Course Choices, Job Links

Every Math major should declare themselves both in the UPEI online system and to the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, by midway through their second year. Each Math major is then assigned (or can choose) a faculty member from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to act as a mentor and give advice on course selection and career choices.

On this page we give information and resources about extracurricular activities, choosing your courses, and career planning for students majoring in Mathematics at UPEI. You should discuss any areas of interest with your mentor and/or consult the official UPEI Calendar for details. In case of any discrepancy between this page and the UPEI Calendar, the Calendar shall be assumed to be correct.


Extracurricular Mathematics

While majoring in Mathematics at UPEI, we encourage you to get involved in mathematical activities beyond those in the classroom. Here are some suggestions:

  • Participate in Mathematical Problem-Solving: During Fall and Winter term the Department co-ordinates a mathematical problem-solving group. If you like doing puzzles, you will like this. In the sessions we discuss general problem-solving strategy, tackle problems published in problem sections of some Math journals, and prepare for Mathematics competitions, like the APICS Math competition and the Putnam Competition. The UPEI student who scores highest on the Putnam receives the coveted Icosahedron Prize.
  • Go to undergraduate conferences: Each October there is the APICS Math/Stats&CS undergraduate conference where there are guest speakers, and undergraduate students from universities in Atlantic Canada present papers and participate in Math, Stats, and CS competitions. The Department of Math&Stats will subsidize the cost of Math majors who wish to attend. Each spring (usually just after final exams) the Student committee of the CMS (Canadian Mathematics Society) organizes the CUMC (Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference) which brings together undergraduate students from across Canada. The Department can subsidize a limited number of students to attend this conference.
  • Get involved in Research: Most of the members of the Department of Mathematics have ongoing research projects and have external funds to hire research assistants for the summer. If you are interested in a research career, this is a good way to get a head start. All positions are advertised through UPEI and grades are a key determining factor in who gets hired, so keep those marks up. There are competitions each year for NSERC USRA (undergraduate summer research assistants), which you can hold at UPEI or another university. Watch for postings on Campus, or ask your mentor about application guidelines
  • Read Undergraduate Journals: The typical mathematics research journal would be quite intimidating to an undergraduate student (and even some professors), but there are some journals aimed at undergraduates. Mathematics Magazine and College Math Journal carry articles, at a level accessible to undergraduates, on many mathematical topics. The American Mathematical Monthly and Mathematical Intelligencer are similar but slightly more advanced. All are available for perusal in the library journal stacks, and many are subscribed to by department members, so if you want to borrow one, you don't have to go too far.
  • Go to talks: Throughout the year there will be occasional talks given by faculty, visiting mathematicians, and students. The Department usually has weekly Colloquium talks in at least one of the two terms. These talks are for the students, to give you a chance to see how the topics you are learning in your courses are put to use in different contexts, and to see some mathematics which is not part of any course. There are even Physics and Computer Science talks which are often very mathematical in nature and would be of interest to Math majors.
  • Attend Society Outings: The Mathematics and Statistics Student Society organizes outings and events like barbeques, golf, bowling, games night, etc. Get involved with the society and hang out with other mathematically inclined people.
  • Get some Job Experience: The Department hires Math majors as markers, assistants in the Drop-In centre (coming soon), and as Math Camp counsellors. This is a chance to put your math knowledge to use, and pad out that resume. In addition there is always a shortage of tutors for first-year math courses, so with a little advertising you can have a thriving tutoring business.

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Choosing your courses

In the first two years of study, all Math majors should have completed the following core courses:

  • Introductory Calculus (M151 and M152)
  • Introductory Computer Science (CS151 and CS152)
  • Introductory Statistics (M221)
  • Discrete Mathematics (M242) (not required for Math with Engineering)
  • Intermediate Calculus (M251 and M252)
  • Linear Algebra (M261)
  • Mathematical Structures and Reasoning (M272)

The computer science requirement can be left until second year if necessary, but it is recommended that it be taken in first year. If you have space in your schedule, you might also consider taking Math 261 (Linear Algebra) in first year. It is a basic course which is a prerequisite for many upper-level Math courses.

Math 272 will be the first course where you are exposed to axiomatics, abstract reasoning, and methods of proof. This course covers ideas which form the foundation for modern mathematics and should not be postponed beyond second year.

