uwloo

SE 464Software Design and Architectures

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.

Introduces students to the design, implementation, and evolution phases of software development. Software design processes, methods, and notation. Implementation of designs. Evolution of designs and implementations. Management of design activities.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • CS246 - Object-Oriented Software Development (0.50)
      • CS246E - Object-Oriented Software Development (Enriched) (0.50)
      • CS247 - Software Engineering Principles (0.50)
    • Enrolled in H-Software Engineering

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • CS446 - Software Design and Architectures (0.50)
    • ECE452 - Software Design and Architectures (0.50)

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

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 0017611108 / 135MW 10:00–11:20
LAB 2017613108 / 135Online or by arrangement
TUT 1017612108 / 135T 16:30–17:20

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

26% liked it83% easy40% useful

From 97 ratings and 17 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Highly prof-dependent course, especially since the intention is to have some "current topics" in software engineering post-midterm which can be whatever each prof feels like including. However, expect common topics like GoF OOP design patterns (extending CS247) and standard architectural styles as well as some definitions and simple concepts related to architecture and design. We also had some OOP type theory (generics, variance) and static analysis (software testing tools and annotation type frameworks like the Checker Framework). Dietl changed the course to not have a major software project because SE 390 already has some. Instead, we had a design assignment, architecture assignment, and…

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

  • This course was really useful. Wish they gave it in 1st year. Pretty easy too! The course staff was just EXTREMELY late at grading assignments. We basically had no grades released as we went into final. Overall pretty bird course

    Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Idk why they held it on the other side of campus but it's System Design 101, so a decent interview refresher throughout 3B. This course is going to be bird for everyone and the staff knows it lol

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Course content quality has improved, professor (derek rayside) is disorganized, final exam was disorganized but easy

    Dec 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • In our cohort, we had 2 labs, 1 assignment, 5 study activities, and a final exam. They've revamped the course from previous offerings as to not be CS 247 part 2. The content was obviously important and interesting. But the way the course was taught and implemented was extremely disorganized. Most people stopped attending lectures from week 2 and forgot that this course even exists until the day before the final.

    Dec 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

28 posts and comments in 25 threads mention SE 464, March 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.

Winter 2024

Anyways of getting into mobile development within the school? 1 point, 7 comments

“When it comes to web development or AI/ML, there's a bunch of design teams that are available for people to join and get experience. Is there anything like that for mobile developerment?”

u/nyephe: “… ECE452/CS446/SE464 used to teach mobile development, and I think CS 346 still does There's something called 'progressive web applications' (PWA) which are cross-platform applications that are typically created using a web-based tech stack. …”

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Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Alternatives on application 1 point, 3 comments

“Hi! This fall I'm strongly consideirng applying to UW Engineering, so I had a few questions - 1. Is there a difference in co-op opportunties in CE and SWE? 2. …”

u/robocop12321: “… SE drowns you out with chemistry reqs, SE 463/464/465, etc… useful but no fun.”

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Fall 2022

Winter 2021

Winter 2020

SE 350 automatic 100% on 50% final, CS 350 possible exam??? 101 points, 157 comments

“Software Engineering course (SE 350) gets automatic 100 on 50% final exam. Computer Science equivalent (CS 350) planning on online exam. …”

u/thinkerjuice: “What's the SE profs name”

u/UWSE2022: “Because we have SE-only courses such as SE350, 380, 463, 464, 465, etc. that are only offered once a year. They're not going to split a cohort (and thus the courses). Also, since most of our courses are pre-selected the courses have their place in making a balanced schedule.”

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Fall 2019

Spring 2019

What is the difference between CS and Software Eng? 34 points, 19 comments

“I feel like I'm gonna get reamed for this since it seems most of you are CS, but I legit don't know. I'm just a Biology boy who knows nothing about computers”

u/pahgawk: “I know you're in biology and not actively deciding which to take between the two, but in case anyone reading this is in that situation, here's my SE graduate perspective on what I think the …”

u/Transcendate: “… Also, what is your opinion of the SE "software engineering" course-chain (SE 465, 464, 463)? …”

u/pahgawk: “… SE 464: The project was alright but maybe more work than it was worth. There was a lot of lecture overlap with CS 247 content due to a misunderstanding between faculty that is now being changed. …”

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Winter 2019

Urgent SE/CS study advice 5 points, 5 comments

“Hello everyone. I am a 2B Software Engineering student in dire need of study tips/advice. Ever since CS137, I've had trouble finding a way to study that I could actually follow along and not give up …”

u/I-Can-Explain: “If you can maintain low 80s without studying then you're probably fine to pass any semester so do whatever the fuck you want. What about CS240 bothers you so much? Its a pretty fundamental course.”

u/I-Can-Explain: “… Also I'd wait till taking SE 463/464/465 before saying you enjoy SE courses. …”

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Fall 2018

CS 446 vs. SE 464 1 point, 1 comment

u/timothy_fagu: “How are they similar or different? Which one is better?”

u/patricklam: “That's not really a thing where you have a choice: normally if you are in SE you take SE 464; if you are not in SE you take CS 446 or ECE 452. Exceptions if you are on exchange or something.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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