Mathematics & Statistics

McMaster University

Mathematics and Statistics: blue ink subject illustration

3 / 4 / 5 years
Duration (years)
3 years BSc · 4 years Honours · 5 years on selected co-op routes
McMaster Academic Planner Level II Science degree and co-op types
Paid co-op on eligible upper-year routes
Work experience
Paid co-op on eligible upper-year routes
McMaster Faculty of Science paid co-op pathways
~Mid-80s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Mid-80s. 2027/28. Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route MZ. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.
McMaster university-supplied OUInfo: Mathematics and Statistics Gateway, Ontario entry 2027/28

Deadlines

November 2026

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30

Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4UEnglish
MHF4UAdvanced Functions
MCV4UCalculus and Vectors

Ontario Secondary School Diploma and six Grade 12 U or M courses, including the prerequisites.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

September 2027 first-year entry through OUAC code MZ.

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
McMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicantsMcMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicants
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Academic documents for your applicant category
- Canadian high school applicants outside Ontario upload the requested records to the Applicant Portal. Uploaded records can support initial review; accepted conditional offers require final official transcripts. Current Ontario high school applicants follow the separate instructions rather than sending unrequested records.
McMaster transcripts and documentsMcMaster transcripts and documents
Step 4English test results, if required
- When English proficiency evidence is required, IELTS, TOEFL and other accepted test results must come directly from the testing centre.
McMaster direct submission of language resultsMcMaster direct submission of language results
Step 5Apply through OUAC to the appropriate first-year entry programme or gateway; submit the required academic records.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicantsMcMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicants

Applicant pathways

Mathematics and Statistics Gateway: Prerequisites

Ontario high-school applicants entering Mathematics and Statistics Gateway (MZ) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

English 4U
Advanced Functions 4U
Calculus & Vectors 4U

Mathematics and Statistics Gateway: Additional Admission Criteria

Ontario high-school applicants entering Mathematics and Statistics Gateway (MZ) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

OUAC Application Deadline: April 1, 2027 *Some programs may stay open beyond this deadline, depending on capacity. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Mathematics and Statistics Gateway: Basic Requirements for Admission

Ontario high-school applicants entering Mathematics and Statistics Gateway (MZ) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

If you have 6 Grade 12 U/M (4U/M) midterm grades or 3 final Grade 12 U/M (4U/M) grades, you will be considered for admission on a rolling basis beginning in February 2027. To be eligible, you must have 6 Grade 12 U/M courses, completed or in progress, including any program-specific requirements. Your application will be reviewed again once your second-semester midterm grades are received.
Note: Co-op courses are not included in any admission or final admission average calculations.
Admission to all programs requires the completion of English (ENG4U).

Mathematics and Statistics Gateway: Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

Ontario high-school applicants entering Mathematics and Statistics Gateway (MZ) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

Be sure to check the university's Admission Tool for information and updates about the admission process, estimated cut-offs, enrollment targets, application deadlines and more. McMaster will begin making offers of admission at the end of February until early May on a rolling basis, based on a minimum of 3 final 4U/M grades and registration in sufficient 4U/M courses to a total of 6; or 6 interim and/or final 4U/M grades, including any required courses.
All offers are conditional upon completing the OSSD with at least six 4U/M courses and an acceptable final admission average, which will be specified in the offer of admission.
Most offers to the By-Selection Programs will be made in May. All of these programs require supplementary application information (except Midwifery, where an interview is part of the application process). Contact McMaster for details about application deadlines, timing of offers and more.
We do not automatically make alternative offers of admission. Instead, we encourage you to apply to all of the McMaster programs you are interested in (up to 3). We will give full consideration to each program selection.
We may not accept your application if you do not pay the OUAC application fee by the program deadline date.
Level II program options

IB subjects and Ontario prerequisites

Ontario OSSD applicants presenting individual IB courses; full IB Diploma admission remains a separate curriculum route

Individual IB courses may be considered if you also complete a recognized secondary-school qualification. The full IB Diploma is a separate admission curriculum.
Where your program requires mathematics, Analysis and Approaches SL satisfies MHF4U and MCV4U. Analysis and Approaches HL or Applications and Interpretation HL satisfies MHF4U, MCV4U and MDM4U.
Applications and Interpretation SL satisfies MHF4U and MDM4U; the published equivalency does not include MCV4U. Use the subject prerequisites for your chosen program.

Ontario course formats and repeated-course review

Ontario high-school applicants; exact programme prerequisites remain controlling

Summer school, online, night and correspondence courses from a Ministry-accredited institution can be used without penalty. Summer courses immediately before September entry cannot be used for that admission.
For up to two repeated courses, the highest reported mark is used. More than two repeated courses, or one course taken three or more times, may require an explanatory letter. Courses completed after June30 immediately before Fall intake are excluded from that admission calculation. No held programme average is changed.

McMaster English Language Diploma alternative

Ontario applicants who do not meet the published English-proficiency requirement

The Ontario applicant page directs an applicant who does not meet English proficiency to consider changing the OUAC programme choice to the McMaster English Language Diploma (MELD). MELD is a separate choice with its own requirements; this is not a waiver or a promise of entry into every held bachelor programme.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

Honours Mathematics and Statistics:120 units; no more than 48 units at Level I.
Scientific computing:COMPSCI 1MD3, DATASCI 2G03 (or PHYSICS 2G03), or MATH 1MP3.

References

Required courses and electives

The recommended Level I load is 30 units: five Mathematics courses, 3 units from the Science I list and 12 elective units.

References

Grades and academic standing

For Level II Honours Mathematics and Statistics, the current calendar requires a 5.0 GPA and prescribed first-year calculus and linear algebra. The second calculus course needs at least C+.

References

Program facts

Entering average~Mid-80s

Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route MZ. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.

Co-opPaid co-op on eligible upper-year routes

The Mathematics and Statistics co-op route takes five academic levels and includes two eight-month paid placements. Apply after Level II Honours Mathematics and Statistics with at least a 5.0 GPA. Selection is competitive and includes an interview.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

MZ is a one-year gateway. Students rank eligible Level II programs after first year. The upper-year courses shown here cover Honours Mathematics and Statistics.

Actuarial and Financial Mathematics

BSc

Apply probability and mathematics to actuarial science and financial risk.

Published requirements

Courses

Named courses in the selected current requirements and choice menus. Alternatives are included; not every listed course is mandatory. The PDF is the university’s abridged advising edition.

First year: Mathematics and Statistics Gateway12 listed

Published first-year choices. Prerequisites and the intended Level II degree determine selection.

MATH 1A03CALCULUS FOR SCIENCE I3 credits
Learn calculus for science, including derivatives, optimisation and integration.
MATH 1LS3CALCULUS FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES I3 credits
Apply calculus, differential equations and dynamical systems to life-science problems.
MATH 1X03CALCULUS FOR MATH AND STATS I3 credits
Develop calculus foundations through algebraic, geometric and numerical approaches.
COMPSCI 1MD3INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING3 credits
Learn programming fundamentals, including control flow, recursion and file handling.
MATH 1MP3INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATION3 credits
Use programming and computational methods to solve mathematical problems.
ECON 1B03INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS3 credits
Use microeconomic methods to analyse contemporary economic problems.
WHMIS 1A00INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY0 credits
Complete training in laboratory safety practices and hazardous-materials information.
BIOSAFE 1BS0BIOSAFETY TRAINING0 credits
Complete biosafety training for work with bacteria, cell lines and biological materials.
BIOLOGY 1A03CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY3 credits
Explore cell structures, their molecular components and how they function.
MATH 1B03LINEAR ALGEBRA I3 credits
Study linear systems, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and complex numbers.
MATH 1C03INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL REASONING3 credits
Explore mathematical ideas and methods from algebra, calculus, geometry and number theory.
MATH 1XX3CALCULUS FOR MATH AND STATS II3 credits
Extend calculus to series, parametrised curves, partial derivatives and double integrals.

Honours Mathematics and Statistics (current requirements) / LEVELS II-IV: 90 UNITS14 listed

Published level allocation, with alternatives included. This is not a weekly timetable.

MATH 2C03INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS3 credits
Solve ordinary differential equations using transforms and series methods.
MATH 2MC3MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS3 credits
Study multiple, line and surface integrals and the major integration theorems.
MATH 2XA3VECTOR CALCULUS I3 credits
Study proof-based vector calculus, differentiation and introductory multivariable integration.
MATH 2LA3APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR ALGEBRA3 credits
Apply linear algebra to optimisation, data science and compression.
MATH 2R03THEORY OF LINEAR ALGEBRA3 credits
Explore abstract vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products and spectral theorems.
MATH 3CF3THEORY OF COMPLEX FUNCTIONS3 credits
Develop proofs and geometric understanding of complex functions, integration, series and residues.
MATH 3CV3BASIC COMPLEX VARIABLES3 credits
Study complex variables through computation, analytic functions, contour integrals and applications.
MATH 3A03REAL ANALYSIS I3 credits
Study metric spaces, continuity, completeness, compactness and uniform convergence.
MATH 3IA3INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS3 credits
Develop proofs about sequences, series, continuity, differentiation and Riemann integration.
STATS 2D03INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY3 credits
Study probability, distributions, expectation, correlation and the central limit theorem.
MATH 1C03INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL REASONING3 credits
Explore mathematical ideas and methods from algebra, calculus, geometry and number theory.
COMPSCI 1MD3INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING3 credits
Learn programming fundamentals, including control flow, recursion and file handling.
DATASCI 2G03SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING3 credits
Learn C/C++ scientific programming under Linux through a research project.
MATH 1MP3INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATION3 credits
Use programming and computational methods to solve mathematical problems.

Additional published courses

MATH 1ZA3ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS I3 credits
Learn differentiation, optimisation and integration with applications.
MATH 1AA3CALCULUS FOR SCIENCE II3 credits
Extend calculus to differential equations, series, partial derivatives and double integrals.
MATH 1LT3CALCULUS FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES II3 credits
Apply differential equations, multivariable calculus and probability to life-science questions.
MATH 1ZB3ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS II-A3 credits
Extend calculus to differential equations, series, polar coordinates and partial derivatives.
MATH 1ZC3ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS II-B3 credits
Study vector spaces, linear systems, determinants, eigenvalues and complex numbers.
MATH 2XB3VECTOR CALCULUS II3 credits
Extend proof-based vector calculus to integration theorems, differential forms and real sequences.
MATH 3B03GEOMETRY3 credits
Explore selected topics in projective, non-Euclidean and differential geometry.
MATH 3F03ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS3 credits
Study differential-equation systems, phase portraits, stability and applications.
MATH 3FF3PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS3 credits
Explore partial differential equations, boundary conditions and Fourier-series methods.
MATH 3GR3ABSTRACT ALGEBRA3 credits
Study groups, rings, homomorphisms and quotient structures through concrete examples.
MATH 3MB3INTRODUCTION TO MODELLING3 credits
Build analytical and computational models for natural and social-science problems.
MATH 3NA3NUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA3 credits
Study numerical errors, stability, equation solving, matrix methods and optimisation.
MATH 3T03INQUIRY IN TOPOLOGY3 credits
Explore topology, dimension, fractals, compactness and connectedness.
STATS 2DA3AN INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE METHODS3 credits
Use R for data handling, visualisation, prediction and uncertainty assessment.
STATS 2MB3STATISTICAL METHODS AND APPLICATIONS3 credits
Study estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and linear regression.
STATS 3A03APPLIED REGRESSION ANALYSIS WITH SAS3 credits
Use SAS for regression, model diagnostics and variance analysis.
STATS 3D03MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS3 credits
Study statistical inference, estimation, sampling distributions and hypothesis testing.
MATH 3ET3MATHEMATICS TEACHING PLACEMENT3 credits
Explore teaching through a supervised placement and scientific-communication work.
MATH 4FM3FINANCIAL MARKETS AND DERIVATIVES3 credits
Model financial derivatives using stochastic calculus, pricing and hedging methods.
MATH 4MB3MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY3 credits
Model population growth, competition, predation and epidemics.
MATH 4P06SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT6 credits
Complete a supervised mathematics project with a written report and oral presentation.
MATH 4W03READING IN MATHEMATICS3 credits
Undertake directed reading in a mathematical area chosen with an instructor.
STATS 3DA3DATA SCIENCE METHODS3 credits
Apply statistical and machine-learning methods with Python and other analytical software.
STATS 3PG3PROBABILITY AND GAMES OF CHANCE3 credits
Use probability and selected mathematical methods to analyse games of chance.
STATS 4A03TIME SERIES3 credits
Analyse time-series patterns and develop estimation and forecasting methods.
STATS 4M03MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS3 credits
Study multivariate distributions, regression, correlation and principal components.
STATS 4T06SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT6 credits
Complete a supervised statistics project with a report and oral presentation.
STATS 4W03READING IN STATISTICS3 credits
Undertake directed reading in a statistical area chosen with an instructor.

Elective choices

Gateway:12 elective units; intended Level II admission prerequisites still apply.
Current Honours Mathematics and Statistics:39–45 elective units across Levels II–IV.

Study locations

Published academic-unit location: The Registrar’s academic-advising directory lists the Faculty of Science office in Burke Science Building, room 136. This is a faculty academic-support office; individual Mathematics and Statistics course rooms are separate.Mcmaster: named math academic-unit location

References

Careers

Career sectors

Actuarial Science
Financial Analysis
Accounting
Data Analysis
Economics
User Experience Design
Stock Market Analysis
Auditing
Biostatistics
Cyber Security
Software Development

Career sectors

Scope and qualifications

University-published career examples for Mathematics & Statistics, including its published routes; some require further training or registration. These are examples, not ranked graduate outcomes.