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To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.
Mathematics Major
This program leads to a bachelor of science (BSc) degree.
Prerequisite Grade Requirement
To enroll in a course offered by the Department of Mathematics, a student must obtain a grade of C- or better in each prerequisite course. Some courses may require higher prerequisite grades. Check the MATH course’s Calendar description for details.
Students will not normally be permitted to enroll in any course for which a D grade or lower was obtained in any prerequisite. No student may complete, for further credit, any course offered by the Department of Mathematics which is a prerequisite for a course the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher, without permission of the department.
Grade Requirements
In the courses used to satisfy the upper division requirements, a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 is required. In addition, University regulations require a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and an upper division GPA of at least 2.00. These averages are computed on all courses completed at the University. See Grade Point Averages Needed for Graduation.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete
both of
An elementary introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students with little or no programming background. Students will learn fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, acquire elementary skills for programming in a high-level language, e.g. Python. The students will be exposed to diverse fields within, and applications of computing science. Topics will include: pseudocode; data types and control structures; fundamental algorithms; recursion; reading and writing files; measuring performance of algorithms; debugging tools; basic terminal navigation using shell commands. Treatment is informal and programming is presented as a problem-solving tool. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 or equivalent is recommended. Students with credit for CMPT 102, 128, 130 or 166 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken CMPT 125, 129, 130 or 135 first may not then take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Gregory Baker |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
A second course in computing science and programming intended for students studying mathematics, statistics or actuarial science and suitable for students who already have some background in computing science and programming. Topics include: a review of the basic elements of programming: use and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; fundamental algorithms and problem solving; basic object-oriented programming and software design; computation and computability and specification and program correctness. Prerequisite: CMPT 102 or CMPT 120, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 125 or 135 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
(Students transferring into a math program should contact the math undergraduate advisor if they have already completed equivalent courses.)
or both of
An introduction to computing science and computer programming, using a systems oriented language, such as C or C++. This course introduces basic computing science concepts. Topics will include: elementary data types, control structures, functions, arrays and strings, fundamental algorithms, computer organization and memory management. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 (or equivalent, or any of MATH 100, 150, 151, 154, or 157, with a minimum grade of C-). Students with credit for CMPT 102, 120, 128 or 166 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken CMPT 125, 129 or 135 first may not then take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
A second course in systems-oriented programming and computing science that builds upon the foundation set in CMPT 130 using a systems-oriented language such as C or C++. Topics: a review of the basic elements of programming; introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP); techniques for designing and testing programs; use and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; introduction to embedded systems programming. Prerequisite: CMPT 130 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 125, 126, or 129 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
and all of
Introduction to graph theory, trees, induction, automata theory, formal reasoning, modular arithmetic. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 (or equivalent), or any of MATH 100, 150, 151, 154, 157. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Steve Pearce |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Using a mathematical software package for doing calculations in linear algebra. Development of computer models that analyze and illustrate applications of linear algebra. All calculations and experiments will be done in the Matlab software package. Topics include: large-scale matrix calculations, experiments with cellular automata, indexing, searching and ranking pages on the internet, population models, data fitting and optimization, image analysis, and cryptography. Prerequisite: One of CMPT 102, 120, 126, 128 or 130 and one of MATH 150, 151, 154 or 157 and one of MATH 232 or 240. MATH 232 or 240 can be taken as corequisite. Students in excess of 80 units may not take MACM 203 for further credit. Quantitative.
Using a mathematical software package for doing computations from calculus. Development of computer models that analyze and illustrate applications of calculus. All calculations and experiments will be done in the Maple software package. Topics include: graphing functions and data, preparing visual aids for illustrating mathematical concepts, integration, Taylor series, numerical approximation methods, 3D visualization of curves and surfaces, multi-dimensional optimization, differential equations and disease spread models. Prerequisite: One of CMPT 102, 120, 126, 128 or 130 and MATH 251. MATH 251 can be taken as a corequisite. Students in excess of 80 units may not take MACM 204 for further credit. Quantitative.
Rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Vectors, lines, planes, cylinders, quadric surfaces. Vector functions, curves, motion in space. Differential and integral calculus of several variables. Vector fields, line integrals, fundamental theorem for line integrals, Green's theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 152 with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 155 or MATH 158 with a grade of at least B. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Paul Tupper |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
D200 |
Randall Pyke |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP02 | TBD |
Basic laws of probability, sample distributions. Introduction to statistical inference and applications. Prerequisite: or Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158, with a minimum grade of C-. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Scott Pai |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
OL01 |
Gamage Perera |
Online | |
OP01 | TBD |
and one of
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Topics as for Math 151 with a more extensive review of functions, their properties and their graphs. Recommended for students with no previous knowledge of Calculus. In addition to regularly scheduled lectures, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to come for assistance to the Calculus Workshop (Burnaby), or Math Open Lab (Surrey). Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Simon Fraser University Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Mahsa Faizrahnemoon |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, Newton's method. Introduction to modeling with differential equations. Polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Simon Fraser University Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in the life sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications, integration, and differential equations; mathematical models of biological processes and their implementation and analysis using software. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Simon Fraser University Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in business or the social sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions and their application to business, economics, optimization and approximation methods; introduction to functions of several variables with emphasis on partial derivatives and extrema. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Simon Fraser University Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 154 may not take MATH 157 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Paul Tupper |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
OP01 | TBD |
and one of
Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations and growth models. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence and applications of power series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 155 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Stephen Choi |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in the life sciences. Topics include: vectors and matrices, partial derivatives, multi-dimensional integrals, systems of differential equations, compartment models, graphs and networks, and their applications to the life sciences; mathematical models of multi-component biological processes and their implementation and analysis using software. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151 or 154, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Veselin Jungic |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in business or the social sciences. Topics include: theory of integration, integration techniques, applications of integration; functions of several variables with emphasis on double and triple integrals and their applications; introduction to differential equations with emphasis on some special first-order equations and their applications; sequences and series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 155 may not take MATH 158 for further credit. Quantitative.
