Mathematics and Statistics Options

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

General Office: Tilley Hall, Room 418
Mailing Address: Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N.B.,
Canada, E3B 5A3 
Phone: (506) 453-4768
Fax: (506) 453-4705
Email: math@unb.ca
Website: //www.unb.ca/academics/programs/science/mathematics-and-statistics.html

 Faculty

  • Bremner, David, BSc (Calg), MSc (S Fraser), PhD (McG), Prof (Cross Appt – Computer Science) – 2000
  • Ćaćić, Branimir, BSc (Tor), PhD (Caltech), Assoc Prof – 2016
  • Campbell, H.E.A. Eddy, BSc, MSc (MUN), PhD (Tor), Prof – 2009
  • Hasan, M. Tariq, BSc, MSc (Dhaka), MSc, PhD (MUN), Prof – 2006
  • Husain, Viqar, BSc (Manc), PhD (Yale), Prof – 1999
  • Ingalls, Colin, BSc (Dal), PhD (MIT), Adjunct Prof – 2000
  • Kučerovský, Dan, BSc (W Ont), DPhil (Oxon), Prof – 1999
  • Ma, Renjun, BSc, MSc (Wuhan), PhD (UBC), Prof – 2000
  • Mason, Gordon R., BSc (Bishop’s), MSc, PhD (McG), Prof Emeritus – 1969
  • McLoughlin, John, BMath (Wat), MSc Teaching (Tor), PhD (SUNY Buffalo), Prof (Cross Appt – Education) – 2002
  • Monson, Barry R., BSc (Sask), MSc, PhD (Tor), Prof Emeritus – 1979
  • Picka, Jeffrey, BASc, BSc, MSc (Tor), PhD (Chic), Assoc Prof – 2003
  • Purdy, Caroline, BA, MSc, BEd (UNB), Sr Teaching Assoc – 2001
  • Rangipour, Bahram, BSc (Isfahan UT), MSc (Isfahan), PhD (W Ont), Prof – 2007
  • Reynolds, A. Patrick, BA (St FX), MSc, PhD (Qu), Sr Inst – 2013
  • Salmani, Mahin, BSc (Isfahan), MSc (U Vic), MS (Ohio St), Sr Inst – 2008
  • Sankey, Alyssa, AB (Vassar), MSc, PhD (Mich), Sr Teaching Assoc – 2006
  • Seahra, Sanjeev, BSc, PhD (Wat), Prof and Chair – 2010
  • Tasić, Vladimir, BSc (Novi Sad), PhD (Manit), Prof – 1995
  • Thompson, Jon, BSc (UNB), MA, PhD (Tor), Prof Emeritus – 1970
  • Touikan, Nicholas W.M., BSc, PhD (McG), Asst Prof – 2018
  • Tupper, Brian O.J., BSc, PhD, DSc (Lond), FIMA, Prof Emeritus – 1969
  • Wang, Lin, BSc, MSc (Hunan), PhD (MUN), Prof – 2007
  • Watmough, James, BASc, MSc, PhD (UBC), Prof – 2000
  • Wilson-Ewing, Edward, BSc (Bishop’s), PhD (Penn St), Asst Prof – 2017
  • Yan, Guohua, BSc (Liaocheng), MSc (Beijing Normal), MSc (Windsor), PhD (UBC), Assoc Prof – 2008

General Information

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers Honours and Majors BSc and BA degrees in Mathematics and in Statistics. Requirements for the BA degrees are available from the Department. Minors are also offered.

Mathematics Option

Introductory Level Courses

Introductory Mathematics courses are organized into the following sequences:

  1. MATH 1003 and MATH 1013, Introduction to Calculus I and II (or MATH 1053 and MATH 1063): these courses are required for a degree in Mathematics or Statistics and are prerequisites for intermediate and upper level courses in Mathematics and Statistics. Students who intend to pursue a degree in Mathematics or Statistics should take these courses in their first year. Grade 12 Mathematics is the normal prerequisite.
  2. MATH 1823 and MATH 1833, Mathematics for Management Sciences I and II: this sequence provides a mathematical background for quantitative work in Business Administration and in the social sciences. These courses do not provide the preparation for most intermediate and upper-level courses in Mathematics and Statistics.

