SE 101Introduction to Methods of Software Engineering
- Units
- 0.25
- Subject
- Software Engineering
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.
An introduction to some of the basic methods and principles used by software engineers, including fundamentals of technical communication, measurement, analysis, and design. Some aspects of the software engineering profession, including standards, safety and intellectual property. Professional development including résumé skills, interview skills, and preparation for co-op terms. Safety-orientation training, including WHMIS assessment, is included in this course.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in H-Software Engineering
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7577 | 128 / 145 | F 15:30–16:20 F 15:30–16:20 Sep 17 08:30–09:50 Oct 8 08:30–09:50 Nov 26 08:30–09:50 |
| SEM 101 | 7601 | 128 / 145 | F 10:30–11:20 F 10:30–11:20 |
| LAB 201 | 7649 | 128 / 145 | Th 12:30–14:20 Th 12:30–14:20 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names SE 101.
Reviewed on UW Flow
56% liked it95% easy44% useful
From 360 ratings and 72 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The following review is written in the style of a typical Paul Ward Lecture:
The course is incredibly disorganised. None of our assignments have been returned and every deadline was pushed back because Paul Ward missed it. There is an obvious flaw in the system, like how there was an obvious flaw in the patriot missile defence system. You see the system had to be reset every so often but as you can imagine it would be hard to reset the system in an active warzone when being shot by missiles. Of course, a group of soldiers forgot to reset their system, and they were shot and killed. Moving on, while the project may have been fun to complete, we received exceedingly little guidance from our…Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 6 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Bird course. The only real work you have to do is the final project. The only restriction is that hardware must be included, but you choose what you work on and with who. It's essentially a free project to put on your resume.
Outside of the final project, there are cool events like upper-year SE speakers and resume reviews. But if it's just Paul Ward talking, lectures consist of listening to Paul ramble about the Patriot missile crisis, OceanGate submarine implosion, Boeing 747 Max malfunction, or the livestock anthrax outbreak of 1957 on the UK's Isle of Man. There are also a couple 10 minute assignments you have to do.
Overall, really easy course. Don't expect to be reimbursed for the…Nov 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Thought this course might be interesting at the beginning, mostly a waste of time. Maybe it's different if you don't get PAUL WARDed. Grades seem to have been randomly generated in the high 80s unless you do something really crazy. Only good part was the group project. Can be a nice opportunity to make something cool, and it was nice to see what the other groups did. Paul Ward seems like a good guy, just not a good professor.
Jan 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
A very disorganized course. You need to keep track of the deadlines and modules which are spread EVERYWHERE.
Paul Ward did not make it easy with his vague instructions. None of the assignments(not even the one given in the first month of term) have been returned (been 7 days since the term ended).Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The premise is very fun and working on the project was a nice experience. However, the course itself was completely ruined by Paul Ward. A nice introduction to first years that not all professors actually care and some are just there for the tenure. Assignments that were assigned near the beginning of 1A were still not returned by the end of the course, and final grades were delayed heavily. Lectures were a waste of time and calories to sit in to.
Dec 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
38 posts and comments in 33 threads mention SE 101, July 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.
Fall 2024
Free hardware 12 points, 3 comments
“Is it possible to get a Raspberry pi or Arduino from the school for free?”
u/NobodyPrime8: “SE101 project Paul Ward reimbursement”
Spring 2024
Computer Science vs Software engineering 5 points, 7 comments
“Apart from the cohort system, what benefits does SE provide over comp sci? got accepted into both and I cant choose between the two”
u/KINGBLUE2739046: “… SE101 also neat. Also you can drop into CS after first year. …”
Fall 2023
It's Joever 1 point, 19 comments
u/UnboxTheCat: “Bless the lower year SE students. ECE106 should have been removed from SE calender ages ago. It was completely unrelated to software development, and boring af. …”
u/UnboxTheCat: “… For exampke, in the first year we had racket design that requires weeks long of team effort, then we had SE101 project to create even more "concrete" stuff by utilizing software, hardware, and physics.”
Spring 2023
Admissions / High School Megathread (Fall 2023) 21 points, 71 comments
“This megathread is for prospective frosh and current high school students interested in Waterloo! PSA for new students Ask your questions down below! …”
u/Prestigious_Green_19: “UW SE 101 today？”
Winter 2023
EXCITEMENT 363 points, 141 comments
“AHHHH I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO WATERLOOO AHHHHHHHH OMG Im jumping off the walls here! I got my acceptance months ago during the first round but I suppose its sinking in and im just? yes??? …”
u/FFelony: “Congratulations! I'm in 1B and I really like it here. It's a lot of work but you'll be learning a lot, and as long as you spend time at the library or other spaces, making friends is not hard. …”
u/tsumu15: “… ECE 124, ECE 140, MATH 119 So overall, you take 2 different courses in 1A (I'm not counting SE 101 because that's more of a project course), and 1 different course in 1B (not counting SE 102 since it's non-credit). …”
Spring 2022
Are you taught programming in Software Eng? 0 points, 6 comments
u/CaramelIceCoffee: “Hey I’m a incoming student of Software Engineering. I have CS137, SE101 & CS138 before my first coop. Do I need to self study more about programming or they teach me enough programming skills before coop? Thanks”
Winter 2022
software engineering with no programming experience 88 points, 56 comments
“Hey everyone, I recently got accepted to Software Engineering at Waterloo. I'm concerned about whether or not studying SE would be excessively difficult since I have little to no experience with …”
u/Kevin-Gao: “… SE 101 for instance is a project course that will allow yourself to understand what it feels like programming a complete project over the entirety of your first term. …”
Spring 2021
Where can I buy capacitors? 29 points, 19 comments
“I need some stuff to build a project for a hardware course, does any one know where can I buy capacitors, metal, foam, arduino and all that stuff?”
u/harmonyIn3rdsNot4ths: “… They came in clutch for my SE101 project in 1A when I needed to buy an Arduino, resistors, wires, and an accelerometer. It was a fun place to check out either way. …”
Fall 2020
Tips/resources for getting a good first coop? 11 points, 14 comments
“I’m currently a first year SE student. i was wondering if anyone has any tips or resources that they’re willing to share with me that can help me score a good first coop? …”
u/elegantpeacock: “… If not, put your SE 101 project on (be prepared to talk about it during Interview tho) and maybe do a small one to showcase a particular skillset during winter break (i.e. if you want web dev jobs, do a small react app so that it shows u know it). …”
Sad SE Student Rant 94 points, 26 comments
u/sad_se_student: “… Im going to put out there that the program itself is run very well in my opinion, there's lots of resources available for us from upper year SE students and our SE 101 TA (Ahmed the GOAT) with his (if he remembers) weekly hang out sessions. …”
u/vsakhnini: “Hi, I am your associate director and your instructor for SE101 and CS137. Feel free to reach out to me. We can talk about this and find plans and strategies to make it easier for you. …”
SE Student Rant 3 points, 1 comment
u/vsakhnini: “Hi, I am your associate director and your instructor for SE101 and CS137. Feel free to reach out to me. We can talk about this and find plans and strategies to make it easier for you. …”
Spring 2020
Admissions Megathread (Fall 2020 Incoming Students) - 2 218 points, 7,167 comments
“Hello UW applicants, This thread is specifically for those who are applying/applied to UW to discuss different admission issues and ask current UW students for help and advice. …”
u/KaiserVB: “Conditional Admit. SE 101 Avg 98+”
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
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