Mathematics & Statistics Gateway students study patterns underlying diverse phenomena such as the weather, human and animal populations, stock markets, the form of a molecule, or the structure of space and time.
Using mathematics, we discover subtle and sometimes unexpected features of these phenomena, as well as develop ways to predict their behaviour, which is an extremely important component of our understanding of the world and the space that surrounds us.
Statistics can help us make sense of large data sets and complex systems in areas such as astronomy, genomics, social networks, climate simulation, and medicine. Statisticians examine the patterns that arise in data to distinguish true patterns from chance effects.
How the Mathematics & Statistics Gateway Works
You only spend one year in the Mathematics & Statistics Gateway before moving into a program/major. This foundational first year is great for narrowing down which area of science you are most interested in.
All programs (that begin in second year) have specific first year courses needed for progression. Complete courses in first year based on your interest and the requirements for the programs you are considering for second year.
At the end of first year, you will rank your programs of interest. We help you along the way! Admission to the programs that begins in second year is based on courses taken and a first-year minimum average.
Whether you know exactly what area of science you are interested in or are still undecided, the structure of our Mathematics & Statistics Gateway will provide you with a range of program options across the science disciplines.
While some students continue in a Level II program from the same area of study as their Gateway, others discover a new area of interest and change their original direction.
Click an area of interest to learn more about the program options available to you.
Anticipated Admission Average
Target Enrolment
Experiential Education provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world, academically relevant experience in a community, research, or professional setting. Combining both academic and applied learning allows students to further develop skills and gain experience to transfer to future career paths. Students gain experience through: Applied Science Placement Courses, Research Practicum Courses, Science Internships
Explore career opportunities while gaining relevant professional experience, and develop connections with employers from academia, industry, government, and hospital sectors. Cooperative Education is an integrated approach to higher education that enables highly motivated students to alternate academic terms with paid, relevant work experience. Review the following link to learn more about our co-op programs. Experience – Science Careers & Experience Centre – Faculty of Science – McMaster University
The Faculty of Science is thrilled to offer the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at McMaster University, which is the first of its kind at an undergraduate level in Canada. The mission of the OUR is to promote excellence in undergraduate student and faculty-led, collaborative research and scholarship in all disciplines. We recognize that it is incumbent upon us as a Faculty to provide opportunities for an immersive research experience for all our undergraduate students.
The Faculty of Science is committed to student success! Whether you need support, have a question, or are feeling a little lost, our knowledgeable, friendly team is here to support your academic success during your undergraduate studies.
Complete Science courses in Level I that reflect your interest and the admission requirements of the Level II program(s) you are considering, complemented by electives. The following courses are what we typically see Mathematics & Statistics students take, but it is completely up to you!
Math & Stats at McMaster prepares students for a variety of careers in science and elsewhere by giving them a firm foundation in traditional scientific disciplines while exposing them to multidisciplinary approaches to solving pressing problems.
Graduates who begin their studies in the Mathematics & Statistics Gateway have pursued careers in the following areas:
After the first year, I realized Statistics was my true passion and allowed me to develop the necessary skills required for my future career.
I am a fourth-year student in the Honours Mathematics & Statistics Co-op (Statistics Specialization) program with a minor in Economics. I finished my first co-op work term at a start-up company as a product sourcing specialist, where I aimed to find suitable products and use data analysis tools to predict and assess the product’s viability for online arbitrage.
Honours Mathematics & Statistics is one of the fasted growing programs in the Faculty of Science. This program is unique because of the flexibility it gives to students in first year. This flexibility gave me many opportunities to prepare for the co-op, try different things, and explore a variety of courses, which led me to pursue a Statistics Specialization.
Before entering university, I was interested in Actuarial & Financial Mathematics, therefore, I took some basic courses in that. However, after the first year, I realized Statistics was my true passion and allowed me to develop the necessary skills required for my future career. This program is not only focused on theoretical knowledge like Linear Algebra, Calculus, Modeling, but also taught different programming languages that are useful for the future. When I started my co-op work term, I found that I was using data analysis skills learned in my program to analyze graphs to come up with the best sourcing plan to increase turnover rate.
If I could give some piece of advice to incoming Science students, it would be, do not be afraid to try something new and explore as many opportunities as you can. You may find your true passion when exploring new options!
Mathematics & Statistics Gateway students have an opportunity to participate in the many state-of-the-art labs and facilities throughout their undergraduate degree, beginning as early as their first week of classes. Explore some of these labs and facilities used daily by undergraduate students. Virtual Tours – McMaster Academic Planner (MAP) – Faculty of Science – McMaster University