Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical and Statistical Modelling

The PhD program in mathematical and statistical modelling is an interdisciplinary program, offered by the Department of Mathematics. The program involves specialists in diverse areas of mathematical and statistical sciences and their applications from all relevant academic units of the university. This is a research-intensive program, with selected coursework and seminar requirements structured to complement the research component and ensure the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Student research is supervised by faculty using an application-oriented training model, in which faculty assist students in developing and conducting research that is focused on the student developing into an independent researcher. In many cases, a student in this program, has two co-supervisors, one with expertise in mathematical and statistical sciences and the other with specialized knowledge in the project-specific domain application being modelled.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires a master’s degree in a quantitative discipline such as Mathematical, Statistical, Actuarial, Computational, or Engineering Sciences, including Operations Research and Risk Analysis, with a minimum overall GPA of A-. Applications are assessed on the basis of a research statement (which should identify a preferred faculty supervisor), academic record, a current resumé, a writing sample and reference letters.

Alternate Admission Path

Alternatively, strong students may transfer directly from an eligible master’s program into the PhD. In order to request such a transfer, the student should obtain a recommendation from the proposed advisory committee and the approval of the Graduate Co-ordinator, before requesting permission from the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Such transfers can only be applied to those students who have demonstrated superior academic credentials and outstanding research promise. Candidates must have completed a minimum of 2 terms and a maximum of 3 terms in their master’s program, have completed all of the degree requirements for the master’s program (except for completion of the thesis/project and/or seminar requirements) and achieved a minimum overall GPA of A-. 

Students transferring from an incomplete Laurier master’s degree will follow the provisions as laid out in the Graduate Academic Calendar.

 
Program Requirements

The doctoral program is designed to emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of research and scholarship in mathematical and statistical modelling. Beginning in the first year, students engage in a specific area of research under the supervision of faculty members. By the end of the program, students will make an original contribution to knowledge.

In addition to accomplishing the goals of their research project, students must complete:

  • MA800 - Comprehensive Examination
  • MA810 - Research Proposal and Qualifying Examination
  • MA820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Modelling and its Applications
  • MA821 - Research Seminar
  • MA880 - Graduate Seminar in Mathematical and Statistical Modelling
  • MA899 - Doctoral Dissertation
  • Two or more elective 0.5 credit graduate courses (see below)
  • Research Symposium (annually) 

Year 1  Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
MA800 - Comprehensive Examination
MA820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Modelling and its Applications
MA880 - Graduate Seminar in Mathematical and Statistical Modelling
MA899 - Doctoral Dissertation
Elective(s)*°
Research Symposium (spring term)
MA810 - Research Proposal and Qualifying Examination
MA820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Modelling and its Applications
MA899 - Doctoral Dissertation
Elective(s)*°
Research Symposium (spring term)

MA820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Modelling and its Applications
MA821 - Research Seminar
MA899 - Doctoral Dissertation
Research Symposium (spring term)

MA820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Modelling and its Applications
MA899 - Doctoral Dissertation

*Until the requirement of two 0.5-credit elective courses (1.0 credit total) has been completed.
° At the recommendation of the candidate's academic advisor and with the approval of the Graduate Co-ordinator, up to two additional 0.5-credit elective courses may be required for some students, selected from among the graduate program offerings. All elective course selections must be approved by the the advisory committee.

Research Symposium

To promote interaction between the students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty in the program, all PhD students who completed MA800 at least four months previously, are expected to present their work orally or in the form of a poster in an annual one-day Research Symposium. Participation in the symposium will be monitored through the annual report submitted by every student in April.

Research Proposal and Qualifying Examination

A written research proposal outlining the planned dissertation research, prepared according to Departmental guidelines, must be submitted to the Qualifying Exam Committee (QEC) at least two weeks before the date of the exam.  

The student will orally present the proposal to the QEC, after which the QEC will have the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal and related background material in order to assess the student’s ability to undertake independent and original research.

Doctoral Dissertation

The student must prepare a dissertation on his or her original research in mathematical and statistical modelling within one or more of the application domains identified for this program.  The student must present and defend this dissertation before the Dissertation Examination Committee (DEC).

The supervisor(s) and advisory committee monitor the progress of the student through annual progress and activity reports and through regular meetings of the Dissertation Advisory Committee to ensure that the objectives and milestones are being met within an appropriate time for degree completion.

 
Committees

The Comprehensive Exam Committee (CEC) for the program consists of at least five faculty members involved in the program, including at least three from the Department of Mathematics.

Each student's Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) consists of a Dissertation Advisor (DA), who is a member of the Graduate Faculty of the university and at least two other members of the Graduate Faculty of the university.

Each student’s Qualifying Exam Committee (QEC) consists of the DAC and at least one member who is external to the academic program and a member of the Graduate Faculty of the university.

Each student’s Dissertation Examination Committee (DEC) consists of the members of the DAC and an arms-length External Examiner from outside the university. The DEC must include an examiner from inside the university, but outside of the academic program (sometimes called the "internal/external"), who may be part of the QEC.