uwloo

MATH 104Introductory Calculus for Arts and Social Science

Units
0.50
Faculty
Mathematics
Subject
Mathematics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction to applications of calculus in business, the behavioural sciences, and the social sciences. The models studied will involve polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The major concepts introduced to solve problems are rate of change, optimization, growth and decay, and integration.

Prerequisites

  • Enrolled in a program offered by the Faculties of Arts, Environment, Health, or Science

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • MATH127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences (0.50)
    • MATH137 - Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • MATH147 - Calculus 1 (Advanced Level) (0.50)

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0016124104 / 120MWF 15:30–16:20
TUT 1016707104 / 120F 14:30–15:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 08160390 / 80Online or by arrangement
LEC 701230460 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

57% liked it57% easy80% useful

From 54 ratings and 13 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • im horrible at math for all the honours science students that needs a math and doesnt actually need math 127 TAKE THIS!!!!!! its as good as it gets. 40% assignments 40% quizzes (both weekly) 20% final (ours was an open book asignment)

    Dec 2020 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • i've never taken calc in my life. haven't done math in 3 years, but was pleasantly surprised with this course. it took a lot of practice, hard work, and asking questions + using resources given. finished the course with a 100. i would say that the first half of the course is very easy, and becomes a little more complicated the second half where concepts build on top of eachother (i.e. optimization, related rates, etc.). however, even those concepts become simple and repetitive with lots of practice. my word of advice would be to do as many practice questions as you can before exams. practice exams were very good practice and similar difficulty to the actual exams. used the textbook for…

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • u guys... this course is so fcking hard esp if u are bad at math and did not take grade 12 calc in high school. be warned. pls. it might be easy for some but ppl who know they are terrible at math, dont take this. i took this knowing i was bad at math because ppl here made it sound like it is easy (tbh its supposed to be bc its the 2nd easiest math course in the uni) but um its def not easy. its def a step easier than math 127 but it is still a math course at a math centered uni like uw. first of all, it is not the prof, my prof is amazing. before yall say its a skill issue (also tbh.. it kinda is), i have went to every class and tut and have given my all to this class - even while…

    Jan 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • this was a pretty good intro to calc course, Sachin taught it pretty well. He was very engaging and tried to make jokes whenever he could. As per the actual course load, it was pretty light since I did calc+vec back in high school, so I practically did no homework and finished the course with a 90. 10/10 recommend to take this with Sachin

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Having not taken Gr.12 Calculus, this course's calculus was pretty easy to understand. Weekly quizzes and tests weren't too hard and didn't take too long to complete. The final exam also wasn't much harder than the coursework. Probably one of the easiest math courses at UW.

    Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

134 posts and comments in 85 threads mention MATH 104, May 2014 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

Math Resources 6 points, 3 comments

u/chxcxsticks: “I desperately need help with Math 104 guys. What resources could I check out? Apparently, the lowest level the math department provides tutoring for is like 116 or 137 or something, idk. Pls don't judge, I'm embarrassed enough as it is smh”

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Spring 2024

Econ course question 2 points, 4 comments

u/LS_reader: “… It is recommended that I take math 103 or 104 or both. I am planning on taking both. …”

u/voxaun: “you don't need to know math for econ 101 and econ 102. i didn't take calculus in highschool either, and i also went into econ. don't do them in the same term, but def do the easier one first, so math 103 in the fall & math 104 in the winter”

u/p4rnn: “learn that basic math as early in your degree as possible cause beginning second year, everything’s quantitative”

u/p4rnn: “i only did math 104 but in retrospect, i think if i did 103 as well, i would’ve done better in terms of concept clarity and stepping up the learning curve s bit quicker. personally i won’t do them together, one term at a time but its your call”

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Fall 2023

Pre Math 104 Study Guide 1 point, 1 comment

u/pendantchamp: “I’m a 2A arts student who is in a situation in which I need to take math 104 (intro calc) in winter 2024. I did not take calculus or 12U functions in high school. How screwed am I? What should I do to prepare?”

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Econ 391 tutor 1 point, 2 comments

“Hey guys. Does anyone know an Econ major that can tutor me in ECON 391? (reasonable rate) We have an assignment due on Wednesday and I'm lost.”

u/serdemy_: “Hi, I saw your post a while ago and i'm debating whether to go into political science or ecom or any other arts degree but im very bad at math how is ecom at waterloo? any advice”

u/vonnievarko: “… Taking Math 104 in your first year will be helpful to fill in some gaps, but it might be very hard. In your second year, Econ 211 is pretty much calculus with some economics applications and this continues into Econ 290 (but the calculus is less explicit). …”

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Spring 2023

Math electives for arts student math minor 1 point, 13 comments

“I'm doing a math minor from arts faculty with Econ major!! I have to take 3 math electives\ anything from CO, CS, MATH, MATH-BUS, .... what electives would your recommend. …”

u/OutrageousRisk1299: “If you want to take math 225 you need to take math106 and math103 if you didn't do calc in hs if you want to take math207 you need math 128,127 and 104 if you didn't do calc in hs Co you need math106 and the calc thing For math250 i assume you mean amath? …”

u/Coca-cola-1: “I have already done math 128,127, 104,106 and cs 115, so most options are already open to me.”

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Winter 2023

Bird math courses 3 points, 12 comments

“strongly considering honours science at waterloo and am concerned about the required math credit so. 1. …”

[deleted]: “Math104 math106”

u/uw_elliefisher: “I took MATH 104 and STAT 202 to fulfill the credit for honours science. MATH 104 was super easy online, STAT 202 was pretty easy too.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

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