uwloo

MSE 541Search Engines

Units
0.50
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Management Science and Engineering

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides an opportunity for students to learn the engineering behind search engines and how to optimize search engines to provide higher quality user experiences. This course focuses on text retrieval and web search. Topics include design and construction of retrieval systems, retrieval models, and evaluation of search engines.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
        • BME122 - Data Structures and Algorithms (0.50)
        • CS240 - Data Structures and Data Management (0.50)
        • CS240E - Data Structures and Data Management (Enriched) (0.50)
        • ECE250 - Algorithms and Data Structures (0.50)
        • MSE240 - Algorithms and Data Structures (0.50)
        • MTE140 - Algorithms and Data Structures (0.50)
        • SYDE223 - Data Structures and Algorithms (0.50)
      • Must have completed the following:
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
        • AE224 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
        • BME213 - Statistics and Experimental Design (0.50)
        • CHE220 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
        • CIVE224 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
        • ECE203 - Probability Theory and Statistics 1 (0.50)
        • ENVE224 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
        • ME202 - Statistics for Engineers (0.50)
        • MSE251 - Probability and Statistics 1 (0.50)
        • MTE201 - Experimental Measurement and Statistical Analysis (0.50)
        • NE215 - Probability and Statistics (0.50)
        • STAT206 - Statistics for Software Engineering (0.50)
        • STAT231 - Statistics (0.50)
        • STAT241 - Statistics (Advanced Level) (0.50)
        • SYDE212 - Probability, Statistics, and Data Science (0.50)
      • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001531533 / 94TTh 14:30–15:50
TUT 101531633 / 94Th 09:00–09:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

92% liked it54% easy89% useful

From 12 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Great course, especially as a course to help practice your programming in any language you would like. Not easy, but if you put in the hours on the homework assignments you will do fine. Good for learning the foundations of how newer tech works like NLP and LLM's. Mark Schmucker seems strict, but is the best prof I have had in Waterloo by far. Super engaging and actually cares to teach you thoroughly.

    Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • snooze

    Mar 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Loved this course, super underrated. Each assignment works towards building a search engine and having to learning the relevant statistical, NLP and software knowledge. Prof is a pro at the topic and teaches you really useful skills. Assignments were easy and fulfilling, final wasn't bad either.

    Jan 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Easy

    Apr 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar