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ECE 657AIntroduction to Artificial Intelligence

Units
0.50
Level
Graduate
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 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 1 lecture section. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides an exploration of foundational concepts and techniques in Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on key subfields such as search, reasoning, planning, robotics, and uncertainty modeling. Students will learn to apply techniques like uninformed and heuristic search, constraint satisfaction, game-tree search, and probabilistic reasoning using Bayesian networks and decision theory (MDPs and POMDPs). The course also introduces planning for robotics, including SLAM and motion planning, and examines ethical considerations and societal impacts of AI.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
      • CS686 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (0.50)
      • MSE623 - Introduction to Machine Learning (0.50)
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in:

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00151730 / 144TTh 10:00–11:20

Resources

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Discussed on r/uwaterloo

5 posts and comments in 4 threads mention ECE 657A, April 2021 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 2023

Spring 2023

ECE 657 vs 657A 3 points, 3 comments

“Does anyone happen to have a good idea at the differences between the 2 courses? 657A has its outline posted online so its easier to understand but 657 only has a 2018 outline and it looks like the …”

u/Quick_Search_4773: “Both ECE 657 and 657A are requirements for ML/AI specialization in MEng. ECE 657 covers topics like: linear regression, logistic, KSOM, RBF, MLP, CNNs, RNNs, NPLs, and Fuzzy”

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Winter 2021

Did any one take ECE 657 with Haitham Amar? 15 points, 4 comments

“Did any one take ECE 657 Tools of Intelligent Systems Design with Haitham Amar? thoughts about the course and the instructor?”

u/AltruisticToe15: “As a former MME master student I took his ECE 657A before. Honesty I don't think his lecture is well-organized, which made me hard to catch up his steps.”

u/AltruisticToe15: “I didn't take ECE 657 before. The assignments on his ECE 657A require students to implement some different tasks using machine learning & deep learning methods. Personally I don't think it's very interesting, but I really learnt something.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Graduate Calendar

Older Graduate Calendars

In 15 terms, Fall 2015 to Winter 2024