A backshot of a student looking at a chalkboard filled with equations
Table of Contents
Overview
Co-op & internships/Facilities
Classes
Admissions requirements

Mathematics and Statistics study patterns underlying diverse phenomena such as the weather, human and animal populations, stock markets, the form of a molecule, or the structure of the space and the time.

Using mathematics we discover subtle and sometimes unexpected features of these phenomena, as well develop ways to predict their behaviour which is an extremely important component of our understanding of the world and the space that surrounds us.

Statistics can help us make sense of large data sets and complex systems in areas such as astronomy, genomics, social networks, climate simulation, and medicine. Statisticians examine the patterns which arise in data with the goal of distinguishing true patterns from chance effects.

The Mathematics and Statistics I program introduces students to the foundational tools and ideas of mathematics leading into our degree programs.

Mathematics and Statistics at McMaster emphasizes a student-centered approach to teaching by offering a curriculum that is rich with opportunities for cooperative education, experiential learning, and undergraduate research. Students who take courses in mathematics and statistics enjoy the following aspects of our curriculum:

  • Broad-based, interdisciplinary courses
  • Courses covering numerous areas in theoretical and applied mathematics
  • Lectures by world’s recognized leaders in research and teaching
  • Program flexibility (a minor in any area can be declared with math degree)
  • Specialization in Honours Actuarial & Financial Mathematics and Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Courses in applied mathematics and statistics including training in industry-recognized software
  • A dynamic undergraduate Math & Stats Society
  • Opportunities for paid undergraduate summer research with faculty members

Whether you know exactly what area of science you are interested in or are still undecided (or change your mind after you arrive!), the structure of our Level I Mathematics & Statistics Gateway program will provide you with a range of Level II program options.

While some students continue in a Level II program from the same area of study as their Level I program (for example, selecting Level II Honours Actuarial & Financial Mathematics after completion of the Math & Stats Gateway), others discover a new area of interest and change their original direction (for example, a Math & Stats Gateway student may choose to move into Honours Medical and Biological Physics). Regardless of your path, at the end of first year you will rank order and apply to up to four Level II programs.

The Science Career and Cooperative Education (SCCE) office has a variety of resources to help students research and explore co-operative, experiential education and career opportunities they can pursue during and following their degree. Our vision is to see every McMaster Science student reach their career potential and have a meaningful impact on the scientific community.
Cooperative Education is an integrated “hands-on” approach to higher education that enables highly motivated students to alternate academic terms with paid, relevant work experience.

Current Faculty of Science Co-Op programs, all of which begin at Level III:

  • Actuarial and Financial Mathematics
  • Chemical Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics (including sub-plans)
  • Medical and Biological Physics
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Physics
  • Sustainable Chemistry

Experiential Education provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world, academically relevant experience in a community, research or professional setting. This combination of academic and applied learning helps students to further develop the necessary qualities and skills that will be transferable to future career paths. Students in the Faculty of Science can gain experience through Applied Placement courses, Research Practicum courses, or Undergraduate Science Internships.

Visit the Science Career and Cooperative Education (SCCE) website for more information.

James Stewart Centre for Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics is housed in the James Stewart Centre for Mathematics. Located in Hamilton Hall, the Centre has been designed to integrate teaching, research and outreach environments. The award-winning renovation of this historic building retained the classic exterior and, at the same time, completely modernized and vertically integrated its interior, to facilitate dynamic interactions between undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty.

The Math Help Centre provides friendly and active academic and social environments. Numerous blackboards, filled with math calculations and diagrams, line the walls of the generous building. The hallways are set up with study tables to encourage undergraduates to work together with their peers and teaching assistants. The proximity of faculty offices gives students an opportunity to consult with their instructors both during and outside of office hours.

SharcNet

SharcNet, the Department’s high-performance computing facility is located in A. N. Bourns Science Building. The Shared Hierarchical Academic Research Computing Network is the culmination of the vision of several researchers in Ontario who sought to build a world-class high-performance computing (HPC) environment to meet growing, and often unmet, HPC demands.

Your Classes

What you’ll take:

  • MATH 1B03 – Linear Algebra I
  • MATH 1C03 – Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
  • MATH 1MP3 – Introduction to Mathematical Scientific Computation
  • MATH 1X03 – Calculus for Math and Stats I
  • MATH 1XX3 – Calculus for Math and Stats II
  • 15 units of electives or Science Course List classes

The structure of our Level I Mathematics & Statistics Gateway program will provide you with a range of Level II program options including:

  • Honours Actuarial and Financial Mathematics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Mathematics and Statistics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Mathematics and Computer Science (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Mathematics and Physics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Mathematics and Statistics – Mathematics Sub-Plan (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Mathematics and Statistics – Statistics Sub-Plan (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Astrophysics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology and Mathematics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Physics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biochemistry (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology and Environmental Sciences (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology – Discovery Sub-Plan (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Biology – Physiology (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Chemical Biology (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Chemistry (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Environmental Sciences (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Life Sciences (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Life Sciences – Origins of Disease Specialization (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Life Sciences – Sensory Motor Systems Specialization (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Medical and Biological Physics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Neuroscience (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour – Mental Health Specialization (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour – Music Cognition Specialization (B.Sc.)
  • Honours Human Behaviour (B.A.Sc.)
  • Honours Human Behaviour – Autism and Behavioural Science Specialization (B.A.Sc.)
  • Honours Human Behaviour – Early Childhood Education Specialization (B.A.Sc.)
  • Honours Sustainable Chemistry (B.A.Sc.)
For a full list of courses that can be available in this program, please consult the academic calendar.

Admissions