Course Descriptions

Mathematics

University/Career/Technology Courses

The following courses are offered through the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Course offerings vary from year to year. Check Generate a Timetable for available course offerings.

MATH 100 (3) Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences I

Functions and graphs; limits; derivatives; techniques of differentiation, applications; L'Hospital's rule; antiderivatives; definite integral; trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions; and Newton's method. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 121 or MATH 191 or MATH 100. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Minimum "B" in Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-calculus 12; or minimum "B-" in both Principles of Mathematics 12 and Calculus 12; or minimum "B-" in both Pre-calculus 12 and Calculus 12.

MATH 101 (3) Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences II

Area, volumes, arc length, surface area, techniques of integration, polar coordinates and area, Simpson's and trapezoidal methods, Taylor's formula, improper integrals, series and tests for convergence, power series and Taylor series, and complex numbers. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 122 or MATH 192 or MATH 101. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 100.

MATH 110 (1) Additional Calculus Topics

Topics covered in MATH 100 and MATH 101 that are not covered in MATH 121 and MATH 122 (polar coordinates and area, Taylor's formula, series and tests for convergence, power series and Taylor series, and complex numbers). (2:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "B-" in MATH 121.

MATH 111 (3) Introductory Finite Mathematics I

An introduction to basic non-calculus mathematics useful to students in Applied Mathematics, Computing Science, Business and the Social and Biological Sciences. Topics include linear equations, matrices with applications, compound interest and annuities, sets and counting techniques, linear programming and probability. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in one of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or Applications of Mathematics 11; or a pass in one of Pre-calculus 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, or Applications of Mathematics 12; or equivalent.

MATH 112 (3) Introductory Finite Mathematics II

A continuation of MATH 111. Topics include statistics, game theory, Markov chains, simplex method, logic and graph theory. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: MATH 111.

MATH 121 (3) Calculus I

A study of real numbers, analytic geometry, derivatives of the elementary functions with applications, anti-derivatives, calculation of areas. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 100 or MATH 191. or MATH 121. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "B" in either Pre-calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, MATH 152, or equivalent. Students with only a "C+" or "B-" in Mathematics 12 can meet the prerequisite by obtaining a min. "B" in MATH 151.

MATH 122 (3) Calculus II

A continuation of MATH 121. Topics include techniques of integration with applications, numerical methods, improper integrals, polar coordinates, Taylor's theorem, and infinite series. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 101 or MATH 192 or MATH 122. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 121 or min. "C-" in MATH 100.

MATH 123 (3) Logic and Foundations

Topics include: set theory, functions, relations, partial orderings, equivalence relations and partitions, connectives and truth tables, quantifiers, number of ways of arranging n items, number of ways of selecting r items out of n, methods of proof including mathematical induction, trees, graphs, asymptotic notation, exact and asymptotic solutions of recurrence relations, properties of integers. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 100 or MATH 121.

MATH 131 (3) Mathematics for Elementary Education I

Topics include number systems, elementary graph theory, number theory, map colouring, numeration systems, elementary theory of equations and geometric constructions with straight-edge and compass, and the metric system. The sequence of topics may vary from year to year. (4:0:0)

MATH 132 (3) Mathematics for Elementary Education II

A continuation of MATH 131. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. degree. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: MATH 131.

MATH 135 (3) From Puzzles to the Poetry of Patterns

An exploration of the most fascinating ideas, results and achievements in mathematics. No math background is required (mathphobics especially welcome, come and be cured!) Puzzles (problems), practical or philosophical, answered by patterns (mathematics). Gain an appreciation for mathematics as a cornerstone of civilization, while developing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

MATH 141 (3) Matrix Algebra for Engineers

An examination of vectors, matrices and their operations, linear systems, determinants, linear dependence and independence, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and applications. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 100 or MATH 121. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for MATH 241 or equivalent.

MATH 145 (3) Precalculus

A survey of the material of both MATH 151 and MATH 152 in one semester. Topics include the algebra and trigonometry necessary for University Calculus. This course is for students who have passed Principles of Math 12, but who did not achieve the required "B" grade for entry into MATH 100, MATH 121, or MATH 191. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 151 and MATH 152 together or MATH 145. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12 or equivalent. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for any of the following (or equivalent): MATH 100, MATH 121, or MATH 191.

