SYDE 223Data Structures and Algorithms
- 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: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Algorithms and data structures emphasizes the following topics: structured software design, data structures, abstract data types, recursive algorithms, algorithm analysis and design, sorting and searching, hashing, problem-solving strategies and NP-completeness.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 1B or higher
- Enrolled in Computer Engineering Option, or H-Systems Design Engineering
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
83% liked it65% easy90% useful
From 78 ratings and 12 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Course is bird because professor does not understand how to teach
Feb 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Definitely a good course for entry into CS. Also great for learning about leetcode and alg's. Easy to fall behind in if not already adept in this type of thing so definitely YouTube and stuff. But the course is structured in a way that u don't have to write much code its more memorizing his code.
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Shi Cao is the goat. This course is super fun, very useful, and the grading structure is pretty easygoing - just study before the quiz and you'll be fine.
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The course is pretty useful for software coops, and the content is interesting enough.
Taught by Shi Cao, the most wholesome prof I've ever had. Man's such a good dad and tries his best to explain!! Also his slides have a few anime/movie references that make me smile :).Aug 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course is taught super well and the content flows really well. Do the assignments, practice questions from Learn, and attend the tutorials and you'll be fine.
Jul 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
16 posts and comments in 12 threads mention SYDE 223, December 2014 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: “… - SYDE223 - Igor <3 but also this course was good - SYDE261 - Only reason this course wasn't F was that it at least satisfied my list A requirement - SYDE283- Plus side: we didn't have Savage. Down side: We had Zelek. …”
Spring 2020
Systems Design Engineering Questions 2 points, 3 comments
u/JunChang22: “… SYDE has two mandatory programming courses (SYDE 121 and SYDE 223) which you have in 1A and 1B respectively. …”
MTE140 vs SYDE 223 (Data Structures and Algorithms) 0 points, 4 comments
u/jassmall: “SYDE 223 (as of when I took it in W17 with Hamid Tizhoosh) claims to teach Java and Python but there is very little actual writing of code, instead focusing on data structures from a theoretical standpoint.”
Winter 2019
Transferring BME to SYDE 9 points, 3 comments
“Presume you just finished BME 1B with an average grade. Will I be able to easily transfer to SYDE 2A after, or will I have to start from SYDE 1A all over again? &x200B;”
u/TaIent: “… like the only course you'd have to make up is SYDE 192 and SYDE 192L instead of taking SYDE 223 in 2A, but I'd ask an advisor to be sure.”
systems vs softeng 3 points, 3 comments
“currently unsure of what to do. i feel like i'll have a better chance getting into systems but I like programming and designing stuff. Are you able to take software electives in systems? …”
u/jassmall: “… could be found in different engineering programs (including the two programming courses SYDE 121 and 223). …”
Winter 2018
Calling to all Trons who have taken MTE140 2 points, 8 comments
“Hey tron mans, Do you remember any old exam questions? My squad does not want to get spanked on this final but there is nary an old final to practice with.”
u/jacer21: “You can probably find tons of practice questions from old SYDE 223, ECE 250, or CS 240 exams”
u/watson-and-crick: “SYDE 223 is run pretty differently from MTE 140/BME 122, so I'm not sure if that will help too much. I know when Tizhoosh teaches it he makes it really theoretical whereas this one tends to be more writing code. Not sure if the other ones will help or not”
Spring 2017
All "Algorithms and Data Structures" courses at Waterloo 10 points, 41 comments
u/pearls_before_swine_: “… I know TRON takes MTE 140 and SYDE take SYDE 223, but what are the other "algorithms and data structures" courses taken by each program?”
Spring 2016
Does anybody have a copy of the SYDE223 syllabus? 0 points, 1 comment
u/geleiademocoto: “Preferably the Winter 2016 offering, but any will do. I need to take the syllabus back to my original university, but I can't seem to find it. The course outline is here but I don't think saving this page as a pdf counts as a syllabus..”
u/cooliokats: “… It is an MTE 140/SYDE 223/BME something textbook that's $13 written by profs. Look for equivalent MTE 140 syllabus if you can't find the SYDE one. …”
Winter 2016
Anyone taking SYDE 223? 3 points, 7 comments
u/geleiademocoto: “Yes I know, this is shameless. I've missed the last 2 weeks of lectures, is there a generous soul taking this course who could take some pics of your notes for the last 4 lectures? I'll repay you with my eternal gratitude and upvotes.. …”
Fall 2015
Hi, I am a bot. 75 points, 98 comments
“Hey everyone! After some discussion with mods, I think I am ready to be pushed live. I am a bot designed to provide relevant course information upon request. …”
u/Sam_E: “[[SYDE 223]]”
u/UWRedditBot: “SYDE 223 LAB,LEC,TUT 0.5 | Data Structures and Algorithms | Course ID: 008957 Algorithms and Data Structures emphasizes the following topics: structured software design, data structures, abstract data types, recursive algorithms, algorithm analysis and design, sorting and …”
SYDE vs SE, balance of hardware&software? 12 points, 15 comments
“I'm a grade 12 student who plans on applying to Waterloo for their engineering programs. I love software and enjoy my time learning new things as well as applying my skills. …”
u/jaydubs12: “… http://www.ucalendar.uwaterloo.ca/1516/COURSE/course-SYDE.htmlSYDE461 There are only a couple software courses that you complete in classes, being: - SYDE 121 (C++) - SYDE 223 (Java, Data structures and algorithms) - SYDE 322 (Software design - Technical Elective) I can not …”
Fall 2014
uWaterloo CS minor - Worthwhile? 6 points, 22 comments
“I'm really interested in CS and the carreer benefits that a CS minor could provide me with. I've already completed CS 135 and I'm in the process of planning out what courses I want to take to …”
u/SpaceWarrior1: “… Data structures courses include ECE 250, SYDE 223, and MTE 140. Since these courses include quite a bit less content than the core CS data structures course, students should proceed with caution, particularly if their marks are not high. …”
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
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