ECON 211Introduction to Mathematical Economics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Economics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to mathematical techniques of particular use in economics. Topics include matrix algebra, differentation, partial derivatives, optimization techniques including constrained optimization - all developed within the context of economic problems.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Complete 1 of the following
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MATH104 - Introductory Calculus for Arts and Social Science (0.50)
- Must have completed 1 of the following: 4U Advanced Functions, 4U Calculus and Vectors
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
- Not open to students enrolled in Faculty of Mathematics programs
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3243 | 52 / 84 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 002 | 3437 | 24 / 84 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| TUT 101 | 3463 | 37 / 42 | Th 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 102 | 3464 | 14 / 42 | Th 15:30–16:20 |
| TUT 103 | 3742 | 14 / 42 | Th 16:30–17:20 |
| TUT 104 | 3743 | 11 / 42 | Th 17:30–18:20 |
| TST 201 | 4340 | 76 / 168 | Oct 9 16:30–18:00 Nov 13 16:30–18:00 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3108 | 0 / 60 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1185 | 19 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 3363 | 0 / 60 | Th 16:00–17:20 |
| TST 201 | 4272 | 0 / 60 | Feb 12 16:30–18:00 Mar 19 16:30–18:00 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
71% liked it53% easy90% useful
From 42 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Useful course for the rest of economics degree. Hold onto that textbook for upper years!
Nov 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
VERY hard course. Expected to know a lot of stuff that students have no prior knowledge of. All profs for this class suck.
Oct 2013 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Spend time early on in the class getting comfortable with calculus because this class moves very quickly. Started with limits and was doing multi-variate calculus by the end. Epsilon delta definition of a limit never made any sense to me. (F24)
Oct 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Super easy. Pretty much high school calc with some applications to economics. It wasn't the most interesting but easy GPA boost. Rajsic tends to repeat the exact same style of assignment questions on exams so make sure you understand those types of questions and you are golden.
Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Can get over an 80% if you put in a solid amount of effort. If you haven't taken a calculus course you will struggle
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
101 posts and comments in 80 threads mention ECON 211, October 2011 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
Do people pursue a double major in CS and Economics? If anyone has done it, please share your insights. 2 points, 5 comments
“I am a CS major planning to pursue either an Economics minor/ major. Having just completed my 1A term, I’m worried that if I don’t start taking the required courses early in my degree, I might run …”
u/Laeriana: “Unfortunately it doesn't look like you will be able to do a double major in both CS and Economics as some of the required Economics major courses (namely ECON 211 and ECON 221) are not able to be taken by any student enrolled in a Math Faculty program. …”
Failed one of my Econ classes 😥 2 points, 3 comments
u/Apprehensive-Job4401: “So like I jut got my grade back for Econ 211 and I got a 49. I’ve already emailed the prof to round it up but I’m scared that he won’t since he already uploaded the grades. So my question is what do I do now? Do I have to retake the class in a different term? Is it required?”
FARM VS MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS 1 point, 2 comments
u/SkeletonReborn07: “… I've already completed CS115 and CS116, and I’m currently taking ECON 221 (Statistics for Economics) and ECON 211 (Mathematical Economics). Unfortunately, I’ve been finding these econ courses to be poorly formulated and less engaging than I’d hoped. …”
Considering Switching from Honors Economics to Mathematical Economics or FARM Program – Need Advice 5 points, 3 comments
u/SkeletonReborn07: “… I've already completed CS115 and CS116, and I’m currently taking ECON 221 (Statistics for Economics) and ECON 211 (Mathematical Economics). Unfortunately, I’ve been finding these econ courses to be poorly formulated and less engaging than I’d hoped. …”
Econ 211 disaster 2 points, 0 comments
u/chaman_chikki: “BRO WTF IS EVEN GOING ON AT THIS POINT IN CLASS HELP ME PLS SOMEONE PLS”
Spring 2024
Econ211, 221, 102 3 points, 4 comments
u/chaman_chikki: “I will be taking econ 211, 221 and 102 together in this uocoming fall term. I have talked to a few arts advisors and they are not sure about this decision saying that this courseload seems really difficult etc. …”
CS 115 or 135? 1 point, 3 comments
u/chaman_chikki: “… The courses I have enrolled for in fall as of now are econ 102, 221 and 211. I want to add either cs115 or 135 for my computing minor and cannot seem to figure out which one is better in the long run. I think the 3 courses stated above might be a bit heavy. …”
Winter 2024
ECON 2nd year Bird Course 3 points, 2 comments
“Any 2nd year level econ course that is actually bird and can be done with co-op too?”
u/Personal_Parsnip_225: “Econ 211”
Fall 2023
ECON 211 course notes/slides 1 point, 0 comments
u/blufftobliss: “can anybody who's taken ECON 211 before share their course notes/lecture slides? I've heard Mesta is a poor instructor and I'd like to work ahead before the term starts to pace myself.”
Econ 211? 5 points, 2 comments
u/tgbkinger: “Sooo I'm taking ECON 211 this coming term and I'm a little worried because I heard it can be a bit rough. Worse is the fact that I haven't done any serious math in a few years at this point. Any tips or suggestions on what I should brush up on math-wise before the term starts? …”
ECON 211 final exam 1 point, 0 comments
u/Horror_Ad8576: “Anyone have any clue what could possibly be on this exam😭 I wish the prof would provide an outline of possible concepts we could be tested on”
Most Useful Econ Courses 1 point, 3 comments
u/bomankleinn01: “… ECON 212, 290 424, 471 look cool but are ECON 221, 211, 322, 323 useful? Bend how you view useful as you see fit and share thoughts. …”
u/M00bak: “Econ 221 and 211 are just the courses that Econ students to be up to speed with math knowledge for Econ, so if you’re not from math this could be useful. 322 and 323 are about modelling and graphs which is pretty useful. Check uwflow.cơm for more if you haven’t. …”
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)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them