Math Handbook

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Word to the Readers

If you are reading this handbook, chances are you are now a part of the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics, the largest concentration of mathematical and computer science talent in the world. We would like to welcome you to the university; we are excited you are joining us!

University may be a lot of work, but it can also be a great deal of fun. There are lots of ways to get involved and make the most out of your time here: clubs, student council and politics, events around the city, many volunteer opportunities, and even an Accelerator Program! This handbook is designed by students to inform you of what resources are available for you at the university, help answer any questions you might have about your undergraduate degree and point out clubs and activities.

Best of luck as your university adventure begins!

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Acknowledgements

Special Thanks: Alex Lee, Alex Robson, Curtis Li, Josué Kurke, Eli Margolis, Kanan Sharma

Setting Up Your Computer Account

All undergraduate mathematics students have computer accounts provided by the Math Faculty Computing Facility (MFCF) and the Computer Science Computing Facility (CSCF). Information about these can be found here.

Details about computer usage requirements are available here.

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Communication Courses

“During my time as Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, I’ve met with many alumni and employers of our co-op students and graduates. Every one of them has talked about strong communication skills being even more important than strong technical skills for success in the workplace.” - Professor Ian Goulden, Former Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics

As part of degree requirements, you, as an incoming first-year Mathematics student, must complete two communication courses (exceptions exist for those in the Math/CPA and CFM programs). These courses will help build the strong communication skills necessary for deep learning and communicating ideas to other students, friends, and co-workers.

Learn more about communication courses here.

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Off-Campus Housing

Living off-campus in first year? Off-Campus Community (OCC) is here to help you adjust and thrive. OCC Dons help you meet other students living off campus and provide tips and tricks about university life and living in the Region of Waterloo. Find out more about them here.

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First Week

As much fun as Orientation Week is, all good things eventually come to an end. What comes after Orientation Week? Getting ready for your classes, of course! Since your first week will most likely be very busy, there are a couple of items you may want to get out of the way during free time in Orientation Week when no events are planned.

Things you’ll need to do during your first week:

Download the Portal app

• Find it on the App Store/Google Play, or check it out on your computer at portal.uwaterloo.ca
• You can find out your Orientation schedule, class schedule, as well as more useful info!

Buy textbooks and supplies

• It’s recommended to wait until at least your second week of class before buying textbooks.
• W Store (SCH)
• WUSA Used Books (SLC) (you save at least 20% off the price of a new textbook!)
• MathSoc also has a textbook library with many first-year Math/CS course textbooks that you are free to borrow if you leave your Watcard in the office.

Contact AccessAbility Services

• See if they offer services that you can make use of: uwaterloo.ca/accessability-services/
• Deal with any outstanding financial issues: uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/

As a reminder, don’t forget to check out the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association's (WUSA) website for information about Welcome Week, which is a wide assortment of free events that occur the week after Orientation Week!

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Math Undergrad Office

The Math Undergraduate Office (MUO) is the place to go if you want to make changes to any of your courses. If you have any general questions, the MUO will almost always know the answers; if they don’t, they’ll direct you to the someone who does! They can be contacted at mathuo@uwaterloo.ca. Additionally, the MUO is located in MC 4022, which is in the Mathematics and Computer (MC) building. The office hours and the list of office staff can be found here.

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Math Advising

There are various academic advisors you can see, depending on the Mathematics program you are currently in or interested in. They can answer any questions you have about courses, academic policies and degree requirements. A list of the advisors is available here.

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CS Advising Office

The Computer Science Advising Office, located in DC 2133, is the place to go to ask questions about the Computer Science program, get help getting into courses, and receive information about the different plans and options. They are also available by email at csadvisor@cs.uwaterloo.ca. For more information visit: cs.uwaterloo.ca/office-hours.

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Student Service Centre (The Centre)

The Centre is a larger (campus-wide) version of the Math Undergraduate Office. It is located on the first floor of the Ira G. Needles Hall (NH) building and can be found online at uwaterloo.ca/the-centre/.

This is the place to go if you need to drop off a form (CPP form, OSAP, course override, plan modification, etc), get a transcript or a proof of enrolment letter, deal with financial aid (see the financial aid section for more information), have exam schedule conflicts, or want to access the other academic-related services. They also provide various forms for academic matters that you may need during your time at the university. You can find a complete list of those forms online at uwaterloo.ca/forms/undergraduate-studies/.

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Academic Calendar

The undergraduate calendar is the most comprehensive and accurate collection of information about academic programs that you can find. Degree requirements, course descriptions, scholarship and bursary information, academic policies and more are all contained in this important document. You can access this calendar by viewing it online at ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca.

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Student Portal

The University of Waterloo's student portal delivers the information you need, when you need it. Portal is designed to make your UWaterloo life easier, providing mobile-friendly access to a suite of real-time information, updates and features relevant to all students. You can customize the content that appears in your Portal, so you can easily navigate your academic, social and campus life. Some of the features of Portal are:

• Notifications of academic deadlines.
• Real-time Grand River Transit (GRT) bus arrivals.
• Real-time data of space availability of computer labs, classrooms and study spaces.
• A map that routes you to your next class, food locations, and buildings.
• A list of open classrooms for you to study in.
• Schedule of Employer Info Sessions.

For more information about Portal, check out uwaterloo.ca/student-portal/.

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Quest: Your All-in-One Resource

One of the many important university-run websites that you should know is Quest (uwaterloo.ca/quest/). You already used Quest to enroll in classes. Quest is the online system that allows UWaterloo students select and change classes, view grades and financial documents, and update personal and contact information.

Getting to know the Quest system as soon as possible will make it easier for you to plan out your classes in the long run. It has a useful help section that outlines a number of common procedures like setting up your account and signing up for classes.

If you have any problems with Quest, you can email Quest at quest@uwaterloo.ca .

