MTE 241Introduction to Computer Structures and Real-Time Systems
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Mechatronics 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.
Introduction to computer organization, basic real-time concepts, process management, interprocess communication and synchronization, memory management, resource management, interrupt handling, concurrent programming, file systems.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- Students must be in level 2B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Mechatronics Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4666 | 128 / 130 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
| LAB 201 | 4668 | 42 / 43 | Sep 16 13:30–16:20 Sep 30 13:30–16:20 Oct 21 13:30–16:20 Nov 11 13:30–16:20 Nov 25 13:30–16:20 |
| LAB 202 | 4786 | 42 / 43 | Sep 17 13:30–16:20 Oct 1 13:30–16:20 Oct 22 13:30–16:20 Nov 12 13:30–16:20 Nov 26 13:30–16:20 |
| LAB 203 | 4787 | 44 / 44 | Sep 18 13:30–16:20 Oct 2 13:30–16:20 Oct 23 13:30–16:20 Nov 13 13:30–16:20 Nov 27 13:30–16:20 |
| TUT 101 | 4667 | 128 / 130 | T 16:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
76% liked it56% easy92% useful
From 75 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Probably the worst-structured and most boring course ever. I am a more mech-oriented tron, but I was trying to stay open-minded for this course but it was a nightmare. There was too much content, too much breadth and not enough depth. The labs were cookie-cutter but I still struggled with all of them since the basics of C were not solidified well. Most of us hadn't touched programming since 1B and we were thrust into these difficult labs. We were given a very brief breakdown on C during the first lecture and that's it. The course practice was very subjective, questions were more related to what would be more efficient, instead of coding questions. The course felt useless since I left it…
Sep 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
For a course that gets marked in a fixed/binary way, the amount of info dump is diabolical.
Aug 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Adored this course! It covers a very broad range of OS-related concepts, but if you want to go deeper on any one thing it's very easy to do so. I wish the labs had been more fleshed out, as it feels like we were just spoonfed what to do to build our basic RTOS, but they definitely helped with understanding. As previous students have said, it's a more memorization-based course than anything you've done before, so consider different study techniques than just "doing problem sets".
Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
First course you'll have where the exams are based more on memorization of concepts instead of applying them.
You get to build your own RTOS in the labs which is fun but the labs are kinda long.Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This is a good intro course, there is a lot of breadth and not a lot of depth. The lectures are good, the material is posted online too. The exams were fair and overall it is a very managable and easy course.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
23 posts and comments in 20 threads mention MTE 241, December 2014 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
Easy Electives 1 point, 8 comments
“Hello, I am committed to UWaterloo General Sciences Honours Co-op Undergrad starting in the fall of 2024. I get to select an elective for the first two academic semesters. …”
u/TheKoalaFromMars: “I'd recommend MTE 220 (basic light switch design), CS 480 (how to learn), PHYS 476 (baby physics), MTE 241 (how to use windows 10), any if you're really into things that move, TRAINS!”
Spring 2023
ECE 222 or MTE 241 1 point, 1 comment
u/Ok-Sea-7342: “I'm looking at electives for this coming fall term and I'm unsure of which course would be more useful. I'm looking to learn more about low level embedded coding and microprocessors but I can't decide between these 2. …”
u/GapPuzzleheaded8442: “take ECE 222. MTE 241 is on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXcHfGhRmpE3YCvCaib6mOswWSLoLc”
Winter 2023
Mechanical or Mechantronics 3 points, 7 comments
“I am considering switching my application to mechanical or mechatronics what are the pros and cons of each? And what is it like for co-op and future jobs?”
u/epicboy75: “Mech takes advanced fluids and thermo, tron takes algo and other CS courses.”
