MATH 147Calculus 1 (Advanced Level)
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
MATH 147 is an advanced-level version of MATH 137.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed: 4U Calculus and Vectors
- Enrolled in an Honours Mathematics program
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5938 | 46 / 100 | MWF 08:30–09:20 |
| LEC 002 | 6302 | 45 / 100 | MWF 12:30–13:20 |
| TUT 101 | 5930 | 46 / 100 | M 17:30–18:20 |
| TUT 102 | 6486 | 45 / 100 | M 17:30–18:20 |
| TST 201 | 6627 | 46 / 100 | Oct 26 19:00–20:50 |
| TST 202 | 6487 | 45 / 100 | Oct 26 19:00–20:50 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names MATH 147.
- notes.html Course notes · math.uwaterloo.ca · from Stephen New’s site Remove
- Mind Map Course notes · david-duan.me · posted on r/uwaterloo Mar 2022 Remove
- Math 147 - Fall 2021 (Section 1) Other · Fall 2021 · math.uwaterloo.ca · from Michael Brannan’s site Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
93% liked it44% easy91% useful
From 245 ratings and 70 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
We ended up behind the 137 class somehow. If you try you probably won't fail.
Nov 2022 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course, which was taught by Brian Forrest in Fall 2016, was one of the best courses I have ever taken. It's a pity he won't teach it any more, but if it's taught by a prof like Brian Forrest, I highly recommend it. It helped me truly understand the foundations of calculus.
Dec 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Very useful course, cleans up the mushy calculus that you were taught in high school.
Jan 2026 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
ok
Dec 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Definitely my favorite course in 1A. This is a fascinating course. We started off the course assuming we do not know anything about real numbers and used something called a Cauchy sequence to define real numbers, and extended some arithmetic rules in rational to reals. Later in the course, we defined power, exponential, and log functions. More importantly in homework, we defined trig functions in a very complex but fun way. So basically, this course is about stating and proving stuff that looks very obvious (unless they are not obvious) and there are lots of fun math stuff. Definitely take this course if you really like math or you thought math is not challenging at all.
Nov 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
512 posts and comments in 353 threads mention MATH 147, April 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
How cooked am I next term 33 points, 27 comments
“https://preview.redd.it/sja2uyioa4ae1.png?width=652&format=png&auto=webp&s=da6f9cb5427cd275561128caa48f6851333be88b I am probably going to regret this. Is this too big of a course load?”
u/swaggyrabbit145: “… Difficulty wise I think that if you find MATH145 and MATH147 okay then the 1B advanced classes should be doable. Time-wise for me was rough. …”
MATH 146/148 after 135/137? 6 points, 3 comments
“Anyone have experience moving up from either math 135/137 in 1A to math 146/148 in 1B? Any significant gaps in knowledge? Which one would be better without taking its advanced-level prereq?”
u/ParticleRoaster: “… On the other hand I think MATH 148 uses a lot of results from MATH 147 that's probably not cover in MATH 137 (for example sup/inf, completeness, cauchy sequences, uniform continuity etc.) But again, these are not hard to learn by yourself if u did well in 137 and is willing to …”
What textbook does math137 use? 11 points, 10 comments
“i’m from uoft but this place is a bit mid so i unironically use waterloo lecture notes because theyre really good and match the content we learn i saw a msg from 10 yrs ago saying its Stewart …”
u/Jealous-Mulberry-180: “I think math137 at waterloo is easier than uoft mat137. The equivalent is probably math147.”
Where r y’all going for reading week? 24 points, 24 comments
“Personally I’m going to Portland and Seattle during the reading week to meet friends and family, but there’s also one on February and it’s about time to start planning 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I’m taking suggestions …”
u/Physical_Scholar_325: “There’s the calc147 midterm on the day reading week is over, and I understand jackshit. So prolly studying in the latter half of the week to pass. Will drop the course after midterms tho”
u/lazy_warlord: “if you are in mathematics, how can you drop math147. Isn't it a requirement. or are you just dropping the advanced course?”
u/GullibleProgrammer31: “Even for math students, MATH 147 isn't a requirement, so you should be able to switch into MATH 137 if you do it before the deadline. I don't think any of the advanced courses in the Math faculty are a requirement. …”
People in Math 103 12 points, 13 comments
“I was in my morning lecture of Math 103 when the teacher said "twice the amount of beer was sold than pop. …”
u/holdupbruhchill: “sounds like you need to be in math 147 instead”
how hard is pmath333? 6 points, 6 comments
“is it comparable to an advanced course in terms of difficulty?”
u/Regular_Maybe5937: “… But the course intends to cover everything from math 147, 148, 247 excluding those already covered in 137, 138, 237. …”
I’m taking the Advanced Math Courses, did I make a Mistake? 2 points, 11 comments
u/WinterJacob: “… During course selection, I researched online whether I should take the advanced courses or not, specifically MATH145 and MATH147. Based on what I’ve seen, it has been majority positive past experiences. …”
u/rsdyu777: “Dont you need like 85 on the Euclid to get into math 145/147 without an override?”
Spring 2024
Are there first year Research Opportunities 8 points, 8 comments
“I am an incoming Math student and I'm very interested in pursuing graduate studies in the future. I know there is the URA and URF but that is for at least second year. …”
u/kermit_9_11: “… Take the math 145/147 courses and continue on the advanced track. Take the basic 3xx core pure math courses (the ones that are in the pure math major plan i.e. 351/352/347/348). …”
Math 147 worth taking? 1 point, 5 comments
First-year math courses selection 1 point, 8 comments
“I was not sure how to select courses for my first term, and I missed all the webinars because I was working all summer. …”
u/SuperCookies_: “… Math 137/147 4. Communication course from LIST 1 degree requirements 5. …”
Rank the courses you've taken from hardest to easiest 20 points, 43 comments
“I'm curious”
u/Different_Guess7202: “CO 471 >>>>>>> CS 146 > CO 255 > CO 442 > CS246E > STAT 241 > CS 145 > MATH 148 > CO 463 > MATH 247 > STAT 240 > CS 240E > MATH 245 > MATH 145 > MATH 146 > PMATH 351 > MATH 147 > MATH 249”
Children of the nobility study pure mathematics and physics, while the commoners study computer science, statistics, and engineering. 131 points, 30 comments
u/standardtrickyness1: “Students that took and did well in math 145/147 study pure math”
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