Textbooks

Many students choose to get textbooks after the first lecture, because the instructor will often tell you if the textbook is worth buying or not. If, however, you want to purchase your books earlier, you can see a list of the books for your courses by using BookLook.

BookLook is run by the Bookstore and lists all the required texts for the courses you take. Once you know what books you need, there are a variety of places you can get them from. New books can be purchased from the Bookstore in South Campus Hall (SCH) or as a cheaper option, you can often find the textbooks at Feds Used Books, located on the lower level of the Student Life Centre (Lower Level, SLC). Additionally, you may purchase them from other students who have already taken the course. As with anything, be careful when purchasing textbooks from other students, as older editions may not be usable in your courses (check with your professors first).

In addition, some professors will put textbooks on reserve at the library for you to use (check with your professor if this is something they have done). You can check if your professor has put textbooks on reserve at reserves.uwaterloo.ca/ares/ares.dll.

Regardless of where you get your books from, remember to double check the edition, as some courses tend to switch textbook editions every few years, and the material may not be the same. If you would like to use an older edition of a textbook, check with your professor to make sure (note: WUSA Used Books does make sure older versions of the textbook are acceptable by checking with the professors for you).

Some courses also have course notes, which have more lecture notes and problems. They are normally used more than textbooks in many classes and can be purchased on the second floor of the Mathematics and Computer (MC) building, at Media.doc or at the Bookstore in South Campus Hall(SCH). Check with instructors before buying them, as all course notes bought are final sale.

In addition, for those of you who won't be on campus in fall, you can order your textbooks and/or course notes online from WStore, they will be able to ship your order internationally. For more information, click here.

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Done with your Books?

The textbooks you purchase while studying in the Faculty of Mathematics are often reused in other courses. Even if they’re not official course texts for your upper-year courses, they can serve as a valuable reference for reviewing something learned in an earlier course. However, if you don’t want to hang onto your old textbooks, you can always sell them at WUSA Used Books or directly to students taking the course in a later term.

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Labs and Servers

There are many labs available for Math student to use - click here to see the full list.

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Computer Accounts

Unix accounts are created automatically for Math students. If you would like to use a computer in one of the Mac labs, go to student.cs.uwaterloo.ca/password/ and change your password. If you’re using any of the other computer labs, your username and password are the same as your Quest username and password. If you’re having trouble logging in, visit the MFCF Consultants Office in MC 3017.

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Printing

Self-service printers are available around campus (usually indicated with a W Print logo). To use these printers, go to uwaterloo.ca/uprint (Only available on-campus) and login with your Quest login, choose a printer (the public Xerox printers are recommended), upload your documents, and tap your Watcard on the card reader on the printer to release the print job. The cost of printing will be deducted from your Flex dollars balance. Alternatively, you can use the printing services provided by MathSoc by visiting their office at MC 3038.

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Technology Consultants

MFCF consultants are available in MC 3017, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help with computer account and password problems, email problems, or any other technical issue. You can also visit any of the IT Service Desks scattered around campus. More info can be found here.

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Time Management

Different people find that different time management techniques work for them, so experiment and find one that works for you. Whether that means cutting back on the amount of Pokémon Go that you play or getting a jump-start on your assignments after class, finding a schedule that works for you is key to succeeding in university.

If planners and calendars are your cup of tea, free agendas are also available at the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Center (SLC).

If you are having trouble with time management, there are several avenues to get help on campus. Counselling Services provides workshops on procrastination and time management and even has offices in the Mathematics and Computer (MC) building. The Student Success Office is also a great resource as they also offer workshops on time management.

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Financial Aid

Your primary contact for Financial Aid issues will be the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office, located on the second floor of Needles Hall, online at uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/, or by email at safainfo@uwaterloo.ca.

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Scholarships

If you excel academically, then you may be able to get a scholarship to help pay for your university education. There are a variety of scholarships for many different disciplines, and the application procedures for them vary – for many, you don’t even need to submit an application. The best thing to do is to check the undergraduate calendar for the scholarships available only to math students, as well as scholarships available to all UWaterloo students.

For the list of scholarships available and additional information, visit: uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/undergraduate-awards. The list includes scholarships available for different years, faculties, and programs.

If you received an entrance scholarship in first year, it may be renewable in your upper years. You don’t have to reapply to continue receiving the scholarship, but typically you must maintain an average of 80% or more. Ask the Student Awards and Financial aid office for the exact conditions.

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OSAP

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a government-run program commonly used by students to help fund their post-secondary education. It is a regular, interest-free loan given to students, with the amount based on need. The loan remains interest-free until you graduate, as long as you receive OSAP or submit a Continuation of Interest Free Status form. It is important that if you are no longer applying for OSAP, that you complete the Continuation of Interest Free Status form for each term to keep your loans interest free. Interest starts to accumulate once you are out of school.

OSAP applications can be submitted through ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program. If you have applied for OSAP already, funding is typically released to you halfway through the term; as such, you must complete a Promissory Note for each term in which you will be using OSAP to help pay tuition costs. You can do this on Quest. Instructions on how to submit a promissory note can be found at uwaterloo.ca/finance/student-financial-services/how-become-fees-arranged/promissory-note.

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Bursaries

Bursaries differ from scholarships in that they are awarded based on financial need. Similar to scholarships, you don’t have to pay them back. Bursary information can be found in the undergraduate calendar. You can apply by filling out an application form on the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office website.

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Paying Fees Using Financial Aid

When receiving OSAP, a scholarship, or a bursary you need to provide proof of this anticipated aid and submit a promissory note to the Financial Aid office if you will be using it to pay tuition fees. The balance of tuition that isn’t covered by your aid must still be paid by the deadline. Instructions on how to use the promissory note can be found at uwaterloo.ca/finance/student-financial-services/how-become-fees-arranged/promissory-note.

