MSCI 240Algorithms and Data Structures
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Last listed
- Spring 2024
No longer offered. It was in Waterloo’s course catalog since at least Winter 2020 (as far back as Open Data goes) to Spring 2024 and last ran in Fall 2023. It isn’t in the 2024–25 or later calendars.
When it ran
- F20
- F21
- F22
- W23
- F23
Ran in 5 terms, Fall 2020 to Fall 2023.
Design and analysis of data structures and algorithms with an emphasis on further development of computer programming skills. Topics include algorithms for searching, sorting, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. Comparison of algorithms on different data structures. Solutions to common engineering problems in computer science using algorithms and data structures. Introduction to mathematical analysis of space and time complexity with a focus on designing solutions that can scale to large input sizes. [Offered: F]
Requirements, as last listed
Prereq: MSCI 121; Level at least 2A Management Engineering. Antireq: BME 122, CS 240/240E, ECE 250, MTE 140 and SYDE 223
In today’s calendar
- BME 522 lists it in its requisites
- CS 116 lists it as an antirequisite
- CS 231 lists it as an antirequisite
- CS 234 lists it as an antirequisite
- ECE 252 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 351 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 356 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 406 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 452 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 453 lists it in its requisites
- ECE 457A lists it in its requisites
- ECE 457B lists it in its requisites
- MSE 245 lists it in its requisites
- MSE 446 lists it in its requisites
- MSE 541 lists it in its requisites
- SYDE 522 lists it in its requisites
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
17 posts and comments in 14 threads mention MSCI 240, May 2017 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.
Spring 2024
Should I Transfer? 12 points, 20 comments
“Currently a first yr in Management eng, on coop. Considering that my end goal is to be in tech rather than pm (data science, software eng, etc.), would it be worth it to transfer to computer …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Note: If you stay in MGTE, then I recommend asking for permission to substitute some of our core courses with other departments/faculties since our courses tend to be watered down. …”
u/1000Ditto: “oh my bad i meant 116 the email I got was: Since you are in MGMT Engineering, your MSCI 121 and MSCI 240 = CS 115 and 116, which can be used towards the computing minor. Please note that you can only use up to two non-CS courses for the computing minor. …”
u/1000Ditto: “it's ridiculous imo, even tron or syde dsa is equal to 240 (mte140 <-> cs240) but msci240<cs240”
Management Eng students, it you had the opportunity to go to UTSG CS instead, would you do it? 10 points, 55 comments
“Please explain why you would or would not. UTSG CS = University of Toronto St. George campus, Computer Science”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Management Eng is not that close to a CS program so I don't think it's a meaningful comparison As a 4th year MGTE student, I would definitely go for UTSG because I feel it has more freedom in course …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Yes, most of us go into SWE; not because we want to, but because there's few other career paths for us We don't have that many CS/SWE courses, and the ones that we do have are pretty watered down (MSCI 121/240/245/342). You'll learn the fundamentals but you won't go in-depth”
u/1000Ditto: “I am too unknowledgeable about it, but would highly consider it - my nature better fits eng courses in general simply, if you want cs background then take cs, if you want engineering background, look …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “… The 75% is between the intro course (MSCI 121) and the data structures course (MSCI 240) \[not the database course MSCI 245\] MSCI 121 is very introductory so don't worry about it. …”
Fall 2023
which course is the most useful/useless of ur major? 24 points, 44 comments
u/suiyui: “Useful: MSCI 342/245 - Full stack development MSCI 240 - OOP MSCI 446 (TE) - Machine learning Useless: Everything else, especially the non-MSCI courses”
