Mathematics/Teaching

Inspire the next generation. Because the world needs more math.

Become a high school teacher and help students excel at math. There’s no better place to hone your skills than Waterloo, where you’ll gain eighth months of high school classroom experience (along with paid work experience if you enrol in co-op) even before you apply to a Bachelor of Education program.

During your academic terms, you can take a wide variety of math courses or choose to focus your studies in a particular area in math. Add a second teachable from Waterloo's Faculties of Science or Arts.

The world needs more great math teachers. We’ll set you on that path.

Speed through your B.Ed.

With your Math/Teaching degree, earning your Bachelor of Education takes four school terms. Depending on the faculty of education you attend, you could start teaching in September of the year following your graduation from Waterloo.

Gain international experience

Take advantage of our Math in Europe program, spend a term at a foreign university through one of our exchanges, or opt for a four-month co-op work term abroad.

student writing on black board

First faculty of mathematics in North America

briefcase Gain teaching and co-op work experience

globe Waterloo is an international leader in Mathematics

Mathematics/Teaching admission requirements

Apply to Mathematics and choose Mathematics/Teaching as your major at the end of first year. Once you've applied, you'll need to complete the Admission Information Form as part of the application process.

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.

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First-year Mathematics/Teaching courses

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

September to December

MATH 135 - Algebra for Honours Mathematics
MATH 137 - Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics
PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology
Choose one of:
- CS 115 - Introduction to Computer Science
- CS 135 - Designing Functional Programs
One communication skills course

January to April

MATH 136 - Linear Algebra 1 for Honours Mathematics
MATH 138 - Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics
Choose one of:
- CS 116 - Introduction to Computer Science 2
- CS 136 - Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction
One communication skills course
One elective

After first year

You'll take a variety of upper-year courses in math and computer science, as well as additional courses in a second teaching subject. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View a list of courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

CO 380 - Mathematical Discovery and Invention
PMATH 360 - Geometry
AMATH 343 - Discrete Models in Applied Mathematics
CO 480 - History of Mathematics

Arrow pointing up and clicking Apply to Mathematics and choose this major at the end of first year

math tie Offered by the Faculty of Mathematics

Graduation cap Earn a Bachelor of Mathematics degree

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can gain experience in the classroom before you even apply to a Bachelor of Education program. Set yourself apart from other future teachers!