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ECE 358Computer Networks

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.

This course is a comprehensive introduction to computer networks. The focus is on the concepts, the protocols, and the fundamental design principles that have contributed to the success of the internet. Topics include history of the Internet, transmission media and technologies, switching and multiplexing, protocols and layering, wired and wireless LAN (local-area networks), congestion/flow/error control, routing, addressing, internetworking (Internet) including TCP (transmission control protocol).

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • BME213 - Statistics and Experimental Design (0.50)
    • ECE203 - Probability Theory and Statistics 1 (0.50)
    • MSE253 - Probability and Statistics 2 (0.50)
    • MTE201 - Experimental Measurement and Statistical Analysis (0.50)
    • NE215 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
    • STAT206 - Statistics for Software Engineering (0.50)
    • SYDE212 - Probability, Statistics, and Data Science (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

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 0014779142 / 144TW 14:30–15:50
Sep 14 16:00–17:20
Oct 5 16:00–17:20
Nov 2 16:00–17:20
Nov 23 16:00–17:20
LEC 0025043137 / 144TTh 10:00–11:20
Sep 9 16:00–17:20
Sep 30 16:00–17:20
Oct 28 16:00–17:20
Nov 18 16:00–17:20
LEC 0038149142 / 144MW 17:30–18:50
Sep 10 17:30–18:50
Oct 1 17:30–18:50
Oct 29 17:30–18:50
Nov 19 17:30–18:50
LAB 2014781421 / 432T 17:30–18:20
TUT 1014780142 / 144Th 20:00–20:50
TUT 1025111142 / 144Th 19:00–19:50
TUT 1035465137 / 144W 19:00–19:50

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

79% liked it59% easy88% useful

From 194 ratings and 34 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • The single worst course I have taken during my undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo. DO NOT take this course as a technical elective, I repeat DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE AS A TECHNICAL ELECTIVE. If you get assigned Catherine Rosenberg as a prof, switch out immediately.

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

  • Most balanced course ever. Can do well with effort. Not too demanding great as a TE

    Nov 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • One of the biggest waste of times in my undergrad - on par with that weird chemistry course ECEs have to take. You learn about decrepit standards, or otherwise concepts that can be learned via Cloudflare when you set up your first website. Take literally anything else - it might be harder but at least you won't be bored to death.

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

  • Final was very hard online.

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

  • Labs this time were all online and had AI-assisted grading so easy marks. Exams were very fair. I crammed for both, which I regret cause you end up appreciating this kind of knowledge.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

60 posts and comments in 53 threads mention ECE 358, July 2013 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 2023

ECE 3B TEs 9 points, 8 comments

u/NFLYoungGuy: “… I’m locked in on taking ece351 - compilers and ece358 - computer networks, but stuck between 320 and 356. Realistically I’d like database stuff more, but I think Paul Ward could be teaching in the fall and I’ve heard nothing but bad things. …”

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What is the Internet? 35 points, 10 comments

“So I’m working in a backend role-ish. It bothers me that I’m using tools, click buttons and boom it works. Send a request using Postman or like query using DBeaver. But like, what’s behind that? …”

u/ANewerBegining: “Take ECE 358 or something. Theres 5 layer starting from the application layer at the top (HTTP and stuff) and going down to the physical layer (wires and copper). Each layer interacts with the one below it. …”

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Winter 2023

CE 4A TEs 8 points, 30 comments

u/OkCelery1514: “… ECE 481, Digital Control Systems ECE 493, Special Topics: IOT Signal Processing I took ECE 358, ECE 356, & ECE 351 in 3B and performed at the average in all these courses. I took ECE 380, ECE 318, & ECE 327 in 3A and performed at the average in all these courses. …”

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Spring 2022

ECE 3B advice 8 points, 10 comments

“I'm taking ECE 307, 351, 356, and 358 next term, and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice in terms of order of difficulty, time consumption, textbook needed, etc.?”

u/MountainConcentrate9: “Good luck with ECE358. Refer to the textbook and begin to work on labs early. Study hard for the exams. Wasef's examinations are sometimes difficult and relies on probability type questions which can be figured out by knowing the principles.”

u/IcyProfit03: “… If you have a coop that's done Database work you should be set in this course otherwise try to learn SQL beforehand since it will be handy in the beginning of the course ECE 358 : Albert Wasef is a great prof, had him for 358 and he made that course the most interesting course …”

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Winter 2022

Question about CS 456 (656) - Computer Networks 0 points, 3 comments

“I'm an ECE MEng student, I don't come from a CS or Computer Engineering background. How hard would this course be for me?”

u/UtterBeef: “ECE 358 sounds really similar, I'm surprised this isn't an antireq edit: oops, i get the question now; it'll take a lot of effort but you're kind of on the same playing field as everyone else taking the course (it doesn't help to have previous CS/CE experience, except maybe …”

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ECE transfer to Math advise 0 points, 2 comments

“I just finished my 2b term in ECE(CE) and I also applied to BMath, as I feel ECE courses are not very useful or interesting. …”

u/amxnday: “… i’m currently arranging my upcoming terms so that i’m only taking software related courses in 3B 4A 4B which is doable because there are a lot of software TEs like ECE 351, 356, 358, 452, 455, 457, 406, 451 etc.”

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Fall 2021

Winter 2021

Software engineering vs Computer engineering 8 points, 17 comments

“What exactly is the difference between the two? Ideally I want to work/study in either the software or robotics sector and I’m not sure what I should be applying for next year. …”

u/a2xia: “… Digital Hardware Systems), computer architecture (ECE 429, ECE 423), internet networking (ECE 358, ECE 416), communication systems (ever wonder how AM/FM radio works? …”

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Fall 2020

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar