About Math/ELAS

Mathematics/English Language for Academic Studies.

Math/ELAS is a program that allows you to begin your academic studies while you improve your English language skills. It is designed for students who are strong in mathematics but need to improve their level in English language.

Math/ELAS provides an opportunity for students to acquire the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in 4-months while earning credit towards your BMath or BCS degree. This program provides you the support needed in the classroom and allows you to build on your experience to be successful in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo.

If you qualify for admission to the Faculty of Mathematics (includes School of Computer Science), but your English language test scores are below our minimum requirements, then the admissions committee will make you an alternate offer of admission to Math/ELAS.

See our English language test score minimum requirements.

Note: Students who have applied to other programs/faculties may be considered for the Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program.

You cannot apply directly for admission to Math/ELAS. In order to be considered for Math/ELAS, you must first apply to one or more Faculty of Mathematics entry programs.

If you have applied to the Faculty of Mathematics, you may fit the following description:

• your first language is not English,
• your English language test scores are below Faculty of Mathematics minimum requirements,
• your high school mathematics marks meet or exceed our minimum mark requirements,
• you meet all our other admission requirements, and
• you are interested in studying in the Faculty of Mathematics, including the Cheriton School of Computer Science, at the University of Waterloo.

Math/ELAS students attend two separate campuses for a term (4 months). The English language enrichment portion of Math/ELAS takes place at Conestoga College-Waterloo campus, located at 108 University Avenue East, a short distance along University Avenue from the University of Waterloo. Conestoga College-Waterloo campus is on the City of Waterloo bus line, GRT Grand River Transit.
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 all ELAS courses will be delivered online.

In Math/ELAS, you will take four English language courses and one elective course at Conestoga College. You also take one Mathematics (MATH 137) course - Calculus 1, at the University of Waterloo.

You will qualify to begin studying full-time towards your degree in a Mathematics program if you successfully complete these courses in the Math/ELAS progam.

University of Waterloo: Calculus-1 (MATH 137 or 135*)

Conestoga College: Level 4 courses.

• ELS1380, Written Communication Skills IV, 90 hours.
• ELS1160, Reading Comprehension IV, 60 hours.
• ELS1200, Listening and Speaking IV, 60 hours.
• ELS1120, Pronunciation IV, 45 hours.
• LIB1540, Student Success for Higher Learning**, 45 hours.

**In addition to four English courses, Math/ELAS students will take one elective course so they can put their newly acquired English language skills into practice.

NOTE: *Students with transfer credit for MATH 137 - Calculus will be placed into MATH 135 - Algebra

New students will be able to select their MATH course, that is reserved for ELAS students, during course selection June 11 to June 19, 2020.

Students will automatically be enrolled/scheduled into Level 4-ELAS courses, taught at Waterloo Conestoga College. You will be provided with access to your ELAS schedule on the first day of classes from Conestoga College representatives.
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 all ELAS courses will be delivered online.

View a Math/ELAS student sample timetable that includes the Conestoga College English and elective courses, and Calculus 1.

As part of the admission process the University of Waterloo requires official test scores. Complete your test at least 2 months before the deadline to ensure that your scores arrive in time. English language requirements

Please request that the testing centre/agency forward your test scores directly to the University of Waterloo. Faxes and student copies of test scores are not accepted for admission to UWaterloo.

• UWaterloo's institution code is 0996.
• UWaterloo's department code is 00.

UWaterloo's mailing address:

Email inquiries can be directed to myapplication@uwaterloo.ca.

To successfully complete Math/ELAS you must:

• complete one academic term (4 months);
• achieve at least 70% in all English language courses; and
• achieve at least 60% in your mathematics course.

If you meet all of the above conditions, you will be admitted into a regular honours program in the Faculty of Mathematics (includes Cheriton School of Computer Science), at the University of Waterloo.

Refer to details provided in your offer of admission. Check your application status through your Quest account.

