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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), course-based and thesis-based

The Master of Science (course-based) degree may be completed on a part-time basis. The normal course load for a full-time course-based Master of Science student is 9 units per term.

Specializations:

• Actuarial Science
• Biostatistics (MSc, thesis-based and PhD only) (see Interdisciplinary Specializations)
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematics
• Statistics

In addition to the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Science requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science

a) Normally, bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in the subject of the specialization to which the application is made, or a closely related area.

b) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 97 (Internet-based), or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0; or a minimum PTE score of 68.

c) Three Reference Forms with reference letters.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A master’s degree or equivalent in the subject of the specialization to which the application is made, or a closely related area.

b) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 97 (Internet-based test); or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0; or a minimum PTE score of 68.

c) Three Reference Forms with reference letters.

d) Excellent students, admitted to the master’s program, may be transferred to the PhD program after having demonstrated exceptional performance at the graduate level, subject to endorsement by the supervisor and approval by the Graduate Committee. Such transfer requests are to be initiated by the supervisor and are to include information about research ability.

Deadlines for submission of complete applications are available on the Future Students website:

Master of Science (thesis-based):

Master of Science (course-based):

Doctor of Philosophy:

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as a requirement of another completed degree/diploma. The determination for advanced credit will be made prior to entry into the program.

For the specializations in Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, course requirements are taken from the following lists of courses:

Seminar Courses: Actuarial Science 600, Biostatistics 600, Mathematics 600, Statistics 600
List A: Mathematics 601, 603, 605, 607
List B: Mathematics 617, 621, 625, 627, 631, 641, 661, 681, 685, Statistics 701
List C: Statistics 701, 703, 721, 631, 635, 641
List D: Actuarial Science 611, 617, 619, 627, 637, 639

For the specialization in Mathematical Finance, course requirements are taken from the following lists of courses:

Seminar Course: Mathematics 600
List E: Actuarial Science 515, Mathematics 681, Mathematics 683
List F: Statistics 507 or Mathematics 685; Mathematics 605, Mathematics 601, Statistics 701, Statistics 721.
List G: Mathematics 691.01; Mathematics 693.01; Mathematics 691.03; Mathematics 693.03; Mathematics 691.05; Mathematics 693.05; Finance 645*; Finance 667*; Finance 668.6*; Finance 799.05; Finance 799.06; Finance 799.07.

*Differential fees will apply for these courses offered by the Haskayne School of Business. See Graduate Program-Specific Fees in the University Calendar.

For details about course requirements for the MSc and PhD with specialization in Biostatistics, see Interdisciplinary Specializations.

Master of Science (thesis-based)

All students must complete course work to the equivalent of an honours bachelor's degree plus at least 16.5 units at the graduate level. Course work must include:

a) For all specializations: completion of the seminar course (1.5 units) relevant to the specialization, in the first year of the program. In addition:

b) For the Mathematics specialization: two courses from List A.

c) For the Statistics specialization: at least three courses from List C, two of which must be Statistics 701 and 721.

d) For the Actuarial Science specialization: two courses from List C and two courses from List D.

e) For the Mathematical Finance specialization: two courses from List E, one course from List F, and one course from List G.

Master of Science (course-based)

All students must complete 25.5 units of course work at the graduate level. Course work must include:

a) For all specializations: completion of the seminar course (1.5 units) relevant to the specialization in the first year of the program; and completion of a project resulting in a written report. In addition:

b) For the Mathematics specialization: two courses from List A.

c) For the Statistics specialization: at least three courses from List C, two of which must be Statistics 701 and 721.

d) For the Actuarial Science specialization: two courses from List C and two courses from List D.

e) For the Mathematical Finance specialization: two courses from list E, two courses from List F and two courses from List G (or two courses from List E, three courses from List F, and one course from List G).

Doctor of Philosophy

Course requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy beyond those for a master's degree are determined on an individual basis, but the following rules apply: doctoral students must complete 27 units of graduate-level course work in their total graduate program (MSc and PhD). PhD course work must include:

a) For all specializations: completion of the seminar course (1.5 units) relevant to the specialization, in the first or second year of the program. In addition:

b) For the Mathematics specialization: at least 15 units taken in the doctoral program at the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½. Two of these courses must come from List A and a third from List A or List B.

c) For the Statistics specialization: at least three courses from List C, two of which must be Statistics 701 and 721.

d) For the Actuarial Science specialization: Statistics 721 and at least one more course from List C and two more courses from List D.

e) For the Mathematical Finance specialization: Mathematics 681, Mathematics 683, at least one additional course from List F, and at least two additional courses from List F or List G.

Preliminary Examinations

Doctoral students must pass written Preliminary Examinations during first year but no later than 18 months from the beginning of their doctoral programs and before the oral Field of Study examination.

• Mathematics PhD students must pass Preliminary Examinations based on material for three courses, two of which must come from List A and the third from List A or List B. Preliminary examinations will be offered during the final examination period in those semesters during which the corresponding courses are offered. 
• Statistics PhD students must pass two Preliminary Examinations, one in probability based on Statistics 701 and the other in statistics based on Statistics 721. These examinations are usually offered in May and/or in December.
• Actuarial Science PhD students must pass two Preliminary Examinations based on material for two courses from List C or D.
• Biostatistics PhD students must pass two Preliminary Examinations in Statistics based on material for two courses from List C.
• Mathematical Finance PhD students must pass two Preliminary Examinations on material for two 600 or 700-level courses from List E or List F.

All Mathematics PhD students are required to give three invited or contributed presentations during their doctoral degree, not including presentations that are required as part of a graduate course or the 600 seminar course.

Graduate-level credit may be given for courses taken below the 600-level. At least one half of a graduate student’s course work must be at the 600 level or higher and only where appropriate to a student’s program may credit be given for courses numbered 500–599.

The expected completion time for full-time master’s students is two years. The maximum completion time allowed for a thesis-based master’s program is four years, and for a course-based master’s program is six years. The expected completion time for a doctoral student is four years, and the maximum completion time is six years.

The Graduate Program Director, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, assigns supervisors based upon the graduate student’s proposed program admission.

Candidacy

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal and pass an oral Field of Study examination. For complete details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements, see  and Faculty of Graduate Studies Candidacy regulations.

Thesis Examination

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Final thesis oral examinations are open.

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program. However, it is strongly encouraged that whenever reasonable the Internal Examiner should be external to the home program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar. Successful applicants may be offered departmental teaching assistantships and/or research stipends in their offer letter.