Doctoral Programs are offered in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science in: Statistics, Statistic - Biostatistics, and Actuarial Science.
Application Deadlines
All applications should be completed by the deadline dates.
- February 1 of the same year, for Fall term (September) admission
- December 1 of the same year, for Spring term (May) admission
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are as follows:
- a Master's degree in statistics or actuarial science, completed or expected;
- at least an overall B+ (78%) average from a Canadian university (or its equivalent);
- three letters of reference, normally from academic sources;
- proof of competency in English (if applicable), see Academic Regulations-English Language Proficiency Certification for acceptable tests of English.
Degree Requirements
The PhD degree is awarded by the Faculty of Mathematics to candidates with a broad knowledge of statistics who have demonstrated a satisfactory level of achievement in research in a field of the program. The normal requirements for the PhD degree are outlined as follows:
Statistics and Statistics - Biostatistics:
- satisfactory completion of five (5) one-term (0.50 unit weight) courses with an overall average of at least 70%; these courses must include STAT 901 and STAT 908;
- students without a master's program and entering the PhD with only a bachelor's degree, will be required to take eight (8) one-term courses with an overall average of at least 70%; these courses must include STAT 901 and STAT 908;
- satisfactory completion of the Graduate Skills Workshop during the first year of the program. Students who have successfully completed this requirement in their master's program will be exempt;
- satisfactory performance in a comprehensive examination arranged by the department;
- the satisfactory presentation of at least three seminars (Research Presentation Requirement);
- the submission and defence of a thesis, embodying the results of original research.
Actuarial Science:
- satisfactory completion of five (5) one-term courses with an overall average of at least 70%; these courses must include STAT 850 and STAT 901 and three 900-level ACTSC courses;
- students without a master's program and entering the PhD with only a bachelor's degree, will be required to take eight (8) one-term courses with an overall average of at least 70%; these courses must include STAT 850 and STAT 901 and three 900-level ACTSC courses;
- satisfactory completion of the Graduate Skills Workshop during the first year of the program. Students who have successfully completed this requirement in their master's program will be exempt;
- satisfactory performance in a comprehensive examination arranged by the department;
- the satisfactory presentation of at least three seminars (Research Presentation Requirement);
- the submission and defence of a thesis, embodying the results of original research.
PhD Comprehensive
All PhD students in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science are required to pass a PhD comprehensive examination. This examination is divided into two parts, Stage I and Stage II. Students are automatically enrolled in comprehensives during their first term in the PhD program. According to University regulations and departmental practice, all Stage I requirements must begin within four terms of a student's first registration in the PhD program.
Stage I Comprehensive Examination
In Stage I of the PhD Comprehensive, the aim is to ensure that the candidate has an adequate knowledge of topics covered in the Honours Statistics program at the University of Waterloo. To demonstrate that he/she has this adequate knowledge, the student will normally be required to write a formal comprehensive examination designed to test the student's ability to integrate the material from several topic areas (courses).
Alternative examination methods may be utilized by the Examining Committee to determine if the results are a true indication of the candidate's knowledge of the material. For example, if the Committee feels that the candidate has the knowledge of the material in a topic, but has not been able to demonstrate it in the written examination, the Committee may conduct an oral examination for that topic. The choice of the examination method is at the discretion of the Examining Committee.
Stage II Comprehensive Examination
The Stage II Comprehensive Examination is a diagnostic examination, the purpose of which is to test a candidate's preparedness to undertake thesis research. The format of this aspect of the comprehensive requirement is that of a public, oral presentation of a thesis proposal, followed by questioning from the student's Stage II committee and any other members of the university community who may be present. A written thesis proposal is submitted prior to the examination. Normally, the Stage II examination must be completed within seven full terms of enrolling in the PhD program.
The Stage II Comprehensive Examination Committee consists of the supervisor and at least two additional faculty members from the Department. The composition of the Stage II committee must be approved by the Graduate Committee, and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will act as a neutral chair of the committee of examiners, or will appoint a faculty member to serve in that capacity.
Research Presentation Requirement
Each candidate for the PhD degree is expected to deliver at least three seminars during his or her program. The purpose of this requirement is to provide students with an opportunity to improve their presentation skills. Each seminar should be attended by one, or preferably two, departmental faculty members.
PhD Thesis
The PhD thesis examination, which is the culmination of the candidate's research efforts as a graduate student, is divided into two stages:
- Departmental Thesis Presentation
- University Thesis Defence.
Departmental Thesis Presentation
PhD students are required to present the results of their research before interested members of the department. This departmental thesis presentation is intended to fulfill several purposes. Candidates have an opportunity to practise their presentation skills and to gain valuable experience in answering questions about their work in a public setting. As well, faculty and graduate students who are interested in the thesis topic are provided with an overview of the candidate's research prior to the actual thesis examination.
PhD Thesis Examination
The candidate shall defend the thesis in an oral examination before an Examining Committee, which shall consist of the supervisor(s), two faculty members in the Department, one faculty member from outside the Department, and an external examiner familiar with the student's research field. The committee is approved by the Faculty Graduate Committee. (See Graduate Studies Calendar: Academic Regulations - Minimum Requirements for the PhD Degree Requirements)