MATH 124Calculus and Vector Algebra for Kinesiology
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Review of trigonometry and basic algebra. Introduction to vectors in 2- and 3-space: sums, addition, dot products, cross products and angles between vectors. Solving linear systems in two and three variables. Functions of a real variable: powers, rational functions, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, their properties. Intuitive discussion of limits and continuity. Derivatives of elementary functions, derivative rules; applications to curve sketching, optimization. Relationships between distance, velocity, and acceleration. The definite integral, antiderivatives, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus; change of variable and integration by parts; applications to area, centre of mass.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following: 4U Advanced Functions
- Enrolled in 4G-Kinesiology, or H-Kinesiology
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- Not completed any of the following:
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
54% liked it76% easy64% useful
From 83 ratings and 18 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This was hard but maybe because I really struggle with math. Failed this course twice, but I also didnt attend most lectures and tried to cram it all in. Exams are awful. Don't know why they make it so long and hard. Make sure you go to ALL tutorials to boost your mark. and lectures.Last year they took away cheat sheets, i mean i still failed so didnt really make a difference for me. Wish me luck on my third try.
May 2019 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
*Taken in 2023* Basic calculus review from high school, with a little bit added to the end of the course. 30% midterm, and 50% final was kinda crazy. The tutorial was basically useless if you can do it from home. Kinda just a neutral class you are required to take for your kin degree.
Nov 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
I took calculus and vectors in grade 12 and got a mid 80 (and failed a test). This course was much easier and I ended with a 95. Its basically a speed run of grade 12 advanced functions, calculus, and vectors, with a touch of new content like integration. There's biweekly assignments which you can do on your own at home plus biweekly quizzes. The content can move very fast and it can feel like some subjects are breezed over (optimization...), but otherwise I have no complaints. As a certified math hater, this one isn't so bad, at least it isn't calc 1
Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
if you took ap calculus in high school and did well then you'll definitely do really well in this course since it's basically just a speedrun version of grade 10-12 ap math. the tests were all easier than the high school calc tests i took and my final grade was 1% higher than my high school calc mark. ian payne is a very funny and great prof. i can see why this course might be difficult for some people that never took calc in high school bc it does go quite fast, but it doesn't go quite as deep into derivations and stuff compared to other uw math courses which makes this (i think) probably the easiest math course in uw.
Feb 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Had this course during COVID, fall 2021. I had a strong high school calculus and vectors background and ended up doing better in this course than I did in grade 12 calculus. If math is something you enjoy and you took it in high school, the course should be quite easy. The first 1-2 months are basically entirely review.
Mar 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
23 posts and comments in 14 threads mention MATH 124, October 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.
Fall 2020
advice on a decision 3 points, 10 comments
“I’m just going to ask this bcuz Im scared I might make the wrong decision so I need some input. I just finished 1A with 83% CAV. …”
u/idkidcusername: “Have you talked with a CS advisor? If you didn't you should speak with them. You may be able take MATH 127, it's easier than 137. My friend had transferred into math first then into CS. …”
u/Unhappy_Caregiver180: “Already took math 124 so I can’t take 137. Did ur friend get into CS and with what average”
Spring 2020
Kin kits? 0 points, 4 comments
u/buffkidd783: “Going into first year and apparently these are necessary. Anyone have one that they’re selling? Not looking to spend that much on a new one from the uw store. Math 124 textbook also wanted”
Advice: What are some easy Math courses to take? 9 points, 5 comments
u/Devin_Kurant_: “… I've taken MATH 124 already btw. …”
u/Laeriana: “… Math?; You've mentioned you took MATH 124 before, so that implies you were in Kinesiology and received a Bachelor's of Science. Is this correct? …”