Many upper-year courses are not offered every year. For example, Math 321/322 and Math 324/424 are offered in alternating years. Math 471/472 are offered in alternating years. Math 281, Math 342, Math 371, Math 391, and Math 392 are offered at least once every two years, but may be offered more often depending upon student demand. Some advanced courses, like Math 352, Math 362, Math 402, and Math 422, are offered only when there is a demand. So plan your course of study carefully, and let the Department know which courses you want to see offered.

In addition to the core courses, there are some sets of courses of which you must take a subset, and some math electives you get to choose. In what follows, we have considered some of the most common fields that Math majors enter and make some suggestions or courses which might be of particular interest, depending on your career goals.

  • Engineering: The Engineering disciplines have a heavy mathematics content, especially Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. The Math with Engineering major has been specifically designed for those students interested in math and engineering. The courses required for Math with Engineering leave little flexibility, but you should take the following courses:
    • Differential Equations (M301): forms the basis of Dynamics
    • Complex Variables (M331): used extensively in the theory of Electricity and Magnetism
    • Real Analysis (M351): gives theoretical basis for functions and sequence and series
    • Applied Regression Analysis (M324): a basic tool in analyzing data
    • Mathematical modeling (M391): fundamental course for translating "real world" problems into mathematics
    • Numerical Analysis (M392): all about getting computers to do math calculations accurately and efficiently
  • Information Technology: As the discipline of Computer Science becomes more specialized, the mathematics required to solve many of the problems that arise is becoming more advanced. Most research groups at hi-tech firms include mathematicians, engineers, and physicists, as well as computer scientists. To prepare for a career as a mathematician in the Information Technology sector, you should consider the following courses:
    • Geometry (M281): useful in Computer Graphics
    • Complex Variables (M331): basic tool in audio or video signal processing
    • Number Theory (M342): the basis for most cryptographic systems
    • Abstract Algebra (M361, M362): also used in Cryptography
    • Theory of Computing (M332): the theoretical basis of computer science
    • Graph Theory (M371): used to model networks, chips and other discrete phenomena
    • Numerical Analysis (M392): all about getting computers to do math calculations accurately and efficiently
    • lots of CS courses, possibly even a CS minor
  • Financial Analysis: There has been a revolution over the past 20 years regarding how financial entities (like stocks, bonds, derivatives, etc.) are managed. It is now done with very high-powered mathematics. In fact, a Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to the people who finally got the mathematics of derivative pricing figured out. As a result, Fund companies, Banks, and Investment houses have been hiring a large number of math majors, and master's programs in Financial Mathematics have become common. The mathematics needed involves a lot of statistics and a lot of differential equations. If this area interests you, you should consider the following courses:
    • Differential Equations (M301): the basic tool in pricing models
    • Probability and Mathematical Statistics (M321 and M322): the theoretical basis of probability and statistics
    • Applied Regression Analysis (M324): another basic tool
    • Real Analysis (M351): gives theoretical basis for functions and sequence and series
    • Partial Differential Equations (M471): more differential equations stuff
    • Dynamical Systems (M472): more differential equations stuff
    • Economics courses, possibly even an Economics minor
  • For more information on Financial Mathematics, check out the Master's Program in Financial Mathematics at University of Toronto.
  • Statistics and Actuarial Science: Actuarial Science is basically the statistics that Insurance companies use to determine risk. The basic job of Statisticians is to extract useful information from large amounts of data. With all the data available in this Information Age, there has been a high demand for statisticians and actuaries. If this area interests you, you should consider the following courses:
    • Differential Equations (M301): a basic tool in modeling "real-life" situations
    • Probability and Mathematical Statistics (M321 and M322): the theoretical basis of probability and statistics
    • Applied Regression Analysis (M324): another basic tool
    • Complex Analysis (M331): complex numbers will come up
    • Real Analysis (M351): gives theoretical basis for functions and sequence and series
    • Sampling Theory (M422): more statistics
    • Experimental Design (M424): more statistics
  • For more information on Statistics, check out Statistics Society of Canada or Statistics Canada.
  • For information on Actuarial Science, check out the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
  • Education: There is a shortage of teachers of mathematics at the secondary school level. At a recent Teacher's Job Fair held at UPEI, Mathematics and French were identified as the two subjects where the most severe shortages exist. Because of this, occasionally unqualified teachers are put in front of math classes, and pass on math phobia to another generation. Society needs teachers who are knowledgeable about and comfortable with mathematics. If the idea of being a math teacher interests you, you should consider the following courses:
