NE 113Introduction to Computational Methods
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Nanotechnology Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Spreadsheets for problem solving, plotting, fitting data. Problem solution plotting, and creating complex programs in an engineering prototypical programming environment. Elementary numerical methods: Taylor-series summations, roots of equations, roots of polynomials, direct and indirect solution methods for systems of linear, and nonlinear algebraic equations, integration. Applications in nanotechnology engineering.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Nanotechnology Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- CIVE121 - Computational Methods (0.50)
- CS115 - Introduction to Computer Science 1 (0.50)
- CS135 - Designing Functional Programs (0.50)
- CS145 - Designing Functional Programs (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- ECE150 - Fundamentals of Programming (0.50)
- MTE121 - Digital Computation (0.50)
- SYDE121 - Digital Computation (0.50)
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4661 | 0 / 120 | TTh 09:30–10:20 W 09:30–10:20 TTh 09:30–10:20 W 09:30–10:20 Jan 18 16:30–17:20 Feb 8 16:30–17:20 Mar 22 16:30–17:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1879 | 0 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 4662 | 0 / 120 | T 13:30–16:20 T 13:30–16:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
74% liked it78% easy78% useful
From 68 ratings and 14 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Horrible professor. Apparently she used to be very lenient and easy but now she absolutely horrible. Very harsh on her grading and doesn't consider any curves despite 40% of the class failing. The course structure itself sucks because you have to average a 50% from your exams, which makes it extremely exam dependent, and if you don't hit that average then whatever average you get replaces your final mark. If you get her, just focus on all of your other courses because your mark will tank from this course no matter what.
Apr 2026 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course was just applied lin alg with some stats. Content wasn't too hard. Final had a cooked question but it was possible to problem solve. If you do your work throughout the term yourself (NO CHAT) it sets you up well for exams. Also if you show up to class she gives bonus questions for a few extra percent added to your grade
May 2026 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Everything was okay until the final. Before that, the material was basically an extension of linear algebra and calculus, except everything was done in MATLAB and focused on solving problems with it. The midterm was okay, with around a 70 average, and she even offered students who did poorly the chance to review it. The labs and assignments are a breeze, especially if you use AI, but you should still know how to do the work on your own. When it came to the final, a lot of people found the final question challenging, especially since it was worth around 1/5 of the entire exam. Combined with the cumulative marks from the other questions, it caused a bunch of people to fail or not meet the…
May 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
More linear algebra, this class will give you a lot of practical techniques for calculations
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Pender is literally my favourite proffesor of this term, the effort she puts into the class (exams, essignments, help) is unmatched, and you can tell she geniunely cares about the class. I hope she is able to teach it every year.
Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention NE 113, May 2012 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.
Winter 2017
Is it worth staying in nano? 8 points, 27 comments
“I've been taking with some people outside of Waterloo who have been urging me to switch out of nano after first year is done. …”
u/Buttbuttrevolution: “… I think it's the programs job to make you employable - for example, there's no real programming courses (NE 111/113 do not count as real CS courses IMO) so lots of people learn it on their own. Why isn't there a good programming course included in the curriculum? …”
Fall 2015
Hi, I am a bot. 75 points, 98 comments
“Hey everyone! After some discussion with mods, I think I am ready to be pushed live. I am a bot designed to provide relevant course information upon request. …”
u/cursedorenriched: “[[PHYS 236]]”
u/UWRedditBot: “… Antirequisites: PHYS 139, CS 121, 122, 123, 125, 131, 132, 133, 135, CHE 121, CIVE 121, ECE 150, GENE 121, NE 113, SYDE 121 Available Online: No -----------------------------------------------”
Spring 2012
I just got a conditional admit to Nanotechnology engineering, how difficult is it? 5 points, 42 comments
“Am I fucked?”
u/protox88: “I was admitted into the second batch (class of 2011) of Nano Eng. I stayed in it for 2 whole years until I transferred out into Math. Why? …”
u/protox88: “I don't know how much they changed the program since then (it's been 5 years since I was in first year). We learned basic MATLAB in Engineering Computation. That's all.”
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