PMATH 321Non-Euclidean Geometry
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Pure Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to three types of non-Euclidean geometry: spherical, projective, and hyperbolic geometry. Lines, distances, circles, triangles, and areas in these non-Euclidean spaces. Conic sections in the projective plane. Inversions and orthogonal circles. Models of the hyperbolic plane (such as the Poincaré disc model or the upper-half plane model). Tilings of the hyperbolic plane.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- MATH106 - Applied Linear Algebra 1 (0.50)
- MATH114 - Linear Algebra for Science (0.50)
- MATH115 - Linear Algebra for Engineering (0.50)
- MATH136 - Linear Algebra 1 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
- MATH146 - Linear Algebra 1 (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- MATH215 - Linear Algebra for Engineering (0.50)
- NE112 - Linear Algebra for Nanotechnology Engineers (0.50)
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- MATH104 - Introductory Calculus for Arts and Social Science (0.50)
- MATH116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
- MATH117 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
- MATH124 - Calculus and Vector Algebra for Kinesiology (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)
- Must have completed the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
Antirequisites
- Not completed any the following:
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names PMATH 321.
- pmath321.html Other · math.uwaterloo.ca · from Stephen New’s site Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
89% liked it83% easy42% useful
From 9 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Fun. Not really used in other courses thoughty
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very fun, very chill pmath course compared to the other heavier, required math courses. Workload was pretty light since the quizzes were free if you went to class, and assignments were biweekly and the questions were designed very well. We covered circle inversions, hyperbolic geometry, spherical geometry, and projective geometry. You probably won't use any of this ever again but that doesn't matter, it's still fun to learn about.
Jul 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
22 posts and comments in 20 threads mention PMATH 321, February 2017 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.
Spring 2023
Sleep help :/ 35 points, 25 comments
u/Pitiful_Following_68: “… My sleep schedule is clearly a bit abnormal given I’m posting this at 3:21 am (lol pmath 321 - non Euclidean geometry), but I always sleep for 7/8 hours a night in the end… it just takes for ever to actually fall asleep. Is it a diet thing? Maybe exercise?? …”
Winter 2023
What's PMATH 321 like? 4 points, 1 comment
u/Scary-Being6595: “I'm thinking of taking this course this spring, but I can't get a feel for what it'll be like.”
Fall 2022
CO250 Quiz 5 points, 6 comments
“New student here. Just curious has there ever been an occurrence where a whole quiz is nullified?”
u/Sufficient-Cry-1255: “What happened exactly?”
u/SolarSystemSuperStar: “Had a similar situation with PMATH 321 a few years back; it was a 50min in-class midterm with 4 questions. 30min into the exam the instructor walked into the room to let us know that he forgot to print some pages, and gave us... 5 more questions. …”
Spring 2022
Any good PMATH course recs for physics? 6 points, 6 comments
“I'm a second-year Math-Phys student looking for some good PMATH courses that accommodate theoretical physics and its framework well (for a minor). …”
u/Yu-Li: “As a mathematical physics major, I have taken pmath 321, 351, 352, 343. Planning to take 347 and 863”
Fall 2021
Easy upper year courses 3 points, 13 comments
“I'm looking for 300 and 400 math courses that aren't too heavy on math and somewhat on the easier side. Do y'all know what courses are good for that? Thank you!!!”
u/flurrydingding: “I've taken PMATH 330 and 340 and they're quite light. Also PMATH 320/321 seem to be non-specialist but are only offered in Spring terms.”
Is this a heavy course load? 135 points, 16 comments
u/jake_7m: “CS 245 MATH 138 MATH 136 CS 246 CS 251 PMATH 320 PMATH 321 CS 240 CS 241 CS 246E MATH 145 MATH 147 STAT 231 STAT 230 PHYS 121 ECON 101 ECON 102 ECON 201 AMATH 231 + PD1 PD11 PD2 PD7 PD12 Really need someones advice cause I think I may ne overextended myself here”
Spring 2021
Doing poorly in PMATH 321, but not sure if I should drop it? Advice? 13 points, 5 comments
u/pramithia: “We only get course notes, exercises, and solutions posted on Learn to self study off of. There are office hours and Piazza to ask questions, but I'm kind of unimpressed at how the professor isn't actually teaching anything and it's literally just a self-study course at this …”
Anyone taking Pmath 321 this term? 2 points, 3 comments
u/itiseasytoseethat: “We have the option to work on assignments with other people.”
Looking for people taking PMATH 321 2 points, 1 comment
u/monsieur_dauphin: “Hey, like the title says, I don't currently know anyone else taking this course, so hmu if you are! Looking either for a study partner or someone to discuss the assignments with (like the course outline says is allowed). :)”
Winter 2021
PMATH 321/330/340? 2 points, 2 comments
u/jeonjo: “How are the workloads and assignments for these courses? I’m thinking about taking one of them during coop next term but I’m not sure which one. Thank you!!”
Bird Math courses (200, 300, 400 level) 9 points, 23 comments
“Wanna know some EASY math courses of level 200, 300 or 400, especially online. Send help pls. To be taken this spring 21, not planning to major in anything, so just want to take easy math courses to …”
u/Airbus-A320: “From what I've heard, ACTSC371, AMATH250, CS200, CS338, CO480, PMATH 321, PMATH 330, PMATH 340, STAT337, and STAT430 are all pretty light. MATBUS471 this term is pretty light so far... We'll see how the midterm goes \All of these are offered in the summer”
Winter 2020
Anyone previously take PMATH 320/321 5 points, 3 comments
u/962rep: “They all look like neat geometry courses and an easy - ish PMATH electives so I'm interested in taking 320 this summer and possibly just look over 321's material. So if anyone has course/lecture notes and course outlines that would be very helpful!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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