusterfuck of a course you have ever taken and why. Mine isn’t super bad but ENVS278 this semester lost 1/3 of the class between first and second midterm, …”

u/ehhthing: “This wasn't me but it should be considered https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/zhujjj/ece203olegmichailovich/izosi5s?context=3”

u/YMRTZ: “ECE203 (The Oleg Incident)”

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Fall 2022

ECE 307 Midterm 33 points, 7 comments

“I want to drop this course…..Struggling…..”

u/Significant-Low-8026: “Hold up, ur allowed to drop it? Don’t u need to have a full term? Also, did u get ur money back. I got maybe a 20% at BEST. I already failed ECE 203… Also, does dropping a course make it count as a “failed” course? I’m so unsure what to do so any advice would be nice”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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