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PHYS 349Advanced Computational Physics

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Physics

When it runs

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

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Algorithms for solving differential equations; Monte Carlo techniques; Fourier transforms; programming and computational techniques using Python, applied to physical problems such as astrophysics, electricity and magnetism, classical and quantum mechanics; introduction to machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • PHYS234 - Quantum Physics 1 (0.50)
      • PHYS242 - Electricity and Magnetism 1 (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • AMATH271 - Introduction to Theoretical Mechanics (0.50)
      • PHYS263 - Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
        • PHYS267 - Probability, Statistics, and Data Analysis for Physics and Astronomy (0.50)
      • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:

Antirequisites

  • Not completed any of the following:

Notes

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00169310 / 75MW 11:30–12:50
LEC 701259749 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

25% liked it75% easy58% useful

From 4 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Stupid ass required course 👎

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Super useful. You need to know python before you take this course. Didn't go to any lectures and still did good based off the profs notebooks.

    Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention PHYS 349, February 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.

Spring 2024

No final online courses 4 points, 2 comments

“Anyone know of any online courses that have no final exams (not first year courses)? Would be amazing if its a science course (CHEM, BIOL, PHYS) but ik that's near impossible...i just really need GPA …”

u/Laur-xnn: “PHYS 349 has no final and is def a grade booster if you have python knowledge!!”

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Winter 2022

Is anyone in physics and astronomy? 3 points, 7 comments

“Hi, I'm a 11'th grader planning on pursuing a degree in physics and astronomy. Yes I know that it's hard and that I'd have to do a PHD but I'm ok with that. …”

u/kalashnikovgobrrrr: “Hey there! I'm a first year in my second semester rn doing Physics and Astronomy, so the opinion of someone who is in their 2nd-4th year is probably worth more to you, but nevertheless I'll state my …”

u/Waterloo_Astro_Alt: “… Also, /u/kalashnikovgobrrrr, you will learn more programming in second and third year in PHYS 249 and 349 if you choose to take it, as well as on co-op since a lot of co-ops focus on programming. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar