Welcome to Pure Mathematics

We are home to 25 faculty, four staff, approximately 50 graduate students, several research visitors, and numerous undergraduate students. We offer exciting and challenging programs leading to BMath, MMath and PhD degrees. We nurture a very active research environment and are intensely devoted to both ground-breaking research and excellent teaching.

News

Oct. 7, 2020School spirit
“Two of my high school math teachers were alumni of Waterloo Math, and they constantly raved about the university,” remembered Gurtaj Dhaliwal. In spite of his teachers’ occasionally excessive cheerleading, the Brampton native pursued his passion for mathematics to the Department of Pure Mathematics within the Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics. “I love that moment where a difficult abstract concept just clicks,” he expressed. “Pure Math lets me delve deeper and deeper into the mental challenge of solving puzzles.”
Sep. 25, 2020Remembering George Cross
We’re sad to announce the passing of George Elliot Cross on Thursday, September 17.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, George attended Dalhousie University to complete both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Following his graduation, he headed West and taught undergraduate math at Victoria College and the University of British Columbia where he completed his doctorate in 1958.
Sep. 21, 2020Kathryn Hare awarded Faculty of Mathematics Award for distinction in teaching
One of the 2019/2020 recipients of the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching was Kathryn Hare.

The award recognizes the teachers’ consistent demonstration of outstanding pedagogical skills and a deep commitment to their students’ education.

The faculty presents a maximum of two Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching annually. Outstanding teachers at all levels, from first-year through to graduate studies, are eligible with recipients receiving a public citation along with a cash prize.

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Events

Oct. 28, 2020Algebra Seminar
Seda Albayrak, Department of Pure Mathematics, University of Waterloo

"A refinement of Christol’s theorem"
Nov. 2, 2020Pure Math Colloquium
Andreas Thom, Technische Universität Dresden

"Finitary approximation properties of groups"

Motivated by the study of equations over groups, I will explain various finitary approximation properties of groups. Related to this, old questions of Ulam will reappear and we will motivate and discuss the notion of stability of solutions and almost solutions to algebraic equations.

Zoom meeting: TBA