Minors Program
The Minor in Mathematics consists of 24 ch in Mathematics courses. Credit must be obtained for MATH 1003 (or MATH 1053), MATH 1013 (or MATH 1063), and either MATH 1503 or MATH 2213. The remaining 15 ch of the minor must consist of Mathematics courses at the second year level or above. A maximum of 6 ch of Statistics may count towards the 15 ch. A minimum of 6 ch must be at the third year level or above. Students majoring in Statistics and wishing to minor in Mathematics must consult both the Mathematics and Statistics advisors. 

Minor in Financial Mathematics
For a minor to be designated Financial Mathematics the courses taken by a student must satisfy the requirements for the Mathematics Minor, as listed above, and must include: MATH 2003 or MATH 2513, MATH 3803, two of MATH 3813, MATH 3843 or MATH 4853; and STAT 2593 or STAT 2264, or both of STAT 3083 and STAT 3093. Other recommended courses are MATH 2013, MATH 3043, MATH 3703, MATH 3373.

Minor in Computational Mathematics
For a minor to be designated Computational Mathematics the courses taken by a student must satisfy the requirements for the Mathematics Minor, as listed above, and must include: MATH 2003 or MATH 2513, MATH 3003, MATH 3073, MATH 3353, MATH 3413, MATH 4503. Other recommended courses are MATH 3343, MATH 3473, MATH 3043, MATH 3243, MATH 4853.

Certificate in Actuarial Studies
The primary objective of the Certificate is to prepare students at UNB for a career in the actuarial profession. Professional qualification in the actuarial profession is contingent on passing a series of examinations administered by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and on passing university courses in five specialized topics, known as Validation by Educational Experience or VEE courses. The Certificate will require that the five VEE courses be taken, and will also require courses that help the student prepare for the first three professional examinations.

Admission to the Certificate in Actuarial Studies program requires admission into a major or honours program in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or Business Administration at UNB, or permission of the program administrator.

The Certificate requires the successful completion (with a grade of B- or higher) of nine (9) courses, totaling twenty-seven credit hours, which shall include the following: ADM 1213 (VEE), ADM 3415 (VEE), ECON 1013 (VEE) or ECON 3013 (VEE), ECON 1023 (VEE) or ECON 3023 (VEE), MATH 3803 (E), MATH 3843 (E), STAT 3083 (E) or STAT 2593 (E), STAT 3093.

Courses indicated with an E are courses that prepare the student for the first three actuarial exams. Prerequisites for these courses may require additional course work outside of the student's major or honours program. Students considering an actuarial career are strongly urged to consider taking CS 1003 or CS 1073, STAT 4053, and STAT 4443.

If the student passes SOA Exam FM or CAS Exam 2 before graduating, the MATH 3803 will not be required for the Certificate. If the student passes SOA Exam MLC or CAS Exam 3L before graduating, then MATH 3843 will not be required for the Certificate. 

To be awarded the Certificate, a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours must be completed at UNB. Subject to approval by the Dean of Science, a maximum of nine (9) credit hours (or the equivalent) of comparable coursework may be transferred from another recognized post-secondary institution.

Mathematics Degree Program

The Mathematics major degree is designed to prepare students for careers in industry, government or education. Mathematics students are urged to obtain some expertise in an area of application such as the physical sciences, computer science, engineering or business.

General Requirements

STAT 3083, STAT 3093 and at least one approved Computer Science term course are required courses for all Mathematics degrees. CS 1003 or CS 1073 is strongly recommended. CS 2525 and CS 1043 will not be approved.

