Planning Your Math Courses

Should I take harder math courses than what is required?

Many math classes you will take have multiple streams. One stream is intended for students completing a math specialist. These courses are very challenging, rigorous, and often have fewer applications to physics. The other stream is more focused on the applications of math and are very useful in physics. First and second year calculus courses have other streams as well.

The math specialist stream gives a much stronger understanding of math, but most physics students will not find this extra knowledge to be useful in undergraduate physics courses. The more applied math courses provide knowledge that is very useful in physics courses.

PhySU encourages students to take the math courses they are interested in and comfortable with. Otherwise, we suggest taking only the level of math courses that you need for your degree. Higher level math courses are generally not helpful to your physics degree.

Which second-year (multivariate) calculus course should I take?

• MAT235: Calculus II

  • View the course information at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/course/mat235y1 

  • You may benefit from taking this course if:

    • You are more interested in the applications of math than in the theory

    • You are not comfortable writing proofs

• MAT237: Multivariable Calculus

  • View the course information at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/course/mat237y1 

  • You may benefit from taking this course if:

    • You are interested in both the theory and applications of math

    • You are enrolled in a Physics Specialist or Physics and Philosophy Specialist, or intend to switch into one of these programs

• MAT257: Analysis II

  • View the course information at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/course/mat257y1 

  • You may benefit from taking this course if:

    • You are enrolled in a Mathematics Specialist or Mathematics and Physics Specialist, or intend to switch into one of these programs

    • You are more interested in the theory than in the applications of math

    • You intend to take higher-level Math Specialist courses

When should I take PDEs? Which course should I take?

• APM 346

  • View the course information at: Academic Calendar

  • This course is intended for Physics specialists.

• MAT 351

  • View the course information at: Academic Calendar

  • This course is intended for Mathematics and Physics specialists.