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Finding Jobs on Campus

There are plenty of jobs available on campus during school terms if you are interested in working:

• The University Alumni Call Centre and both the Math and Engineering Society Coffee and Donut (C&D) shops hire students on a part-time basis.
• Residences also have various student positions available.
• Food Services and Retail Services also hire students.
• Campus Recreation hires instructors & referees for various sports.
• The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association runs several different businesses including International News and WUSA Used Books. Check out their website
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• Additionally, jobs are often posted on LEADS that may fall out of these categories. See them here.

If you received OSAP, you can apply for the Work/Study Program. This program provides on-campus work for students to assist with their education-related costs.

Remote learning isn't easy. For most of us, this is a completely new experience. Therefore, here is a list of tips for remote learning we have compiled to support you as you embark on this new and exciting journey of your life in a very unusual time.

Create and Maintain a Nice Workspace at Home

The importance of workspace is often overlooked. However, a clean and organized environment will help you focus and be more productive! Plus, it's time to show our parents that we are able to tidy up and take care of our own space!

Have a Balanced Study Schedule

Self-discipline is never the easiest to achieve, especially when there is no alarm to tell you that you're late for the school bus. When there is no timetable to urge us to rush to classes on time, it's crucial to be able to organize one for ourselves in order to stay on track for coursework and have a balanced lifestyle.

Stay Connected, Stay Engaged

Although we are unable to meet everyone on campus this year, we are just as excited to be connecting with you virtually! Therefore, we think it's also important for you to stay connected with your UW community and stay engaged in your learning process by actively communicating with your virtual learning community. Engaging with your Waterloo Math Ready Team on Microsoft Teams would be a good starting point if you haven't already done so!

Mental Health, Mental Health, Mental Health

It's easy to over-work and forget to eat and sleep, or simply stress out because of the unique situation we have been placed in. Hence, never forget that you are not alone in this and we are here to help. If you are ever feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or you just need someone to talk to, we are here for you! Check out Campus Wellness for more information on how we support you at the University of Waterloo.

AccessAbility Office

The University of Waterloo strives to maintain accessible facilities and a flexible educational style for persons with disabilities. For this purpose, the AccessAbility Office was established. The AccessAbility Office is located in Needles Hall (NH), and can be found online at uwaterloo.ca/accessability-services.

To take advantage of these services, you should visit the AccessAbility Office as early as possible in the term to determine what accommodations are necessary to help you succeed academically. If you think you may have an undiagnosed disability, you should visit a doctor or speak to the AccessAbility Office about an assessment.

Note: The AccessAbility Office requires that you have proof of an existing issue before they can make accommodations for you.

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Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE)

(Formerly CECA - Co-operative Education and Career Action) One of the things that sets UWaterloo apart from other universities is its co-op program and the career services program. Career services programs are offered through the Centre for Career Action and available to both co-op and regular students. Make sure to take advantage of the career advisors, and various workshops such as resume, networking, interviewing and personality assessment. Both Co-operative and Experiential Education and the Centre for Career Action are in the Tatham Centre (TC) building, located on the south part of campus beside South Campus Hall (SCH). For more information on CEE, check out their website at uwaterloo.ca/co-operative-education.

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Co-op Connection

Before or during your co-op, you may be looking for other UWaterloo students who are out in your area to connect with. The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) service Co-op Connection will be your networking and social resource while you are on co-op.

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WaterlooWorks

The tool that UWaterloo students use to find both co-op and regular jobs is called WaterlooWorks (waterlooworks.uwaterloo.ca) It is the online system that allows students to search and apply for jobs. Accounts are automatically set up for students, and students log in using their Quest information. Even if you are not in a co-op program, you can apply for summer or part-time jobs through WaterlooWorks. The system is also used to post full-time post graduation positions.

If you are in a co-op program, you will use WaterlooWorks the term before your co-op term to look for and apply to jobs. Interviews are typically done on campus during the study term before your co-op term and can span several weeks.

For a detailed explanation of how the co-op process works, click here.

Clubs and Activities

The week after Orientation Week is Welcome Week! You can expect Clubs & Societies Day being held virtually. Clubs & Societies Day gives students the opportunity to see which clubs the university has to offer and join them. Clubs are a great way to pursue your interests, meet new friends, or even develop new interests. If there isn’t a club that meets your interests, you can also create one! They are also a great way to get help with your classes by networking with upper-year students.

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Seeking Help with Assignments

If you are having trouble with assignments or even just want a little help with the material, there are many resources available to help you. Your instructor and teaching assistants (TAs) are the best resource you have; they will notify you in the beginning of the term of their office hours, so you can stop by to ask questions.

Many core math courses have weekly tutorial sessions, where TAs will often go through examples similar to assignment problems.

If you need additional one-on-one help with assignments, visit the First-Year Tutorial Centre in room 3022 of the Mathematics and Computer (MC) building (located on the third floor, in the clubs hallway). Residences also offer tutoring and list their schedules at the residence front desk. These are drop-in tutorials where you can seek personal help with assignments from upper-year students.

Visit the tutorial center webpage for more information regarding the math tutorial center, or visit the computer science consulting center webpage for information regarding their course office hours.

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Preparing for Midterms and Final Exams

So you’ve been in university for about a month, and very soon you will be writing the first midterm exam of your university career. This can be intimidating, but there is a lot you can do to prepare.

Different people have different learning styles, so you’ll have to figure out what preparation method is best for you. However, there are a number of things that are generally helpful:

• Attend all lectures, tutorials, and take notes.
• Complete all of your assignments, review it once you get your mark, and see where you made the mistakes.
• Review lecture notes.
• Re-do your old assignments.
• Do practice problems.
• Try old exams.
• Go to Office Hours.
• Take part in discussions on the course website (LEARN).

