Does University of Saskatchewan give transfer credit for IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL?
Saskatoon, SK
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
MATH 110.3 + MATH 116.3 + MATH Jr.3 + STAT 103.3 = 12 credit units
💡Expert's Take
This is one of the largest IB transfer credit awards at USask. A score of 5 or higher on Math AA HL earns four separate course credits: MATH 110.3 (Calculus I), MATH 116.3 (Calculus II), STAT 103.3 (Elementary Probability), and MATH Jr.3 (unassigned junior math). That totals 12 credit units, double the 6 that most HL subjects receive. How this credit fits into your specific degree is determined by your college; speak with an academic advisor in your college to confirm.
The named courses carry real weight. MATH 110 and MATH 116 form the standard Arts and Science two-semester calculus sequence at USask and appear as prerequisites across many upper-level courses. For example, STAT 241 (Probability Theory) requires the MATH 110/116 pair and nothing else, so you can move into intermediate probability right away. MATH 238 (Intro to Differential Equations) requires MATH 116 plus MATH 164 (Intro to Linear Algebra) as a prerequisite, so you would still need to complete MATH 164 before enrolling. Many math-intensive programs recommend or require MATH 163 and MATH 164 alongside the calculus sequence: Computer Science requires MATH 163 and MATH 164 for all majors, and Statistics recommends MATH 110, 116, 163, and 164 as the full first-year package. The IB award covers the calculus half; plan to take MATH 163 and MATH 164 in first year to stay on track.
STAT 103 covers probability fundamentals including discrete and continuous distributions, expected values, the normal distribution, and the Central Limit Theorem. One catalogue restriction to be aware of: credit will not be granted for STAT 103 if taken concurrently with or after STAT 241 or STAT 242. Students with STAT 103 credit may later take STAT 241, which builds on similar foundations at a higher level.
The fourth component, MATH Jr.3, is unassigned junior-level math credit. Under Arts and Science academic policy, MATH Jr.3 fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning requirement for Type A (Humanities), B (Social Sciences), D (Fine Arts), E (B.F.A. Studio Art), F (B.F.A. Drama), and G (Music and Music Education) programs. For B.Sc. and B.A.&Sc. programs, the approved Quantitative Reasoning list is different and does not include generic MATH Jr.3, but this is unlikely to matter in practice because MATH 110.3 and MATH 116.3 are both on that approved list and already satisfy the requirement.
What to watch for:
- Course exclusion rules apply. USask restricts students to credit for only one of MATH 104, MATH 110, MATH 121, MATH 123, MATH 125, MATH 133, or MATH 176. Since your IB credit assigns MATH 110, you cannot also earn credit for any of those alternatives. The same type of restriction applies to MATH 116: you may hold credit for only one of MATH 112, MATH 116, MATH 124, MATH 134, or MATH 177.
- Engineering students: confirm recognition before relying on this credit. The College of Engineering's common first year uses MATH 133 and MATH 134, not MATH 110/116. These sequences are not publicly described as interchangeable: MATH 134 is restricted to Engineering students, and its alternate prerequisite route requires both a calculus course and a linear algebra course. The credit exclusion rules mean you cannot take MATH 133 or MATH 134 for credit once MATH 110 and MATH 116 are on your record. Whether Engineering will formally recognize your IB credit in place of MATH 133/134 on your program checklist must be confirmed directly with the Engineering Students' Centre before you act on the credit.
- Honours Mathematics is blocked by this credit. The BSc Honours Mathematics program requires MATH 176.3 and MATH 177.3 as mandatory courses with no alternatives. These are excluded by MATH 110 and MATH 116 credit respectively. If you are considering Honours Mathematics, accepting this IB award would prevent you from taking the required courses unless the department approves an alternative arrangement. Discuss this with an academic advisor in your college before accepting the credit.
- The standard MATH 176/177 recommendation also applies. Beyond Honours, the Math department recommends MATH 176/177 for students intending to major in a mathematics program. In the regular four-year BSc Mathematics, either MATH 110 or MATH 176 (and either MATH 116 or MATH 177) can satisfy the calculus slots, so the IB credit works there. But students who would benefit from the more abstract, proof-oriented foundation should weigh the tradeoff with an academic advisor.
Actionable strategy:
- Non-Engineering STEM students (not pursuing Honours Math): Accept the credit. The IB award satisfies the calculus prerequisites for courses like STAT 241 and MATH 238 (MATH 238 also requires MATH 164). Many math-intensive programs also require MATH 163 and MATH 164, so plan to take those in first year. Speak with an academic advisor in your college to confirm how the 12 credit units apply to your program.
- Engineering students: Confirm with the Engineering Students' Centre how MATH 110/116 credit will be recognized against the MATH 133/134 requirement before making registration or decline decisions.
- Students considering Honours Mathematics: Because the Honours program requires MATH 176 and MATH 177 without alternatives, and the credit exclusion rules would block those courses, you should discuss your options with an academic advisor before accepting or declining. Note that the Decline Transfer Credit Form indicates declination at the IB subject level, meaning declining would remove the entire Math AA HL award (all four course credits), not individual components. Confirm with Admissions whether partial declination is possible before proceeding.
- Declining the credit: USask allows you to decline transfer credit by consulting an academic advisor in your college and completing the Decline Transfer Credit Form. The decision is final and cannot be reversed, and must be made before attempting or completing 30 credit units of study.
Official award line (IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL):
Minimum score: 5 or higher
Credit granted: MATH 110.3 + MATH 116.3 + MATH Jr.3 + STAT 103.3 = 12 credit units
USask Admissions – International Baccalaureate Transfer Credit USask Catalogue – MATH 110 USask Catalogue – MATH 116 USask Catalogue – STAT 103
What about Standard Level (SL)? Math AA SL with a score of 5 or higher earns MATH 104.3 and STAT 103.3 (6 credit units). The key difference: MATH 104 is a terminal calculus course that cannot be used as a prerequisite for any further course in mathematics, and it does not satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning requirement for B.Sc. and B.A.&Sc. programs. MATH 104 can still serve as a prerequisite for certain courses outside the math department (such as ECON 273, STAT 245, and KIN 222), but it does not open the door to the upper-level math sequence the way HL credit for MATH 110/116 does.
Need help preparing for IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
12
Tuition per Credit*
~$259
Est. Savings*
~$3,108
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with University of Saskatchewan's official sources before making decisions.
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