MATH 117Calculus 1 for Engineering
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Functions of engineering importance; review of polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions; trigonometric functions and identities. Inverse functions (logarithmic and trigonometric). Limits and continuity. Derivatives, rules of differentiation; derivatives of elementary functions. Applications of the derivative, max-min problems, Mean Value Theorem. Antiderivatives, the Riemann definite integral, Fundamental Theorems. Methods of integration, approximation, applications, improper integrals.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following: 4U Calculus and Vectors
- Enrolled in H-Computer Engineering, H-Electrical Engineering, H-Nanotechnology Engineering, or H-Software Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5978 | 138 / 140 | M 11:30–12:20 M 11:30–12:20 T 09:30–10:20 T 09:30–10:20 F 11:30–12:20 F 11:30–12:20 Sep 11 16:30–17:20 Oct 9 16:30–17:20 Nov 6 16:30–17:20 Nov 20 16:30–17:20 |
| LEC 002 | 5979 | 134 / 140 | M 12:30–13:20 M 12:30–13:20 W 15:30–16:20 W 15:30–16:20 F 12:30–13:20 F 12:30–13:20 Sep 9 09:30–10:20 Oct 7 09:30–10:20 Nov 4 09:30–10:20 Nov 18 09:30–10:20 |
| LEC 003 | 5980 | 135 / 140 | M 15:30–16:20 M 15:30–16:20 W 12:30–13:20 W 12:30–13:20 Th 13:30–14:20 Th 13:30–14:20 Oct 7 08:30–09:20 Nov 4 08:30–09:20 Nov 18 08:30–09:20 |
| LEC 004 | 6096 | 95 / 110 | MWF 08:30–09:20 MWF 08:30–09:20 Oct 20 12:30–13:20 Nov 10 12:30–13:20 Nov 24 12:30–13:20 |
| LEC 005 | 6106 | 124 / 145 | MWF 09:30–10:20 MWF 09:30–10:20 Oct 20 08:30–09:50 Nov 10 08:30–09:50 Nov 24 08:30–09:50 |
| LEC 006 | 8180 | 108 / 110 | MWF 09:30–10:20 MWF 09:30–10:20 Oct 7 14:30–15:20 Nov 4 14:30–15:20 Nov 18 14:30–15:20 Sep 23 14:30–15:20 |
| LEC 007 | 8181 | 122 / 134 | MWF 10:30–11:20 MWF 10:30–11:20 Oct 7 15:30–16:20 Nov 4 15:30–16:20 Nov 18 15:30–16:20 Sep 23 15:30–16:20 |
| TUT 101 | 6036 | 39 / 46 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 102 | 6037 | 52 / 47 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 103 | 6038 | 47 / 47 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 104 | 6039 | 44 / 46 | M 08:30–10:20 M 08:30–10:20 |
| TUT 105 | 6040 | 48 / 47 | M 08:30–10:20 M 08:30–10:20 |
| TUT 106 | 6041 | 42 / 47 | M 08:30–10:20 M 08:30–10:20 |
| TUT 107 | 6094 | 44 / 46 | M 10:30–12:20 M 10:30–12:20 |
| TUT 108 | 6095 | 48 / 47 | M 10:30–12:20 M 10:30–12:20 |
| TUT 109 | 6107 | 43 / 47 | M 10:30–12:20 M 10:30–12:20 |
| TUT 110 | 6108 | 31 / 40 | Th 12:30–14:20 Th 12:30–14:20 |
| TUT 111 | 6178 | 33 / 40 | Th 12:30–14:20 Th 12:30–14:20 |
| TUT 112 | 6193 | 31 / 30 | Th 12:30–14:20 Th 12:30–14:20 |
| TUT 113 | 6196 | 44 / 48 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 114 | 6197 | 47 / 48 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 115 | 6213 | 33 / 49 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 116 | 8226 | 36 / 36 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 117 | 8227 | 36 / 37 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 118 | 8228 | 36 / 37 | Th 14:30–16:20 Th 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 119 | 8229 | 40 / 40 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 120 | 8230 | 39 / 40 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 121 | 8231 | 43 / 54 | M 14:30–16:20 M 14:30–16:20 |
| TST 201 | 6667 | 856 / 929 | Oct 22 16:30–18:20 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names MATH 117.
- Calculus I for Engineers Calculus I Course notes · plett.dev · from Josiah Plett’s site, CS webring Remove
- Patrick J - YouTube Lecture videos · youtube.com · from UWaterloo Links (SE) Remove
- Wabbitemu Other · wabbitemu.org · from UWaterloo Links (SE) Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
84% liked it67% easy91% useful
From 887 ratings and 157 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
If Leo Liang has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Leo Liang has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Leo Liang has only one fan then that is me. If Leo Liang has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Leo Liang, then I am against the world.
