ECE 231Semiconductor Physics and Devices
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to the physical principles and electrical behaviour of semiconductor materials and devices; electronic band structure, charge carriers, doping, carrier transport, pn-junctions, metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors, transistors, and bipolar junction devices.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 2B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Computer Engineering, or H-Electrical Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- NE242 - Semiconductor Physics and Devices (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5071 | 116 / 150 | MF 14:30–15:50 Sep 10 12:30–13:20 Sep 24 12:30–13:20 Oct 8 12:30–13:20 Oct 29 12:30–13:20 Nov 12 12:30–13:20 Nov 26 12:30–13:20 |
| LAB 201 | 5085 | 31 / 40 | Sep 23 08:30–11:20 Oct 7 08:30–11:20 Nov 4 08:30–11:20 Nov 18 08:30–11:20 Dec 2 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 202 | 5324 | 28 / 40 | Sep 24 08:30–11:20 Oct 8 08:30–11:20 Nov 5 08:30–11:20 Nov 19 08:30–11:20 Dec 3 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 203 | 5396 | 33 / 40 | Sep 21 08:30–11:20 Oct 5 08:30–11:20 Nov 2 08:30–11:20 Nov 16 08:30–11:20 Nov 30 08:30–11:20 |
| LAB 204 | 8146 | 24 / 30 | Sep 22 08:30–11:20 Oct 6 08:30–11:20 Nov 3 08:30–11:20 Nov 17 08:30–11:20 Dec 1 08:30–11:20 |
| TUT 101 | 5072 | 116 / 150 | Th 16:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
63% liked it25% easy43% useful
From 19 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Interesting course materials - but prof was teaching it for the first time and hadn't quite planned out the schedule right so there were very rushed parts towards the end.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course provides a complete understanding of the basics of semiconductors. However, the lab topics are always a few weeks ahead of the lectures, which makes it difficult to archieve the highest grade.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This level of mismanagement needs to be studied. Problem sets are extremely inconsistent with units and barely relevant to quizzes and exams. The one mock final given barely explained any solutions. Very conceptually heavy unlike most engineering courses. Had to self-study the entire course.
Dec 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Midterm and exam were just rehash of assignment questions. This course was honestly just a shitshow and poorly organized for us. Skip class, read the slides/textbook instead.
Jun 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
5 posts and comments in 3 threads mention ECE 231, April 2012 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 2022
2B Electrical Engineering 2 points, 7 comments
u/snakeyksnake: “Any insights to the courses this term specifically ece 260 (electromechanical energy conversion) and ece 231 (semiconductor physics) and their labs. Haven’t been able to find much online about these courses”
u/SirNinjaToast: “ECE231: - It's about semiconductor/device physics. Mainly about stuff like the physics of MOSFETs and BJTs. - I had William Wong as my prof, and he's a snooze fest. One of the most boring EE profs I have ever had. …”
Spring 2021
ECE 231 advice 1 point, 3 comments
u/throwaway5451651512: “There isn't anything on uwflow.com or on this sub. Thinking of taking it as an elective but don't want my ass wrecked. Any advice?”
u/Frozen-Penis: “It looks like the old ECE 209 was split into ECE 109 and 231. I would have thought 231 is just 331 moved to 2nd year since 231 is the old course code for 331 before some curriculum change a decade ago, but seems like both 231 and 331 can still be taken in the latest curriculum. …”
Winter 2012
If you can go back in time, would you still pick the same program you are in now? 15 points, 50 comments
“And why? Is your current program above or below your expectations? I'm in Chem Eng, and I always wish I had picked either Systems or Mechatronics. …”
u/TheLemon22: “I really wish I had of been in Electrical instead of Computer Engineering Courses like ECE250, 354, 324, and 355 are really awful for someone who has absolutely zero desire to do software I actually ended up taking ECE231 and 332 as electives, so those were wasted as well.”
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