ME 566Computational Fluid Dynamics for Engineering Design
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Mechanical Engineering
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.
A course to develop the understanding required to simulate complex fluid flows, such as those found in turbo-machines, duct systems, and other engineering hardware. Course topics include the physics of complex viscous fluid flows, first- and second-order finite control volume discretization methods, iterative algorithms for the solution of sparse matrix equation sets, including multi-grid acceleration, boundary condition modelling, two-equation and Reynolds stress turbulence models, and grid generation techniques. Computational fluid dynamics software is used throughout the course to simulate and analyze complex fluid flows relevant to engineering applications.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- ME362 - Fluid Mechanics 2 (0.50)
- Students must be in level 4A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Mechanical Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4618 | 47 / 50 | MW 13:00–14:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it55% easy92% useful
From 20 ratings and 10 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Learned ansys and some theory behind CFD. Nice course with a straightforward exam (focus on the lecture slide questions and don't stress too much). Just make sure that your project scope is small or it can be a time sync.
Sep 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Got to learn how to use Ansys and understand design practices. Had 3 assignments, a project and a final exam. Assignments were fair, project depends on what you want to tackle and final exam was straightforward. Don’t let the course title scare you. if you are curious, definitely take this course!
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
An interesting course that teaches how the processes behind CFD work. There was a lot of theory towards the end of the course (Turbulence models), but the content remained fairly engaging. One assignment and the project made use of Ansys CFX to help apply what we learned in class. Other assignments and the final were reasonable.
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This class felt like a combination of ME303 and fluids. Class was more theory based while the assignments and project were application based. Lectures got pretty theory heavy some weeks but Professor Devaud did a good job in explaining concepts and brought very open and enthusiastic attitude to teaching. The deliverables for this class consisted of 3 assignments, a project, and a final exam. The assignments took some thinking but really solidified some of the in class methods and theory. The project was based around a CFD simulation and accompanying report, nothing too difficult. The exams were fair and straight forward. We were given lots of study tools and the questions were as Professor…
Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Course covers mostly numerical calculus applied to fluid problems and the math behind CFD solvers. The lectures were recordd so it was easy to review if I missed classes. There were 3 assignments, a project, and a final exam. The assignments and the project were fairly easy and straightforward. The content can be complex but it was manageable.
Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
8 posts and comments in 6 threads mention ME 566, December 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.
Winter 2021
ME566: CFD Engineering Design question 1 point, 4 comments
u/mathematicalengineer: “… to expose students to the underlying mathematics behind the numerical method of FEM, while ME 566 is meant to be "application focused". &x200B; This review on uwFlow summarizes the course: Quite possibly the most disappointing course of the entire program. …”
Spring 2020
Do I need to take fluid mechanics 2 (ME 362) to take computational fluid dynamics (ME 566)? 5 points, 2 comments
u/c-andr2404: “Hi, I'm in Chem Eng and want to take CFD as an elective in fourth year. I was wondering if fluids 2 is necessary to take this course or if fluids 1 is enough.”
Winter 2019
Mech TEs help 6 points, 4 comments
[deleted]: “Has anyone taken ME566 or ME559? Which one would you recommend?”
u/timmoer: “… With ME566 you learn the theory behind CFD, but all of the marks are with the assignments, where you do CFD with ANSYS CFX and write a report on it. So basically, if you really wanted to, you could skip all CFD classes and still do relatively well. …”
Winter 2018
need some advise on 4th year mech courses 6 points, 10 comments
u/shaysura: “… in particular if you found it useful/interesting and what the workload was like: ME 566 - Computational Fluid Dynamics ME 564 - Aerodynamics ME 524 - Adv Dynamics and Vibrations ME 559 - Finite Element Methods ME 436 - Welding & Joining Processes ME 533 - …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… ME 380 ME 400A ME 401 ME 423 ME 435 ME 436 ME 456 ME 459 ME 481 ME 482 ME 548 ME 559 ME 561 ME 566 ME 599 ME 620 ME 627 ME 632 ME 651 ME 659 ME 662 ME 673 ME 680 ME 682 ME 720 ME 738 ME 753 ME 760 ME 765 ME 770 ME 780 MEDVL 115 MEDVL 250R MNS 10 MNS 101 MNS 211 MNS 321 MNS 331 …”
Fall 2013
Mechanical Engineers, what has been your hardest, easiest and favourite class you have taken? Also, what has been your best co-op experience? 4 points, 21 comments
“Now that I'm entering 2A and just dipping my toes into Mechanical Engineering I'd like to hear what I have to look forward to in the future. Thanks!”
[deleted]: “Course difficulty is dependent on the instructor. Don't want to name anyone in public though. Most difficult: ME 566 CFD Easiest: ME 459 Energy conversion Favourite: Fluids 2 or Mods 2.... Tough instructors but learned a lot”
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