    • Geometry (M281): still prominent in most high school curriculums
    • Differential Equations (M301): Calculus was invented to handle differential equations, teachers should take this course so they can answer that most dreaded of students questions: "What is this good for?"
    • Probability and Mathematical Statistics (M321 and M322): the trend is for more statistics in the High schools
    • Number Theory (M342): another topic touched on in the High School curriculum
    • Abstract Algebra (M361): gives advanced outlook on some topics covered at basic level in High School
    • Graph Theory (M371): gives advanced outlook on some topics covered at basic level in High School
    • History of Mathematics (TBA): this course currently does not exist at UPEI
  • For more information on teaching mathematics, check out OISE Teacher information.
  • Academia: If you are thinking of making the commitment of spending at least five more years in school after you finish your math major, and going for a PhD and then becoming a research mathematician, you will need a grounding in the basic theory which is the foundation of most graduate courses in mathematics. If the idea of becoming that most noble of persons, a professor of mathematics, interests you, you should consider the following courses:
    • Differential Equations (M301): the basics of differential equations
    • Probability and Mathematical Statistics (M321 and M322): the basics of probability and statistics
    • Complex Variables (M331): the basics of complex analysis
    • Number Theory (M342): the basics of number theory
    • Real Analysis (M351 and M352): the basics of analysis
    • Abstract Algebra (M361 and M362): the basics of abstract algebra
    • As many other math courses as possible, depending on your specific interests
    • Honours project (M480): anyone going on to Ph.D. should do honours instead of major in mathematics
  • For more information on Mathematics as an academic career, check out the Canadian Mathematics Society.
  • Industrial/Applied Mathematics: Mathematical expertise in required in government labs, industrial research, and many other applied areas. Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistics are the main tools of the industrial mathematician, but, depending on the application, many other areas of mathematics may be involved. If industrial mathematics interests you, you should consider the following courses:
    • Differential Equations (M301): a basic tool in modeling "real-life" situations
    • Applied Regression Analysis (M324): a basic tool in analyzing data
    • Complex Variables (M331): fourier analysis is a basic tool in many applications, and requires complex variables
    • Real Analysis (M351): gives theoretical basis for functions and sequence and series
    • Mathematical modeling (M391): fundamental course for translating "real world" problems into mathematics
    • Numerical Analysis (M392): all about getting computers to do math calculations accurately and efficiently
    • Partial Differential Equations (M471): more differential equations stuff
    • Dynamical Systems (M472): more differential equations stuff
    • Some physics courses and computer science courses would be beneficial
  • For more information on Industrial/Applied Mathematics, check out the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society.
  • Professional Disciplines: Many math majors have gone on to Law degrees. Law schools see mathematics as good training in pre-Law as it (supposedly) trains the mind to think logically and objectively. Recently, medical schools have gone on record as encouraging more of their prospective students to have more math training as well. If you are considering being a doctor or lawyer, a bachelor's degree in mathematics is a good first step, and you should consider the following courses:
    • Geometry (M281): lots on deductive reasoning, which lawyers and doctors must do (in completely different settings)
    • Differential Equations (M301): the theory underlying many forensic techniques and medical tests are based on differential equations
    • Number Theory (M342): why not?
    • Abstract Algebra (M361): trains the mind and is good for the soul
    • Probability and Mathematical Statistics (M321 and Math 322): statistics is used widely both in medicine and in law. An understanding of the field will help you detect the many misuses of statistics that arise
    • Mathematical modeling (M391): fundamental course for translating "real world" problems into mathematics
    • Dynamical Systems (M472): discusses chaos, with which lawyers and doctors are familiar
    • If you are considering medical school, you should take Organic Chemistry and the standard slate of basic Biology courses
    • If you are considering law school, you should take a number of writing courses

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Career planning

If you are applying to a master's or PhD program, you should start planning early in your final year. There are fellowships available which will pay a large part of your expenses for graduate school, but you must be aware of guidelines and deadlines. Keep in touch with your mentor and let him know your career plans so that he can keep you informed. A number of agencies (Actuarial Society of Canada, StatsCan, Federal Civil service, etc.) have qualifying exams. If you are interested in these you should plan ahead and find the dates and locations for writing.

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