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MATH 249Introduction to Combinatorics (Advanced Level)

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.

MATH 249 is an advanced-level version of MATH 239.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
        • MATH145 - Algebra (Advanced Level) (0.50)
      • Earned a minimum grade of 80% in each of the following:
        • MATH135 - Algebra for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • MATH136 - Linear Algebra 1 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
      • MATH146 - Linear Algebra 1 (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • Enrolled in an Honours Mathematics program

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • MATH229 - Introduction to Combinatorics (Non-Specialist Level) (0.50)
    • MATH239 - Introduction to Combinatorics (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 001601263 / 70MWF 11:30–12:20
TST 101648963 / 70Oct 27 16:30–18:20

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 00156870 / 60MWF 11:30–12:20
LEC 701225919 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TST 10161090 / 60Mar 2 16:30–18:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

92% liked it42% easy84% useful

From 119 ratings and 44 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • As Verisimility said, easy 100

    Dec 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Intersting course but Ian Goulden made it REALLY hard

    Jan 2018 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Good course, terrible prof and organization. Midterm was very unclear and resulted in >50% of the class getting marked unfairly because they applied theorems from lectures for a question (which wasn't explicitly disallowed); also mismarked another question (provided there are only 6 questions, that's quite a record) and presented the wrong solutions and only fixed it after someone mentioned on Piazza, failing to notice everyone got it "wrong". He also sent an email before the final, saying "When grading the midterm I found myself giving good grades to terribly written proofs if it looked like you had the right idea...I seem to recall that only about three people wrote with any clarity"…

    Apr 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • A great course to take if you are planning to take CO courses in the future. I really enjoyed the course and found the content interesting. Despite all of the negative comments on Wagner, I thought he was a good prof. His textbook was good, assignments were pretty easy, and he was relatively generous on the exams too. Overall, I'd recommend taking this course.

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

  • MATH 249 is an enriched version of MATH 239, with the early part covering similar enumeration topics such as the binomial theorem, generating functions/sequences, binary strings, and other counting techniques. The later part differs much more from MATH 239, as graph theory is taught from a more algebraic perspective. The course introduces cut spaces and cycle spaces over $\mathbb{Z}_2$, then covers topics in planar and bipartite graphs such as the Five Colour Theorem, Six Colour Theorem, minimum covers, maximum matchings, perfect matchings, Kőnig’s Theorem, and the Tutte matrix for detecting perfect matchings. The course also briefly discusses NP-related topics as an extension.

    May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

224 posts and comments in 168 threads mention MATH 249, 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

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/Laeriana: “… (one notable exception being Mathematical Studies, which can require MATH 207 instead or MATH 229/239/249). Which programs were you looking into at the moment? …”

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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/Different_Guess7202: “… Try to take CO 255, math 249 as soon as possible, if you do well and the profs in those courses know you, you can get a URA with them. …”

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Winter 2024

How hard is it to get CS minor as Math Major 3 points, 5 comments

“The website states that you needed to have been in the CS program beforehand if you want to add a CS minor to your Math major. …”

u/dabeast4826: “It is possible. It is very hard and takes careful planning and in my opinion not worth the hassle. You can get a computing minor which is less strict with required courses!”

u/Constant_Reaction_94: “… Take CS 135/145, 136/L/146, math 239/249, obviously Then for the "Five additional courses from CS 240-CS 299, CS 340-CS 398, CS 440-CS 498" requirement, take 245, 246 (assuming you can enroll), 371, 479, 467. There's other courses you can take, but that's just an example. …”

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Fall 2023

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar