MATH 228Differential Equations for Physics and Chemistry
- 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, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
First-order equations, second-order linear equations with constant coefficients, series solutions and special functions, the Laplace transform method. Applications in physics and chemistry are emphasized.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- Not open to students enrolled in Faculty of Mathematics programs
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5942 | 108 / 120 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 6055 | 0 / 75 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 2355 | 30 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
54% liked it53% easy76% useful
From 113 ratings and 34 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course was so poorly structured that I feel like my braincells were genuinely rearranged so that I could fail no matter what I could do. The lectures for the course, which I went to with ZERO expectations anyway, were so utterly useless that it felt like every single exercise we went through was like running in a circle 9 times over while tripping on myself several times. Honestly, it felt like I ate dirt. The midterm itself was okay, save for the fact that the first question had such an obscure way of solving it, that I think my eyes fell into the back of my skull trying to look for a solution.
As for the final, honestly, it was so bad that I think I would've been better off NOT…Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I took this class online. The work was not super difficult. A lot of the questions in the textbook were not really helpful for studying. The assignments and lessons are much more helpful. Exam and mid-term was very fair. The questions on the midterm and exam were very similar to that which was covered in the assignments of lessons.
Sep 2019 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Much easier than any calc course i've ever taken. It's pretty much glorified algebra with some series interspersed. Did make me super interested in DEs though.
Dec 2015 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I am the convolution of tears spent doing coursework and tears after the exams
Dec 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course might as well have not existed... I learned the same amount as I would've if I never took it. I think I might have actually lost previous knowledge. I fear it has been extremely detrimental towards mine and my peers future academic careers... differential equations is a very important foundation of physics and to have learned no application questions, as well as been given problems that were beneficial in absolutely no way... solely making the graded work difficult and ruining the gpas of many students. I have sympathized with many who have said if they fail this course, they may drop out. Not because they can not stay in the program, but because it truly feels like a kick in…
Nov 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
51 posts and comments in 39 threads mention MATH 228, August 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”
Spring 2024
math 228 online >:( 1 point, 1 comment
u/number1bamtori: “bro literally wtf the quizzes and assignments were piss easy but then on the final bro puts something that was covered in 1 minute of the lecture videos (that were alr super unclear) and doesn't include the last module which was 3 weeks of content... …”
AMATH 250 2 points, 3 comments
u/joeshiesty1013: “Hi guys. I haven't taken a math course since 2022, is AMATH 250 gonna be awful? I tried taking MATH 228 online but couldn't stand it because mobius sucks so I dropped it.”
Math 228 Help 4 points, 2 comments
u/Due_Independent_8026: “Taking this course online rn, my final exam is tomorrow. The prof provided literally 0 guidance for what to expect on the exam, can anyone who has taken/is taking the course provide any help?”
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. …”
Bird Electives 1 point, 1 comment
“Are there electives that are completely online in style of CLAS 104, CLAS 202, ECON 101?”
u/em69420ma: “math 106, ENGL 193, CHEM 266, MATH 228, uhhhh. i liked math 106 & engl. if ur ok enough at math n ur interested in lin alg it's a bird.”
Easy physics courses for a minor in physics 1 point, 2 comments
u/waterloobitch: “I am a SCIAVIA student looking to minor in physics. Currently in my 3rd year. Courses I have taken: Phys 121, 122, 225, 275, 234 Math 127, 128, 228, taking 227 next term. Suggestions will be appreciated.”
Winter 2024
Question as a MGTE student pursuing physics aswell 1 point, 4 comments
u/_UW_Student: “A lot of second year physics courses have Math 228 and Math 227 as a prereq. As a MGTE student, would msci 271 be able to override any of those courses? …”
Fall 2023
First year physics 1 point, 7 comments
“Why is it just grade 11 repeat? If we got into gr 12 physics, then waterloo, we obviously know gr 11 physics. They’re reteaching kinematics and impulse?? Why??? …”
u/kalashnikovgobrrrr: “Canadian high schools don't teach concepts like complex numbers, etc as well. That's why a lot of the math/physics is gonna be review. …”
u/kalashnikovgobrrrr: “… If you know it, consider it review when you cover them (which, if you're in Physics, you'll encounter them in PHYS124 and MATH228 first), which is always good to have. If you don't, then the profs will teach it. …”
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. …”
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/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. The lessons and homework are based off of the textbook and assignments were ok.”
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. …”
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. …”
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: “… 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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