Programs

As one of the largest departments of mathematics and statistics in Canada, we are able to offer Honors and Specialization programs in a variety of fields, as well as Majors and Minors in the two disciplines:

Program Honors Specialization Major / Minor
Mathematics 1 2
Mathematics with Minor in Computing Science
Mathematics with Minor in Computing Statistics
Mathematics - Computational Science
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics with Minor in Computing Science
Applied Mathematics with Minor in Statistics
Mathematics and Economics
Mathematics and Finance
Mathematical Physics 3
Statistics 4

  1. The Honors in Mathematics also is available for students in the Faculty of Arts.
  2. The Major/Minor in Mathematics also is available for students in the Faculty of Arts.
  3. The Honors Mathematical Physics program is administered by the Department of Physics.
  4. The Minor in Statistics (but not the Major) also is available for students in the Faculty of Arts.

Honors versus Specialization

The difference between Honors and Specialization programs is one of degree (so to say!).

Our Honors programs are for students who are passionate about and fully committed to the discipline. These programs are built around our suite of Honors courses. Program disciplines are developed in depth, and students reach the level of rigour used by practising mathematicians and statisticians by the time they graduate. Graduates of our Honors programs have many options. Most graduates pursue postgraduate degrees, and many establish careers in research. Others take up careers in post-secondary education, industry, and government.

Our Specialization programs are for students who want to have a strong background in modern mathematics or statistics but who either are not ready to commit to the challenge of an Honors program or want to have options to explore their interests in other disciplines. Graduates of our Specialization programs establish rewarding careers in a remarkable variety of areas, including post-secondary education, industry (health, finance, computing, etc.), and government. With the right choice of courses, Specialization students also have the option to pursue postgraduate studies.

Some students who are not completely sure about their strengths or interests start off in a Specialization program and later switch to an Honors program. Some go the other way. We are always very flexible and will work hard to find the program that is right for you.

Employers are interested in graduates of all of our programs because of the skills they acquire: not only do we train our students to think with precision, but we also nurture their creativity and ability to solve problems.

Majors and Minors

Students with interests in more than one discipline can obtain degrees with qualifications in two disciplines. Students in the Faculty of Science can do so via the BSc Renewal degree programs; students in the Faculty of Arts can do so via the BA degree program.

Bachelor of Science Renewal (BSc) versus Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Since the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences is housed in the Faculty of Science, most of our programs lead to a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. However, it is possible to access some of our programs through the Faculty of Arts, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

In particular, students registered in the Faculty of Arts formally can include mathematics or statistics in their degree program by pursuing one of the following:

  • BA Honors in Mathematics;
  • Major or Minor in Mathematics;
  • Minor (but not a Major) in Statistics.

The BA Honors in Mathematics allows students to balance the study of mathematics and the arts. The program does not have a Minor requirement, so students can design their degree for a general liberal education or for a specific career.

A Major/Minor in Mathematics or the Minor in Statistics often is combined with a Major/Minor in Economics, but other unique combinations certainly are possible (for example a Major in Philosophy or Music and a Minor in Mathematics).

For more information, see the Mathematics program page or the Statistics program page.