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CMPUT 313: Computer Networks

At a glance

  • Units: 3
  • Prerequisites: CMPUT 201 and 204, or 275; and one of STAT 151, 161, 181, 235, 265, SCI 151, or MATH 181.
  • Corequisites: CMPUT 379.
  • Offered: Scheduled: Winter 2027
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Workload: Moderate

Introduction to computer communication networks; protocols for error and flow control; wired and wireless medium access protocols; routing and congestion control; internet architecture and protocols; multimedia transmission; recent advances in networking.

Official catalogue entry ยท facts synced 2026-10-01

What Students Say

Imported from the original course reviews page, which mixed student contributions with summarized Reddit discussion. Tips aren't term-stamped yet; if you've taken this course recently, add your experience.

Often cited as "boring but useful." Students who go on to do backend or infrastructure work often say they wished they'd paid more attention.

"313 is drier than the desert. Not much relevancy to modern hands-on networking that you'd see for most CS work unless you want to get deep into network protocols."

Instructor notes: - Ioannis Nikolaidis: entertaining lectures with frequent (often interesting) tangents; assignments are tough but rewarding.

Student tips: - 379 is a corequisite, so you'll take 313 alongside or after operating systems. Students find the two complement each other.