Please note:
To view the Summer 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/summer.html.
Applied Mathematics Minor
Applied mathematics is a broad specialization of mathematics, most classically linked to application in the physical sciences and engineering, but increasingly seeing high demand in fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering and data science.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete the common core courses and either the scientific computing concentration courses or the biomathematics concentration courses.
Core Courses
Students complete
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-. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nils Bruin |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
D201 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D202 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D203 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D204 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D205 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Vijaykumar Singh Vijaykumar Singh |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D401 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D402 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D403 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP02 | 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. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nils Bruin |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
Vijaykumar Singh Vijaykumar Singh |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP04 | TBD |
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 MATH 110 with a grade of at least C-. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ladislav Stacho |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Justin Chan |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP02 | TBD |
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 MATH 110 with a grade of at least C. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 154 may not take MATH 157 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Imin Chen |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Nadish de Silva |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP04 | 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 or 155, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 154 or 157, with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 158 or 251 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Michael Monagan |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: 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. Students planning to take MATH 251 are recommended to consider MATH 152 as the prerequisite pathway. See an advisor to determine what may be best for you. 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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Seda Albayrak |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Justin Chan |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
TBD | |||
OP04 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
||
TBD |
*recommended for students in the biomathematics concentration
Scientific Computing Concentration
Students who choose the scientific computing concentration will complete
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 158 with a grade of at least B. Also, for students in the life sciences, MATH 154 with a minimum grade of C- and MATH 155 with a minimum grade of A-. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
JF Williams |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Nilima Nigam |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
||
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP04 | TBD |
and at least one of
First-order differential equations, second- and higher-order linear equations, series solutions, introduction to Laplace transform, systems and numerical methods, applications in the physical, biological and social sciences. Prerequisite: MATH 152 with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 155 or 158, with a grade of at least B; MATH 232 or 240, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 310 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Steven Ruuth |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Biomathematics Concentration
Students who choose the biomathematics concentration will complete
at least one of
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 158 with a grade of at least B. Also, for students in the life sciences, MATH 154 with a minimum grade of C- and MATH 155 with a minimum grade of A-. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
JF Williams |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Nilima Nigam |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
||
OP01 | TBD | ||
OP04 | TBD |
First-order differential equations, second- and higher-order linear equations, series solutions, introduction to Laplace transform, systems and numerical methods, applications in the physical, biological and social sciences. Prerequisite: MATH 152 with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 155 or 158, with a grade of at least B; MATH 232 or 240, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 310 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Steven Ruuth |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and at least one additional 100- or 200-level MATH or MACM course (excluding MATH 100, MATH 190) or any pre-approved quantitative lower division course. This course, if other than MATH or MACM, must be pre-approved by a department advisor. Any of the following courses can be used to satisfy this requirement: BISC 202, BISC 204, HSCI 207, HSCI 230, STAT 270.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete either the upper division requirements for the scientific computing concentration or the biomathematics concentration.
Scientific Computing Concentration
Students who choose the scientific computing concentration complete 15 upper division MATH or MACM units, including
two 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 |
---|---|---|---|
John Stockie |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Fourier series, ODE boundary and eigenvalue problems. Separation of variables for the diffusion wave and Laplace/Poisson equations. Polar and spherical co-ordinate systems. Symbolic and numerical computing, and graphics for PDEs. Prerequisite: MATH 260 or MATH 310, with a minimum grade of C-; and one of MATH 251 with a grade of B+, or one of MATH 252 or 254, with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Functions of a complex variable, differentiability, contour integrals, Cauchy's theorem, Taylor and Laurent expansions, method of residues. Prerequisite: MATH 251 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MATH 424 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sophie Burrill |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
First-order linear equations, the method of characteristics. The wave equation. Harmonic functions, the maximum principle, Green's functions. The heat equation. Distributions and transforms. Higher dimensional eigenvalue problems. An introduction to nonlinear equations. Burgers' equation and shock waves. Prerequisite: (MATH 260 or MATH 310) and one of MATH 314, MATH 320, MATH 322, PHYS 384, all with a minimum grade of C-. An alternative to the above prerequisite is both of (MATH 252 or MATH 254) and (MATH 260 or MATH 310), both with grades of at least A-. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ralf Wittenberg |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
Development of numerical methods for solving linear algebra problems at the heart of many scientific computing problems. Mathematical foundations for the use, implementation and analysis of the algorithms used for solving many optimization problems and differential equations. Prerequisite: MATH 251, MACM 316, programming experience. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Paul Tupper |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introductory treatment of quantum computing with an emphasis on quantum algorithms. Topics include the gate model of quantum computation focusing on the design and implementation of quantum algorithms. Basic knowledge of algorithms and complexity will be an asset, but not required. No prior knowledge of physics or quantum mechanics is necessary, only a solid background in linear algebra. Prerequisite: MATH 232 or MATH 240, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMPT 476 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken CMPT 409 in Summer 2020 and 2021 under the title "Intro to Quantum Computing" may not take this course for further credit.
