AMATH 456Calculus of Variations
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Applied Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Concept of functional and its variations. The solution of problems using variational methods - the Euler-Lagrange equations. Applications include an introduction to Hamilton's principle and optimal control.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- AMATH250 - Introduction to Differential Equations (0.50)
- AMATH251 - Introduction to Differential Equations (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- ECE205 - Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers (0.50)
- MATH211 - Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers (0.50)
- MATH218 - Differential Equations for Engineers (0.50)
- MATH228 - Differential Equations for Physics and Chemistry (0.50)
- Students must be in level 3B or higher
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6058 | 39 / 55 | MW 10:00–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it50% easy82% useful
From 10 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The first two-thirds of the course is PHYS 363 but done properly and in a way that is easier to understand. The last third is on applications to control theory which is not a topic that gets discussed anywhere other than AMATH 455/456 to my knowledge.
Nov 2019 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
As a physics student, I fount this course to be very interesting and useful! It isn't too hard either. A lot of interesting applications are explored in the course. If you took Phys 363, I still recommend taking this course, as they go into a lot more detail in a lot of topics.
Dec 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Quite a tedious course, but could be useful.
May 2017 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
25 posts and comments in 22 threads mention AMATH 456, August 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
AMATH 456 5 points, 0 comments
u/Personal-Werewolf-26: “For those who have taken this, is there a required textbook? Also is this course difficult/manageable? I plan to take this in the fall.”
Fall 2023
Quest grades 19 points, 16 comments
“mine came out! I got a 95 in math 235”
u/Ok-Arm9987: “Nooo I only got 91 in AMATH 456 I am so bad😭”
What the fuck is going on in Math 136 F23 W/ Roberto Gugmeli 1 point, 27 comments
“Yesterday I wrote a midterm for Math 136 and I wanted to fucking kill myself. There were 6 questions in total. …”
u/goosie2022: “His name is Roberto Guglielmi which i misspelled. Do yourself a favour and Avoid him at all cost.”
u/v1v2v3vv55: “As someone who has been thru his AMATH 456 I’ll say what you said is incorrect”
Spring 2023
Can someone hook me up with AMath 456 the course notes? 1 point, 0 comments
u/Academic_East4188: “I took the course a while back and no longer have a copy.”
Easiest level 300/400 math course 24 points, 14 comments
“I know there is a post about this, but that is five years old, and looking at UWflow, some courses have been restructured. Any advice on what courses may still fit into this?”
u/910948460: “amath 455/456”
Winter 2023
4xx math courses 4 points, 10 comments
“Are there any 4xx math courses that only require a 1st or second year course as a prerequisite? For example pmath340 only requires math135, but I was wondering if there are any other math classes …”
u/TheRealArjun: “AMATH 456, 475 (not sure if pmath majors usually take those Calc 4, ODE 1 prereqs), CS 467 / PHYS 467 / CO 481 (same course), CS 436, 487”
u/Ok-Arm9987: “How hard is AMATH 456 comparing to 442? I am deciding which one to take. Could use any advice, thanks in advance!”
400 level AMATH courses 3 points, 0 comments
u/luizloo: “… I am for sure going to take AMATH 451 and 455, and deciding to take one of AMATH 456, 442, 477, 453. Has anyone taken these 4 courses? Which one is easier than the rest? Could use any advice/suggestion! …”
Spring 2021
What are Best/Worst courses you took during the two Online years? 21 points, 45 comments
u/CarpeSkiem: “AMATH 456 (Prof. Morris) was one of the best courses I've taken online. Super well structured and interesting as well.”
Fall 2020
projects 7 points, 8 comments
“i have a class that I don't really enjoy (and havent spent much time on) that has 40% project portion of grade. …”
[deleted]: “Same, struggling in amath 456 right now, like the course was fine but I do NOT want to bust my ass on a project that I don't really care about”
Winter 2020
How hard is it to override into physics related AMATH courses? (for a Hon physics student) 6 points, 4 comments
“Specifically the ones which are physics related, like Continuum Mechanics (AMATH 361), Fluids (463), and Calculus of Variations (456). …”
u/Ozinater: “… I can't speak for AMATH 456 as I never took that but you've taken multivariable calculus already so you should be fine, much of the course content overlaps with the 2nd classical mechanics course (PHYS 363).”
Spring 2019
AMATH 456 or AMATH 455 3 points, 2 comments
u/wasteslayer: “Im taking amath 456 in the fall with Kirsten Morris but I saw really bad reviews of her. I need to take 3 400-level amath courses so I was thinking, should I take amath 455 (control theory) instead of amath 456? What is amath 455 like?”
u/Kakateo: “I really enjoyed AMATH 456 and I recommend the course, although it was with David Siegel. Just note that if you want to take AMATH 455 just to avoid Kirsten Morris, she also teaches that sometimes. …”
Winter 2019
To all the notetakers out there... 239 points, 29 comments
“Thank you, you have truly helped me this year. There are days where I just can't attend class because my depression won't let me leave bed. …”
u/cuddle_cuddle: “I had a prof who said: "If you latex all my class notes and give them to me at the end of the term, I'll give you %1 towards the final mark. " Nobody took up on the offer.”
u/BronzeWarrior15: “It’s AMATH 456, but it only runs in the Fall. If you’re able to take it, I’d recommend it — I was in it Fall 2018 and really enjoyed the course!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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