SCI 206The Physics of How Things Work
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Science
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.
A practical introduction to everyday technology, this course will look at the physics behind common devices used in consumer products and industry. Examples include air conditioners, microwave ovens, household wiring, nuclear reactors, and medical imaging.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7152 | 440 / 445 | MW 17:30–18:50 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names SCI 206.
- SCI 206 Other · bluwiki.com · posted on r/uwaterloo Dec 2016 · gone now; archived copy from May 2019 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
90% liked it85% easy58% useful
From 190 ratings and 61 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE! Don't fall for the "this is a bird course". Very hard midterm and the lectures are boring. This course is kind of a bait. The prof starts off by doing experiments all class to keep you engaged. The second half of the course is much harder and he only does 1-2 experiments per class and just talks for the rest! This course is a waste of money. Use your money on some other course!
Dec 2016 · didn’t like it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Challenging course.
We had 2 profs, Idzaik was great (and not just full of hot gazz if you catch my drift) but randomly one day a new prof came in; some no-name fool talking about rockets or something?? I don't know where he got his degree, but I'd be willing to bet he's never contributed anything to society.Nov 2016 · liked it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
NOT A BIRD COURSE DONT TAKE
Apr 2017 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
useless course, and not easy at all. especially the exam, the content after the midterm is much more difficult.
Dec 2016 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
not a bird course
Dec 2016 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
545 posts and comments in 404 threads mention SCI 206, May 2011 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
Which one of yall did this 302 points, 38 comments
u/__choose__a_name__: “im old what's the defn of microcheat? do people need to show marks for SCI 206 for a proof of common sense”
Sci 206 midterm 2 2 points, 4 comments
u/Breezyyy789: “Anyone have past midterm 2 papers or questions? Desperate pls pls”
SCI 206 Midterm 1 1 point, 1 comment
u/diorxrosewood: “I haven’t been to lectures after first week and am confused as to how to do the content. Are the uploaded videos enough? Also would really appreciate if anyone who goes for classes can share the notes, thanks!”
Spring 2024
200+ bird course fall 2024 3 points, 8 comments
u/Exit_exe_: “… already taken: geog 225, 219; hrm 200, sci 206”
u/Cheap-Ad-3056: “which one was easiest/least amount of workload per week out of geog 225, 219, hrm 200, and sci 206? i need an elective for fall 2024 and am considering taking one of these!”
Easiest 3 year General Math Degree Courses 2 points, 4 comments
“Got a few terms left but all I care bout atp is getting a high grade, what courses would you consider the easiest to do? I’m taking only 3 courses next term, 2 math and 1 non math. …”
u/Kassaking777: “… Take it with Pengfei Li and there are only a few tricky questions (may use some tricks in MATH138) For non-math, SCI206 (GOAT non-math course), ECON101 (For these 2 courses I didn't even spend time learning and ended up with 98 for both) PHYS249 (just an easy version of …”
Bird Courses, Fall 2024 13 points, 21 comments
“Anything really that would help boost my CAV, preferably a 200 serieis course would be sick, but anything you know that is offered this term. I will be taking, thanks. Thank you<3”
u/Kassaking777: “SCI 206, back to 2021F our project is just making a manga to show some physics concepts. And prof gave me a bonus point so in the end got 98. BTW I knew most concepts covered in this course since I took physics in high school. …”
Bird courses 2 points, 0 comments
“What are some easy/low effort 200 level bird courses that I could take in person or online in fall 2024?”
u/vimeomaster54: “sci 206 is a good one if you don't mind some basic physics.”
1A course recommendations and Co-Op 1 point, 12 comments
“I am an incoming math students and would like to know what you recommend for 1A. I am leaning towards MATH 135, MATH 136, CS 135 and still deciding my communication and non-math elective. …”
u/Icy_Environment9241: “- Take math137 instead of 136. Math135 is a pre requisite for 136, so you won’t be allowed to take 136 in 1A. - take whichever communication class seems most interesting. …”
u/hotassflamingo: “I am thinking of taking sci 206 as my elective for 1A but I've been told its not a common first year course. Do you suggest I take it or take a common first year elective only?”
u/Icy_Environment9241: “… Totally up to you though, if you think sci206 looks interesting then go for it, it just might be a bit tougher to meet other 1st years”
u/hotassflamingo: “thanks! i chose sci 206 :) a couple of friends decided to take it with me too so hopefully it'll be fine :D”
CS students, what courses have you taken each term 9 points, 21 comments
“Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/v3b8nj/can\any\current\mathcs\students\let\me\know\their/ but recognizing that one term is a very narrow view, What courses have you taken each …”
u/WinniePooh888: “… 2a CS 245 CS 246 CS 240 CS 241 CS 251 MATH 239 STAT 231 2b CS 341 CS 350 ECON 371 MUSIC 246 SCI 206 MATH 235 coop 1 CS 370 coop 2 CS 458 3b (22fall) CS 492 CS 449 MUSIC 140 EMLS 101R CS 346”
u/haerutea: “1A: cs135, math135, math137, spcom100, phys111 1B: cs136, math136, math128, phys112, korea101r, econ101 2A: cs245, cs246, stats230, spcpm223, korea102r 2B: cs240, cs241, cs251, math239, stats231”
u/hotassflamingo: “hi! im starting 1A this fall, and my courses are similar to what took in 1A. I am a little confused between taking sci 206/phys 111/phys 121 as an elective..any tips?”
First year course help 1 point, 1 comment
u/Appropriate_Lie1799: “… If so, the other electives I'm considering are Sci 206 or FR152. I also think philosophy could be cool but idk if I'll be wasting a course since I'm a cs major and won't really use it anywhere. …”
u/Laeriana: “… Your other course options (SCI 206, FR 152, and philosophy) would count towards breadth and depth requirements, but it is up to you for which course speaks to you more. I would suggest taking the courses you're most interested in. …”
2A math courses selection how doable is five major courses? 10 points, 13 comments
“Honours Math, for 2A courses selection I'm choosing between the following two plans Plan A: Math 237 Stat 230 CO 250 CS246 + CLAS104 Plan B: Math 237 Stat 230 CO 250 CS246 + Math235 given that i'm …”
u/steadyfall_0410: “Plan B looks a bit heavy, but Plan A is easily doable. For reference, I did CS246 + MATH239 + MATH235 + STAT230 + SCI206 in my 2A.”
Suggest some good electives but easy pls 11 points, 16 comments
“I need to take one more elective for this term, some suggestions would help. Math 2B”
u/PomeloIllustrious219: “I really liked SCI206”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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