An introductory treatment of quantum computing with an emphasis on quantum algorithms. Topics include the gate model of quantum computation focusing on the design and implementation of quantum algorithms. Basic knowledge of algorithms and complexity will be an asset, but not required. No prior knowledge of physics or quantum mechanics is necessary, only a solid background in linear algebra. Prerequisite: MATH 232 or MATH 240, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for MACM 476 may not take this course for further credit.
Metric spaces, normed vector spaces, measure and integration, an introduction to functional analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 320 with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nilima Nigam |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Incompressible fluid flow phenomena: kinematics and equations of motion, viscous flow and boundary layer theory, potential flow, water waves. Aerodynamics. Prerequisite: One of MATH 314, MATH 418, PHYS 384, with a minimum grade of C-. An alternative to the above prerequisite is both of MATH 251 and (MATH 260 or MATH 310), both with grades of at least B+. Quantitative.
Stability and bifurcation in continuous and discrete dynamical systems, with applications. The study of the local and global behaviour of linear and nonlinear systems, including equilibria and periodic orbits, phase plane analysis, conservative systems, limit cycles, the Poincare-Bendixson theorem, Hopf bifurcation and an introduction to chaos. Prerequisite: MATH 260 or MATH 310, with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.
The topics included in this course will vary from term to term depending on faculty availability and student interest. Prerequisite: Will be specified according to the particular topic or topics offered under this course number.
Biomathematics Concentration
Students who choose the biomathematics concentration complete 15 upper division units, including
one of
Modelling of real-life systems as Markov chains, including transient behaviour, limiting behaviour and classification of states, and using the exponential distribution and Poisson processes. Computational topics include generating and sampling random numbers, combinatorial objects and probability functions. Applications may include queueing systems, chemical kinetics, infectious diseases, and statistical physics. Prerequisite: STAT 270 and (MATH 232 or MATH 240), all with a minimum grade of C-. Strongly Recommended: Experience with a computing platform such as R, MATLAB, or Python. Quantitative.
Key ideas and mathematical methods used in applications of mathematics to various biological, ecological, physiological, and medical problems. The course derives, interprets, solves and simulates models of biological systems. Topics could include population models, evolution from trait and genetic perspectives and qualitative analysis of ODEs. Prerequisite: MATH 260 with a minimum grade of C- or (MATH 155 with a minimum grade of A- and BISC 204 with a minimum grade of C-). Corequisite: BISC 204 may be taken as a corequisite. Strongly Recommended: Experience with a computing platform such as R, MATLAB, or Python. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ben Ashby |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
At least 12 of the 15 upper division units must be from MATH or MACM courses. The following courses are recommended: MATH 468, MATH 469, MATH 495 (for suitable topic). The remaining three units can be from any pre-approved quantitative upper division course. This course, if other than MATH or MACM, must be pre-approved by a department advisor. Any of the following courses can be used to satisfy this requirement: EVSC 445, HSCI 341, HSCI 410, REM 412, STAT 305, STAT 330, STAT 485.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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. |