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Mathematics

The Mathematics division offers a full range of programs aimed at students of diverse interests and levels. This includes honours, major, minor and joint degree programs. We work closely with students to choose a program that is the right fit for their interests and goals. Mathematics is a creative activity with its own intrinsic value and beauty. Mathematics also provides a solid foundation for every scientific field. A degree in mathematics can prepare students for a career in academia, industry, management, information technology, banking, teaching, and other areas.

General Interest Courses

We offer a number of courses for students not majoring in Mathematics:

  • MATH 1000.03/MATH 1010.03: These core calculus courses are the starting point for any degree program in the sciences.
  • MATH 1030.03/MATH 2040.03 : These courses serve as introductions to matrix theory, linear equations and linear algebra, topics of importance in many fields.
  • MATH 1060.03: This course serves as an introduction to the basic ideas of statistics, through examples drawn from a wide variety of disciplines.
  • MATH 1215.03: This course emphasizes the application of calculus to the life sciences.
  • MATH 2110.03: This course is concerned with the foundations of mathematics, including logic, set theory, and proof techniques.
  • MATH 2300.03: Topics from science and technology are used to motivate and illustrate basic mathematical tools of linear algebra and calculus. Mathematical software such as Matlab and Maple is also introduced.

Six credit hours of Mathematics or Statistics are required for a BSc degree. The following courses may not be used to satisfy this requirement: MATH 1001.03, MATH 1002.03, MATH 1003.03, MATH 1115.03, MATH 1315.03.

Degree Programs

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the following degree programs in Mathematics :

  • BSc (120 credit hour) Honours (Concentrated)*
  • BSc (120 credit hour) Combined Honours*
  • BSc (120 credit hour) Major*
  • BSc or BA (120 credit hour) Double Major*
  • BSc (90 credit hour) Minor in Mathematics
  • Minor in Mathematics (added to a 120 credit hour degree)

* May be combined with Minor programs from other disciplines

Departmental requirements for each degree program can be seen by following the links in the menu to the right.

In addition to departmental requirements, students must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations and the College of Arts and Science Degree Requirements sections.

A BSc degree is the choice of most students in Mathematics; however, a BA degree option is also available for each of the programs listed below. The Departmental requirements for each BA degree program are the same as those of the corresponding BSc degree program; however, students are advised that some of the general College of Arts and Science requirements differ for the BA and BSc degrees. Minors and certificates that can be combined with a BSc degree can also be combined with a BA degree.

A student is governed by the academic regulations in place at the time of initial enrolment, as long as the degree is completed within the time permitted (10 years). Subsequent changes in regulations shall apply only if the student so elects. Students applying the old academic regulations should consult the calendar of the appropriate year.

Students should plan their programs of study carefully and are strongly encouraged to do so in consultation with a Mathematics undergraduate academic advisor. Students who participated in the Integrated Science Program in their first year should consult the Undergraduate Calendar for first year course equivalencies.

Students in any Mathematics program are strongly encouraged to include CSCI 1105.03 and CSCI 1110.03 in their programs.

BSc (120 credit hour) Concentrated Honours in Mathematics

An Honours degree offers an in-depth preparation in undergraduate mathematics, including an independent research experience. This degree option is recommended for students interested in eventually pursuing graduate studies in mathematics. Honours students complete a minimum of 54 credit hours above the 1000 level in Mathematics with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and write an Honours Comprehensive Examination.

Admission to Honours

Students must apply for admission to Honours programs. Students considering Honours in Mathematics should consult with a Mathematics Honours Advisor early in their studies to have their programs approved.

Departmental requirements

The Department offers two Honours streams in Mathematics: (A) Pure Mathematics and (B) Applied Mathematics. Stream A emphasizes the power and beauty of mathematics as an independent academic discipline. Stream B emphasizes the connections between mathematics and other scientific disciplines. Both streams follow the same courses for the first two years. Students decide which stream to pursue during their second year.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations and College of Arts and Science Degree Requirements sections, students in a BSc Concentrated Honours program in Mathematics must complete the following courses:

