uwloo

MATH 128Calculus 2 for the Sciences

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 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 8 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Transforming and evaluating integrals; application to volumes and arc length; improper integrals. Separable and linear first order differential equations and applications. Introduction to sequences. Convergence of series; Taylor polynomials, Taylor's Remainder theorem, Taylor series and applications. Parametric/vector representation of curves; particle motion and arc length. Polar coordinates in the plane.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • MATH116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
    • MATH117 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
    • MATH127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences (0.50)
    • MATH137 - Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • MATH147 - Calculus 1 (Advanced Level) (0.50)

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • MATH118 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
    • MATH119 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
    • MATH138 - Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • MATH148 - Calculus 2 (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 0016474124 / 150MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 081805299 / 120Online or by arrangement
TUT 1016475124 / 150T 14:30–15:50
TST 2016619124 / 150Oct 22 19:00–20:50

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 00156380 / 120MWF 08:30–09:20
LEC 00256390 / 120MWF 10:30–11:20
LEC 00356400 / 120MWF 08:30–09:20
LEC 00456410 / 120MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 00557480 / 120MWF 12:30–13:20
LEC 08160410 / 120Online or by arrangement
LEC 7012248432 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LEC 702228041 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 10156420 / 120F 16:00–17:20
TUT 10256430 / 120F 16:00–17:20
TUT 10356440 / 120F 16:00–17:20
TUT 10456450 / 120F 16:00–17:20
TUT 10557170 / 120F 16:00–17:20
TST 20161810 / 720Mar 3 19:00–20:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

57% liked it53% easy70% useful

From 435 ratings and 106 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Every single prof cannot teach this course. I've lecture hopped to almost every one. Either have to teach yourself or hit up Youtube. You're paying to teach yourself here.

    Apr 2017 · didn’t like it · 4 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Horrible. As other people have pointed out, you're basically on your own trying to learn the material. Youtube will be your best friend.... My only advice would be to do the worksheets and practice a lot as they are VERY representative of the quizzes.

    Apr 2017 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course needs to be re-vamped, the way they teach it makes it so difficult for the math that it actually is.

    Apr 2017 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Take this online and watch professor leonard on youtube. Easy 90. The final exam was 100% identical to the "self check" modules in the course. DO THEM ALL! You can get a good grade!

    Dec 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • So glad that this was my last Calculus course. This was harder than MATH 127 for me. Try your best to go to all the lectures.

    Nov 2015 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

767 posts and comments in 519 threads mention MATH 128, February 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.

Fall 2024

Taking Math 128 as Math Major? 4 points, 5 comments

u/fasdfsads: “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/Laeriana: “It depends WHICH major you're considering in Math, and whether or not you feel you can get the 70 required in MATH 128 to move forward to MATH 237 which is required for MOST non-CS programs (one notable exception being Mathematical Studies, which can require MATH 207 instead or …”

u/fasdfsads: “I was looking at the computational mathematics major. And I'm pretty confident I'll be able to get a 70% + in math 128.”

u/Laeriana: “… In addition to MATH 237, it looks like you will also need that 70% in MATH 128 for CO 367 as part of your possible List 2 requirements, but you don't necessarily have to choose that course to fulfill that requirement. …”

u/fasdfsads: “Thanks a lot for the in-depth reply. I'm not very interested in the AMATH options so I think I'll go with math 128. I very much appreciate the help.”

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.”

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Math 128 as a CS major 5 points, 5 comments

u/jxded14: “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/OptionAccomplished37: “Math 128 without a doubt. Easy to boost average and not dealing with the useless 138 proofs.”

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.”

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Math 128 or math 138? 9 points, 16 comments

u/s100699: “Just finished 1A honours math and got a 75 in math 137 which I'm pretty happy abt considering the fact that i struggled a lot with it 😭😭😭 i noticed that I struggled the most with writing calc proofs so I'm thinking maybe taking 128 would be better for me but would doing so …”

u/Accomplished-Ask3282: “Sure math 138 is fairly easy, but math 128 is the most bird course you can take in uni. Minimum to no effort and you get a straight 90.”

u/ZeroooLuck: “all my CS friends that took Math 128 got 90+ lol, it's actually so bird. you get double sided cheat sheets for the exams and it's all application / plug and chug”

u/cldellow: “If you look in the course calendar, often when MATH 138 is a prereq, it can be replaced with MATH 128 so long as you scored at least 70%. That said, if you're looking to get, like, a pure math degree, MATH 128 is inappropriate.”

