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Computational Mathematics

Get ready to solve industrial-sized problems.

Today, it takes more than a calculator and a few equations to tackle many of the questions facing business and industry. That’s where you come in.

In Computational Mathematics you’ll learn to analyze data sets, formulae, and images in ways that help us understand the world around us and predict and influence the future.

There’s no better place to study it than Waterloo: we’re ranked among the world’s top 35 schools for math and computer science (QS 2017).

You’ll graduate with the skills to solve problems in areas such as biotechnology, business, economics, social media, engineering, finance, and medicine. And that means you’ll have no shortage of job opportunities.

Add research to your résumé

As an undergraduate research assistant, you could spend a term working with one of our award-winning professors on a research problem.

Your choice: Four years or five

Gain 24 months of paid work experience through Waterloo's co-op program, the largest of its kind in North America, or fast track your degree by choosing the regular system of study.

 

About the Computational Mathematics program

briefcase Available as a co-op and regular program

Arrow pointing up and clickingApply via Honours Mathematics 

Graduation cap Earn a Bachelor of Mathematics degree

 

Computational Mathematics admission requirements

We strongly encourage you to participate in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest to enhance your admissions status.  

To be considered for entrance scholarships in the Faculty of Mathematics, you must write one or both of the contests. If you complete both contests, we'll use the results of the contest in which you performed best.

First-year Computational Mathematics courses

You may select advanced-stream courses for algebra, calculus, and computer science if you meet the requirements. 

September to December

MATH 135 - Algebra 
MATH 137 - Calculus 1
Choose one of:
 • CS 115 - Introduction to Computer Science
 • CS 135 - Designing Functional Programs
1 communication skills course
Plus 1 elective

January to April

MATH 136 - Linear Algebra 1 
MATH 138 - Calculus 2 
Choose one of:
 • CS 116 - Introduction to Computer Science 2
 • CS 136 - Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction
Plus 2 electives

 

After first year

You'll take a variety of courses offered by the Faculty of Mathematics, including statistics, optimization, and computer science. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

See a full list of courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses 

AMATH 382 - Computational Modelling of Cellular Systems
CS 480 - Introduction to Machine Learning
CO 487 - Applied Cryptography
STAT 443 - Forecasting

 
 

Customize your Bachelor of Mathematics degree in Computational Mathematics 

You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree.

Gain relevant work experience through co-op

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Student programmer
  • Junior web developer
  • Data analyst
  • Technical trading associate
  • Software developer
  • Data scientist
  • Programmer analyst

Sample co-op employers

  • KPMG LLP Canada
  • Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
  • Manulife Financial
  • TD Bank Financial Group
  • Desire2Learn
  • Thomson Reuters
  • Natural Resources Canada
 

Careers in Computational Mathematics

  • Senior Analyst, RBC Financial Group
  • Software Developer, Standard & Poor's DRI
  • Information Systems Specialist, University of Waterloo
  • Mathematician, Marquette Partners LP
  • Software Engineer, eBay 
  • Strategic Project Manager, TELUS Corporation
  • Mathematician, American Gaming Systems

Learn more about Computational Mathematics