MATH 151 (3) Introductory College Algebra I

An introduction to relations, functions and their inverses, linear and quadratic functions, systems and matrices. For students who plan to take further courses in mathematics for which a good Mathematics 12 background is a prerequisite. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. degree. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C+" in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, Applications of Mathematics 12, or Foundations of Mathematics 12; or a pass in Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12; or equivalent. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for any of the following (or equivalent): MATH 100, MATH 121, or MATH 191.

MATH 152 (3) Introductory College Algebra II

A continuation of MATH 151 including logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, polar coordinates, complex numbers, analytic geometry, sequences, series, and elementary combinatorics. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. degree. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 151; or min. "C+" in one of Pre-calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, or equivalent. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for any of the following (or equivalent): MATH 100, MATH 121, or MATH 191.

MATH 154 (3) Introductory College Algebra

This is the self-paced method of obtaining credit for MATH 151 or MATH 152. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. degree. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for any of the following (or equivalent): MATH 100, MATH 121, or MATH 191. (4:0:0)

MATH 161 (3) Introduction to Statistics for Social Sciences (Ends Jun 2012)

An introduction to descriptive statistics (organizing, displaying, and summarizing data) including hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. Topics include graphing, measures of central tendency and dispersion, linear regression, correlation, probability, probability distributions, exploratory data analysis, and random sampling. Statistical software is introduced. Mainly for non-science students. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. Degree. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 181, MATH 211 or MATH 161. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: One of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or Applications of Mathematics 11.

MATH 161 (3) Introduction to Statistics for Social Sciences (Effective Jul 2012)

An introduction to statistics for non-science students. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic probability techniques, random variables and commonly occurring probability distributions, applications including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing, chi-square tests, and simple linear regression and correlation. May not be taken for credit towards the VIU B.Sc. Degree. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 181; MATH 211; MATH 254 or MATH 161. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: One of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or Applications of Mathematics 11.

MATH 171 (2) Mathematics for Forestry Technology

Review of algebra, geometry, logarithms, and trigonometry from a practical problem-solving approach, including approximation methods. Designed to give students the mathematical skills required for their technology. May not be taken for credit towards a VIU B.Sc. degree. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to Forest Resources Technology program.

MATH 172 (2) Statistics for Forestry Technology

Intro to statistics including organization and presentation of data, measures of location and variation, probability, frequency distributions, sampling, estimation of errors, testing hypotheses, and regression. Emphasis on doing problems relating to forestry technology. (3:0:1)

Prerequisite: MATH 171.

MATH 181 (3) Introduction to Statistics (Ends Jun 2012)

An introduction to descriptive statistics for the technology programs. Topics include organizing, displaying, and summarizing data; measures of central tendency and dispersion; probability, probability distributions, random sampling, confidence intervals, capture/recapture, hypothesis testing, linear regression, correlation, goodness-of-fit, and independence. Statistical software is used to illustrate concepts and remove computational drudgery. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 161, MATH 211 or MATH 181. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in one of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or Applications of Mathematics 11.

MATH 181 (3) Introduction to Statistics (Effective Jul 2012)

An introduction to statistics for the technology programs. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, linear regression, correlation and chi-square tests. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 161; MATH 211; MATH 254 or MATH 181. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in one of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or Applications of Mathematics 11.

MATH 191 (3) Calculus with Economic and Business Applications I

A study of derivatives and rates of growth, exponential and circular functions, differentials, chain rule, implicit differentiation, maxima and minima, and curve sketching. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 100 or MATH 121. or MATH 191. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "B" in one of Pre-calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, MATH 151, or equivalent.

MATH 192 (3) Calculus with Economic and Business Applications II

A continuation of MATH 191. Topics include the definite integral, techniques of integration, introduction to linear optimization and matrix algebra, partial derivatives, maxima and minima with constraints. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 101 or MATH 122. or MATH 192. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 191.

MATH 200 (3) Calculus of Several Variables

Vector functions, solid analytic geometry, partial differentiation, directional derivatives and the gradient vector, Lagrange multipliers, multiple integration, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, surface area, line integrals, Green's theorem, surface integrals, and divergence theorem. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 101 or min. "C+" in each of MATH 122 and MATH 110.

MATH 203 (3) Biometrics (Ends Apr 2013)

A statistical course designed for biology majors. Topics include a probability and statistics review, multiple regression, sampling techniques, analysis of variance and non-parametric techniques with a statistical computer software involvement and numerous simulation studies. Credit will not be granted for both MATH 203 and 212. (4:0:2)

Prerequisite: MATH 211 or min. "B" in MATH 181.

MATH 203 (3) Biometrics (Effective May 2013)

A statistical course designed for biology majors. Topics include descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, multiple regression, sampling techniques, analysis of variance and non-parametric techniques with a statistical computer software involvement and numerous simulation studies. (3:0:2)

Prerequisite: One of Pre-calculus 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, Applications of Mathematics 12, MATH 151, or MATH 181.

MATH 211 (3) Statistics I (Ends Jun 2012)

A one-semester, non-calculus introduction to probability theory and statistics. Topics include probability laws, descriptive statistics, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, chi-square tests, and linear regression. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 161, MATH 181 or MATH 211. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: One of Pre-calculus 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, Applications of Mathematics 12, or MATH 151.

MATH 211 (3) Fundamentals of Statistics I (Effective Jul 2012)

A non-calculus introduction to probability and statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, elementary concepts in probability, random variables and probability distributions, distribution of the sample mean and the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, chi-square tests and simple linear regression. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 161; MATH 181; MATH 254 or MATH 211. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: One of Pre-calculus 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, Applications of Mathematics 12, or MATH 151.

MATH 212 (3) Statistics II

A non-calculus continuation of MATH 211. Topics include advanced probability theory, mathematical expectations, nonparametric statistics, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. Credit will not be granted for both MATH 203 and 212. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: Min "C" in Math 211 or min. "B" in Math 181.

MATH 223 (3) Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics

Graphs: trees, colouring, planarity, Hamilton and Euler cycles, network flows and matching. Counting: permutations, combinations with and without repetitions, binomial and multinomial theorems, inclusion-exclusion. Generating functions: manipulation of formal power series, exponential generating function, partitions of integers. Recurrence relations: linear recurrences, nonhomogeneous recurrences, method of generating functions, divide and conquer recurrences. Inference rules and laws of logic, finite state machines, basics of discrete probability. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 123.

MATH 241 (3) Linear Algebra

A study of vectors and matrices, systems of linear equations, determinants, linear transformations from Rn to Rm, change of bases, diagonalization, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and applications. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in either MATH 101 or MATH 122.

MATH 251 (3) Differential Equations

Topics include first order differential equations, second order linear differential equations, series solution, Laplace transforms, systems of first order linear differential equations, numerical methods, non-linear differential equations, and applications. (4:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C+" in MATH 101 or MATH 122 and min. "C+" in MATH 141 or MATH 241.

MATH 254 (3) Statistics for Engineers (Ends Jun 2012)

An introduction to statistics for engineering students. Topics include: summarizing data, introduction to probability, conditional probability, discrete and continuous random variables and their probability distributions, joint distributions, expectation, sampling and sampling distributions, central limit theorem, statistical inference (estimation and hypothesis testing), and linear regression and correlation. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 101 or MATH 122; and MATH 200 (may be taken concurrently).

MATH 254 (3) Statistics I (Effective Jul 2012)

A calculus-based introduction to statistics. Topics include an introduction to probability including conditional probability and independence, discrete and continuous random variables and their probability distributions, joint distributions, expectation, sampling distributions and the central limit theorem, point estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing (both single and two sample), correlation and linear regression, and chi-square procedures. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 161; MATH 181; MATH 211 or MATH 254. (4:0:1)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 101 or MATH 122.

MATH 300 (3) Geometry

Plane and solid Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometries, fractal geometry. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in one of MATH 200, MATH 223, or MATH 241.

MATH 310 (3) Introduction to Graph Theory

An introduction to the combinatorial, algorithmic, and algebraic aspects of graph theory. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 223 or min. "C" in each of MATH 123 and MATH 241.

MATH 320 (3) Introduction to Probability (Ends Jun 2012)

Topics include probability spaces, combinatorial analysis, conditional probability, independence, inclusion-exclusion, random variables, expectation, discrete and continuous distributions, limit theorems. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 200.

MATH 320 (3) Introduction to Probability (Effective Jul 2012)

An introduction to probability theory. Topics include rigorous definitions of probability and random variables, probability distributions, expectation and moments, joint distributions and combination of random variables, inequalities and limit theorems. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min "C+" in MATH 254.

MATH 321 (3) Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (Ends Jun 2012)

An introduction to the theory of statistics. Applications will be discussed via examples and exercises. Topics include sampling distributions, UMVU estimators, sufficiency and completeness, pivots and interval estimation, hypothesis tests and composite hypotheses, uniformly most powerful tests, generalized likehood ratio tests, chi-square tests, regression, ANOVA. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 320.

MATH 321 (3) Statistics II: An Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (Effective Jul 2012)

An introduction to the mathematical theory of statistics. Topics include sampling distributions, UMVU estimators, sufficiency and completeness, pivots and interval estimation, hypothesis tests and composite hypotheses, uniformly most powerful tests, generalized likehood ratio tests, and chi-square techniques and introduction to Baysian statistics. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C+" in MATH 254.

MATH 330 (3) Introduction to Abstract Algebra

Development of the number systems of elementary algebra; groups, rings, integral domains and fields; polynomials. Not open to students with credit in MATH 230. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 241 and min. "C" in one of MATH 200 or MATH 223.

MATH 331 (3) Coding Theory and Cryptography

The mathematics of data integrity. The course examines historically important encryption systems such as substitution, Vigenere, Playfair, and Hill ciphers and the Enigma machine. The mathematics of permutations, factoring, and primality testing are developed in conjunction with the modern cryptographic systems RSA, DES, and their offshoots. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 241 or min. "C" in each of MATH 141 and MATH 223.

MATH 340 (3) Applications of Mathematics

A survey of some of the important applications of calculus and matrix algebra. Topics include least squares analysis, linear programming, Fourier series, stochastic processes, population dynamics. Phenomena modelled may vary from year to year. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in each of MATH 200 and MATH 241.

MATH 345 (3) Mathematical Modeling

An introduction to the application of mathematics as a tool for studying complex systems in science and engineering. Topics include model fitting, experimental modeling, modeling with ordinary and partial differential equations, and optimization. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "B" in each of MATH 100 ( or MATH 121) and MATH 101 (or MATH 122) and min. "C" in MATH 141.

MATH 346 (3) Mathematical Biology

An introduction to classical mathematical models from population biology and ecology. Topics chosen from harvesting models, competition models, epidemic models for HIV, SARS, West Nile, and Bird Flu, models of population outbreaks, models of marine protected areas, metapopulation and patch models, chemostat models, and nonlinear host-parasitoid models. Credit will only be granted for one of MATH 345 or MATH 346. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "B" in each of MATH 121 (or MATH 100) and MATH 122 (or MATH 101).

MATH 350 (3) History of Mathematics

The development of mathematics from its first primitive forms through to the present. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of the mathematics taught in high school. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Six credits of 200-level Math with a min. "C" in each course.

MATH 360 (3) Problem Solving

A study of the techniques and strategies for solving mathematical problems. Develops problem-solving abilities from the formulation of a problem in mathematical terms to its solution. A survey of the types of problem solving expected of high school students. Problems range in difficulty from those in high school to more difficult problems requiring two years of university math as well as considerable patience, industry and creativity. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MATH 241 and a min. "C" in either MATH 200 or MATH 223.

MATH 362 (3) Elementary Number Theory

Divisibility, primes, congruences, arithmetic functions, primitive roots, quadratic residues, basic representation and decimals, and a selection from the following topics: Pythagorean triples, representation as sums of squares, infinite descent, rational and irrational numbers, distribution of primes. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Six credits of 200-level math courses (excluding MATH 211) with a min. "C" in each course.

MATH 370 (3) Topics in Mathematics

Topics in mathematics that are not covered in the calendar list of courses. Selection of topic would vary from year to year from topics such as complex variables, analysis, linear programming, mathematical biology, group theory, etc.. NOTE: May be taken for credit more than once if the topics are different. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Six credits of 200-level Mathematics courses (excluding Math 203). Additional prerequisites, depending on the topic to be studied, may be in effect.