u/Laur-xnn: “What is ur program if you don’t mind? It could help determine if taking 128 will impact your course sequence. Also, 75 is good for your first proof-based university course!! …”

u/ZeroooLuck: “I'm a 3B CS student, and trust me, just take Math 128 and make your life easier. There are no downsides to it”

u/ZeroooLuck: “3B CS student here, and I took Math 128 back in 1B. It was an amazing decision. Math 128 is basically a bird course. No proofs. All plug and chug equations. …”

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Does math 128 and math 136 have assignments or quizzes 11 points, 6 comments

u/Deep-Apartment9323: “The only available tutorials for these classes are an hour away from each other meaning there’s a 10 minute gap before the next tutorial starts. Just wondering if these classes have assignments, just like math 135 did or quizzes every week.”

u/Fun_Advertising_6604: “I did 138 which had quizzes, but I believe my friends in 128 had assignments. 136 had assignments and quizzes. Either way, why does it matter? …”

u/username_30000: “… I would recommend to do math 128 online or take it during the spring term. btw to answer the question 136 does have biweekly assignments and biweekly quizzes. Math 128 has weekly quizzes. …”

u/Deep-Apartment9323: “Thanks! Unfortunately there are no online math 128 classes next term so definitely considering moving it to the spring so I can do it online.”

u/IntrovertNeptune: “Took MATH128 this past term, but the prof/course coordinator was different from usual. It had biweekly assignments. …”

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Math 138 or Math 128 6 points, 5 comments

u/Deep-Apartment9323: “… I can either redo math 137 next term and take math 138 over the summer or take math 128 and not have to redo math 137. I was told this by an advisor but don’t quite understand how taking math 128 means i don’t have to redo math 137. …”

u/123448account: “You absolutely wouldn’t have to retake math 137 if you took math 128, however in order to take math 237 you will need a 70+ in math 128 (which imo is reasonable to achieve). If you aren’t able to get that you could take math 239 to satisfy the requirement or retake math 128. …”

u/amsyed10385: “… So, if you are unconfident in your math abilities, 137 retaking is fine, although MATH 128/138 doesn’t really depend on 137 much from a content standpoint. I would personally try 128. I think it is a lot easier than 138, and a pretty computational course overall with no proofs. …”

u/chaneltulip: “id take math128 and try to do it online. when i took it online i think we had two big ‘tests’ which were our exam but its pretty much just equation solving and then weekly quizzes. …”

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Advice on 1B CS course schedule 5 points, 5 comments

“Here's what my 1B schedule looks like right now Hello! 1st year CS here. I passed all of my courses in 1A, but my average wasn't the best (73%) compared to alot of my friends who consistently got …”

u/CSplays: “… If you struggled a lot with math 137, I would recommend taking math 128 instead of math 138 as well. …”

u/EnamiYa7: “I am in 3A rn, I took math128 and it was the best decision. It won’t affect anything and no one cares if u took that or math138”

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Am I cooked? 11 points, 16 comments

“Im in BBA/BMath Laurier side. Got a 57 in math135 and 50 in math137, absolutely do not want to retake this shit, but its still not technically a fail because its in between 50 and 60. …”

u/pothoslover04: “… You can take math 128 in the winter semester instead of math 138, you just have to get over a 70. I ended of retaking math 135. …”

u/thesunnymango: “… You can retake if you’d like but the other option is to take Math 128 and Math 106 and get a 70%. If u get 70, ur back on track and able to take the required second yr math courses. Also, I’d highly recommend emailing the Math/BBA advisor! …”

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Probably failed MATH 137, what do I do now? 12 points, 7 comments

“I'm in 1A Math and have coop in Spring. I think I failed 137, and obviously I need 137 to take 138, so I'm not sure what to do during my 1B term. …”

u/Primary-Albatross993: “Did you get above 50 but less than 60? If that’s the case, take math128 next term. You need to get over 70 to meet the same prerequisite requirements as math138 with a 60. Math12x calc courses are much easier than math13x calc courses so 70 shouldn’t be hard.”

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Failing multiple courses 11 points, 7 comments

“Ok so shit happened and now it looks like I might be failing CS and math 135 and math 137. Idk what to do, wanna kms will I get removed from cfm?”

u/InterestingSalt4: “Talk to Robert Kitchen. He's really helpful, and its better to get actual information on how this will affect you going forward then to ruminate on it by yourself. …”

u/Ok_Music_9008: “To take math 138 and 136 you'd need a 60 yeah, but 50 is the passing mark i think. you could still take math 128 if your mark is around the 50-60 range”

u/KrispyPopcorn: “Taking math 128 is a better choice anyway - even 137 can be replaced with 127 but the advisors never suggest it.”

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