Hone the skills you need to solve problems in computer science, business, communications, and more.
Combinatorics looks at permutations and combinations. Optimization explores ways to make any operation work more efficiently within given constraints. Together, they provide powerful methods for modelling and solving large management problems, from optimizing flight schedules to making a factory’s layout as efficient as possible.
In Combinatorics and Optimization at Waterloo, you’ll learn concepts such as enumeration, combinatorical designs, graph theory, linear programming, nonlinear optimization, operations research, and combinatorical optimization, and how to use them in real-world applications. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to gain paid work experience through the co-op program.
When you graduate, you can put your skills to work in areas as diverse as cryptography, electronic security, software development, and risk analysis.
Co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Business technology analyst
- Data analyst
- Full stack developer
- Quantitative trading associate
- Software developer
- Software QA specialist
- Web interface developer
What can you do with a degree in Combinatorics and Optimization?
Waterloo Combinatorics and Optimization graduates often pursue careers in software development, data analysis, and more. They often work for entertainment companies, financial institutions, and software companies.
Recent graduates
- Junior Quantitative Analyst – Green Brick Labs
- Risk Analyst – Rogers Bank
- Actuary – Sun Life Financial
- Software Engineer – Amazon Canada
- Statistical Analyst – Ministry of the Attorney General
- Platform Developer – IGLOO
- Engineer, Software Development - Microsoft Canada
