Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics student calculates a problem on a whiteboard

Department welcome

Mathematics uncovers hidden patterns that shape our understanding of the world. It is present in everyday life, whether you need to calculate how long it will take you to get somewhere, determine the value of an investment, calculate the area under a curve or determine the probability of winning the lottery. 

Careers in Mathematics and Statistics

Wondering what you can do with studies in mathematics and statistics? Whether you study pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics, there are many options available to graduates:

  • Cipher Expert
  • Cryptologist
  • Clinical Trials Statistician
  • Data Analyst
  • Investment Actuary
  • Program Analyst
  • Risk Management Manager
  • Software Engineer
  • Statistical Analyst
  • University professor

Associate of Science Degree

Transfer into third year of university studies at most institution after completing the Associate of Science Degree, with an emphasis in Mathematics and Statistics. 

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing and Data Analytics

Take your business or science degree to the next level with classes focusing on the mathematical and statistical foundations of marketing and data science.

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Analytics

Gain an appreciation of how health systems work locally and abroad, and how applying mathematical, statistical and machine learning techniques make a difference in health organizations.

Explore our courses

Learn how to analyze problems and formulate them in mathematical terms to provide solutions in support of research, development or decision making. 

Meet our faculty

Bryan Penfound

Chair - Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 240-A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 4869
Math Department - Bryan Penfound

Winner of the Strong Start Faculty Award (2018), and organizer of the Spring into Math event on Penticton campus, I believe in an organic approach to changing the culture of mathematics. With a firm base in cognitive psychology and cognitive load theory, I employ these methods in the classroom; as well as in workshops designed for educational assistants, home-learners and elementary/secondary students. I have presented research findings in mathematics education and cognitive load theory across Canada and internationally.

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics, University of Manitoba
MMT, University of Waterloo

Google Scholar profile

Jenna Bostock

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: C Building 104
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4910
Math Department - Jenna Downey

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics, UBC
BSc, Mathematics, Bishop's University

Stephen Brown

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 104
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4782
Stephen Brown

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics, UBC
BSc, Mathematics and Computer Science, UBC

MyOkanaganMath Administrator

Julian Buck

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 104E
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6778

Joe Hobart

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: B Building 228
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4402
Math Department - Joe Hobart

Credentials:
PhD, Mathematics, SFU
MSc, Mathematics, UNBC
BSc, Mathematics and Economics, UNBC

Joya Danyluk

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 104E
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4176
Joya Danyluk

My teaching philosophy starts with my heart for people and my desire to create an environment where every person feels heard, valued and understood. From there, I have the privilege of bringing my passion for mathematics to every class. I love sharing my excitement of mathematics with my students. I aim to create a classroom with intentional space and time for students to try out and discuss new concepts, as well as pick my brain and the brains of their peers. I encourage questions as they allow me to see where the students are at and generally challenge me to be a better educator. My hope is that when students complete a class with me, they leave seeing the beauty of the mathematics that is all around them. More importantly, however, I hope that they leave my classroom feeling like the valued member that they are within our OC family.

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics

Bevan Ferreira

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 227
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4186

Formerly a college professor at Selkirk College, I returned to take a second MSc (MPhimac) at McMaster, with David Lozinski and Tom Hurd. Having spent several years in the exciting field of financial risk analytics and measurement, derivatives pricing, and credit risk for OTC derivatives trading, I have returned to my first passion - teaching and mentoring the next generation of thought leaders, researchers, and managers, in Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science. I was very fortunate to have had incredible opportunities in banking, financial regulation and consulting. I consider it a great privilege and honour to now be able to give something back, and work with the incredible staff, professionals and students at OC.

Credentials:
MSc, Pure Mathematics, Carleton
MSc, Mathematical Finance, McMaster

Scott Heard

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: B Building 119
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4794

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics, University of Victoria

Jennifer Hobart

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 179
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4337
Math Department - Jennifer Hobart

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics and Statistics, UBC
BSc, Mathematics and Statistics (Honours), UBC
BSc, Computer Science (Honours), UBC

Claude Hurtubise

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: B Building 225
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4384

Neal Jackett

Mathematics & Statistics
Office:
Campus:
Phone: -

Susan Kinniburgh

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: Portable 1 100
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445

Emelie Lee

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: C Building 104
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4358
Math Department - Emelie Lee

I teach a variety of Math and Stats courses, and I love my job! I do my best to make every test and exam as interesting to read as Statistics is to me. If you have ever wondered how a manatee would run a company or how meerkats use ChatGPT to compare p-values, then my class is probably the class for you!

Credentials:
MSc, Interdisciplinary Studies (Statistics), UBC Okanagan
BSc, Mathematics (Statistics concentration), UBC Okanagan

Dr. Paul Lee

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: B Building 225
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4697

Received my BSc in Mathematics in 2009 and then did graduate work in algebraic number theory under the supervision of the late Dr. Blair Spearman until 2017.

Credentials:
PhD, MSc, BSc, Mathematics, UBC.

Dr. Brian May

Mathematics and Statistics / Physics and Astronomy
Office: Salmon Arm Building 116
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8212
Math Department - Brian May

Dr. Lindsey Reinholz

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: Sunoka Building 010
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 4179
Physics Department - Lindsey Reinholz

I am a life-long resident of the Okanagan and received my Bachelor of Science, Master of Science in Mathematics, and Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics from UBC Okanagan. I am passionate about mathematics, and especially about teaching. While completing my education at UBC Okanagan, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach mathematics and physics. I joined Okanagan College in 2017 and was a recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award in 2021.

Credentials:
PhD, Mathematics, UBC
MSc, Mathematics, UBC
BSc, Mathematics Major and Physics Minor, UBC

Jason Schaad

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: Main Building D352
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 2252

Credentials:
MSc, Mathematics, UBC
MA, Leadership and Administration, Gonzaga

Recent publication

Leslie Shayer

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: C Building 227
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4371
STH - Math & Statistics - Leslie Shayer

Shortly after receiving my Master’s in Math in 1998, I began teaching Math and Stats at various post-secondary institutions, in both English and French. Since I began at Okanagan College in 2006, I have met many wonderful people – students, staff, and faculty members alike. In 2018, I began my Master’s in Arts in Education at UBC Okanagan. My research involves examining the effects of contemplative practices on math anxiety in an effort to improve student success and increase math self-efficacy. I am grateful for the opportunities offered by the College and look forward to continuing on this learning journey.

Credentials:
MMath, Applied Math, UWaterloo
MA, Education, UBC (Candidate)

Elizabeth Stankiewicz

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: Portable 1 100
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 2366

Satoshi Tomoda

Mathematics and Statistics
Office: B Building 216D
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4645

Credentials:
PhD, Mathematics, University of Calgary

Stephen Tully

Mathematics & Statistics
Office: Portable 1 100
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6448

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