Choosing the university that is right for you is a major decision. We're pleased that you're considering Waterloo, which is recognized as one of Canada's best and most innovative universities. Here are reasons to study the mathematical and computer sciences at the University of Waterloo.

1. The Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo is the world's largest centre for education in the mathematical and computer sciences

In forty short years, we have become known for the breadth and quality of our academic programs, the partnerships we have with industry through co-operative education, the quality and achievements of our students and graduates, our high rankings in international competitions for undergraduate students, and the teaching and research accomplishments of our professors.

We're proud of our 4800 undergraduate and over 500 graduate students, 200 full-time professors, and over 200 courses to choose from.

We're also proud of the great number of spin-off companies that had their beginnings on campus. Outstanding success stories of companies currently trading on the TSE, and actively participating in the education of Waterloo students include Waterloo Maple, iAnywhere Solutions, Vertek Vision International, Certicom, Open Text, Dalsa, Intelligent Mechatronic Systems, Sirfic Wireless, Senesco Technologies, and Sybase, to name just a few.

2. We offer a wide range of majors to choose from and you can customize your degree

The Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo offers the most comprehensive list of mathematical and computer science programs available anywhere. There are 11 entry programs leading to 45 undergraduate programs and combinations to choose from in the Faculty of Mathematics.

You can choose to major in one or a combination of two of the following disciplines:

• Actuarial Science
  • Finance Option
• Applied Mathematics
  • Biology Option
  • Earth Sciences Option
  • Economics Option
  • with Engineering Electives
  • Physics Option
  • Scientific Computation/Applied Mathematics
• Bioinformatics
• Business Administration (WLU) and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree - co-op only - new entry program
• Business Administration (WLU) and Mathematics (Waterloo) Double Degree - co-op only
• Combinatorics and Optimization
• Computational Mathematics
• Computer Science
  • Bioinformatics Option
  • Business Option
  • Digital Hardware Option
  • Software Engineering Option
• Computing and Financial Management - co-op only
• Mathematics, Mathematical Studies
• Mathematical Economics - new major
• Mathematical Finance - new major
• Mathematical Physics
• Mathematics/Business Administration
  • Information Technology Management - new major
• Mathematics/Chartered Accountancy - co-op only
  • Actuarial Science Option
  • Finance Option
  • Information Systems Management Option
• Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management
• Mathematics Teaching Option - co-op only
• Operations Research
• Pure Mathematics
  • with Electrical Engineering Electives
  • Finance Option
  • Teaching Option - co-op only
• Software Engineering - co-op only
• Statistics
• Statistics for Health - co-op only - new major

3. Reach your academic goals through either the co-op or regular systems of study

Approximately 70% of our students are enrolled in co-op programs – co-op is available in every program we offer and begins in first year in all our programs, except Mathematics/Chartered Accountancy. If you choose the co-op advantage, you can gain up to two years of workplace experience and earn as much as $80,000 over six work terms. Co-op work experiences provide opportunities for you to apply your education in industry and well as bring back to campus your work experiences in co-op job settings. Through co-op, you'll be exposed to the kinds of jobs that await you after graduation. Through the process of elimination, you'll learn about the kinds of work and work settings you ’re best suited for.

Our traditional system of study, known as "regular," may be a better option for you – co-op isn't for everyone. As many as 30% of our students selected regular over co-op. You'll choose regular because you prefer to study from September to April each year, plan your own summers, return home each summer, focus on school and campus life, graduate a year sooner than co-op students, and move more quickly than co-op students into a career or graduate school.

4. You can count on us for help

Academic support is available to all first- and upper-year students through a variety of Math Faculty offices and services. The Tutorial Centre provides assistance to all first-and second-year students in the Faculty of Mathematics who encounter challenging material in their algebra, calculus, and computer science courses; these services are offered in the Math and Computer building and also in the University residences. You'll have opportunities to build peer support networks among your classmates – in first year, we group you together in what we call "M-sections" with 50 or so other students who have timetables just like yours. There are the Director of First-Year Studies and first- and upper-year advisors who provide academic and transition support through meetings and events. Professional counsellors are on staff, available to help with non-academic challenges you face; and they're conveniently located adjacent to the Math Undergraduate Office.

5. Make the world your classroom through international exchanges

As business and industry become more globalized, international experience is an increasingly important part of an education in the mathematical and computer sciences. By taking part in international academic exchanges, you can broaden your cultural perspective and gain international experience at institutions around the world, while earning academic credits toward your BMath degree.

Take advantage of our extensive international connections. We have academic exchange agreements with universities in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Thailand. Other international opportunities include university-wide exchange programs, the Co-op Japan Program, the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, and the Student Work Abroad Program.

For more information about exchange programs, visit our Exchange Program web site.

6. Employment opportunities in the IT industry are increasing!

In the decade 2002 to 2012, growth in the new American information technology (IT) jobs is expected to be 3.1% per year, outpacing a 1.4% per year increase in overall employment, and IT jobs will make up 70% of all projected science and engineering job openings. The same projections are expected in Canada.

"The tech job market has sprung back to life...This year, predicts Mark Zandi, chief economist of Economy.com, the industry will have its best year since 2000, creating 217,000 jobs with rising wages. Over the next five years, Zandi forecasts that eech will create 782,000 jobs, or 8.6% of the economy's projected 9.1 million new jobs. Last year the average salary in high tech grew 5.1% to $69,000, up from a 4.3% gain the previous year, according to Economy.com. This year, Zandi predicts wages will rise in the mid- to high-single digits." From "They're Hiring in Techland," BusinessWeek online

7. These degrees are respected by employers and graduate schools

Undergraduate studies in the mathematical and computer sciences at Waterloo lead to one of the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) when you complete the Double Degree program
• Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) when you complete studies in Bioinformatics or one of the many other School of Computer Science programs listed above under Computer Science
• Bachelor of Computing and Financial Management (BCFM) when you complete studies in Computing and Financial Management
• Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) when you complete studies in one of the many Mathematics or Computer Science programs listed above
• Bachelor of Software Engineering (BSE) when you complete studies in Software Engineering

The Faculty of Mathematics also offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Mathematics (MMath) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in many of the same programs as those offered at the undergraduate level.