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Survival Guide to 2nd- 4th Year Mathematics at SFU*

The university has become a familiar place to you physically—finding rooms and locations—and bureaucratically—registering courses, finding information, and so on. You are also narrowing down your academic plan and are deciding which courses to take. These notes are designed to help you choose your second, third, and/or fourth year mathematics courses and to make the right choices for your academic plan, so that you can graduate in a timely manner and with success.

Please read the advice given below carefully and with consideration. A successful student plans ahead and is aware of all the facts.

Academic Habits

Congratulations! You have survived your first year of mathematics courses. You have learned many study and preparation skills through the use of the workshops offered for first year mathematics courses. Some of the 2-level courses are also serviced through a workshop, so keep up the good habit and use the workshop. Most of the upper level undergraduate courses are serviced with a lecture and a tutorial. Please attend these tutorials as they are designed to offer help similar to the workshop but during specific times and in a differently organized fashion specific to each instructor.

Continue to use your learned skills to work on assignments, to study course material, and to prepare for exams for all your courses. If you are a student coming to us from another university or college, you may want to read the Survival Guide for 1st Year for useful tips on study habits and exam preparation.

Choosing the Right Math Course

Plan your academic program early taking the course template into account as some courses - especially upper level - are offered infrequently. Do not assume that some of the prerequisites will be waived due to poor planning. If you need help in this regard, please make an appointment with our advisor or talk to your favourite professor or lecturer about this issue. If you are thinking about selecting mathematics as your area of speciality, then check out the academic plans available in mathematics.

Some Advice About Level of Courses

Do not rush into taking upper level courses even if prerequisites do not restrict you from taking them. There is a reason why these courses are placed at the level they are at. Try to complete 2- and 3-level courses before taking 4-level courses and you will find it a much more rewarding experience with less struggles.

Some Suggestions on Order of Courses

  • Take MACM 203 and MACM 204 early if you are a math major.
  • Take MACM 101 and MACM 201 before taking MATH 242 even though these courses are not a prerequisite. You will benefit from this order as there are many skills and concepts taught in the MACM courses that will aid understanding of MATH 242.
  • Take MATH 242 before attempting any 3- and 4-level math courses.
  • Many upper level math courses are restricted during preregistration to students with a declared major.

* Written by Malgorzata Dubiel and Petra Menz