What was your admission average and your
average after the first year?

Admission average: 87.33%. I initially applied to the Math/BBA double degree, got an alternate offer.
First semester average was 76, second semester I switched into the advanced versions of the core math courses, average was 83.6%.



1. For the standard core math courses, it can be around 200-300. In the advanced versions (second semester at least), it was between 40-60 people, I think.
2. Well, I had Mike Eden for math 135, which is a course essentially designed to teach you how to do proofs. Mike Eden was a pretty good lecturer. My calc prof for math 137, Terry Anderson, no longer teaches, but he was one of my favourites. Really nice guy, lent me one of his textbooks. Second semester I had Spiro Karigiannis and Marek Stastna, neither of whom will likely be teaching first year courses next year. Spiro I really liked because he walked through all the proofs well, and seemed legitimately interested in teaching us. Always held office hours, good guy. Marek is a really nice guy, a bit of an easy marker.

The most interesting professor I've had however, was Troy Vasiga, for CS 135. Really excitable guy. He brought in an onion, knife, and cutting board to teach us about recursion.

3. If you attend lectures, for a regular course, they typically took me around 2 hours each. They were often pretty computation based. The advanced courses took me 3-4 hours each, however, that's because I found the easiest way to do them was to read over them right when they became available, and do a question whenever the answer popped into my head. I really enjoyed the advanced math courses more than the regular versions though. One big advantage is that with the smaller class sizes, you get to know the professor better.

4. Best thing about math at waterloo for me was the option to take the advanced math courses. They introduce a lot of concepts that I otherwise would not have gotten to see until later. The professors here are professional mathematicians, which is another good thing. Math is what they do for a living, they know their stuff.

Going to office hours when you have questions is a good idea. You get to know your professors better.

1. What electives are beneficial to computer science students? (Science vs Business)
2. How is a student considered for admission to advanced courses? I heard that Euclid score matters.
3. What are the first year English requirements? Is it true that all that is required for English is a pass on the ELPE?

Calc & Vectors was between 88 and 90, It was a year ago so I forget exactly what now
Data Management: 90
Advanced Functions: 84%

The main difference between waterloo math and highschool math is that the honours math courses at UW are more focused on proof that computation. In first semester calculus, we mostly just did what we did from high school, but more rigorously. That is, we take the actual definition of a limit, continuity, differentiation, etc. We learn and use a number of theories for proofs on assignments. We also start on integration.

So in terms of computing limits, derivatives, etc, high school prepares you fine. In fact they teach the calculus course as though no one has ever done calculus before. Proofs will most likely be new for everyone however, so they start off with easier proofs.

Algebra was tricky. High school math is designed to give people a working knowledge of how to do some more or less simple stuff with math, and as such, does not really do much proofs. The Algebra course is essentially a course on how to prove stuff. As such, it will be pretty different from math you have done before most likely. You learn a lot of theorems, and proof techniques, and use those to prove theorems on assignments and exams. So I can't say high school prepared me for this, but then, there was no way it could have. My advice for this course is to not be afraid to ask tutors/professors when you have questions.

If you go to class, take good notes, ask for help when you need it, you should be fine. There really isn't much topic-specific prerequisite knowledge from high school, the courses really develop everything from the ground up/.



1. Take what you want. The most beneficial classes, math and computer science, are already required, so take whatever you're interested in. I'd say take economics at least once, but that's just because I think everyone should take economics at least once. Try and take it with Larry Smith if possible. One thing I wish I'd done, which a lot of math/cs students did, was to take STAT 230, a required statistics course, during second semester, so I could get it out of the way.

2. For admission to advanced courses, first semester at least, you can get in if you get a good euclid score. If you don't get a good euclid score, you can still take them, you just have to ask ahead of time. If you find them too difficult, you can drop down to the standard version any time before the final exam. I was in the normal versions first semester (math 135, math 137) and the advanced versions second semester (math 146, math 148). I like proofs, so I liked these courses. They're helpful if you want to go into pure math, but they're also worth doing if you're bored by the normal level.

3. First year English requirements, you just have to pass the ELPE. Some programs require other english courses, but for general math, just ELPE should do.

It'd be best to e-mail someone in the math department and ask. Just so you know, I was in the normal calculus first semester, and took the advanced version second semester without any real difficulties. Don't worry too much about it!

No, not all co-op students do 6 work terms. I think 6 is the standard for the basic Math, program, but others such as the DD programs complete less.

For this summer, 53% of 1st year math students and 70% of CS students have found co-op jobs.

These are the numbers for the generic math & cs programs, not FARM/CA/DD etc.

If you choose a sequence with your first co-op term during spring of year 1, it can be a challenge to find a job. You are competing against a lot of students, including upper year ones. In addition, companies are hiring interns from other schools without co-op options.

I personally applied to ~90 jobs. I think the key to getting a job though is not limiting your options, and understanding that you most likely will not get your dream job your first term. You get 50 applications at a time for co-op, so use them. I know a lot of people who only applied to jobs in certain geographic areas, or only looked at jobs targeted to math students. If I had limited my search I would not have the job I have this term. In fact, I almost didn't apply for this position, but I am certainly glad that I did.

If you broaden your search, you can often find positions and get interviews for them. Really, that's all you're looking for. Once you get the interview you get the chance sell yourself in person.

If you have any other questions about math, co-op or UW in general, don't hesitate to ask.

1. It's impossible to track that unless you track each student individually. Generally though, if you get a job your first work term then you will likely get a job each subsequent term. Finding a job gets easier each time because you have more relevant experience.

2. First off, I didn't take the advanced courses, Matthew can answer this if he want. I will say though that you can't really determine how much a course helps with a job in general. It completely depends on the job. I know a few students working on web development which isn't part of the 1st year curriculum. Did their course work help them though? Maybe. Problem solving methods etc. But it depends on the job that someone gets. Just because I am in Math or CS doesn't mean I have to get a Math/CS job. I applied to a number of business type positions in HRM, corporate finance and supply chain.

3. Didn't join the CSC.

If most of the non-math/cs based co-op jobs are business based, then it's a good idea to take business electives first year?

Can you clarify ?

How about chemistry or physics related jobs?