CS 487Introduction to Symbolic Computation
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the use of computers for symbolic mathematical computation, involving traditional mathematical computations such as solving linear equations (exactly), analytic differentiation and integration of functions, and analytic solution of differential equations.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5619 | 0 / 60 | MW 08:30–09:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2202 | 22 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 487.
- CS 487/687: Home Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 487 | SCS Course website · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Armin Jamshidpey’s site Remove
- CS 487 | SCS Course website · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Armin Jamshidpey’s site Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it50% easy25% useful
From 2 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Cool course concept in theory, but the prerequisites are really weird which led to a strange course delivery.
I'm a PMath student, so the algebra was really easy, but I could tell many of my classmates were very confused by it (and we spent basically no time on it, so that's totally understandable), and there were many instances on assignments and exams where I felt I was using more sophisticated algebra than what was covered, yet when I got the grades back it was confirmed that I gave the intended solution. Because of this, especially towards the middle part of the course, it seemed we spent way too much time on basic concepts we already covered because the professor felt we had to go…Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
I took it with Rafael Oliveira. The prof is great imo and the course is very interesting but not particularly useful unless you are involved in research. The course is not easy, but it is also not the end of the world. It's a great brain exercise, in my opinion. The only problem is that the prerequisite is extremely misleading. Prior to the course, I believe you should be familiar with Ring Theories and algorithm complexity analysis, based on my experience. Despite the fact that it has a CS prefix, I believe this should be a PMATH class.
May 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
51 posts and comments in 45 threads mention CS 487, July 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.
Spring 2024
CS Minor Possible? (Math) 18 points, 12 comments
“I’m entering my 2A term for Math and want to pursue a Stats major and continue seeing CS minor as an option on the Math Faculty page. …”
u/Intelligent-Show-815: “Cs230 cs234 cs246 cs371 cs436 cs487 cs476 cs475 cs479 cs431 cs338 cs330 cs136 cs135”
u/jtnrnfjfj: “Math 239, cs 135, cs 136, cs 245, cs 246, cs 371, cs 475, cs 476, cs 489 cs 487 should all work I feel like this isn't as hard as others are making it sound”
Winter 2024
CS479 CS487 CS467 2 points, 0 comments
u/bleachdrinker17: “Anyone in these courses? Looking for someone to work on assignments with.”
Fall 2023
make up final for cs 246 cs 245 ? 3 points, 4 comments
“Hey does anyone know if I can do a make up final for CS 246, 245 ? because of some medical reasons I can only do 2 out of the 4 finals that I have, ie. I won't be able to do CS 245 and CS 246 final. …”
u/winniejy: “I think they will give you a mark of INC and you will have to take the exam the next term (but you don't necessarily have to take 4 months off).”
u/2kofawsome: “… All the previous ones + CS348, CS360, CS370, CS442, CS449, CS487, CS492 All in all, it won't be the end the world, but it will make things way harder to plan courses.”
Course Workload: CS476, CS487, CO353, STAT441, ACTSC446 2 points, 1 comment
u/slavic_salve: “Opinions on this course load for next semester? It seems pretty brutal to me, but I'd be able to get a CS Minor.”
Exchange student in CS from switzerland 22 points, 31 comments
“Hello I am an undergrad CS student :), My university offers an exchange at Waterloo for my last year and I have questions about the academics, and about the student life. …”
u/2kofawsome: “… For specific courses, \- One of the CS489 courses (Privacy, Crypto, Data Security) is about to become a permanent course, along with (Software and Systems Security) \- CS487 Applied Cryptography is often take by CS students …”
Spring 2023
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/Important_Winter_651: “CS476 CS487”
Winter 2023
CS 476 crying thread 23 points, 6 comments
“Looks like I'm not graduating this term!”
u/Exit_99: “Wishing I'd seen this thread sooner haha(in tears). I was hoping to add a cs minor but now I'm stressing about this god-forsaken course plus CS 487. fml”
Spring 2022
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”
To all those in CS: were you passionate about the subject before you came in? 14 points, 26 comments
“I was admitted to CS for the upcoming school year, and I'm a bit conflicted rn - I don't know whether I'm passionate enough about the subject to succeed in the program. …”
u/BlazingMuddy-6305: “… I could say I am able to stay in CS because of the math-based CS courses, especially stuffs like CS 466 and CS 487.”
Tips from a recent grad: CS Minor for Regular Math students 12 points, 3 comments
u/Important_Winter_651: “… \- Math 239 \- (CS 115/135) \- (CS 116 and CS 136) or (CS 136) \- CS 370/371 \- Any 5 from CS 245, 246, 475, 476, 467, 479, 487 Cuz according to the below website, you don't need to be in CS in order to enroll in all above courses. …”
u/2kofawsome: “Note that CS 487 requires CS 231 or 234”
Can Mathematics Majors take a minor in Computing? 6 points, 19 comments
“Kinda confused about a minor in CS.. is it true u must be a CS major upon admission? is there no other way? And even if a math major can take a minor in CS, would it be enuff to land co-op in swe? …”
u/Important_Winter_651: “… \- Math 239 \- (CS 115/135) \- (CS 116 and CS 136) or (CS 136) \- CS 370/371 \- Any 5 from CS 245, 246, 475, 476, 467, 479, 487 Cuz according to the below website, you don't need to be in CS to enroll above courses. …”
CS course suggestions because advisors didn’t help 2 points, 9 comments
“Hi there! In 2B CS. For some particular reasons, I only have CS courses left as part of my degree requirements. I’ve taken CS 135, 136, 245, 246, and 251. …”
u/2kofawsome: “I think you can take CS 346, CS 348, CS 370, CS 457 But, I dont think its possible in 2B CS to have only CS courses left. …”
u/2kofawsome: “… After you take 240 and 241 this term it will open up CS 341, 349, 350, 360, 365, 442, 449, 487, 492 and taking 370 would open CS 475, 476, 479, 484 for next term, so after this term you will have tons of options. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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