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MATH 227Calculus 3 for Honours Physics

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.

Directional derivative and the chain rule for multivariable functions. Optimization, Lagrange multipliers. Double and triple integrals on simple domains; transformations and Jacobians; change of variable in multiple integrals. Vector fields, divergence and curl. Vector integral calculus: Line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stokes' Theorem, Gauss' Theorem, conservative vector fields.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • MATH128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences (0.50)
      • MATH138 - Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • Enrolled in an Honours Science program

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • AMATH231 - Calculus 4 (0.50)
    • ECE206 - Advanced Calculus 2 for Electrical Engineers (0.50)
    • MATH207 - Calculus 3 (Non-Specialist Level) (0.50)
    • MATH212 - Advanced Calculus 2 for Electrical Engineers (0.50)
    • MATH217 - Calculus 3 for Chemical Engineering (0.50)
    • MATH237 - Calculus 3 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • MATH247 - Calculus 3 (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • NE217 - Advanced Calculus and Numerical Methods 2 (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 0015941129 / 160MWF 10:30–11:20
TUT 1016431129 / 160W 16:30–17:20

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 00162890 / 50MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 701240625 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 10164070 / 50Th 16:30–17:20

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

63% liked it54% easy62% useful

From 119 ratings and 26 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This class will tear you a new one.

    Dec 2015 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The largest jump in difficulty for Calc courses, this course has a lot of different concepts that you can easily lose track of if you don't stay on top of it during the term. Don't leave everything to the end or it is near impossible to catch up (Prof. Bev Marshman gave us practice questions on our assignments in addition to the assignment questions, which made things easier). Luckily, our year seemed to have both a horrible midterm and final, but Prof. Marshman bellcurved it hard to make sure the class didn't have to retake it.

    Oct 2015 · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • honestly the course itself isn't that bad i think, if you ignore how i got brutally railed in each and every quiz, midterm and final. the course itself has very useful content and is genuinely interesting, but i feel like the course expectations were unclear. i mean it kind of sucks to be blindfolded and walk down the highway, you know what i mean; cause that's how it felt.
    despite all that though i actually liked it. just not the railing part :)

    Dec 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • the final exam felt like i got put on one of those tables that stretches out your arms and legs till they rip off. overall the vector calc concepts were super interesting, it's just unfortunate that the level of difficulty of the quizzes and exams was nothing like what we went though in class. also, the course notes are not very detailed... lots of hand-wavy proofs that don't really make sense. would have appreciated to get more practice problems that would have actually been RELEVANT. the take-home midterm made me feel like i was sisyphus except i dropped the boulder way earlier and went tumbling down and all my bones got crushed. as someone who actually didn't fail any of the quizzes the…

    Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Paul is the GOAT

    Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

47 posts and comments in 38 threads mention MATH 227, May 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

Struggling with Calculus II (Math 127) 9 points, 17 comments

“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! …”

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”

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Spring 2024

Should I take Math 127 5 points, 5 comments

“Hey everyone, I am considering taking Math 127 as an elective this year. I am a first year and considering taking it because I am thinking about switching to a Science Major/Program, but I didn’t …”

u/damnusername58: “… So if you can learn tools and strategies to get through the course, they will be usable in MATH 227 and 228. Conversely, if you find yourself struggling to the point where you can't pass, it's a sign that you need to give yourself more time to build the foundation you need. …”

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Winter 2024

Spring 2023

Physics Option 9 points, 5 comments

“Hey all, I'm an incoming management engineering student and I also want to pursue an option in physics, as I've always found it really interesting. …”

u/dopkiin: “… Not sure how much math you learn in management engineering, but youre gonna need to learn vector calculus and DEs on the level of math 227 and 228 as well. …”

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Winter 2023

MATH228 before MATH227? 3 points, 4 comments

u/Jake_Guy_11: “Is taking math 228 before 227 a good idea? I'm going to finish math 128 with an average of at least 85. It's offered online in the summer, and I'm thinking that if I take it now (summer first year) instead of in second year, it'll reduce my workload then. …”

u/neutrinorunner: “MATH 228 and MATH 227 are not related in content. Since you did pretty well in MATH 128, you should have the mathematical maturity to do well in 228. Just remember to keep practicing problems and you should be fine. …”

u/clogged_pitot: “I did math 128 and then went ahead with math 228 during the spring with Chris Bauch. I didn't find it difficult, lessons were straightforward and interesting. …”

u/clogged_pitot: “… Also yeah ref to the other guy about math 227 and 228, they aren't related. 228 Mostly relies on what you do in diff equations from math 128 and builds on that. …”

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Can I graduate from my program by taking the "more difficult" equivlant to the courses required for graduation. 13 points, 8 comments

u/Clear-Jacket7652: “… For instance: Can I take MATH 137 instead of MATH 127 (Calculus 1), MATH 138 instead of MATH 128 (Calculus 2), MATH 237 instead of MATH 227 (Calculus 3), AMATH 250 instead of MATH 228 (Differential Equations). …”

u/neutrinorunner: “I'm guessing you are still in high-school and going into first year coming September. If you are interested in the harder math courses, you might want to switch into Mathematical Physics and then …”

u/neutrinorunner: “Oh, in that case it's possible that you can replace your MATH 127/127/227/228 with the math major version if you talk with Professor Epp and your academic advisor. …”

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Do I need math 227? 1 point, 4 comments

u/eranand04: “are the courses in the bracket required? I am confused. https://preview.redd.it/hi0i7tu8fkaa1.png?width=372&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=9e888005e49a40bc40632098e8befcea4310a67e”

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Fall 2022

Might Fail 1A Term…need some advice 28 points, 23 comments

“I’m an astro student and I just finished my exams except for phys 121..due to some really bad mental struggles, I could not keep up with the course load and I’m likely to fail math 127 and phys 121 …”

u/doughnutsketchuprye: “… Also, they don't say this anywhere officially, but ECE 206 is considered a valid stand-in for MATH 227 as a prerequisite for upper-year courses, and it's offered more frequently. You just have to bug your academic advisor to get an override to enrol in some courses. …”

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Winter 2022

Upcoming Math Courses Thoughts 0 points, 8 comments

“I gotta take the following courses in order to pass the requirements for my program. If anyone has taken these courses or if you have any opinions/thoughts pls lmk. …”

u/1776brandon: “cs 330 is bird, no programming at all, like another hrm 200. Other courses also have non specialists courses like math 225/227 co 227 actsc 221.”

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Fall 2020

Winter 2020

Physics majors: questions (And U.S. students please) 10 points, 9 comments

“Hello, I'm a high school senior considering Waterloo for my undergrad. I'm from the U.S. As for how to make my decision, I have some questions... 1. …”

u/neutrinorunner: “… more on experiments, there are 6 mandatory lab courses after first year, and you take (MATH 114, 127,128, 227, 228, PHYS 364, 365) which are the science major math courses with much less rigour. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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