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 study the intersection of mathematics, statistics, optimization, and computer science, to solve problems in business, finance, medicine, science, and technology. 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 25 schools for computer science (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and we have one of the largest co-op networks, too.
You'll learn how to harness the power of computers and data to generate and run mathematical models that understand trends and find industrial-sized solutions.
You'll graduate with a unique blend of skills that will put you in demand for high-end technology jobs around the world.
Program highlights
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.
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.
- Available as a regular and co-op program
- Graduate with a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computational Mathematics
- Offered by the Faculty of Mathematics
What will you learn?
First-year courses
You'll take a mix of Mathematics and Computer Science courses to give you the foundations for your upper-year classes, along with a few electives.
Learn about courses you'll take for your Computational Mathematics degree.
Customize your degree
You can add additional areas of expertise by including one of the minors available to all Waterloo students.
Once you're a student, advisors can help you explore which minors or specializations may fit into your plans.
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Monthly topics include how to choose a program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, the differences between high school and university, and more.
Questions? Ask a student!
Contact a Faculty of Mathematics student ambassador to learn about their experience in the program.
Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Student programmer
- Junior web developer
- Data analyst
- Technical trading associate
- Software developer
- Data scientist
- Programmer analyst
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
Your first work term will be after first year (May to August 2025).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
or halfway through second year (which can be January to April 2026).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Co-op | Study |
There are options where you can have your first work term in the spring term after first year and your second work term after second year, or in the fall term halfway through your second year.
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus and Vectors
- Any 4U English
- One other 4U course
Recommended course: Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science
Admission averages: Individual selection from the high 80s
How to apply?
Apply to Mathematics and choose Computational Mathematics 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.
Connect with us
Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact our Faculty of Mathematics recruitment coordinator who can answer any questions you have.
