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Prime Sections
What are PRIME Sections?
Prime sections are special course offerings available to students who achieved high grades (A or better) in the listed prerequisites. Prime sections are intended to create a sense of community within the department, and encourage collaboration amongst students with an aptitude for mathematics.
- Prime sections are not more difficult than standard course offerings.
- Midterm and final exams for prime and standard sections are exactly the same.
- Prime sections are not more work than standard sections. While homework assignements may deviate from those assigned in standard sections, the amount of time required from students is the same.
- Prime sections have smaller class capacities than standard sections.
The Department of Mathematics' own Dr. Jamie Mulholland, Brenda Davison, and Dr. David Muraki chat about Prime sections in this promotional video. If you are directed to supply credentials to view, use your SFU computing ID (your SFU email address without the @sfu.ca) and password.
Spring 2026: Calculus II, MATH 152-D200 (PRIME)
MATH 152-D200 PRIME will be taught by Dr. Amarpreet Rattan in Spring 2026.
Prime sections are intended for students who have demonstrated a mastery of the prerequisite content (A grades in MATH 150/151), and are designed to encourage collaboration between students with a passion and aptitude for mathematics. Mathematics program majors and minors are especially encouraged to participate.
- The Prime section of MATH 152 (D200) will run at the same time as standard sections (D100, D300), but will meet in a separate venue.
- Prime classes are smaller than standard sections, with enrolment between 30-40.
- Prime sections are not more difficult, nor are they more work than standard offerings.
- Prime sections have the same exams as their standard counterparts, but homework assignments will differ.
- It is expected that prime students will maintain the high standards throughout the semester. Students in difficulty may be transferred to D100 without penalty.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR MATH 152-PRIME:
- Students with grades of A or better in Calculus I (MATH 150/151) may request direct enrollment in D200 by emailing math_advice@sfu.ca with a PDF copy of their SFU advising transcript;
- Students currently enrolled in MATH 150/151 are not eligible for direct enrolment. Students must register for a standard section of MATH 152 (D100, D300, or D400). Once Fall 2025 grades are released, students may email math_advice@sfu.ca with a PDF copy of their SFU advising transcript to request a swap into D200.
- Students who do not meet the minimum A grade requirement in MATH 150/151, or those who completed MATH 154/MATH 157 must register for a standard section of MATH 152 (D100, D300 or D400) AND request permission from the instructor* by emailing rattan@sfu.ca with a PDF copy of their SFU advising transcript
*Permission to proceed is NOT guaranteed and may only be granted at the discretion of the instructor.*