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Mathematics and Statistics (MATH)
About Mathematics and Statistics
About Mathematics and Statistics
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs in both Arts and Science. For a list of teaching staff and an outline of the nature of the discipline, refer to Faculty of Science > Mathematics and Statistics.
A Desautels Faculty of Management B.Com. degree with a Major in Mathematics and a Schulich School of Music B.Mus. degree with Honours in Theory with Mathematics option are also available.
Students entering a Mathematics program are normally expected to have completed MATH 133, MATH 139 or MATH 140, MATH 141, or their equivalents. Otherwise they will be required to make up any deficiencies in these courses over and above the program credits.
The programs specifically for Arts students are described in this section. The following programs, which are fully described in the Faculty of Science section, may be taken by students in either Arts or Science:
- Honours in Mathematics
- Honours in Applied Mathematics
- Honours in Probability and Statistics
- Joint Honours in Mathematics and Computer Science
Students entering one of the Minor or Major Concentrations listed below who have successfully completed a course equivalent to MATH 222 (Calculus 3) prior to coming to McGill are given exemption from taking MATH 222, but must replace it with a Complementary Mathematics course in the program of at least 3 credits.
Jump To:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Mathematics (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Supplementary Minor Concentration in Mathematics (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Statistics (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Mathematics (36 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Mathematics (36 credits)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Mathematics (18 credits)
The Minor Concentration Mathematics is offered in two versions: an expandable version, for students who wish to leave open the option of expanding the program into a Major Concentration Mathematics, and a non-expandable version for students who know on entry into the Minor that they do not wish to expand it into a Major Concentration.
The Minor Concentration Mathematics may be taken in conjunction with a major concentration in some other discipline under option A of the Multi-track System. Students planning on taking the Major Concentration Mathematics and the Minor Concentration Mathematics as part of Multi-track option C should select the Supplementary Minor Concentration in Mathematics in place of this minor concentration.
Under option C, it is not possible to combine the Minor Concentration Mathematics and the Minor Concentration Statistics. Students wishing to do this should instead take the Major Concentration Mathematics under option B (two major concentrations) and select a large number of statistics complementaries.
For more information about the Multi-track System options please refer to the Faculty of Arts regulations under "Faculty Degree Requirements," "About Program Requirements" and "Departmental Programs."
No overlap is permitted with other programs.
Program Prerequisites
Students who have not completed the program prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents will be required to make up any deficiencies in these courses over and above the 18 credits required for the program.
MATH 133 | (3) | Linear Algebra and Geometry |
MATH 140 | (3) | Calculus 1 |
MATH 141 | (4) | Calculus 2 |
Expandable Version: Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Students selecting the expandable version of this program complete 6 complementary courses from the Complementary Course List.
It is strongly recommended that students take MATH 323 as a complementary course.
Non-Expandable Version: Complementary Courses (9 credits)
Students selecting the non-expandable version of this program complete 9 complementary courses from the Complementary Course List.
It is strongly recommended that students take MATH 323 as a complementary course.
Complementary Course List
*Note: Either MATH 249 or MATH 316 may be taken but not both.
MATH 249* | (3) | Honours Complex Variables |
MATH 314 | (3) | Advanced Calculus |
MATH 316* | (3) | Complex Variables |
MATH 317 | (3) | Numerical Analysis |
MATH 318 | (3) | Mathematical Logic |
MATH 319 | (3) | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations |
MATH 320 | (3) | Differential Geometry |
MATH 323 | (3) | Probability |
MATH 324 | (3) | Statistics |
MATH 326 | (3) | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos |
MATH 327 | (3) | Matrix Numerical Analysis |
MATH 328 | (3) | Computability and Mathematical Linguistics |
MATH 339 | (3) | Foundations of Mathematics |
MATH 340 | (3) | Discrete Structures 2 |
MATH 346 | (3) | Number Theory |
MATH 348 | (3) | Topics in Geometry |
MATH 407 | (3) | Dynamic Programming |
MATH 417 | (3) | Mathematical Programming |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Supplementary Minor Concentration in Mathematics (18 credits)
This Minor Concentration is open only to students registered in the Major Concentration Mathematics. Taken together, these two concentrations constitute a program equivalent to the Major in Mathematics offered by the Faculty of Science.
No course overlap between the Major Concentration Mathematics and the Supplementary Minor Concentration in Mathematics is permitted.
Note that according to the Faculty of Arts Multi-track System degree requirements, option C, students registered in the Supplementary Minor Concentration in Mathematics must also complete another minor concentration in a discipline other than Mathematics.
For more information about the Multi-track System options please refer to the Faculty of Arts regulations under "Faculty Degree Requirements," "About Program Requirements" and "Departmental Programs."
Required Course (3 credits)
*Note: If Math 315 has already been taken as part of the Major Concentration Mathematics, an additional 3-credit complementary course must be taken to replace it.
MATH 315* | (3) | Ordinary Differential Equations |
12 credits from:
MATH 204 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 2 |
MATH 317 | (3) | Numerical Analysis |
MATH 318 | (3) | Mathematical Logic |
MATH 319 | (3) | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations |
MATH 320 | (3) | Differential Geometry |
MATH 324 | (3) | Statistics |
MATH 326 | (3) | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos |
MATH 327 | (3) | Matrix Numerical Analysis |
MATH 329 | (3) | Theory of Interest |
MATH 335 | (3) | Computational Algebra |
MATH 338 | (3) | History and Philosophy of Mathematics |
MATH 339 | (3) | Foundations of Mathematics |
MATH 340 | (3) | Discrete Structures 2 |
MATH 346 | (3) | Number Theory |
MATH 348 | (3) | Topics in Geometry |
MATH 352 | (1) | Problem Seminar |
MATH 407 | (3) | Dynamic Programming |
MATH 410 | (3) | Majors Project |
MATH 417 | (3) | Mathematical Programming |
MATH 423 | (3) | Regression and Analysis of Variance |
MATH 430 | (3) | Mathematical Finance |
MATH 447 | (3) | Stochastic Processes |
MATH 523 | (4) | Generalized Linear Models |
MATH 524 | (4) | Nonparametric Statistics |
MATH 525 | (4) | Sampling Theory and Applications |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Statistics (18 credits)
The Minor Concentration Statistics is offered only in a non-expandable version, that is, one that cannot be expanded into the Major Concentration Mathematics.
The Minor Concentration Statistics may be taken in conjunction with a major concentration in some other discipline under option A of the Multi-track System, or together with the Major Concentration Mathematics and a minor concentration (which must be in some other discipline than Mathematics) under option C.
Under option C, it is not possible to combine the Minor Concentration Statistics and the Minor Concentration Mathematics. Students wishing to do this should instead take the Major Concentration Mathematics under option B (two major concentrations) and select a large number of statistics complementaries.
For more information about the Multi-track System options please refer to the Faculty of Arts regulations under "Faculty Degree Requirements," "About Program Requirements" and "Departmental Programs."
No overlap is permitted with other programs.
Program Prerequisites
Students who have not completed the program prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents will be required to make up any deficiencies in these courses over and above the 18 credits required for the program.
MATH 133 | (3) | Linear Algebra and Geometry |
MATH 140 | (3) | Calculus 1 |
MATH 141 | (4) | Calculus 2 |
Required Courses (15 credits)
*Note: If the Minor Concentration Statistics is combined with the Major Concentration Mathematics, the required courses MATH 222, MATH 223 and MATH 323 must be replaced by courses selected from the Complementary Courses. Credit cannot be received for both MATH 223 and MATH 236 (listed as a required course in the Major Concentration Mathematics).
MATH 222* | (3) | Calculus 3 |
MATH 223* | (3) | Linear Algebra |
MATH 323* | (3) | Probability |
MATH 324 | (3) | Statistics |
MATH 423 | (3) | Regression and Analysis of Variance |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Mathematics (36 credits)
Students who have done well in MATH 242 and MATH 235 at the end of their first term should consider, in consultation with their adviser and the instructors of the courses involved, the possibility of entering into an Honours program in Mathematics, in Applied Mathematics, in Probability and Statistics, or a Joint Honours program in Mathematics and another discipline.
Program Prerequisites
Students who have not completed the program prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents will be required to make up any deficiencies in these courses over and above the 36 credits required for the program.
MATH 133 | (3) | Linear Algebra and Geometry |
MATH 140 | (3) | Calculus 1 |
MATH 141 | (4) | Calculus 2 |
Guidelines for Course Selection
Where appropriate, Honours-level courses may be substituted for their Majors-level counterparts. Students planning to undertake graduate studies in mathematics are urged to make such substitutions.
Students interested in computer science should consider the courses MATH 317, MATH 318, MATH 327, MATH 328, MATH 340, MATH 407, MATH 417 and take a Minor Concentration Computer Science.
Students interested in probability and statistics should consider either taking the Minor Concentration Statistics under option C, or else including some or all of the courses MATH 423, MATH 447, MATH 523, MATH 524, and MATH 525.
Students interested in applied mathematics should consider the courses MATH 317, MATH 319, MATH 324, MATH 326, MATH 327, MATH 407 and MATH 417.
Students interested in careers in business, industry or government should consider the courses MATH 317, MATH 319, MATH 327, MATH 407, MATH 417, MATH 423, MATH 447, MATH 523, and MATH 525.
At least 9 credits from:
*Note: Either MATH 249 or MATH 316 may be taken but not both.
MATH 249* | (3) | Honours Complex Variables |
MATH 315 | (3) | Ordinary Differential Equations |
MATH 316* | (3) | Complex Variables |
MATH 317 | (3) | Numerical Analysis |
MATH 324 | (3) | Statistics |
MATH 340 | (3) | Discrete Structures 2 |
MATH 423 | (3) | Regression and Analysis of Variance |
Remaining credits from:
MATH 204 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 2 |
MATH 318 | (3) | Mathematical Logic |
MATH 319 | (3) | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations |
MATH 320 | (3) | Differential Geometry |
MATH 326 | (3) | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos |
MATH 327 | (3) | Matrix Numerical Analysis |
MATH 328 | (3) | Computability and Mathematical Linguistics |
MATH 339 | (3) | Foundations of Mathematics |
MATH 346 | (3) | Number Theory |
MATH 348 | (3) | Topics in Geometry |
MATH 352 | (1) | Problem Seminar |
MATH 407 | (3) | Dynamic Programming |
MATH 410 | (3) | Majors Project |
MATH 417 | (3) | Mathematical Programming |
MATH 447 | (3) | Stochastic Processes |
MATH 523 | (4) | Generalized Linear Models |
MATH 524 | (4) | Nonparametric Statistics |
MATH 525 | (4) | Sampling Theory and Applications |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Mathematics (36 credits)
Students who wish to study at the Honours level in two Arts disciplines may apply to combine Joint Honours Program components from two Arts disciplines. For a list of available Joint Honours programs, see "Overview of Programs Offered" and "Joint Honours Programs."
To remain in the Joint Honours program and receive the Joint Honours degree, a student must maintain the standards set by each discipline, as well as by the Faculty. In the Mathematics courses of the program a GPA of 3.00 and a CGPA of 3.00 must be maintained. Students who have difficulty in maintaining the required level should change to another program before entering their final year.
Program Prerequisites
Students who have not completed the program prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents will be required to make up any deficiencies in these courses over and above the 36 credits required for the program.
MATH 133 | (3) | Linear Algebra and Geometry |
MATH 140 | (3) | Calculus 1 |
MATH 141 | (4) | Calculus 2 |
MATH 222 | (3) | Calculus 3 |
Complementary Courses
21 credits with at 15 credits selected from the list below. The remaining credits are to be chosen from the full list of available Honours courses in Mathematics and Statistics.
MATH 325 | (3) | Honours Ordinary Differential Equations |
MATH 354 | (3) | Honours Analysis 3 |
MATH 355 | (3) | Honours Analysis 4 |
MATH 356 | (3) | Honours Probability |
MATH 357 | (3) | Honours Statistics |
MATH 366 | (3) | Honours Complex Analysis |
MATH 370 | (3) | Honours Algebra 3 |
MATH 371 | (3) | Honours Algebra 4 |
MATH 380 | (3) | Honours Differential Geometry |