First Year
First year required courses are listed under the BSc general regulations. MATH 1013 or MATH 1063 must be included. Suggested electives are MATH 2213, MATH 2203 or CS 1303, and CS 1073, CS 1083.

Second Year
MATH 2003, MATH 2013, MATH 2203MATH 2213, and approved electives equivalent to 6 courses with a minimum of 3 ch each.

Third and Fourth Years
Students normally choose an Honours or a Majors degree in the Third Year. Students must apply to the Department Chair for admission to the Honours program. The Honours degree is the normal prerequisite for graduate study in the mathematical sciences. However, unless the undergraduate program is chosen carefully, a student may have to take certain undergraduate courses before entering or as part of their graduate program. Students with a Majors degree generally will be required to complete a qualifying year before being admitted to graduate study.

All Mathematics Majors and Honours students must have their course selections approved by the Department.

Honours Program

  1. MATH 3033MATH 3213, MATH 3243MATH 3103, MATH 3113, MATH 4100 (normally taken in fourth year),  and at least five other 3000-4000 level Mathematics term courses including at least one 4000 level term course, totalling at least 36 ch. STAT 3303 and STAT 3313 may count as Mathematics courses for this requirement.
  2. STAT 3083, STAT 3093 and an additional 15 ch are required in approved 3000-4000 level courses selected from Science (excluding Mathematics but including Statistics), Arts, Business Administration, Computer Science, or Engineering
  3. Two other approved electives with a minimum of 3 ch each.
  4. A total of 132 ch is required to complete the degree.

For the award of a first-class Honours degree, in addition to the Science Faculty general regulations, a grade point average of 3.5 is required in 3000-4000 level Mathematics courses; this average is calculated on the minimum number of specified Mathematics courses as stated in 1 above. Credit hours obtained above the minimum will not be used in calculation of the average.

Majors Program

  1. MATH 3003, MATH 3213, MATH 3033, MATH 3243, and at least five 3000-4000 level Mathematics term courses, totaling at least 27 ch. STAT 3303 and STAT 3313 may count as Mathematics courses for this requirement.
  2. STAT 3083, STAT 3093, and an additional 15 ch are required in approved 3000-4000 level courses selected from Science (excluding Mathematics but including Statistics), Arts, Business Administration, Computer Science, or Engineering. A maximum of 6 ch from a list of approved Education courses may be included. At least 9 ch must be taken from one coherent field of study, excluding Statistics.
  3. Four other approved electives with a minimum of 3 ch each. 
  4. A total of 129 ch is required to complete the degree.

Co-Op Program

The UNB Faculty of Science seeks to provide opportunities for students and employers to develop relationships that enhance the learning experience for students and present employers with skilled, motivated employees looking to make a career connection. To achieve this, the Faculty, through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and other Science departments and programs, operates a Co-operative education program. Co-op opportunities are sometimes available to qualified students. Please refer to the Science section of the calendar for detailed information. Students must take STAT 3083 and STAT 3093 in their second year to be eligible for this program.

Statistics Option

Introductory and Service Courses

In addition to degree programs in Statistics, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a number of courses, both introductory and upper level, aimed at non-specialists whose discipline requires them to obtain some knowledge of statistics. The introductory courses are: STAT 2253, STAT 2263, and STAT 2264 (prerequisite Grade 11 Mathematics), and STAT 2593 (prerequisite MATH 1013).

Minors Program
The Minor in Statistics consists of 24 ch in Statistics and Mathematics courses. Credit must be obtained for MATH 1003 or MATH 1053, and MATH 1013 or MATH 1063, and either MATH 1503 or MATH 2213. The remaining 15 ch of the minor must consist of Statistics courses at the second year-level or above. (MATH 3843 or MATH 3373 may be counted as a Statistics course). Students majoring in Mathematics and wishing to minor in Statistics must consult both the Mathematics and Statistics advisors. 

