PMATH 336Introduction to Group Theory with Applications
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Pure Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Groups, permutation groups, subgroups, homomorphisms, symmetry groups in two and three dimensions, direct products, Polya-Burnside enumeration.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- PMATH347 - Groups and Rings (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6613 | 23 / 96 | MWF 09:30–10:20 |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names PMATH 336.
- notes.html Course notes · math.uwaterloo.ca · from Stephen New’s site Remove
- Course Notes Course notes · david-duan.me · posted on r/uwaterloo Mar 2022 Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
91% liked it55% easy75% useful
From 34 ratings and 12 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This is a VERY useful course for anyone looking for an introduction to Group Theory. Because the course mostly focused on applications, it was much easier to understand the content compared to an average PMATH course. Professor Willard really took care in making sure this course was informative yet as enjoyable as possible.
Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Loved the assignments, examples and lectures. So cool how this applies to real life.
Jul 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Great course, really useful and covers the basics of Group Theory. I honestly found this easier than the 'baby' PMATH334 version, probably because it covers more depth and less breadth, but it could also be because spiro is goated.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Ty was a great prof with great course notes if you don't go to class and bonus questions on each assignment
Jun 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A gentle introduction to group theory, easier than PMATH 347, recommended for those interested in the subject but want a less stressful course. It indeed had a lot of "applications" as the name suggests, but they mean applications to other parts of math, not to real life.
Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
60 posts and comments in 51 threads mention PMATH 336, September 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.
Spring 2024
Any Math/CS courses with take home exams for fall'24? 8 points, 4 comments
“Title. TIA!!”
u/rsdyu777: “Pmath 340/336 will probably have take home finals (cuz the prof teaching usually does them) Pmath 945 will also have a take home final”
PMATH 347 After MATH 235 7 points, 4 comments
u/amsyed10385: “… I’m also wondering about the workload of MATH 235 vs PMATH 347 vs PMATH 336 (non-major version of PMATH 347). …”
Spring 2023
Should I consider additional MATH/CO/etc courses for CS? 7 points, 4 comments
“Is CO 250, or any other non-compulsory second year and up math dept. courses, useful or practical enough that should be taken for the CS field (broad ik, unsure what area to focus on in the future)? …”
u/chonglibloodsport: “If you're interested in programming language theory, functional programming, and type theory then an abstract algebra course can be useful. PMATH 334, 336, 347, 348 are all fine choices.”
Easiest level 300/400 math course 24 points, 14 comments
“I know there is a post about this, but that is five years old, and looking at UWflow, some courses have been restructured. Any advice on what courses may still fit into this?”
u/aLostKey: “Pmath 340, 336”
Fall 2022
UW Math Major Declaration 4 points, 8 comments
u/No_Inspector_8321: “… &x200B; Table 1 + the following CS 371 Math 237 Math 239 CO 250 CO 342 CO 351 CO367 CO456 PMATH 336 PMATH331 PMATH332 STAT330 STAT331 STAT332 STAT333 STAT440 STAT437 STAT340 STAT442 AMATH250 MTHEL 300 CS371 CS230 CS234 AMATH250 ECON 212”
How rare is it for future course offerings to be dropped? 2 points, 1 comment
u/GooseGoneRogue: “I need to take PMATH 336 or 347 in Spring 2023 in order to graduate on time. I've seen on here that they are both offered in S23. How often do future course offerings get dropped? Asking because if not then I will try to take PMATH 336 during my co-op term in Winter 2023.”
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/AirPodGoose: “PMATH 336/334/343/347/365/465 can be good courses, u don’t have a lot of options for pmath electives since you are in math phys (and assuming you take 5 courses per term) but a minor is doable with no problem.”
how hard are pmath 330/340/336 really for non pmath students? 0 points, 2 comments
u/yes23940832: “I see people say its fairly easy but that could be just because smarter students like pmath students would be taking them. Im a stats student going into 3A and im interested in these courses. …”
Winter 2022
Any online video lectures that were actually enjoyable the last two years? 18 points, 35 comments
u/like_the_mermaid_: “… I had him for PMATH 336 in fall 2020 and I thoroughly enjoyed”
Fall 2021
Co 227 vs Co 250 vs Co 255 2 points, 16 comments
“I’m a CS student in the faculty of math and need to take 3 courses from CO/STAT/AMATH/ACTSC/AMATH and I was thinking of taking one of the three in the title during winter. …”
u/vkoj1221: “Not sure about 227 satisfying prerequisites but if you are really into math then 255 is much better than 250 which is probably why you saw that comment on UW Flow.”
u/harmonyIn3rdsNot4ths: “… If PMATH is an option, I can vouch for Group Theory as well (PMATH 336) being pretty fun and chill.”
Spring 2021
UW Math Piazza 357 points, 20 comments
u/rikidilies: “Bruh LMAO I’m in this class I just saw the post”
u/harmonyIn3rdsNot4ths: “Eyyy pmath336 gang”
u/wstewartXYZ: “Not justifying whatever the fuck is going on in this piazza post, but PMATH 336 is designed to be a relatively easy PMATH course (and isn't even taken by PMATH majors).”
Winter 2021
How to keep going? 31 points, 6 comments
“I’m exhausted, unmotivated and stressed. Good point to mention is that I do engineering and have one year left. I hate it. …”
u/xhumptyDumptyx: “… So in 4A for example I took pmath 336, which doesn't even count towards my requirements and it was pretty hard, but I enjoyed it and that kept me motivated through the term. …”
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)
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