The Counselling Services website has a number of pages related to developing good study habits. They also run exam preparation workshops. Check out the Counselling Services and Student Success offerings to see which workshops are available.

If you want to look at old exams, MathSoc maintains an online exam bank. You will need to log in with your Quest information.

Note: While old exams are useful study resource, be careful, as course material may change over time or depending on the instructor.

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Cheating

As you’ve known throughout your academic career, cheating is a very serious offense. The undergraduate calendar contains a section describing what exactly constitutes cheating and what penalties can be applied.

The stated minimum penalty for cheating is zero on the assignment/test and a further 5% subtracted from your final grade in the course. Hence, should you cheat on a 15% midterm, the maximum grade you could then attain would be an 80% in the course.

Click here to read about Policy 71 - Student Disipline. Policy 71 also includes information about how the appeal process works if you think you’ve been wrongfully accused. The MUO’s website also gives you some tips on how to avoid committing offenses.

If you use anything from an outside source or from another person, remember to acknowledge the use of this and where you obtained it from for accreditation. Additionally, avoid excessive collaboration.

If you are uncertain whether an action constitutes a cheating offense, ask an instructor.

Finding Out Your Exam Schedule

So your first term is almost over, the only things left are your final exams. The exam schedule comes out around 7 to 8 weeks after the start of the term and can be found online with this link .

Alternatively, you can access your exam schedule online via Portal.

Note: You must schedule your travel plans around your exams and not the other way around. A return flight home is not a valid excuse for missing an exam.

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Feeling Sick?

If you are sick on the day of an exam, you may be able to defer your exam to the next term the course is offered. The MUO can help you out, but you still need to obtain a medical certificate or doctor’s note.

The first thing to do in this situation is contact your instructor, then visit your physician for a medical note and ask your instructor for an incomplete (INC). However, if you are not passing the course, your instructor will likely deny that request.

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Handling Exam Conflicts

If you feel as though your exam schedule is tight, check out the registrar's office webpage to see what relief is available.

Typically, accommodation is only provided if you have three or more exams on the same day (within twenty-four hours of one another) or if there is not a reasonable amount of time between two exams. Additionally, if you find that you have two exams that are at the same time, there is a form that can be found at the above link that you need to fill out as soon as you recognize a problem.

Quite often, exam schedules are not the way you wanted. It is common to have several exams in consecutive days, or multiple exams on the same day. Ultimately, the best way to deal with bad exam schedules is to study early. The time after classes are finished is for you to review the course content and to get any clarification on last-minute questions instead of trying to cram things that you have not learned.

Failed a Course?

If you fail a course with a grade less than 32% or WF (withdraw after deadline) from a course, a mark of 32 will be automatically counted in your average. Ask your advisor for guidance and additional information.

Failed courses also count as unusable attempts. If the course you failed is a required course for your program, then you must retake the course again. The new mark does not replace the old failed mark, but instead both will be counted in your average.

In your first term, there is an additional requirement that you must pass at least two courses. If this is a concern, please see an academic advisor.

More questions? Consult your academic advisor!

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Don’t Panic!

Your university career isn’t over when you fail a single class. In fact, the Math Faculty Policy allows a number of failed courses. Check the academic calendar for information.

Ask to see your exam to determine what you did poorly and see how to improve or go see an Academic Advisor for your program – see how this will affect your academic career. Remember, you are not alone. Many students fail one or more courses in their first term here.

Why Am I On Probation?

The most important average for first-year students is your cumulative average (CAV). Your CAV must be over 60% in order to stay off probation. This average is composed of all courses you have taken over your undergraduate career that you have not failed or excluded.

The second most important average is your major average (MAV) and it is calculated differently. Depending on your major, different courses go into your MAV.

For details, talk to an academic advisor or check out the Faculty Policies section of the undergraduate calendar .

You should also check the degree requirements section of the calendar to see what the MAV requirement is for your program.

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What Do I Do Now?

If you are on probation because you had difficulties beyond your control, then with supporting documentation from the right people and after talking to your advisors, you may petition the Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) to help you out.

Transitioning to first year is not a good reason. The reason has to be out of your control and abnormal relative to your peers. You must approach your academic advisor before doing this.

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What Happens If I Don’t Get Off Probation?

If you are on probation because you had difficulties beyond your control, then with supporting documentation from the right people and after talking to your advisors, you may petition the Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) to help you out.

This is not a point that you want to reach but is possible. Depending on your averages and the number of courses failed, you may have to change your major, drop co-op or be asked to leave the Faculty.

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Petition for Exception

The Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) has the authority to determine your standing at the end of each academic term, clear grades from your transcript, extend probationary periods, and put you back into a program. In order to petition, you must visit the Registrar’s Office, either in person or online and fill out a “Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations.”

To improve your chances with S&P, seek help from an academic advisor for your program. The advisor can guide you through filling out the form and advise you on what supporting documentation you may need to provide.

Once you submit the petition, it will be taken to the S&P on your behalf. The committee meets every two weeks and decisions can normally be made within one meeting. If the committee requires more information, you will be contacted for it.

When a decision is made, you will receive a letter in the mail and an email informing you of the decision. Review the decision with an academic advisor to determine what your academic career will look like thereafter.

I Didn’t Get a Co-op Job!

Don’t worry; it is not the end of the world. Not being able to get a co-op job in your first co-op term can be a scary experience, but don’t fret! Co-op is divided into two rounds: initial and continuous. Many students, especially in first year, do not get a job in the initial round. There are still many good jobs in the continuous round.

You could also try to find a job outside of the jobs listed by Co-operative and Experiential Education CEE. Talk to them before doing so, but they are usually accommodating if you ask them first and get advice on doing it right. You may be surprised to find co-op jobs where you didn’t expect them.

