PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
In the beginning, mathematics was the science of number, space,
time and motion. The need for such a science arises with the most
primitive of human activities. These activities involve counting,
timing, measuring and moving, using numbers, intervals, distances
and shapes. Facts about these operations and ideas were gradually
assembled, calculations were made, finally arriving at an extensive
body of knowledge, based on a few central ideas and providing formal
rules of calculation. Eventually this body of knowledge was organized
by a more formal system of concepts, axioms, definitions and proofs.
The long standing concern with number, space, time and motion led
to the corresponding classical branches of mathematics: arithmetic,
geometry, calculus and mechanics.
Modern mathematics, of course, has outgrown these narrow confines
and the areas of specialization are more numerous. However, there
is still a strong belief that there is an underlying unity of the
subject that intimately relates all its different branches. The
power of mathematics lies in its ability to distill the bare essentials
of a phenomenon, in short, in abstraction. This is also the key
to its universality, in that its methods can be applied to a variety
of situations, seemingly unrelated to each other. In fact, it is
the formal nature of mathematics that makes it objective and exact,
irrespective of the specific application. This is the reason why
the language of mathematics is so universally used in the advancement
of human knowledge.
Applied mathematics has become extremely broad and extends
beyond its traditional domain of the physical sciences and engineering to economics, finance and the life sciences. Statistics is the science that applies mathematics and probability
theory to collect and process data and hence is fundamental in dealing
with information. Another modern impact on both ``applied"
and ``pure" mathematics is the widespread use of powerful computers.
This has changed drastically the way that mathematics is discovered
and applied.
For students who can meet the challenge, the world of mathematics
and statistics will prove to be of great fascination and power.
Math & Stats Programs at McMaster
McMaster offers a variety of honours degrees in Mathematics and Statistics. These include a core program which allows the student the flexibility to pursue interests in other areas; specializations in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, which encourage the student to create a more focussed program of study; and several joint honours programs.
Entry to any of these programs is either through the Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics, or through any other Level 1 program at the university, provided the student has completed Math 1A03, 1AA3 and 1B03 (with high enough grades). Students who are planning to continue in Math & Stats should enrol in Level 1 Math & Stats as this gives them the dual advantages of courses Math 1X03, 1XX3 and 1C03 targeted to Math & Stats students and complete flexibility in their choice of other courses.
The detailed structure of these programs in years 2 - 4 is outlined in the tables below.
Honours Mathematics and Statistics Core
Honours Applied Mathematics Specialization
Honours Mathematics Specialization
Honours Statistics Specialization
Joint Honours Math and Biology
Joint Honours Math and Computer Science
Joint Honours Math and Economics
Joint Honours
Math and Philosophy
Joint Honours Math and Physics
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