CO 380Mathematical Discovery and Invention
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A course in problem solving. 100 problems are studied. Problems are taken mainly from the elementary parts of algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and probability.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
91% liked it45% easy61% useful
From 22 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Entire course is based on assignments comprised of fun logical/mathematical puzzles. Some of the harder questions took me hours just to figure out. Questions generally leaned toward medium/hard but were still mostly enjoyable just because of their creativity.
Highly recommend if you like this sort of problem solving, given this course's scarcity.Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This is basically last 5 questions of the euclid math competition: the course.
Fun if you enjoy that stuff, terrible if you suck at competition style math.
I must say though, even though I suck at the types of questions in this course I still found it "fun". Not necessarily enjoyable, but "fun". Don't expect super high grades in this class either.Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very interesting course and fun assignments, just make sure to prove EVERY little thing, even very common things must be proven on most assignments.
Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
really cool really fun course. just what i expected from it - math contest-type questions, weekly assignments, no final. honestly a bird course if you're a nerd like me and are good at/enjoy contest problems. also a really fun break from other hard courses. 10/10 loved this course would definitely recommend taking it if you get the chance to.
Jul 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
If you're a contest math grinder, this is an easy GPA booster (a 90% is quite achievable with not too much effort). If you're not as familiar with math contests, the course will be a bit tricky, but at least quite fun.
Jun 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
65 posts and comments in 48 threads mention CO 380, February 2012 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.
Fall 2024
Looking for CO380 Slides and assignments 2 points, 1 comment
Anyone taken CO 380? 1 point, 2 comments
u/peter_griffins: “I only just found out CO 380 exists and it looks like a super interesting course. Unfortunately, I'm graduating in winter 2026 so it would be offered before I graduate. …”
u/are_you_a_walrus: “Hey I took CO380 last term and it was indeed a really interesting course. There weren't actually any textbooks or anything, it was all slides from class. I could send you the slides, as well as the homework problems (they're all text questions on crowdmark)”
Spring 2022
CS students, what courses have you taken each term 9 points, 21 comments
“Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/v3b8nj/can\any\current\mathcs\students\let\me\know\their/ but recognizing that one term is a very narrow view, What courses have you taken each …”
u/BubblesfromSunnyvale: “… MUSIC 140, CS 360, CS 458, CS 370 4A: CS 444, CS 462, CO 331, MUSIC 246 4B: CS 486, CO 342, CO 380, GEOG 181 In 4B now, would be happy to talk about courses with anyone interested.”
u/Mr-Goose-: “We have CO 380 together :)”
Can any current math/CS students let me know their current course load and term? 10 points, 24 comments
“Which courses? And how difficult does it feel for you? Just trying to get an idea of how I should plan my courses.”
u/BubblesfromSunnyvale: “Being in 4B and ahead on courses I’ve got: CS 486, CO 342, CO 380, GEOG 181. Been done degree requirements since 3B, so just taking it easy so far.”
Math courses without final exam 3 points, 4 comments
“Is anyone taking any MATH/CS/CO/AMATH/PMATH course currently this semester which does not have a final exam?”
u/not_a_rhymer: “CO342 and CO380 both don't have final exams this time.”
Winter 2022
Want to graduate earlier! 2 points, 7 comments
“Is there any 3xx or 4xx online bird math course in spring 2022 that I can take and graduate earlier? I am on coop hence it has to be online.”
u/Fatdayuu: “CO380”
PMath 330 for Spring 2022 4 points, 3 comments
“Hey folks, I took PMath 330 course for the Spring 2022 term, with Barbara Csima as my prof. I was wondering how the course might pan out, as it seems that her course tend to be comparatively more …”
u/clew3: “I know that others didn't like her, but imo she's pretty good. I had her for PMATH 237 and loved it, so I took 330 with her in spring (online as well). …”
u/clew3: “Oh one thing to add, and I'm not sure how true this is, but in general, math courses ending in a 0 tend to be a bit more accessible/designed for math students outside of the major. For example, CO 380/480 are super easy.”
Spring 2021
Bird Upper Year Math Courses 0 points, 3 comments
“Anyone have any recommendations for easy upper year math courses? Trying to boost my GPA”
u/wstewartXYZ: “CO 380, PMATH 340, PMATH 370, PMATH 334”
Winter 2021
General Math (Math Studies) 7 points, 6 comments
“Any advice is appreciated! I am currently navigating through “Honours Math” and have trouble picking which program to stick to... …”
u/Laeriana: “… CO 380 and CO 480), or may be restricted ONLY to other majors (i.e. PMATH majors only, etc.), OR may only require certain pre-reqs (eg. they accept MATH 237 as a pre-req, but not MATH 207 for instance). …”
Fall 2020
"fun" math classes for next term? 7 points, 12 comments
“I am a CO major, next term I am in 4B and the only degree requirement I have left is the "at least 26 math courses" - i.e. I need to take any 2 math courses to graduate. …”
u/Tazmaniaa: “You may have taken these already but I really enjoyed PMATH 330 and CO 380 (although it's not offered that regularly so not sure if you can take it).”
Really liked CO380, what next? 13 points, 11 comments
u/crazymorningpup: “Took CO380 Mathematical Discovery and Invention last term and it's one of my favourite courses so far. I really enjoyed learning the different problem solving techniques and the methodological thinking taught in the course. …”
4/5 group assignment-heavy courses 9 points, 6 comments
“Anyone hate group assignments that worth like 30%? Literally I got bad grade everytime there's major group assignments.”
u/Laeriana: “… Some of the more random groups I've been in for other courses really didn't work out too well (I'm looking at you CO 380, but that one was extra tough as we had weekly timed group assessments (i.e. …”
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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