If you’re a month into your work term and still don’t have a job, it’s okay. Don’t panic and switch out of co-op thinking it’s a waste of time or that you are incapable. Ask upper-year students for advice or a recommendation, attend an employer information session, or reach out to friends who may have connections.

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Switching to Regular or Co-op

In order to switch into co-op, you apply in your 1B term. Click here to read more information on switching into co-op, or click here to contact a co-op advisor. Note that switching into co-op is extremely competitive.

You can also switch out of co-op. If this is something you are considering doing, talk to an academic advisor first. They will give you direction on where to go to from there.

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Work Reports

A work report is normally required after the completion of a co-op work term. Click here for more information.

It’s Time to Declare a Major

In some programs, you will have to declare a major; this is required for your degree and the Faculty will declare a major for you if you do not do so uplon graduation. To find out more about the various majors, look to the following sources:

• Departmental webpages
• The 1B info night
• Students currently enrolled in the major
• Academic advisors

Remember that this decision is not set in stone, so you can still change your major later if you think you made the wrong choice

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Info Night During 1B

Info night usually occurs during February or March and is a series of short seminars that are geared towards giving 1B students information about the different majors and the options associated with each major. In the seminars, instructors and students will give some information about the major, and then you will be able to ask questions of the instructor and the students in the plan.

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Major and Career Opportunities

Maybe you already have a major, or maybe you are still wondering which program is for you. Careers in particular fields vary; the best way to find out what jobs are typical for students in your field is to look at what co-op students and graduates with your major are doing. Visiting CEE can also help, as they will have resources for you.

Click here read more about potential careers.

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How to Declare a Major

So you’ve finally made a decision about your major and now you need to fill in the paper work. This is a simple procedure:

1. Obtain a plan modification from the MUO.
2. Have an academic advisor sign the modification form and ensure you meet the requirements for the plan.
3. Hand in the form to the Centre.

After first year, you will likely be living off-campus. Thus, the great off-campus housing hunt begins. Before you start, make a list of what you want in your place of residence.

The off-campus housing office has an apartment list within Waterloo and Kitchener which you can see on their website. Additionally, some good resources for finding housing include:

• Facebook Sublet Pages: Student Housing in Waterloo
• Facebook Sublet Pages: UW/WLU Subletting
• Kijiji
• padmapper.com
• Email offcampus@feds.ca

There are many more such groups on Facebook, just search "Student Housing Waterloo". Make sure to always read over your lease completely before signing a rental or sublet agreement. This is the best way to protect yourself from any issues. Make sure to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. The Landlord and Tenant Board provides this information on their website.

The Mathematics Society (MathSoc) is the student-run society for all Mathematics students at the University of Waterloo (including Computer Science and Software Engineering students). The office is located on the 3rd floor of the Mathematics and Computing Building (MC) in room 3038. Student volunteers manage the office and all members of the society are students.

MathSoc also advocates for Mathematics students and their interests, making sure they have a voice in student council and changes within the university.

In addition to the office, MathSoc also has the Math Coffee and Donut Shop (Math C&D) in room 3002, which sells food, coffee, and drinks at cheap prices.

There is also a student space called the Math Comfy Lounge (Comfy Lounge), room 3001, with sofa chairs and tables that are perfect for studying, socializing with friends, doing assignments, or playing board games. There’s also an elliptical pool table (LOOP table) – the first LOOP table in North America!

Some services that the MathSoc office provides are:

• Five-cent photocopies.
• Free lockers.
• Free candy.
• Faculty-approved calculators for sale.
• Stationery available for sale or use.
• Math-themed novelty items for sale.
• Board games, calculators, and textbook rentals (free!).
• Public computers (Mac, Linux and Windows) for use.
• Ten-cent printing services.
• Textbook library with many Math/CS course textbooks.
• Staples, hole punchers and other office equipment free to use.

Website: mathsoc.uwaterloo.ca
Office: MC 3038
Office Hours:9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Monday – Friday  

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Your Membership Fee

The Mathematics Society collects $14.79 for every Math student on a study term. $2.50 of that goes to pay for the production and publication of mathNEWS. The rest goes to fund all of MathSoc’s services for students. Your MathSoc fee is opt outable. This can be done at the time of paying fees. If you opt out, you will not be allowed to use MathSoc services for the remainder of the term (that includes all the services listed above).

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Volunteering for MathSoc

There are five executive positions, two of which are elected – the President and Vice President Academic. The other three Vice President positions (who are in charge of Internal, Operations, and Finances) are appointed. There are also various volunteer positions available, such as being an office volunteer, helping out with finances, and many more! To get involved, look for applications on the MathSoc website and check out the Mathematics Society Facebook page!

You can also become a councillor and make decisions on behalf of the students in the program:

• First years can become a first year class representative – to do so, you must fill out a nomination form and run in an election.
• Upper years can become a program/plan representative –similarly, they must fill out a nomination form and run in an election.

Mathsoc Week 2021

Before we dive into all the different student organizations, we hosted Mathsoc Week in collaboration with, well, Mathsoc back in July. You can watch the recordings on our YouTube and meet members from some of these clubs below!

Affiliates

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Mathematics Endowment Fund (MEF)

The Mathematics Endowment Fund (MEF) is an income generating fund that finances projects led by students for the academic betterment of mathematics undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo. The main source of contributions to the fund is the MEF refundable fee charged to undergraduates each term. MEF finances projects that are in the best interest of the undergraduate math students at the University of Waterloo. For more information about MEF, visit their website at mef.uwaterloo.ca.

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mathNews

Little math, less news.

mathNEWS is the official student newsletter of the Faculty of Mathematics, Waterloo's Bastion of Erudite Thought, and provides tears of happiness to students’ eyes every other Friday. Copies can be found distributed around the Mathematics and Computer (MC) and Davis Centre (DC) buildings or online at mathnews.uwaterloo.ca. You can also come to production night to write or proofread material. Production nights are every other Monday and posters are posted around the math buildings beforehand.