u/PM_ME_PICS_OF_YA_MOM: “… In addition to this, you have more courses such as ME/MTE 262 (Digital logic course taken by both programs), MTE 241 (Real-time operating systems) and MTE 325 (Microprocessor Interfacing) and I can't say these are quite "CS courses" (perhaps they are very low-level CS topics, …”
Winter 2021
MTE 241 vs ECE 252 0 points, 0 comments
How much programming to mechatronics engineering majors do? 11 points, 35 comments
“I want to study something robotics related but I also love programming. Approximately how many programming/CS classes do TRON students take? …”
u/Anonym-777777: “Don’t choose tron, you’ll regret it”
u/Anonym-777777: “… Sure you get to do programming on Gene 121, Mte 140 and, Mte 241. But other than that is pure mechanical/electrical stuff. There was some meh programming on Mte 325, but definitely not significant. If you get a programming job, you’ll be learning most of the programming at work. …”
Spring 2020
what is tron 2A like? 1 point, 2 comments
“ik stuff will be a bit different due to possible coronavirus effects, but what's 2A generally for trons? is there another cs-ish course like mte 140? is dynamics really that bad?”
u/tallololol: “2A is pretty chill. 140 is the last cs ish course you will get until 4th year, when you get to pick ur own, or if u take a cs option starting in 3a”
u/alexogenesis: “thanks for the info - does that mean mte 241 is more theory than acc coding?”
ECE 252 vs MTE 241 2 points, 10 comments
u/kpetkar: “I'm trying to decide between taking ECE 252 and MTE 241 in the fall. They seem to cover similar content and seem to be antireqs of each other (in a weird chained way with MTE 241 and ECE 252 both being antireqs of ECE 254, but not of each other). …”
Winter 2020
[Serious] What should I expect from TRON? 36 points, 34 comments
“Hi all, I recently accepted my offer for Mechatronics Engineering at Waterloo (yay). However, as I keep reading about people's experiences with the program on this subreddit, I'm not really sure what …”
u/scinortahcem: “… (1A has MTE 100, 2A has MTE 219, 2B has MTE 220/MTE 241, 3A has MTE 325, 3B has MTE 380). If you despise working with others, well you're gonna have a tough time. …”
Difference between ECE222/224 and MTE 241/325? 4 points, 7 comments
u/chattyycathyy: “Planning on getting a computer engineering option in the syde department and we have an option between taking ECE 222/224 or MTE 241/325. I was wondering if there is much of a difference between those courses and if one is easier than the other. Thanks !”
u/CounterbalancedOne: “I'd definitely recommend MTE 241, especially if Andrew Morton is teaching it. The content is useful and it gives a good overview of real time systems. Don't take MTE 325 - it's a pretty bland and memorization heavy course. You won't learn a whole lot.”
Spring 2019
Mechatronics vs CS/CE 12 points, 12 comments
“How good of a program is mechatronics when compared to CS or CE? I was told by someone that its very good, and it has an even bigger scope and growth potential when compared to CS. How true is this?”
u/shamshir12: “CE is a more software based program than mechatronics, by a large amount. If you look at the courses of each of these programs, you can see this difference. …”
u/shamshir12: “… I’ve been able to ride the software courses we do have in tron, specifically MTE 140 and MTE 241, and get all SWE coops and several in great companies (currently headed to Google and several of my classmates and peers from upper years have gone to …”
u/-MrGoose-: “Courses mentioned in this thread: MTE241”
Fall 2018
Transferring to Tron 9 points, 24 comments
“Looking for advice. I'm considering transferring to tron from another ENG program. I want a more general tech degree and not be limited in job search. Any advice is greatly appreciated. …”
u/ciccatrix: “… MTE241 and MTE325 (RTOS and microprocessor interfacing) were extremely boring for me, and it seemed like most people just watched all of an ECE prof's videos on it the day before the exam, but if you really like that sort of subject it could be interesting for you. …”
Spring 2018
MTE 241 prof office hours 2 points, 1 comment
u/dasreaper22: “I am currently not enrolled in MTE241, but I desperately need to speak to professor Morton, does any one who is enrolled in his class right now know when his scheduled office hours are before hell week?”
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