Statistics Degree Program

General Information
The degree programs in Statistics are designed to prepare students for careers in industry or government as well as to provide a background for graduate study. Statistics students are required to obtain expertise in an area of application such as the applied sciences, economics or psychology. Consequently, all upper level electives must be approved by the undergraduate faculty advisor.

The courses STAT 3083 and STAT 3093 form the core of the Statistics degree programs. These courses are prerequisites for most of the upper year Statistics courses. It is strongly recommended that students take these courses in second year to facilitate flexibility of their programs in third and fourth years.

Students who have an interest in, or who are preparing for future careers which involve the design and implementation of statistical algorithms, are strongly encouraged to take MATH 3003 and MATH 3413 or CS 3113 .

Students interested in data science should consider taking CS 1073, CS 1083, and CS 2545.

The Honours degree is the normal prerequisite for graduate study in Statistics. Students with a Majors degree generally will be required to complete a qualifying year before being admitted to graduate study.

Majors Program

The basic structure of the majors program is as follows:

First year requirements

As specified by the Science Faculty regulations.

MATH 1013 or MATH 1063 must be included.

General Requirements
i. At least 4 ch of approved Computer Science courses. CS 2525 and CS 1043 will not be approved.
ii. A total of 129 ch, of which at least 48 ch must be at the 3000 level or above. These credit hours include those specified below; the balance is to be made up of approved electives.

Application Elective Requirements
At least 16 ch of approved courses in a field where statistics is applied at the 2000 level or above, taken outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. At least eight of these credit hours must be at the 3000 level or above.

Second Year Course Requirements

MATH 2003, MATH 2013MATH 2213, STAT 3083, and STAT 3093.

Students are strongly encouraged to take a second year applications course (outside Mathematics & Statistics) in their second year in order to make sure they have the prerequisites for Third Year
Science electives.

Third and Fourth Year Course Requirements
i. STAT 3083 and STAT 3093. (Note: These courses may be taken in second year.)
ii. At least 21 more credit hours of approved 3000-4000 level Statistics courses, giving a total of 27 ch of Statistics courses at the 3000 level or above. Up to 12 ch chosen from MATH 3003, MATH 3043MATH 3103, MATH 3113, MATH 3373, MATH 3413, MATH 3473, MATH 3803, MATH 3813 and MATH 3843 may count as STAT courses for this requirement.

Honours Program

Students normally choose between an Honours or Majors degree in Third Year. They must apply to the Department Chair for admission to the Honours program.

For the award of a first-class Honours degree, in addition to the Science Faculty general regulations, a grade point average of 3.5 is required in 3000-4000 level statistics courses. This average is calculated on the basis of the courses, meeting the minimum requirements specified in (i), (ii), and (iii) below, in which the student has the highest marks.

The basic structure of the Honours program is as follows:

First Year Course Requirements:
General requirements:
i. As for the Majors program.
ii. A total of 132 ch, of which at least 63 must be at the 3000 level or above. These credit hours include those specified below; the balance is to be made up of approved electives.

Application Elective requirements:
As for the Majors program.

Second Year Course Requirements:
As for the Majors program, plus MATH 2203 .

Third and Fourth Year Course Requirements:
A total of 42 ch of approved STAT and MATH courses at level 3000-4000, with more ch in STAT than in MATH. These ch must include the following:

ii. At least 15 ch of Stat at 4000 level, including STAT 4100 .
iii. MATH 3103, at least one of MATH 3003, MATH 3113, at least one of MATH 3033, MATH 3043, MATH 3243.

Co-op Program

The UNB Faculty of Science seeks to provide opportunities for students and employers to develop relationships that enhance the learning experience for students and present employers with skilled, motivated employees looking to make a career connection. To achieve this, the Faculty, through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and other Science departments and programs, operates a Co-operative education program. Co-op opportunities are sometimes available to qualified students. Please refer to the Science section of this calendar for detailed information. Students must take STAT 3083 and STAT 3093 in their second year to be eligible for this program.