MTE 121Digital Computation
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Mechatronics Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to electronic digital computers, hardware and software organization, examples of efficient numerical algorithms for basic scientific computations.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1A
- Enrolled in H-Mechatronics Engineering
Antirequisites
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5113 | 121 / 120 | TTh 13:30–14:50 TTh 13:30–14:50 Sep 18 16:30–17:50 Sep 25 16:30–17:50 |
| LEC 002 | 5115 | 125 / 120 | MW 09:00–10:20 MW 09:00–10:20 Sep 18 16:30–17:50 Sep 25 16:30–17:50 |
| TUT 101 | 8428 | 62 / 60 | T 16:30–18:20 T 16:30–18:20 |
| TUT 102 | 8429 | 59 / 60 | Th 16:30–18:20 Th 16:30–18:20 |
| TUT 103 | 8430 | 62 / 60 | M 16:30–18:20 M 16:30–18:20 |
| TUT 104 | 8431 | 63 / 60 | W 16:30–18:20 W 16:30–18:20 |
| TST 201 | 5366 | 246 / 240 | Oct 27 14:30–16:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
91% liked it82% easy93% useful
From 103 ratings and 12 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Pretty easy course if you have prior programming experience, might be a bit fast for people who have never programmed before.
Jul 2021 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Goat
Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
If you know how to code it shouldnt be too difficult. If youve never coded before you need to put in a lot of effort.
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The exams will catch you, don't slack on it!!!!
Prof Mostafa may or may not stay so can't say too much about him but he was very enthusiastic.Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
taught by professor Dhaliwal, was her first year teaching the course but overall it was a good class, very good for intro into programming
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
13 posts and comments in 9 threads mention MTE 121, May 2022 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
Chem 102 💀 2 points, 0 comments
u/Feisty-Emu3837: “Just got absolutely bodied by mte 121 but no time to sulk because chem is coming up and im so cooked. What are some great study tips for that class. Please help 🙏”
Exam advice 1 point, 1 comment
u/Feisty-Emu3837: “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. Che 101 (Chem: worst class so far)”
mte 121 1 point, 1 comment
u/PerfectDay9425: “we are learning linked lists and queues. I heard from upper years that we shouldnt be going this far, is that true?”
Exam Help 1 point, 1 comment
u/Feisty-Emu3837: “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. Che 101 (Chem: worst class so far)”
Need help studying for exams 2 points, 2 comments
u/Feisty-Emu3837: “… Che 102 Mte 121 Math 115 Math 116”
u/Rude_Molasses_3976: “Just do problem sets and assignments non stop (and for mte 121, just do whatever extra programming problems they gave, as well as assignments). …”
Spring 2024
Going To Tron in 2024 1 point, 4 comments
u/Feisty-Emu3837: “… MTE 100 – Mechatronics Engineering CHE 102 – Chemistry for Engineers MATH 115 – Linear Algebra for Engineering MATH 116 – Calculus 1 for Engineering MTE 121 – Digital Computation Thank You!”
u/Rauguz: “Everything but math 115 is pretty manageable. Mte 121 might be tricky if you have 0 prior programming experience so maybe brush up on that if you don’t have it already”
Winter 2024
Fall 2023 MTE 121 students Chime In! Need help. 1 point, 1 comment
u/ZookeepergameFormer7: “Hello, Wanted to ask you guys how was the final exam for MTE 121 this fall? What questions were asked and how was the overall difficulty? And do you know the class average? Please let me know. Trying to figure something out urgently. Thanks”
Fall 2023
Engineering classes 1 point, 5 comments
“Hey guys i am in life sciences but my parents really want me to become an engineer (or a doctor) but i wanna check out maybe a lecture of engineering just to see what u guys have to go through. …”
u/Big_Steak7381: “… (ece105/phys115), chemistry (che102), and some computation/programming course like mte121 or ece150. These were some of the courses my friends have taken in first year engineering. idk it depends on the engineering program lmao. …”
Spring 2022
Advice for Waterloo Tron 3 points, 21 comments
“Hi Everyone, So I've decided to accept my offer for Waterloo Tron. I need some help. I don't really have programming/coding experience, and I plan to do some stuff over the summer to learn. …”
u/paegrampaging: “… You have MTE121 in 1A that teaches you coding fundamentals. I am in tron and had no coding experience and did not struggle in the class. You should remember that this is your last extended period of true freedom in 5 years. Go out and touch some grass. …”
u/troviinstaller: “Enjoy your summer broski no need to grind anymore! A significant portion of my class had no coding experience at all, and MTE 121 will get you up to speed from the ground up”
u/Determinedstudent101: “Also, what languages do you learn in MTE 121?”
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