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Women in Computer Science (WiCS)

The WiCS Undergraduate Committee (cs.uwaterloo.ca/wics) is a student-run initiative that supports the success of women in Computer Science at UWaterloo by:

• Providing access to mentors and industry professionals to learn about co-op and career opportunities.
• Organizing women's social events to discuss successes and challenges in their program.
• Arranging sessions for successful female lecturers to speak at the school about their research and professional career path.
• Offering lab study spaces that are open solely to women.

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Clubs

The Mathematics Society supports a number of academic clubs. You can join any of these, even if you are not enrolled in the program.

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Actuarial Science Club

The Actuarial Science (ActSci) club organizes ActSci-related events and information sessions. It also provides a number of member-only services such as a textbook library and exam study manuals for Actuarial Science exams. The easiest way to get involved is to attend the club election at the beginning of the term. However, there is usually a lot going on, so feel free to contact the club if you would like to volunteer. The club website is located at uwactsciclub.com and their office is located in room 1003 of the Mathematics 3 (M3) building.

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Bioinformatics Club

The Bioinformatics Club (BIC) has a large repository of textbooks and reference books that are relevant to both course work as well as professional development.

Past events have included lab tours in Toronto, science fiction movie nights, prof talks and murder mystery social nights. The club also holds a number of professional talks and journal discussion sessions throughout the semester. Visit bic.uwaterloo.ca or their office, MC 3028 for more information.

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Computer Science Club (CSC)

The CSC runs many talks and events relevant to students interested in Computer Science. Their office is located in MC 3036/3037. It has a vast library of Computer Science books. Membership provides you with access to club benefits and an account on the CSC machines which you can use to host a website. To become a member, simply drop by the office. For more information, please visit http://csclub.uwaterloo.ca/.

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Data Science Club

The Data Science Club aims to support the University of Waterloo in producing the best data scientists in the industry, while creating a platform for discussion of topics and events related to Data Science as well as create a network of support for learning and job search. For more information, please visit their website, their Facebook page, or email waterloodatascience@gmail.com.

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Double Degree Club (DDC)

The DDC is an official, Waterloo and Laurier registered, student-run organization that aims to enhance the experience of Double Degree students during their university career. The club hosts several social events, networking/mentorship opportunities, and academic resources. They also work closely with administration at both universities to increase the presence of our members at the two schools. You can join anytime during the term by coming to an event or by emailing ddc@ddclub.ca. They also have a website at ddclub.uwaterloo.ca and their office can be located at M3 1001.

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Financial Analysis and Risk Management Students Association (FARMSA)

FARMSA provides interested students with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to attain their CFA, CFP, and PRM designations in the Financial Services industry. FARMSA runs speaker sessions from CFAs and PRMs, socials such as recruitment events and networking sessions, and consulting about the FARM program. FARMSA provides study material for the CFA examination. The FARMSA office is located in MC 3045. For more information about the club, check out uwfarmsa.uwaterloo.ca¸ visit their office at M3 1002, or email at uw.farmsa@gmail.com.

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Pure Math, Applied Math, Combinatorics and Optimization Club (PMC)

The PMC is located in MC 3033. They run events such as informal math talks by instructors and students, and have a library of math books available to members. You can join the PMC by attending the organizational meeting at the beginning of each term. The meeting will be publicized around MC. If you miss the meeting, then you can drop by the club office or email pmclub@gmail.com to sign up. For more information, visit pmclub.uwaterloo.ca.

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Statistics Club

The Statistics Club provides tutorials for statistical tools and offers materials for statistics students. The club office is located in M3 3109. For more information, please visit csclub.uwaterloo.ca/~statsclub.

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Teaching Students Association (TSA)

Some services the TSA provides include ranking day information and professional development for members. They also provide social events like barbecues, pool nights, euchre tournaments and an annual fundraiser. To join the TSA, you should attend their beginning of the term organizational meeting. The meeting is announced to new teaching option students in class. The cost to join is $5. If you have any other questions, you can drop by the TSA office in MC 3031. Visit csclub.uwaterloo.ca/~tsa for more information.

Committees

Math Grad Committee (MGC)

The MGC provides many graduation services, such as holding information sessions letting students know what they need to do to graduate, running social events for soon-to-be graduates (including Grad Ball), and publishing a yearbook. Check out their Facebook page.

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Women in Mathematics Committee(WiM)

The Women in Math Committee is an organization of female math faculty graduate and undergraduate students that work together to provide support and resources for women in math at UWaterloo. The WIM committee encourages women to pursue mathematics and organizes speakers and events for female math students and faculty. If you want to find out how to get involved with WiM or to join the mailing list to be notified of its activities, email wimugrad@gmail.com . Additionally, click here to visit their website..

Math Orientation is run through Waterloo Orientation, which is a joint partnership between the University of Waterloo and the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. This event is one of the first that you, as a new student, will do at the University, and one that you can help run as an upper-year student. It is a great opportunity to get involved, meet people and improve on your leadership skills.

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Becoming an Orientation Leader

During late fall and early winter term, you can apply to be an Orientation Leader on LEADS, when applications open. Some leader positions also have pre-week planning responsibilities.

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Getting More Involved

If you want to be more involved with the planning of Orientation, there are a number of options. You can also apply to be a part of the team that manages the Orientation Week events on LEADS. Don’t worry if information is not posted yet, as it is typically emailed out to the student body.

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Math Cheers

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The Legend of the Pink Tie

A long time ago in a land not so far away, a mathematician had a vision. He dreamed of a place where Mathies could roam free, uninhibited by societal pressures to study Faculties of Arts or Science. He dreamed of a separate Faculty of Mathematics. And he chose Waterloo to realize his dream.