and one of
Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Introduction to vector spaces and linear transformations and bases. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. An emphasis on applications involving matrix and vector calculations. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or MACM 101, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 240 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Real and abstract vector spaces, subspaces and linear transformations; basis and change of basis. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. Applications. Subject is presented with an abstract emphasis and includes proofs of the basic theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or MACM 101, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 232 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Imin Chen |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and an additional six units from the Faculty of Science outside of the departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Actuarial Science and excluding PHYS 100, BISC 100 and CHEM 110/111.
+ The following substitutions are also permitted. They may not also be used to satisfy the upper division requirements below.
MACM 409 - Numerical Linear Algebra: Algorithms, Implementation and Applications (3) for MACM 203.
MACM 401 - Introduction to Computer Algebra (3) for MACM 204.
MACM 442 - Cryptography (3) for MACM 204.
* strongly recommended
** with a B grade or better
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 30 program units, including the 15 outlined below.
The integers, fundamental theorem of arithmetic. Equivalence relations, modular arithmetic. Univariate polynomials, unique factorization. Rings and fields. Units, zero divisors, integral domains. Ideals, ring homomorphisms. Quotient rings, the ring isomorphism theorem. Chinese remainder theorem. Euclidean, principal ideal, and unique factorization domains. Field extensions, minimal polynomials. Classification of finite fields. Prerequisite: MATH 240 with a minimum grade of C- or MATH 232 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 332 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
and one of
Structures and algorithms, generating elementary combinatorial objects, counting (integer partitions, set partitions, Catalan families), backtracking algorithms, branch and bound, heuristic search algorithms. Prerequisite: MACM 201 with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended: Knowledge of a programming language. Quantitative.
Fundamental concepts, trees and distances, matchings and factors, connectivity and paths, network flows, integral flows. Prerequisite: MACM 201 with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Model building using integer variables, computer solution, relaxations and lower bounds, heuristics and upper bounds, branch and bound algorithms, cutting plane algorithms, valid inequalities and facets, branch and cut algorithms, Lagrangian duality, column generation of algorithms, heuristics algorithms and analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 308 with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Design theory: Steiner triple systems, balanced incomplete block designs, latin squares, finite geometries. Enumeration: generating functions. Burnside's Lemma, Polya counting. Prerequisite: MATH 340 with a minimum grade of C- and either MATH 343 with a minimum grade of C- or MACM 201 with a minimum grade of B+. Quantitative.
An introduction to the theory and practice of error-correcting codes. Topics will include finite fields, polynomial rings, linear and non-linear codes, BCH codes, convolutional codes, majority logic decoding, weight distribution of codes, and bounds on the size of codes. Prerequisite: MATH 340 or 332, with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
and one of
and one of
Linear Algebra. Vector space and matrix theory. Prerequisite: MATH 340 or 332, with a minimum grade of C- or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for MATH 438 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Finite groups and subgroups. Cyclic groups and permutation groups. Cosets, normal subgroups and factor groups. Homomorphisms and isomorphisms. Fundamental theorem of finite abelian groups. Sylow theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 340 or 342 or 332, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 339 may not take this course for further credit.
The prime numbers, unique factorization, congruences and quadratic reciprocity. Topics include the RSA public key cryptosystem and the prime number theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 240 or 232, with a minimum grade of C-, and one additional 200-level MATH or MACM course. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Imin Chen |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
A presentation of the problems commonly arising in numerical analysis and scientific computing and the basic methods for their solutions. Prerequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158, and MATH 232 or 240, and computing experience. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Jane MacDonald |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Theoretical and computational methods for investigating the minimum of a function of several real variables with and without inequality constraints. Applications to operations research, model fitting, and economic theory. Prerequisite: MATH 232 or 240, and 251, all with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Review of the basics of probability, including sample space, random variables, expectation and conditioning. Applications of Markov chains, the exponential distribution and the Poisson process from science and industry. Applications may include inventory theory, queuing, forecasting, scheduling and simulation. Prerequisite: STAT 270 and (MATH 232 or MATH 240), all with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Formulation, analysis and simulation of continuous mathematical models. Applications may be selected from topics in physics, biology, engineering and economics. Prerequisite: MATH 251 and MATH 260, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 461 or MATH 761 may not complete this course for further credit. Quantitative.
The remaining 15 units can be chosen from any upper division MATH or MACM course. Up to six of the 15 units can be chosen from the list below.
Central forces, rigid body motion, small oscillations. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 384 or permission of the department. Non-physics majors may enter with MATH 252; MATH 260 or MATH 310; PHYS 211. All prerequisite courses require a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Any upper division STAT course except for STAT 302, STAT 305, STAT 310, STAT 311, STAT 320, and STAT 403.
Within the 30 program units, students must complete nine units of 400 level course work, as outlined below (excluding directed studies, job practicum, or honours essay courses):
- six units of MATH or MACM courses
- three units of courses from the list of PHYS and STAT courses above (within the six allowed units) or three units of any other MATH or MACM course.
NOTE: SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of Mathematics may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor's degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor's program and the requirements of the master's degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
University Degree Requirements
Students must also satisfy University degree requirements for degree completion.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.