Undergraduate Studies in Pure Mathematics

If you have enjoyed your core mathematics courses and want to deepen and broaden your mathematical understanding, an academic plan with an emphasis in pure mathematics may be of interest to you.

Mathematics is both an art and a science, and pure mathematics lies at its heart. Pure mathematics explores the boundary of mathematics and pure reason. It has been described as "that part of mathematical activity that is done without explicit or immediate consideration of direct application," although what is "pure" in one era often becomes applied later. Finance and cryptography are current examples of areas to which pure mathematics is applied in significant ways. The Department offers courses in both classical and modern pure mathematics, in the fundamental areas of algebra, analysis, geometry, topology, number theory and logic.

Many study pure mathematics for the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake and because of its beauty. Other students, who may be interested in applying mathematics, often include pure mathematics in their studies because a proper application calls for a sound foundation. For instance, optimization requires linear algebra, quantum mechanics rests upon functional analysis, and logic is very important for the theory of computing. The academic plans and courses of the Department are designed to accommodate both the "pure" and the "application oriented" type of student. All academic plans offered by the Department are available to both co-op and regular students, except the Pure Mathematics with Teaching Option, which is co-op only. Other co-op students should be in Stream 4 by their third year.

We are proud of our students. Many of our graduates have won prestigious awards and have gone on to the world's premier graduate schools in diverse areas of the mathematical sciences. For instance, the University of Waterloo's first Rhodes scholar studied Pure Mathematics, as did all the members of the 1999-2000 winning Putnam team. Many of our students go into industry as the skills they have acquired are recognized by employers as being valuable and transferable. Others go into education at all levels or continue their studies in graduate school in some other discipline. As is the case throughout the Faculty of Mathematics, the prospects for employment of Pure Mathematics graduates remain bright.

Many students have found it rewarding to combine pure mathematics with another mathematical discipline, and for such students double and joint honours academic plans are available. Students from other departments, especially those considering pursuing graduate work (in any area of the mathematical sciences), are encouraged to speak with a Pure Mathematics advisor about which pure mathematics courses would be particularly important, interesting and beneficial to them.

Students who have enjoyed their core mathematics courses and would like to obtain a broad base in mathematics at a less intensive level than the traditional Pure Mathematics Honours academic plans, may be interested in pursuing an Honours Mathematical Sciences academic plan with an emphasis in pure mathematics. These academic plans are individually tailored, and may be combined with a minor in another faculty and/or with an emphasis in another department in the Mathematics faculty.

For advice regarding registration, course selection, scholarships, etc., an undergraduate should consult with the undergraduate officer. For general information and assistance, our administrative staff can be most helpful.

Undergraduate Studies in Pure Mathematics

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