Applying to management engineering or SYDE, need advice 1 point, 15 comments
“Hello, I am applying to either management eng or SYDE for this coming fall term. I am interested in a career in probably software, but I would like to get a P.Eng, a shiny lil ring, and a sexy coop …”
u/sickomoder: “more than half the courses you take in msci are completely useless or too surface level (msci 240 especially) but the good thing is that nearly every course is light asl so you have time to grind leetcode/projects/whatever if you want to swe at faang”
u/suiyui: “TL;DR apply to SYDE if you think you can get in, MGMT is not worth it at all Cons of MGMT: You study in one of the worst buildings on campus. …”
u/StatusNew7262: “… They take ECE 250 for DSA like how we take MSCI 240 for DSA. A lot of what you’re complaining about sounds like a motivation issue. …”
Winter 2023
How to get a course override 7 points, 9 comments
u/Thefuturyfututist: “… I don’t have the prerequisite, ECE 250, but I have its anti requisite, MSCI 240. I know you need a prof to do a course override form. …”
Winter 2022
Obligatory mgmt post so people will stop asking the same 3 questions 49 points, 24 comments
u/1000Ditto: “… For example: dsa, cs240 is antireq for mte140 and mte140 is antireq for msci240 but msci240 is not antireq for mte140 so there is likely some knowledge missing such that it is not considered an equivalent, which is unfortunate, so overriding is needed if you want to take a tron …”
Management Eng v.s. Computer Eng v.s. SYDE? 0 points, 9 comments
“This might not be the place to ask this question, sorry if it isn’t. I’m interested in a software engineering/developer career. …”
u/wagwanm0n: “Easiest to get into management and prospects for software jobs are great. Good amount of coding courses too”
u/Alternative_Way_3534: “… Data structures and algorithms (MSCI 240) 3. Databases and Software Design (MSCI 245) 4. Software Engineering (MSCI 342) 5. Human Computer Interaction (MSCI 343) 6. Search Engines (MSCI 541) 7. Intro Machine Learning (MSCI 446) 8. Analytics and User Experience (MSCI 543) 9. …”
Spring 2021
Job Opportunities and Workload: SYDE, Tron, and Management 1 point, 9 comments
“I have recently been thinking of switching from mechanical engineering and am deciding between SYDE, Tron, and Management. …”
u/wagwanm0n: “Management does have a good number of coding courses”
u/original-random: “… Core: MSCI 121 Intro to programming (Java) MSCI 240 Algorithms and Data Structures MSCI 245 Databases and Software Design (build web apps by yourself) MSCI 342 Principles of Software Engineering (build web apps as a team for a client) MSCI 343 Human Computer Interaction MSCI 436 …”
Winter 2021
Admissions / High School Megathread (Fall 2020) 316 points, 7,386 comments
“I think we lost track of the old one somewhere, and this is to also help reset the expiry date (these threads archive after six months) Engineering Admissions Blog: https://theroadtoengineering.com/ …”
u/Kbreadman: “\++I applied to management engineering because I love the idea of streamlining processes + working with data and using it to solve problems or draw conclusions, etc. …”
[deleted]: “… Looks like a mix to me of mechanical engineering (MODs, Thermo, Mechanics, Material Science), software (MSCI 101, 240, 245, 342), and more vague systems-y stuff (MSCI 211,331,334?). …”
Fall 2020
Non-Math course recommendations needed 10 points, 13 comments
“I'm majoring in actsci and for next term, I can only do 4 of the required courses and do not meet the prerequisites for any other courses, so now I'm gonna have to do a non math elective. …”
u/1000Ditto: “msci 240 it's cs240 but for engineering”
Spring 2019
First/Second year Management Engineering quesion 8 points, 7 comments
u/OtterSniffer: “Some VBA in 1A if you count that, then Java in 1B and 2A. Then 2B is some SQL in a database class. Can't speak to courses after that, but tbh after learning Java and data structures and algorithms …”
u/zScores: “… IIs there anything you would recommend I learn before hand that may be unexpected in MSCI 121/240 or should I not even worry about this.”
Spring 2018
MSCI 240 1 point, 1 comment
Check it elsewhere
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2023–24Its last calendar entry, on ucalendar
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them