Nov 2022 · liked it · 5 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Leo Liang is the best prof you will ever get.
Sep 2022 · liked it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Fall 2016 final was cancer
Dec 2016 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Extremely useful math course for ECE. Covers lot of relevant Calculus concepts for Engineers and not too difficult either if you have done Calculus up until integration in high school. If you have not, learn integration on Khan Academy (AP Calculus BC section) before you come into this course. For practice for the exams, make sure to look at Serge's notes (which cover entire lectures in literal 1-3 pages), spam practice exams on the course website and on engsoc, and the practice in the homework and the tutorials. You will not run out of practice problems in this course lol.
Dec 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
It's an easy course, especially if you had done IB or AP in high school. Do a lot of practice problems and you'll do well.
Mar 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
361 posts and comments in 280 threads mention MATH 117, June 2011 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
Admission / High School Megathread (Fall 2024) 24 points, 20 comments
“This megathread is for prospective frosh and current high school students interested in Waterloo. Ask your questions here. …”
u/Legitimate-Garlic315: “I’m a grade 12 student and I really like circuit Analysis and I’m interested in EE at uw If you got accepted what was your avg and how are you liking the program at uw? Does grade 11 matter? …”
u/itzjackybro: “… - MATH 117: Calculus 1 for Engineering - Integrals: This is crammed into the latter half of the course. I recommend learning some of the basics in advance. - ECE 198: Project Studio - Remember to check LEARN (Waterloo's D2L instance) on the first day of classes. …”
Where did I go wrong 44 points, 5 comments
u/Valuable-Call2924: “… I'm worried about what'll happen now, ECE 150 wasn't amazing either, math 117 had one of its hardest finals in a while, I don't want to repeat the term but I don't even understand how I got myself in this position at all. …”
Failed a course in a repeated(?) term, 1A ECE 25 points, 5 comments
u/Significant-Dig18: “… Nonetheless I enrolled in the RLP and did well in the spring term (Just GENE, MATH 115 and MATH 117) with an 80ish CAV. …”
Who was your favourite prof/lecturer this semester? 24 points, 28 comments
“:)”
u/itzjackybro: “Serge D'Alessio (MATH 117). Absolutely awesome guy.”
Do eng courses/profs improve? 18 points, 8 comments
u/Hungry_Material_1785: “Dawg you’re in SE, why else would you take math fac courses”
u/Initial_Accountant7: “They mentioned taking PHYS, which SE students don't take in 1A. Math 116/117 and Math 115 are coordinated by the Math faculty despite being for eng students.”
1A term troubles 9 points, 8 comments
u/ButtonIndividual5235: “ECE is tuff bro, im suffering the same shit as u”
u/ButtonIndividual5235: “Are u taking about Math 117? Cuz I did that exam as well.”
Fall 2024 Good Prof Appreciation Thread 69 points, 58 comments
u/Drjerke2: “Serge D'Alessio (butchered last name?) For math 117, super funny and engaging. Ryan Trelford for math 115, super clear in lectures and went at a perfect pace.”
ECE 1A Exam tips 1 point, 5 comments
u/ButtonIndividual5235: “Anyone have any pointers on how to do well on ECE 105, MATH 117, MATH 115, ECE 190 and/or ECE 150. I feel kinda cooked given that i did bad on midterms.”
Exam advice 1 point, 1 comment
“sorry for the repost but low engagement. In dire needs of study tips/advice. How to pass the finals for these classes 1. Math 115 (Lin alg) 2. Math 116 (calc 1) 3. Mte 121/Gene 121 (digital comp) 4. …”
u/HillcrestEnigma: “I took MATH 115 and MATH 117 (should be similar to MATH 116) last year. You should read all of the course notes thoroughly and do nearly all of the practice problems if you haven't done them already. …”
MATH 117 Final syllabus 2 points, 3 comments
u/True_Future3046: “Just wanted to ask what exactly is in the 117 final, since our prof said that it only includes questions from topics taught after mid terms but you still need to have knowledge of pre midterm syllabus. To what extent should i study the pre midterm content for finals?”
MATH117 midterm 13 points, 5 comments
u/ElectronicOwl321: “thoughts?”
1A ECE midterm advice 11 points, 8 comments
u/MoistPotato4Skin: “… MATH117, MATH115, ECE190, ECE150, ECE105. Needless to say, I’ve only (half) studied 117. I’m kind of in a bind here, and in hindsight I know I have some serious rethinking and restructuring to do in my life. …”
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