ENVS 178Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
- Subject
- Environment
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.
This course introduces techniques for collecting, evaluating, and using data-based evidence in environmental research, including descriptive statistics (measures of centre, variation and shape, and measures of association between two variables), statistical research designs, sampling theory, and fundamental probability theory for inferential statistics. The course also develops skills in using statistical software for data display and analysis.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not open to students enrolled in programs offered by Faculty of Mathematics
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5655 | 202 / 250 | M 12:30–14:20 |
| TUT 101 | 5724 | 46 / 50 | W 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 102 | 5725 | 46 / 50 | W 11:30–12:20 |
| TUT 103 | 5726 | 35 / 50 | W 10:30–11:20 |
| TUT 104 | 5727 | 35 / 50 | W 11:30–12:20 |
| TUT 105 | 5793 | 40 / 50 | W 16:30–17:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5291 | 0 / 350 | M 16:30–18:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2084 | 269 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 5371 | 0 / 50 | Th 12:30–13:20 |
| TUT 102 | 5372 | 0 / 50 | Th 15:30–16:20 |
| TUT 103 | 5373 | 0 / 50 | Th 09:30–10:20 |
| TUT 104 | 5374 | 0 / 50 | Th 08:30–09:20 |
| TUT 105 | 5375 | 0 / 50 | Th 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 106 | 5376 | 0 / 50 | Th 13:30–14:20 |
| TUT 107 | 7563 | 0 / 50 | Th 11:30–12:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
44% liked it53% easy70% useful
From 316 ratings and 69 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The course as a whole was not fun. I'm not a math person so I didn't enjoy it very much. However it is necessary for my degree so I had to take it. It similar to grade 12 stats so if you did good in that you will probably understand the material. As long as you actually put effort into this course you should be able to pass. The only good thing about this class was the professor. Professor McCordic was always willing to help and was fun to listen to. Definitely not a course I would recommend if you don't have to take it.
Dec 2022 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Loved professor Mccordic. Straight forward assignments, quizzes and final exam.
Dec 2022 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is predominantly online. So don't change your schedule thinking you are going to have this in person. You meet a couple times a semester. You are learning on Pearson MyLab as well as lecture videos that the professors have recorded. Tutorials are either going to be super useful to you or super boring. You have quizzes every other week or so.
Mar 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
If you actually pay attention, you will do just fine in this class. It is pretty much a continuation of grade twelve data management. Projects are very easy. I would recommend the textbook and outside resources if you ever get confused, as well as some concepts are tricky.
Feb 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course was surprisingly straightforward. The majority of the knowledge was around the same difficulty as grade 11-12 math. The assignments are not hard as long as you follow the rubrics. The quizzes are a bit more challenging. No midterms and the final was easier than the quizzes. Learning how to interpret data and use Excel was interesting and useful. Prof McCordic is super engaging with any questions that were posed.
Dec 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
87 posts and comments in 64 threads mention ENVS 178, May 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.
Fall 2024
what is envs178’s average grade? is it difficult to score above a 70%? 1 point, 4 comments
Override Plan203 1 point, 1 comment
u/Leonardo_Lai: “… However the two prerequisites are Envs178 and Plan104 . One open to planning students only and one NOT open to Math students (which, I am a math student). …”
u/WestonSpec: “Chiming with my own experience: ENVS 178 is just "basic statistics for Environment students", so assuming you have some knowledge of statistics I don't think you as a Math student would be missing any major knowledge. …”
Spring 2024
Question for Planning Students 3 points, 3 comments
“Good afternoon guys, I'm an incoming UWaterloo Planning student and I was wondering what I could do/learn or start learning during the summer before the school year starts. …”
u/Interesting-Bird7889: “… If you want to prepare for the upcoming semester, i would suggest you look into some basic statistics as most students struggle the envs178 and 278”
u/markleestan: “… don’t want to LOL- but having taken grade 12 data management reallyyy helped me a ton with ENVS 178!! Every other class really just involved strong writing skills- but you’ll be taught, have practice and learn in each individual classes. …”
anyone who took ENVS178 or ENVS 278 has any tips on what topics do they test? 2 points, 4 comments
u/Objective-Variety843: “my math is trash so i wanan headstart a bit in the holidays. i can’t seem to access the latest syllabus for these 2 modules. thanks!”
ENVS 178 help urgently next 24 hrs, if you are looking to make some good money message me 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2024
is pearson still used in classes? 1 point, 1 comment
“im wondering how ubiquitous it is used and in what capacity (e.g.; proctoring, online assessments, educational resources) now that chatgpt is a thing. …”
u/Ill-Republic7777: “Yep, we still use it in some courses. From my experience, ENVS 178 & 278 both use MyLab for HW practice and short weekly assessments”
Selling ENVS 178/278 Textbook 1 point, 1 comment
u/One-Supermarket-9948: “In good condition, bought from FEDS used books. No highlighting or writing. Can be used for both classes since they use the same textbook. Comment if interested.”
Fall 2023
is planning at waterloo worth it for design? 6 points, 5 comments
“hi! i’m currently a grade 12 student interested urban planning, specifically the design aspect of it as i plan on becoming an urban designer. …”
u/gingham_cat: “hi, second year planning student here. you do have to apply for the urban design specialization and it is competitive (only 30 spots available for maybe 75+ people interested in my cohort). …”
u/gingham_cat: “… ENVS178 is most similar to MDM4U (data management). There are no combinatorics, but there are z-tests, linear regression, and some probability. A lot of it is more focused on interpreting graphs and tricky word problems than it is actually doing calculations. …”
Notes? GEOG 181, 187, and ENVS 178 1 point, 2 comments
u/Most-Chemical-4819: “Hey, does anyone have notes from GEOG 181, ENVS 178, or GEOG 187? Would be greatly appreciated :) I couldn't get the textbooks. &x200B;”
u/Ill-Republic7777: “I have notes for envs 178 but tbh if you have prof. mccordic then there’s also lecture videos online, some people just use those instead of the textbook”
Environment, Resources and Sustainability- Info for Incoming Students 16 points, 1 comment
u/Extra-Ad-7289: “… Respectively: policy (ERS 201, ERS 215) science (ENVS 200, ERS 202), technical solutions (ENVS 178, ERS 215, to an extent) and environmental thought (ERS 300, 301, and 400). …”
Switching from Math to Geomatics 19 points, 14 comments
u/skatertomato1: “… I was thinking of switching to geomatics, as the ENVS 178 Course seems to be the kind of math I'd like to incorporate into my career. I don't mind CS, and I'm pretty good at it too, but I have no experience with GIS. …”
Got assigned to ta a class I’m unqualified for 1 point, 10 comments
“Hi I’m a first year graduate student starting classes next week. As part of my funding package I am required to do a teaching assistantship. …”
u/badderexample: “If it's ENVS 178 or 278, they arent bad to TA, and can help with your own research. It's questionable advice, but as long as you're 1-2 weeks ahead of the students in the textbook, you'll be fine. I was successful in getting a TA swap once, but I don't think it's common.”
u/Wrong_Mongoose6829: “Envs 178/278 is super introductory level of stats, and I think math students aren’t even allowed to take any of that, you’ll be fine”
u/Alternative_Moose589: “A lot of the TAs for ENVS178 my year were quite unqualified to be TAing stats. Cameron McCordick was the prof and he attended all the tutorials to help answer questions and help out the TAs. As long as you follow the coursework & attend the lectures you should be good”
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