MATH 127Calculus 1 for the Sciences
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 5 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Functions of a real variable: powers, rational functions, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, their properties and inverses. Intuitive discussion of limits and continuity. Definition and interpretation of the derivative, derivatives of elementary functions, derivative rules and applications. Riemann sums and other approximations to the definite integral. Fundamental theorems and antiderivatives; change of variable. Applications to area, rates, average value.
Prerequisites
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MATH104 - Introductory Calculus for Arts and Social Science (0.50)
- Must have completed the following: 4U Calculus and Vectors
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- Not completed any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5981 | 77 / 120 | MWF 08:30–09:20 |
| LEC 002 | 5982 | 119 / 120 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 003 | 5983 | 105 / 120 | MWF 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 004 | 5984 | 56 / 120 | MWF 15:30–16:20 |
| LEC 005 | 5985 | 98 / 120 | MWF 12:30–13:20 |
| LEC 006 | 6065 | 61 / 120 | MWF 12:30–13:20 |
| LEC 007 | 6091 | 70 / 120 | MWF 08:30–09:20 |
| LEC 008 | 6092 | 116 / 120 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
| LEC 009 | 6802 | 117 / 120 | MWF 10:30–11:20 |
| LEC 010 | 7998 | 119 / 120 | MWF 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 011 | 7999 | 99 / 120 | MWF 15:30–16:20 |
| LEC 081 | 6367 | 62 / 120 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 6320 | 149 / 155 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 102 | 6467 | 173 / 245 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 103 | 6468 | 143 / 150 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 104 | 8806 | 115 / 150 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 105 | 6469 | 296 / 385 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 106 | 8917 | 100 / 150 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TUT 107 | 8918 | 61 / 90 | M 17:30–18:50 |
| TST 201 | 6599 | 1037 / 1320 | Oct 29 19:00–20:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5636 | 0 / 150 | MWF 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 002 | 7428 | 0 / 150 | MWF 16:30–17:20 |
| LEC 081 | 6040 | 0 / 150 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 2247 | 84 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 702 | 2279 | 35 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 5637 | 0 / 150 | M 17:30–18:20 |
| TUT 102 | 5695 | 0 / 150 | M 17:30–18:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
53% liked it50% easy75% useful
From 704 ratings and 157 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course sucks. Since it is a requirement for sciences, just go to class and pass with a 50 so you never have to take it again.
Aug 2014 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I took this course online during spring and ended up doing really well but it was organized terribly. All we had were these Mobius lectures that monotously narrated. There was no provided textbook like I have heard there was for Fall or Winter. The prof on piazza said he was going to find a new textbook for us since he original one he recommended got bought out. Anyways, we never really got another textbook after that. I think he also stopped being responsive near the last few weeks of the term. As for the structure of the course, we had biweekly mobius assignments and crowdmark assignments (no other term tests). The crowdmark assignments in particular were quite difficult imo and not…
Aug 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
brian the goat! the course itself is just a highschool review. with the overall breakdown quizzes 20%; tutorials 5%; midterm: 25%; final: 50%, he has a slightly different grade breakdown than the other instructors (1.7% for each quiz) because the remaining 3% grade goes to vevox poll participation (not very helpful if you're not a morning person...). the course itself is very demanding with quiz every Monday, just don't forget to do tutorial after the quiz. with a lot of practice, i'm sure the course is doable.
Nov 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Take the course online. No weekly quizzes and lots of resources to help you through the course. The course notes have built in videos of the prof teaching the lesson. There are mobius lessons and he course notes. The mobius lessons help with the mobius assignments and the course notes help with the crowdmark assignments. Tbh I stopped doing the mobius lessons after the first week. The final is only based on the course notes. The math tutoring centre is really helpful. They will help you through problems, answer questions, and you can also check your crowdmark answers with them before submission. This was really helpful. I found the final really easy because we got 1 double-sided cheat sheet…
May 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Moderate in terms of content, the weekly quizzes do a great job with keeping you up to date. Very well organized in terms of giving feedback which you can learn from. The final exam was relatively light and time should never be an issue. If you want to do well, brush up on highschool calc. Prof Dan is phenomenal at his Job
Jan 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
729 posts and comments in 509 threads mention MATH 127, October 2010 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
Taking Math 128 as Math Major? 4 points, 5 comments
“I was wondering if taking math 128 as a math major would negatively impact me for my future courses. I heard it's fine for cs majors but didn't find much info for Math majors. …”
u/fortheloveofalfred: “Math 128 will be very easy for you given how you did in 137. The stat 230 proofs are enough to catch up and prepare you for stat 33x and math 23x. I did this years ago and my only regret was not taking math 127 as well.”