Professor Ralph Stanton (1923-2010), the visionary behind the Faculty, also dreamed of ties. Striped ties. Dotted ties. He loved outlandish ties and his colleagues favoured his pink one. The pink tie soon came to be the unofficial symbol for Math at Waterloo.

When the Mathematics & Computer Building (MC) celebrated its official opening in 1968, a giant 85-foot pink tie appeared on the outside of the building as a tribute to Professor Stanton and his valued contributions. Every year, new Math students learn to worship the tie and all it symbolizes.

Unfortunately, the pink tie has been subject to sabotage and kidnapping over the years. A ruthless terrorist sect formed, calling itself The Tie Liberation Organization (TLO). The TLO stole the math's icon in 1984 and travelled across Ontario, snapping photos of the famous pink fabric in such exotic locations as Sudbury, Ottawa, and Toronto.

A new tie - 40 feet long and 11 feet wide - was promptly purchased when it became obvious that the TLO would not return the original. This purchase cost the Mathematics Society (MathSoc) $540.35.

The second pink tie was not stolen but rather destroyed during an Engineering-induced attack in 1986. The enemy engineers launched a barrage of paint bombs at MC, covering the pink tie with gallons of white paint. Yet another tie was purchased in 1989 and Mathies swore it wouldn't be destroyed again.

Thus, the Tie Guard came to be. These intelligent, courageous, and loyal subjects have a specific job: to protect the sacred pink tie. Pink Tie Preservationist, Marco Koechli, a Waterloo Mathematics graduate, established the first Tie Guard by organizing a 24-hour watch during Orientation Week. Rival faculties and terrorist organizations were no match for the Tie Guard and the pink tie miraculously survived. The Tie Guard is now a permanent fixture every Orientation Week and has evolved into a central information point for incoming math students.

That tie lasted more than 20 years until heavy rain and a windstorm in 2010 proved to be more than the tie could withstand. In 2011, with the opening of Mathematics 3, a brand new tie got a brand new home. Urban legend has it that should this tie be lost or damaged it will not be replaced.

Mathematics students take the legend of the pink tie very seriously and more than 1,000 pink ties are distributed during Orientation Week to new Mathies. Over the years, the tie has seen various styles, ranging from an historical wide version popular in the '60s, to the skinny style favoured during the '80s. A collection of photos and pink tie memorabilia can be viewed in the MathSoc office.

Since 1968, the pink tie has become a sign of strength and unity in the Faculty of Mathematics. The Faculty was the first of its kind (having originally been part of the larger Faculty of Arts) and UWaterloo currently has the world's highest full-time enrolment in mathematics. UWaterloo students, staff, and faculty members alike are proud of the Faculty and especially the Legend of the Pink Tie. Long live the Tie Guard!

The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) is a corporation run by students for students, helping students. Think of it as MathSoc, but on a cross-campus scale. And just like MathSoc, you’re already a member!

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What does WUSA do?

WUSA does quite a lot to make your campus a great place. Besides the services mentioned above, they also offer:

• WUSA Used Books – A place where you can buy used textbooks at a cheap price and sell old ones to recover some of their cost.
• WUSA Student Food Bank
• Welcome Week – A week at the beginning of each term where events are run to welcome students back to campus. Welcome Week will look a bit different this year due to physical restrictions. However, we are all looking forward to the day when we welcome you back to campus!
• International News – A 24-hour convenience store.
• The Turnkey Desk – A 24-hour student-run desk in the SLC that sells discounted movie tickets, Greyhound/GO bus tickets, and offers services such as booking a piano room or borrowing board games. You can find their website here.
• FedBus – Discount travel solution to and from the GTA, London, Guelph, and Hamilton/Burlington. You can purchase tickets at the Turnkey Desk.
• Grand River Transit UPass – Usually, the UPass is automatically loaded onto your WatCard given that you do not opt-out. For Fall 2021, students living outside the Waterloo Region have until September 28th to submit the necessary documents to opt-out. You can find out more information here.
• Health & Dental Plan
• Legal Service

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Membership Fees

WUSA collects a mandatory fee per term from every student to cover the costs of providing their services. WUSA also collects optional fees to provide funding to clubs, and to cover the cost of the large-scale events that they run.

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Where can I find WUSA?

The WUSA office is in the Student Life Centre (SLC) room 1116. The entrance is near the Turnkey Desk in the Great Hall and it is normally open weekdays from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. You can also find WUSA online at wusa.ca.

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Getting Involved

Getting involved with WUSA is easy. You can get involved as a student councillor to represent your program or attend general meetings and referendums to voice your opinion on student issues. You can also get involved by starting or joining a club, volunteering for a service, or becoming a part of WUSA (you can find out more on their website or at the Volunteer Centre). A portion of your student fees pay for these services so make sure your money is used the way you want it to be used.

Your WUSA Students’ Council and Board of Directors direct the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. Between WUSA Council and the WUSA Board of Directors, they have power over everything that takes place in the Association, but practically deal only with high-level matters. You can find a list of WUSA Councillors, as well as their contact information by clicking here. If you want to become a WUSA Councillor, you must be elected. If you’re interested in running, check the WUSA website for information about the nomination process.

You can also get involved with WUSA in other ways than being a councillor. You can volunteer at the Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Campus Response Team, or any of the other services they run, get a job, help running events, help an executive, or join a committee in an at-large position. Click here to see some of their opportunities.