You are expected to begin your degree studies in the term immediately following completion of your Math/ELAS term.

Math/ELAS is offered:

• In the fall term, from September to December.

Tuition fees for Canadian/permanent resident or international student for the current terms are listed in the fee schedules: choose a term, select "Mathematics", or select "English Language Proficiency Programs".

Includes:

• One credit course for BMath or BCS degree
• Five English Language for Academic Studies courses
• UWaterloo incidental fees.
• Health and dental insurance (or University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)).

Fees are posted to student’s Quest account about five weeks prior to the start of classes each term. You will be sent an email notification, prior to the start of each term.

Further information contact:

Email: sfs@uwaterloo.ca

Contact Us - using online form

Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 38466
Our phone is answered 9:00am - 4:00pm business days

First-year students can apply for guaranteed on-campus residence at UWaterloo.
NOTE: The guarantee does not apply if you miss the June 1 deadline. Learn more about the residence process for first-year students.

Each residence has many services and experiences to offer. It’s more a case of which residence is best for you. Some offer more independence while others offer more social interaction, while others offer more privacy.

Each residence offers a strong sense of community, support for academic pursuits, full-time staff, and many amenities to make it feel like home. Campus and residence tours are a great way to learn more. Can’t make it to campus? Check out residence virtual tours.

If you do not want to live in residence, our Off-Campus Housing Office can help you find a room or apartment in the community.
While you are not required to live in residence, we highly recommend it!

For details, Residence and student life, new Incoming first-year students - Timelines and residence process

The Intensive English Language for Academic Studies (IELAS) program, is an 8-week intensive English language program that is available online July 6 – August 28, 2020.
IELAS meets the English language requirement of the Faculty of Mathematics (and Cheriton School of Computer Science) at University of Waterloo.

Note: Students must be within Canada to apply for this special on-line version.

To complete the program successfully, you will pass by attaining final grades of at least 70% in each of the Conestoga College's English language courses.
Upon successful completion of the on-line 8-week Intensive English language program, you are able to begin your full-time studies in Mathematics at UWaterloo, rather than taking a full term of Math/ELAS from September – December.

Fees: International fees $5,717.50 CAD or/ Permanent Resident fees $1,483.00 CAD payable by credit card to Conestoga College.

Complete and submit - Application form - IELAS 2020

Paying by credit card you will need to complete the last page of application form (page 2).

Be sure to provide scanned copies of the following documentation with your UW ID# directly to Lpereira@conestogac.on.ca NO LATER than June 30, 2020.

• English Language Test Score (Duolingo English Language Test, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Copy of your Waterloo acceptance letter (offer of admission)

For additional information about English language studies programs at Conestoga College contact:
Ms. Liliana Pereira Melo Email: Lpereiramelo@conestogac.on.ca
Conestoga Language Institute 299 Doon Valley Drive Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4 Canada

Once you have successfully completed the Math/ELAS program:

• you will receive a course credit for (Math 137) Calculus 1; it will count toward your BMath or BCS degree.
• you will be enrolled in a full-time regular program within the Faculty of Mathematics (as indicated on your offer of admission).
• you will begin your full-time studies in the term immediately following completion of Math/ELAS.

Note: The Math/ELAS program may not be used to meet admission or transfer to other UWaterloo programs/faculties.

Though you will not be admitted from Math/ELAS directly into a co-op program, you may be considered for co-op after first year if;

• you follow the steps provided by the Mathematics Undergraduate Office.
• someone drops out of co-op making a place for you.
• your marks from first year (1A, 1B) while attending UWaterloo are higher than other students who may also want into co-op.

Co-op information sessions are held in mid March/July/November for first-year regular students to explore the possibility of switching to a co-op program.

For questions about Math/BASE (formerly Math/ELAS), please contact Ms. Judy Reidt.

Questions about your application status, transcripts, documents or English test scores Email our admissions team myapplication@uwaterloo.ca