Math 128 as a CS major 5 points, 5 comments
“Worth it to boost GPA? First years’ cum. GPA wasn’t too bad but a lot of upper-year CS friends have taken 128 and said it was worth it. Thoughts?”
u/IntrovertNeptune: “CS student here - I took MATH 127 and 128 because I got bodied by 137. Highly recommend. It's a very easy course to get good grades in, and there's no proofs at all. Just make sure to get above a 60% or you'll have to retake it, as STAT 230 requires a 60% in MATH 128.”
failed math 127 final, transcript doesnt say i failed though 29 points, 11 comments
u/ualreadyknodude: “the course outline states that "You must pass the final to pass the course". I got 34.5/75, but my transcript still gives me a passing grade. did i actually fail?”
u/Enosige: “I'm a TA for MATH 127. Thanks for letting me know, I've updated your grade on Learn and it should be corrected in Quest within 24 hours. Happy holidays!”
When are math127 grades dropping 2 points, 2 comments
u/Ill_Dentist_8359: “When”
Do the MATH127 get curved 1 point, 2 comments
Calculators for Math 127 1 point, 7 comments
u/CommKey: “Are they going to check for calculators in the exam tomorrow? I have been using Casio fx-991ms and its gotten to the point where its the only calculator I know how to use. Im not too sure if they're going to check but I do have a Waterloo science calculator just in case they do.”
u/Weekly-Friend-66: “I wasnt allowed a calculator at all for math 127 last year and im so jealous that you're allowed aha”
u/RandomChickenWing1: “Current MATH 127 TA here - unless you're in the online section and have special rules, students have never been allowed calculators on any assessments all term...”
u/lunizaaa: “wait i thought calculators were not allowed at all for math 127 exams?”
MATH 127 ONLINE curve? 1 point, 1 comment
u/sour-sushi: “I don't think math127 would get curved ?”
math127 online final 1 point, 0 comments
Exam paper sealed in bags 4 points, 7 comments
“On my way walking to my desk in PAC, I saw a section of tables with the exam paper sealed in transparent bags. …”
u/smol_pumpkinnn: “I think MATH 127 was this morning in the PAC?”
u/Leonardo_Lai: “It could be as I heard that math 127 may have reference sheets. But i don't think it's sealed to protect from snow, as... I can't imagine a situation where all these papers need to be individually sealed to prevent from snow ”
u/Adventurous-Night477: “i was sitting beside math127 people. Their exams were not sealed.”
Struggling with Calculus II (Math 127) 9 points, 17 comments
u/DexWhat: “I'm really struggling with Calculus II (Math 127) and desperately need help. If you know of any useful online resources—websites, YouTube channels, anything at all—please share! Any recommendations for forums or platforms where I can ask specific questions would be a lifesaver.”
u/chai_chugger: “… I'd say 80% of Math 127 is a regurgitation of grade 12 calc and adv. functions and the rest is integrals (which is why I'm recommending these channels as they focus on the fundamental concepts and also provide good practice questions). …”
u/mustard_tiger6: “This site has a decent amount of practice problems. I used it for math 127, 128, 227, 228. https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/calci/calci.aspx”
MATH127 1 point, 2 comments
u/Inevitable-Nerve-100: “Does anyone have any suggestions when it comes to succeeding in MATH127? I took A-Levels math so some of this content is new.”
Spring 2024
Math 127 1 point, 0 comments
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