SYDE 181Physics 1: Statics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Systems Design Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Basic concepts of mechanics, vectors. Statics of particles. Rigid bodies and force systems, equilibrium of rigid bodies. Analysis of trusses and frames. Distributed forces, centroids, and moments of inertia. Friction. Virtual work.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1A
- Enrolled in H-Systems Design Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- BME181 - Physics 1: Statics (0.50)
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7786 | 0 / 110 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 701 | 8305 | 1 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 7787 | 0 / 110 | F 10:30–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
65% liked it54% easy77% useful
From 105 ratings and 21 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The concepts are actually very simple and easy once you are familiar with them, but the lectures sometimes made them seem confusing. The course moves slowly until the end, and I found the simpler concepts were over-explained while the harder ones were under-explained. Just learn and memorize how to solve each kind of problem on your own, and you will do amazing. Even if you don't understand the concept immediately (like I still don't know what a moment of inertia actually is) just learn the process to solve the problem and which equation to use.
Oct 2012 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Costa is super nice, just learn the fundamentals and you should be set. Also if you're ever behind, Jeff Hanson on YT is top tier and I recommend.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
RODRIGO COSTA WILL NOT LET YOU FAIL HE IS THE BEST!!! COSTA SHOULD REPLACE NEYMAR AND ANDERSON SILVA AS REPRESENTATIVES FOR BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Prof. Costa was very straightforward about the expectations for this class. Which made it a non-stressful course. It's kind of random tho.
Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Prof Costa is the goat. The course is pretty much grade 12 physics review/sequel, not too bad.
Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
5 posts and comments in 5 threads mention SYDE 181, June 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.
Winter 2022
Undergrad courses I've taken tier list (details in comments) 161 points, 13 comments
u/MindTheGap9: “… - SYDE181 - My worst mark of undergrad (ironic), but holy crap can Heppler draw. 1B - SYDE112 - I still can't do a trig sub integral. Udv = uv-vdu is the only thing I remember. - SYDE114 - "Calculus" (lol). Birkett's first slaughter of our class. …”
Fall 2017
Final Grades Discussion Megathread (Fall 2017) 64 points, 270 comments
“thank mr goose”
u/MindTheGap9: “R I P in syde 181 massacre”
What's your proudest mark? 20 points, 59 comments
“not necessarily your highest but the one you worked hardest to get”
u/theGuacFlock: “87 in SYDE 181. Stayed up all night the night before the exam going over essentially every textbook problem and then some. went from a 77 to an 87 after the final”
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “… SWREN 443B SWREN 443R SWREN 470R SYDE 101 SYDE 101L SYDE 111 SYDE 113 SYDE 121 SYDE 161 SYDE 181 SYDE 182 SYDE 202 SYDE 212 SYDE 252 SYDE 262 SYDE 283 SYDE 286 SYDE 292 SYDE 292L SYDE 401 SYDE 411 SYDE 461 SYDE 533 SYDE 543 SYDE 553 SYDE 575 SYDE 631 SYDE 677 SYDE 682 SYDE 740 …”
Spring 2011
Questions for Engineering Co-op Students 10 points, 65 comments
“Hi! I've been considering going to Waterloo of engineering, but I have a few questions, so if you guys have time to answer them that'd be much appreciated (: Do employers ever employ first year …”
u/isarl: “1. Yes. I don't remember offhand, but employment rates tend to be pretty good. Also, CECS publishes employment figures, but it might only be available to you if you log in with a UW ID; I haven't …”
u/isarl: “… Maybe you take SYDE181.”
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
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them