SYDE 552Computational Neuroscience
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Systems Design Engineering
- Cross-listed
- BIOL 487
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to modelling and analysis of neurophysiological systems. Models of synaptic plasticity and learning, with focus on the similarities and differences between neuroscience and deep learning.
Prerequisites
- Complete 1 of the following
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Biomedical Engineering
- Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 3B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Systems Design Engineering
- Complete all of the following
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4628 | 0 / 80 | T 13:30–15:20 Th 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1873 | 45 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 4629 | 0 / 80 | Th 14:30–15:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it31% easy92% useful
From 5 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Super interesting course. Easier than expected with not having a programming background, however be prepared to dump some time into the course readings (if not having a bio background).
Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Good course, but a strong programming background is absolutely required.
Apr 2015 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
7 posts and comments in 6 threads mention SYDE 552, February 2018 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
SYDE / ECEcourses 1 point, 0 comments
u/EmotionalYesterday39: “How much of biology background do I need to do well in Syde 556 / 552?”
Fall 2023
biol487/syde572 1 point, 2 comments
“Gas anyone taken either BIOL487 or SYDE572? I’m thinking of doing one of them but I haven’t been able to find too much information on what these courses are like, esp BIOL487. …”
u/suiyui: “… Very time consuming assignments in general but grading is lenient so you can get a high 90 in this course if you try hard I was planning on taking SYDE 552/BIOL 487 but took an online course for it instead (Computational neuroscience on Coursera). …”
u/1000Ditto: “syde 552 is tough ik some folks who dropped it and switched out :P”
Spring 2023
SYDE 552 vs. SYDE 556 vs. SYDE 572 1 point, 1 comment
u/SnooOnions2981: “I'm struggling to decide which one to choose, and the comments in UWflow are from many years ago. Could someone who has taken any of these courses please share their insights on their usefulness and difficulty? Thanks”
Winter 2021
Has anyone taken BIOL 487 or SYDE 552? 2 points, 4 comments
Fall 2018
SYDE Technical Electives 9 points, 5 comments
u/Aggressive_Sky: “Any SYDE grads take SYDE 372, 522, 552 or 556? How was the overall course content, were the courses useful and or difficult?”
Winter 2018
Anyone know anything about Theoretical Neuroscience at Waterloo? 4 points, 2 comments
“In in undergrad Math Phys, but I'm becoming increasingly interested in the field of computational neuroscience, anyone know anything about how to learn more about this at Waterloo?”
u/krishnr: “I'm taking this right now https://uwflow.com/course/syde552”
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