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Running Your Own Event

So you have an interest you want to share with others on-campus. There is support on-campus to help make it happen. You can run an event with MathSoc, WUSA, or Athletics Services. The most important thing is to have someone you can talk with about running your event. These people will offer you a helping hand and direction:

• Clubs: Clubs Manager (clubs.manager@feds.ca)
• Math Society: Vice President of Operations (vpo@mathsoc.uwaterloo.ca)

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Cross-Campus Events

WUSA runs many events throughout the year. However, WUSA events will look different this year given the social distancing rules. You can check out the WUSA website for more information about WUSA events. Normally, the first events of these kinds that you will see will be during Welcome Week, the week after Orientation Week. Get Involved Week follows shortly after and includes Clubs and Societies’ Day, WUSA Open House, and the Campus Life Fair. Some previous years’ Welcome Week events include:

• Live Entertainment
• Carnival
• Warrior Breakfast
• Massages

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WUSA Clubs

Clubs at UWaterloo have been growing over the last few years and there are now about 250 clubs under WUSA alone.

There is likely something that will interest you, and if you cannot find a club that already satisfies your interest, you can always start your own! A listing of current WUSA-recognized clubs, as well as more detailed information, is available online.

You can join a club by emailing them or signing up at the Clubs and Societies Days, which typically take place at the beginning of each term.

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Athletics and Recreational Services

Athletics and Recreational Services runs recreational and competitive sports leagues, provides instructional lessons such as swimming, dancing, and first-aid, and provides workshops in areas like bike maintenance and boulder wall climbing.

There are also conditioning sessions with personal trainers available. For more information, check out the Athletics and Recreational Services website.

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Campus Rec Clubs

Campus Recreation supports many athletics-related clubs that any student can join. To get a full list of clubs, check the Campus Recreation guidebook or visit Campus Recreation Clubs online.

Every term, clubs have a kick off meeting. The meeting time is different for each club but is listed alongside the club’s information on the website. Starting at the kick off meeting, and any meeting thereafter, a student can join any of the clubs.

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Other Services

• Campus Response Team
• WUSA Student Food Bank
• The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity
• International and Canadian Student Network
• Off-Campus Community
• Sustainable Campus Initiative
• Co-op Student Connection
• The Women’s Centre
• Volunteer Centre
• UW Mates
• Bike Centre

Flex Dollars

Flex Dollars are funds on your WatCard that can be used at various stores and restaurants on and off-campus. Funds can be loaded onto your WatCard using a credit or debit card by logging on to their website. Alternatively, you can load Flex dollars using cash at any Food Services location, the libraries (both Davis Centre (DC) and Dana Porter (DP)), the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre (SLC), or the WatCard office. Note that all on-campus restaurants accept both cash and WatCard, and some accept debit cards.

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On-Campus Eateries

You are in-class and your stomach begins to rumble. You look around and realize you forgot your lunch. Well, there are plenty of places you can eat on campus once UW Food Services is back and the eateries are open!

Food Services Locations

The University’s Food Services runs a number of eateries around campus. You can find hours of operation and more information by visiting their website .

Student Run Restaurants and Shops

Grad House

This is a restaurant and pub run by the Graduate Student Association (located in the Grad House). You can go there even if you are not a grad student, but you will have to buy a membership for $12/term. They serve a variety of pub-style food as well as healthier options like sandwiches and salads. Visit their website for more information.

The Math Coffee and Donut Shop (Math C&D)

C&Ds are coffee and donut shops run by student societies. They typically offer snack-type foods, though some offer a full meal as well. They operate on a not-for-profit basis, so prices are extremely low – they are by far the best value for your money on campus.

The Math C&D is located on the third floor of MC, in the southeast corner. It is the largest of any of the student C&Ds on campus. In addition to the best coffee and doughnuts, they sell sandwiches, soups, and an ethnically diverse variety of foods. They also offer many Halal options. The Math C&D accepts cash, credit, and debit as payment.

Other C&Ds

If you are not at MC, there are some other C&D’s you can check out to get your lunchtime fix:

• The Engineering C&D located in Carl Pollock Hall (CPH)
• The Science C&D located in Biology 1 (B1)
• The Environmental Studies Coffee Shop located on the bottom floor of Environment 1 (EV1)

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Plaza Food

Adjacent to the University of Waterloo are two plazas (both on the corner of University and Phillip just east of campus). The plaza contains many more restaurants than are listed below, many of them also accept WatCard as payment.

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Where to get a Haircut

You’re probably wondering - where should I get a haircut? There are many places to get a haircut in Kitchener or Waterloo, but the following are the most recommended:

• Oasis Joes - Waterloo Town Square
• G&T Barbers - Waterloo Town Square
• Hair Plus - Beauty Supply Store in the plaza
• Wavelengths - Sobeys plaza on Columbia
• Spectrum Hair Studio – Downtown Kitchener
• Maurizio's - The Boardwalk

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Websites

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In town transportation

Grand River Transit (GRT) is the public transit system servicing the Waterloo Region. This includes the ION rail, and buses which are all accessible to UWaterloo students by tapping their WatCard on the card reader upon entry (UPass).

Website: grt.ca
Phone Number: (519) 585-7555
Text Number: 57555 (text your stop number here)

iXpress Routes

Regular Routes

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Out-of-Town Transportation

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Grocery Stores

Are you in need of some food? There are many grocery stores located around Waterloo! If you’re strapped for cash, you can also head down to the WUSA Student Food Bank to get some free non-perishable food items and toiletries (it’s 100% confidential).

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Maps of Waterloo

Looking for a way to get to one of the locations described in this handbook? Search for it on Google Maps and you’ll get the directions you need.

The entire campus has been mapped out, so you can find your way from any building on campus to any other building on or off-campus. You can view the campus map online.

If you prefer a more home grown solution, you can download the MappedIn app, an application made by a UWaterloo startup that provides a map of the entire campus with navigation.It also sports a map of the Student Life Centre, so you’ll be able to find all the services and rooms you’re looking for.

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Shopping Mall Locations

Entertainment

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Movie Theatres

There are a number of movie theatres in Waterloo Region. Consult tribute.ca for more information about show times at the various theatres.

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Glossary of Acronyms