1000 level
2000 level
  • MATH 2001.03: Intermediate Calculus I/MATH 2002.03: Intermediate Calculus II
    MATH 2135.03: Linear Algebra and MATH 2505.03: Introductory Analysis
  • Fifteen additional credit hours in mathematics at or above the 2000 level - not including courses listed below
3000 level
  • MATH 3031.03: Abstract Algebra I and MATH 3501.03: Intermediate Analysis I
  • Students in Stream A are required to take MATH 3032.03: Abstract Algebra II and MATH 3502.03: Intermediate Analysis II
  • Students in Stream B are required to take MATH 3080.03: Introduction to Complex Variables and (MATH 3120.03: Differential Equations or MATH 3260.03: Applied Differential Equations)
4000 level
  • MATH 4950.03: Honours Research Project
  • Twelve additional credit hours at or above the 4000 level

Note: Students will not receive credit for taking MATH 1115.03 after receiving credit for MATH 1000.03, MATH 1500X, or MATH 1215.03

Programming requirement

Students in Stream A are advised to include a selection of courses from the following list in their programs:

Students in Stream B are advised to include a selection of courses from the following list in their programs:

  • MATH 2060.03: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • MATH 2300.03: Mathematical Modelling
  • MATH 3032.03: Abstract Algebra II
  • MATH 3045.03: Curves and Surfaces
  • PHYC 3050.03: Introduction to Numerical Programming
  • MATH 3300.03: Optimization
  • MATH 3330.03: Applied Graph Theory
  • MATH 3360.03: Probability
  • MATH 3400.03: Classical Game Theory
  • MATH 3502.03: Intermediate Analysis II
  • MATH 3900.03: Financial Mathematics

Honours Comprehensive Examination

The Honours Comprehensive Examination in mathematics consists of a written paper of about 20-30 pages researched and prepared by the student. The topic is decided on in conjunction with the Honours advisor. The paper is also presented to the honours seminar. The work for this paper is done as part of the required course MATH 4950.03: Honours Research Project.

BSc (120 credit hour) Combined Honours in Mathematics and another subject

Students who wish to study Mathematics in conjunction with another subject may wish to pursue a Combined Honours degree program. The other subject may be any discipline from the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Computer Science, or the College of Sustainability. Mathematics may be the primary subject (defined as the subject with the larger number of honours credits), or the secondary subject. Students contemplating a Combined Honours program in Mathematics and another subject should bear in mind, however, that the work in either subject may be insufficient for admission to a regular graduate program.

Students planning to enrol in a Combined Honours program should consult with academic advisors from both programs early in their studies. The same standards and conditions for admission apply as for entry into a Concentrated Honours program (see above). In addition, students must have their program of study approved by Academic Advisors in both subject areas. Students must complete an Honours Qualifying Examination in one of the two subject areas, a requirement normally completed in the primary subject area. For Mathematics, this requirement is satisfied through MATH 4950.03.

Departmental Requirements

Students in a BSc Combined Honours program in Mathematics and another subject must fulfill the requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations and College of Arts and Science Degree Requirements sections.  A combined total of 66 credit hours above the 1000 level must be completed in two subjects, with a minimum of 30 credit hours above the 1000 level in each subject. In addition, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours at the 3000 level or above in each of the primary and secondary subjects.

Students in a BSc Combined Honours program in Mathematics, with Mathematics either as the primary subject or as the secondary subject, must complete the following courses. The program must be approved by a Mathematics Honours Advisor and an Honours advisor from the other subject.

2000 level

•    MATH 2001.03: Intermediate Calculus I
•    MATH 2002.03: Intermediate Calculus II
•    MATH 2135.03: Linear Algebra
•    MATH 2505.03: Introductory Analysis

3000 level

•    At least two of MATH 3031.03: Abstract Algebra I, MATH 3032.03: Abstract Algebra II, MATH 3080.03: Introduction to Complex Variables, (MATH 3120.03: Differential Equations or MATH 3260.03: Applied Differential Equations), MATH 3501.03: Intermediate Analysis I, MATH 3502.03: Intermediate Analysis II

4000 level

•    Six additional credit hours in MATH at the 4000 level

If Mathematics is the primary subject, students must also complete:

•    MATH 4950.03: Honours Research Project

Note: Students will not receive credit for taking MATH 1115.03 after receiving credit for MATH 1000.03, MATH 1500X, or MATH 1215.03

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