MNS 101Materials and Nanosciences in the Modern World
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Materials and Nano-Sciences
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 1 lecture section. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Overview of materials, including physical and chemical classification of materials, and structure-property relationships; survey of emerging fields in materials and nanoscience research such as nanotechnology, quantum materials and devices, bionic research; societal impacts of materials and nanoscience research.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7178 | 44 / 70 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6867 | 0 / 60 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
81% liked it74% easy65% useful
From 32 ratings and 11 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Super easy, as long as you memorized what the variables meant and some theory, u could breeze through the tests just by using the data booklet. tests and assignments are exactly what u'd expect. Marta also makes it easy so that if u miss/skip class u can catch up REALLY easily, and gives v clear and thorough notes.
Jan 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Dr. Rick Marta is AMAZING. He's very well organized, and all the content you need is on LEARN. Stay on top of pre-lecture videos, attend class, do all the assignments, and you'll be set for the assessments. Similar structure to CHEM 121
Feb 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
PROS: (1) online (2) interesting and fun course (3) good amount of info, wanted to learn more sometimes, but I had taken this course as an elective CONS: (1) actual course was hybrid so the content will get updated 3 times a week with LOTS of info, kinda gets hard to manage an in-person learning structure online. (2) isolating from class and couldn't find other online students (2) videos are lengthy, I never actually managed to finish all the vids near the end of the course (3) heavy course, not a grade booster (I means it's a stem course lol) TIPS: (1) ask lots of questions (2) makes notes, practice, and review regularly (3) keep up to pace with the videos (4) quizzes every week, make sure…
Jul 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course allows interest in a variety of modern materials.
May 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
content is not particularly difficult, but the tests were somewhat harder than other first year courses
Dec 2020 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
31 posts and comments in 27 threads mention MNS 101, October 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
GPA boosters 9 points, 14 comments
“Basically the title. Looking for some super easy/"common sense" courses to take. I've heard about the CLAS courses and any other suggestions would be appreciated!”
u/em69420ma: “if u have any math/science/chemistry knowledge at all, MNS 101 is sooooooo interesting, fun, prof is great, and a lot of people get amazing grades in it compared to the effort!”
Spring 2024
Suggest some good electives but easy pls 11 points, 16 comments
“I need to take one more elective for this term, some suggestions would help. Math 2B”
u/em69420ma: “mns 101 :D name sounds fancy but rlly it's just the most basic math and some basic chem”
Winter 2024
Bird course for high gpa 8 points, 11 comments
“Is there any recommendation for bird elective that could also help with gpa? Hopefully an easy 90+ but 85+ also sounds good. I want to apply to grad school so gpa matters a bit to me. Thanks guys.”
u/em69420ma: “mns 101. not just bc i'd die for the prof. assignments have 4 tries each and are majority multiple choice (and not even HARD multiple choice). easy 100 on them. …”
Fall 2023
Easy 90 GPA booster 21 points, 22 comments
“Does anyone have any suggestions for easy gps booster courses which I desperately need for my transcript. …”
u/em69420ma: “MNS 101 is about as bird as a science course gets. amazing prof, no way you don’t get 100s on every assignment, and my friends and i snagged high 90s with minimal studying for midterm n final. 102 is pretty much same but slightly harder”
Now that the term is over, is there any course you enjoyed attending this term? 26 points, 52 comments
u/pan33rMan: “MNS 101 with Rick Marta”
Course selection 2 points, 1 comment
“Course selection is on Thursday and I'm unsure with what elective I should take. My second semester is ENGL 193, MATH 127, BIOL 239 and CHEM123 with one elective. …”
u/shuckle4: “… MNS101 has the best professor ever so I would consider checking it out + the course load is very manageable. …”
Spring 2023
Non- Math electives 1 point, 9 comments
“I am first year student and was wondering what non-math courses do students take? &x200B;”
u/Haisse0501: “For your science elective, take MNS 101 and/or MNS 102. Really interesting and fun if you want to learn about materials and how they are made. Great prof and small class. Course is pretty chill, just midterm and final have big weight, yet easy to prepare for.”
Winter 2023
easiest science credit for CS student 15 points, 19 comments
“title”
u/em69420ma: “i'm in science but MNS 101 was really easy (although i know some people thought it had too much memorization, i don't think it did).”
u/AcademicAdvisorBot: “That’s great to hear that you found MNS 101 easy! While memorization can certainly be a component of science courses, there are many other topics that are part of the course such as experiments and problem-solving. …”
Fall 2021
[deleted by user] 6 points, 4 comments
u/JustinToft: “MNS 101”
Fall 2020
MNS101 Help 2 points, 1 comment
u/elowop: “I am a first-year math student and took MNS101 as an elective and took the course out of interest. Through the description, it didn't look too hard either but I've been finding it extremely hard trying to balance it with my other courses (math, cs, etc.). …”
Winter 2020
What Are Some "Easy To Ace" Bird Courses? 0 points, 11 comments
“I'm majoring in Economics and I'm looking for some bird courses to add to my schedule for the summer/fall terms. …”
u/fk348: “mns 101”
Spring 2019
Easiest science course? 4 points, 12 comments
“Took SCI 206 already.”
u/unlighten: “MNS 101 = Gr 11 Physics.”
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