NE 131Physics for Nanotechnology Engineering
- 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.
A first course in physics that introduces basic topics in classical mechanics, wave mechanics, and physical optics.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MATH117 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
- Students must be in level 1B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Nanotechnology Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- Not completed any of the following:
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4521 | 0 / 120 | TTh 10:30–11:20 F 10:30–11:20 TTh 10:30–11:20 F 10:30–11:20 Jan 11 16:30–17:20 Feb 1 16:30–17:20 Mar 15 16:30–17:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1842 | 0 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 4522 | 0 / 40 | Th 08:30–09:20 Th 08:30–09:20 |
| TUT 102 | 4523 | 0 / 40 | Th 13:30–14:20 Th 13:30–14:20 |
| TUT 103 | 4524 | 0 / 40 | T 08:30–09:20 T 08:30–09:20 |
| TST 201 | 5091 | 0 / 120 | Feb 23 12:30–14:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
58% liked it33% easy80% useful
From 67 ratings and 14 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I forgot what I did.
Jul 2015 · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Pretty much high school mechanics with additional stuff added on. I highly recommend reading the textbook if you want to actually understand the information being taught.
May 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Basic Physics class. Prof teaches well but since the material itself is not hard, you do not need to go to lectures if you did well on high school physics.
May 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Content is like 1/2 high school and half everything else. For Mark's course, just memorize the problem set and textbook questions for all the 2 quizzes, midterm, and final, and you should meet the bare minimum for this class. The only hard parts it concept questions, which were a hit or miss and maybe some niche questions in the midterm and final which are for the geniuses. And thank Mark for the curve.
May 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
ez
Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
6 posts and comments in 4 threads mention NE 131, January 2016 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 2023
Actually failing out of waterloo 💀 76 points, 25 comments
“Somehow i was convinced to take SE over CS, i just screwed up the calc midterm and now we have ece105 coming up. …”
u/ehhthing: “They can't fail too many people in ECE 105/106 otherwise the class sizes for next year balloon too high and that causes chaos. Expect up to the bottom 20 percent or so failing ECE 105/106. …”
Winter 2023
Biggest curve you've been gifted with 67 points, 36 comments
“Seeing some of the reactions to marks being released has me thinking. What was the biggest curve you ever received? Exam or course wise. Let's give some hope to others. …”
u/Bad-Use-of-My-Time: “NE 131 (Physics). Ended with like 110% in the course bc of a 30% curve.”
Winter 2022
ECE 240 with Christopher C.m. Wilson 1 point, 4 comments
“I need to retake ECE 240 and I really want to pass this time because I want to remain in EE. However I cannot seem to find a lot of information about the professor teaching in Fall 2017 so I'd like …”
u/Frozen-Placenta: “All I know is that he usually teaches nanos, and he has not taught ECE 240 before.”
u/XFISHAN: “im in nano now and hes teaching NE 131”
Winter 2016
NE131 Assignment Problems 4 points, 8 comments
u/transpiercer: “Does anyone have access to the textbook 14th edition and doesn't mind me photocopying the assignment problems? I'll buy you a shot at bomber and introduce you to cute girls. edit: got it :) Thanks, Transpiercer”
u/shini99: “You're not even in nano wtf”
u/transpiercer: “im taking NE131 as a replacement for ECE105 because I don't have any more fall terms left.”
u/carbonnanotube: “What book? I took that 5 years ago, if it hasn't changed I will sell it to you cheap.”
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