u/Devin_Kurant_: “… - Original degree: BSc and your assumption is correct - No particular level required for math - Kin 330 was my other stats course, I only took MATH 124 as my MATH encoded course. I took biomechanics courses but it doesn't count for math - I like algebra. …”
u/Laeriana: “… This is technically an anti-req of MATH 124, but you might still be able to take it as you'd be post-degree...double check with the post-degree advisor MATH 128: Assuming you can take 127 OR your grade from 124 can count as a pre-requisite - again, check with a post-degree …”
Kin textbooks and/or PDFs needed 0 points, 10 comments
u/buffkidd783: “First year kinesiology textbooks/PDFs needed. It would be an enormous help if anyone could hook me up with these. AHS 107 Kin 104 and 104 lab Biol 130 Chem 120 Math 124 Please only respond if you are serious. Will send cash for textbooks. Thank you”
u/iceycycle: “… KIN 104L: no textbook needed, but you have to buy a Kin Kit (bag with stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, etc) MATH 124: No textbook required. One exists in the bookstore but the professor explicitly told us not to buy it unless we really wanted to. …”
Winter 2020
MATH 124 vs MATH 127 1 point, 8 comments
u/g6pdahm7: “Hello folks! I recently got accepted to the Coop Kin program, and was confused about my first year math options. I am not particularly too strong at Math, and I was wondering which one of the two above is easier. What is the level of difficulty? …”
u/iceRiot: “Math 124 should be easier than math 127. 127 is for majors that will later be taking Calc II and maybe Calc III. I would not say there is a huge jump over advanced functions. …”
u/misterstapes: “… Math 124 all the way. It’s a lot more similar to high school calculus than 127, which gets a little more complicated as it goes. 124 just covers everything from high school (vectors, basic derivatives, optimization & curve sketching), as well as very basic integrals. …”
Waterloo Kinesiology Advice 2 points, 6 comments
“Hello everyone! Just had a few questions about the Kin program at Waterloo, and what better place to go to than reddit. What makes it better than other Kinesiology programs such as UofT or Western? …”
u/iceycycle: “… Other schools usually only start this around 2nd year - our calculus was MATH 124 compared to MATH 127 for other majors. Way easier, we spent weeks on straight lines, Pythagorean theorem, quadratics, etc. We barely touched on vectors. …”
u/rocketleagueGC: “In what way do u think math 124 is easier than 127? Did u even take 127? I took both and 127 was easier u r outta your mind. CHEM 120 WAS FREE U MUST BE OUTTA YOUR MIND. This post triggers me. Only reason ppl come here is cause of coop. If u r not in coop then dont go. …”
Fall 2019
Math 124 Final Exam 2 points, 0 comments
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 470 MATBUS 471 MATH 103 MATH 104 MATH 106 MATH 109 MATH 114 MATH 115 MATH 116 MATH 117 MATH 124 MATH 127 MATH 128 MATH 135 MATH 136 MATH 137 MATH 138 MATH 145 MATH 147 MATH 207 MATH 215 MATH 217 MATH 218 MATH 225 MATH 227 MATH 228 MATH 229 MATH 235 MATH 237 MATH 239 MATH 245 …”
Winter 2017
Who was everyone's favourite prof this past term? Favourite course? 19 points, 57 comments
u/ultimatemobiusstrip: “Jordan Hamilton for MATH 138. I may have bombed the exam, but he's the best prof I've had in first year”
u/kazimash: “Had him for math 124, what a blessing!”
Winter 2016
Math 124 vs Math 127 0 points, 1 comment
u/Guy-on-Reddit: “Which one is "easier"? Math 124 only needs adv functions as pre req whereas 127 requires 4U calculus. If a kin student sees this, why would I take math 127 over 124? Would I need it for third year, fourth year, etc courses?”
If I don't take calculus in high school, what will I have to take in Loo as replacement? 1 point, 9 comments
“Planning to drop calc, just wondering if I need to take a replacement course in 1st year or what. Btw this is for kinesiology honours coop”
u/TeeheeCheese: “… :) We're required to take either Math 124 (Calc and Vectors for Kin) or 127 (Calc 1 for the Sciences) in second year in order to get our degree. 124 only has 4U Advanced Functions as a prereq, while 127 needs 4U Calculus or Math 104, which is offered at Waterloo. …”
Fall 2015
Kinesiology(AHS) vs Biomedical Sciences(Life Sciences) 4 points, 18 comments
“Hello everyone I am in grade 12, and I plan to apply to Waterloo for biomedical sciences and kinesiology programs. …”
u/eatssleepsreads: “And your average doesn't have to drop but with the amount of grade bumping that goes on in high school, you'll need to work a lot harder in both of these programs than in high school. …”
u/cbmj2306: “… http://ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/AHS-Honours-and-General-Kinesiology-1 Forr 2A (Fall), it says you will take KIN 105 KIN 121 KIN 217 KIN 354 MATH 124 or MATH 127. …”
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