Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

Our Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics encourages innovative thinking through the application of mathematical methods.  

The first online program of its kind in Canada, Athabasca University’s program builds an understanding of mathematical theory, techniques and skills for their application to real-world problems, both in academic and the workplace settings.

Our Applied Mathematics program will help you develop skills that have direct applications in areas including the natural, medical, social and computer sciences, finance, engineering and other quantitative disciplines.

Why take the Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics?

A Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics will prepare you for the science-based world of today and the increasingly quantitative and analytic driven world of the future.

AU’s BSc program also allows you to complete courses that are transferrable to pre-medicine, pre-dentistry and pre-veterinary programs offered at other universities across Canada. Check with your desired school to be sure you’re taking the right courses for transfer.

This degree is designed to enable students with a wide range of applied mathematical skills which have direct applications within fields of endeavor. Its specific learning objectives are aligned with the general learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Science degree program. Overall the program is intended:

• to foster an understanding of mathematical applications, theory and skills in research and the workplace;
• to encourage innovative and creative thinking to produce integrated thinkers who are able to solve both theoretical and real world problems.

Specific skills you will acquire include the ability to:

• mathematically analyze relatively sophisticated real-world problems;
• break down problem complexity into simpler components;
• model or express each of the components in mathematical terms;
• seek out possible ways of solving each component problem by being familiar with a body of existing techniques, proven theoretical methods, and known results;
• work theoretically and mathematically towards an accurate solution; and
• interpret the mathematical results in the context of the problem.

Possible career options

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) has emphasized the need for applied mathematicians in existing and emerging fields such as Systems Biology, Data Mining and Data Privacy, Materials Science, Computer Animation and Digital Imaging, Finance and Economics, Ecology/Epidemiology, and Climatology.  

Career options include, but are not limited to:

• Research
• Math Education
• Computing Science
• Statistics
• Finance
• Actuarial Mathematics
• Risk Management
• Project Management
• Operations Analysis
• Research Analysis

for employment in a wide variety of corporate organizations, educational institutions or government departments.

• Completion of high school in an English-speaking country.
• Completion of 15 university credits from a recognized English-speaking university, or 1 year at a non-university post-secondary institution with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).

English is the language of instruction and communication in SCIS graduate programs.

Proficiency in English is an essential requirement for admission to SCIS graduate programs. Although working and studying online requires a different level of English language skills than does the classroom situation, students must nevertheless be able to communicate effectively with faculty, administration, and with other students.

For more information on the English Language Prociency Requirements for Graduate Studies please refer to the AU graduate calendar.

• Minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Minimum score of 60% on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• Minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) test.
• Minimum score of 59 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
• Minimum score of 213 on the computer- or paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE).
• Minimum score of 80 with an essay score of 20 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
• Successful completion of AU’s English Language Proficiency Program with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).
• See the English Language Proficiency Requirements Policy for further details.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.