uwloo

SE 380Introduction to Feedback Control

Units
0.50
Subject
Software Engineering

When it runs

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

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Introduction to control systems. Advantages of closed-loop feedback systems. The role of the system mathematical model. Block diagrams and signal flow graphs. The basic control system design problem, stability in control systems. Frequency response analysis techniques. Root-locus analysis. Elementary lead-lag compensation.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed the following:
    • MATH213 - Signals, Systems, and Differential Equations (0.50)

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • ECE380 - Analog Control Systems (0.50)
    • ME360 - Introduction to Control Systems (0.50)
    • MTE360 - Automatic Control Systems (0.50)
    • SYDE352 - Introduction to Control Systems (0.50)

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001760991 / 135MWF 11:30–12:20
LAB 201761033 / 45Sep 14 13:00–15:50
Sep 28 13:00–15:50
Oct 19 13:00–15:50
Nov 9 13:00–15:50
Nov 23 13:00–15:50
LAB 202765730 / 45Sep 16 13:00–15:50
Sep 30 13:00–15:50
Oct 21 13:00–15:50
Nov 11 13:00–15:50
Nov 25 13:00–15:50
LAB 203765828 / 45Sep 18 13:00–15:50
Oct 2 13:00–15:50
Oct 23 13:00–15:50
Nov 13 13:00–15:50
Nov 27 13:00–15:50
TUT 101764891 / 135Th 11:30–12:20

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

49% liked it16% easy45% useful

From 116 ratings and 32 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This course made me switch to CS after 3B.

    Nov 2017 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Hard as fuck

    Jul 2014 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Chris Nielsen was a pretty good prof but this course is a shit on a stick.

    Dec 2016 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Do you like Math? Then this review doesn't apply.
    If you're like me and realized that Math wasn't your true calling in life, this course is hell. It's like the final boss of a JRPG where you have to fight all the other bosses in the game before challenging the big baddie SE380. You gotta remember all your calculus's, linear algebra, even some physics. It's pain.
    Good luck, have fun.

    Jan 2019 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Hard, but very interesting course. Feels out of place in a software engineering degree, but personally I really enjoyed it. Lookup "Brian Douglas" on YouTube if you want to pass this course. Supposedly it will get "easier" because in future classes it'll be offered the term after MATH213 (we had it a year later)

    May 2018 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

61 posts and comments in 38 threads mention SE 380, December 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

AI specialization without Engineering course 1 point, 2 comments

“Is there a way to not take an engineering course with an AI specialization? Or at least wave the prereqs to an engineering course if forced to take it? …”

u/SinclairHudson: “… SE380 is much harder from what I've heard, and not as relevant to AI. The requirements for the specialization change year to year. You only have to complete the checklist for any one of the years you were enrolled in the program. …”

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Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Exchange in Singapore 1 point, 10 comments

“For those who have experience with the exchange program, specifically Singapore, how competitive are ntu and nus? …”

u/MQ2000: “… I was about to enroll in courses when they cancelled cuz Covid but I heard that it’s easier than UW and I was planning to do my hard courses there (SE380 for example). I talked to upper years and friends who said it was a fantastic experience and I wish I could’ve gone! …”

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Winter 2023

How manageable is this workload? CS AI spec 4 points, 28 comments

u/tendstwofiftytwo: “… &x200B; S23: COOP, Taking CS370; coming to loo for midterms and finals &x200B; F23: SE380 Introduction to feedback control List 2 Comms Course SPCOM 227 CS 486 Intro to AI CS 349 User interfaces ECE 224 Embedded microprocessor systems (Once upon a time I was digital hardware, so …”

u/godinfinity000: “370 isn't too heavy, heard 343 needs time so maybe don't do 343 on coop. Ui and AI workload was manageable, just make sure you don't slack on them cuz they pile up fast. …”

u/tendstwofiftytwo: “What about SE 380?”

u/hargunm: “Why would you willingly do SE 380”

u/tendstwofiftytwo: “The spec requires at least one engineering course to be taken. also SE380 sounds fun since they are remaking it for the fall”

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Fall 2022

Is SE380 useful for AI and ML? 2 points, 3 comments

u/LaApplePear: “CS students, I see there is a AI specialization, where SE380 is a required course. But looking into uwflow it is mainly about signaling and control system. I don't know if it will help with ML and AI? Should I take it? (Any advice is appreciated, I'll give out my free award)”

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Spring 2022

Opinion on HCI or AI specialization for CS majors 5 points, 4 comments

“Does anyone have experience with either one? If so, what are your thoughts on them?”

u/Psychological_Fig399: “i’m doing the ai one since i was gonna take those courses anyways tbh”

u/fourier314: “Have you gotten to ECE/SE 380 yet? That's the one course I'm not sure if I want to take.”

u/Psychological_Fig399: “… actually unsure abt how this works but for the 21/22 version of the checklist they changed this requirement to SE380/ECE380 or one of CS480,CS485, or CS484 which makes it a little better. …”

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Fall 2021

Anyone know why MATH 213 isn't required for CS ? 4 points, 2 comments

“Anyone know why CS students aren't required to take MATH 213 while SE students are, I find the concepts interesting, just wondering.”

u/thewarrior71: “AMATH 250 should be similar if you’re interested. I think they only take it because they also need to take SE 380”

u/IcedRoren: “… MATH 213 was created specifically for SE since they need the background for SE 380 but can't do the standard 2 course sequence that ECEs do for Signals & Systems. …”

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Fall 2020

Anyone who has taken engineering courses without being in engineering? 4 points, 12 comments

“I'm in cs and want to take a couple of ECE courses, is it allowed or tough or...? If we can take them, how do we go about it? Just add them normally during course selection? Thanks in advance”

u/monsieur_dauphin: “Also in CS, taking SE 380 (which is basically ECE 380 AFAIK) this term. I had to take a math course to make up for missing prereqs. I also had to get permission from the prof. to add it on Quest. It's tough, though that might just be this course (it has a reputation apparently)”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

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