Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Applied Mathematics

The program information below was valid for the fall 2020 term (September 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Master's Research Paper

• Minimum requirements 
  • An overall 78% average or its equivalent for undergraduate work.
  • A four-year Honours Bachelor degree with a specialization in Mathematics, or in Science or Engineering with a strong concentration in mathematics.
  • Students who have a strong academic record but who have some gaps in their Applied Mathematics background may be admitted subject to the requirement that they complete a selection of fourth year undergraduate courses as part of their graduate program. 
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    normally from academic sources.

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete 4 one-term (0.50 unit) graduate courses, satisfying a breadth requirement. Candidates for the MMath (thesis) degree must maintain a grade point average of at least 70% in their coursework. Besides the breadth requirement, there are no other constraints on course selection.
• Breadth requirement: students are required to take 1 Computation course and 1 Differential Equations or Techniques course, from the following list:
  • Computation:
    • AMATH 740 Numerical Analysis
    • AMATH 741 Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations
  • Differential Equations:
    • AMATH 751 Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations
    • AMATH 753 Advanced Partial Differential Equations
    • AMATH 777 Stochastic Processes in the Physical Sciences
  • Techniques:
    • AMATH 731 Applied Functional Analysis
    • AMATH 732 Asymptotic Analysis and Perturbation Theory
• Students may not count more than 1 graduate course that is cross-listed with an undergraduate course for credit towards their MMath (thesis) degree. This restriction applies to all 600-level AMATH courses and any cross-listed courses offered by other departments.
• Courses are selected in consultation with the student's supervisor. Students are encouraged to select courses that will help them develop a broad knowledge of Mathematics and its applications: appropriate courses are often offered by other departments in the Faculties of Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

Link(s) to courses

• Applied Mathematics (AMATH) courses

Master’s Thesis

• The MMath thesis is a comprehensive study that contributes to the understanding of a research topic, either by relating various approaches in the literature or by developing new methods. An MMath thesis is not required to contain original results. However, it is not uncommon for students - particularly those who have had research experience as undergraduates - to obtain new results that lead to publication in the research literature. For University guidelines on co-authored material in Masters theses please visit the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website; additional departmental guidelines apply.
• The Master's thesis is read by a committee that consists of the thesis supervisor and two other faculty members who are knowledgeable about the research area. The supervisor and at least one of the other two committee members must be affiliated with the Department of Applied Mathematics.
• The student will present their results in a thesis defence, which consists of a 20 minute presentation by the candidate, followed by detailed questioning by the committee members. The thesis should be provided to the examining committee at least two weeks before the defence date.

Other requirements 

• Direct transfer into the PhD program: A Master's student with an excellent record and strong progress in research may apply for direct transfer into the PhD program after one year of Master's studies. To initiate this process, the student's supervisor must submit a written request to the Graduate Officer. Names of two potential examiners should be included. The request should be accompanied by a statement of research progress to date, written by the student, approximately three pages in length. If the student's record is deemed to be of sufficient standing, the statement of research progress will be forwarded to the examining committee, and the student will be invited to present this summary at a 40 minute presentation followed by questioning by the examining committee. This examination normally takes place in the student's fourth term. If successful, the student is transferred directly into the PhD program and this examination then retroactively takes the place of the pre-comprehensive seminar, which is used by the student's committee to determine the topics for the comprehensive exam; that exam should take place in the student's fifth term.

Master's Research Paper option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete 7 one-term (0.50 unit) graduate courses, satisfying a breadth requirement. Candidates for the MMath (Research paper) degree must maintain a grade point average of at least 70% in their coursework. Besides the breadth requirement, there are no other constraints on course selection.
• Breadth requirement: students are required to take 1 Computation course and 1 Differential Equations or Techniques course, from the following list:
  • Computation:
    • AMATH 740 Numerical Analysis
    • AMATH 741 Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations
  • Differential Equations:
    • AMATH 751 Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations
    • AMATH 753 Advanced Partial Differential Equations
    • AMATH 777 Stochastic Processes in the Physical Sciences
  • Techniques:
    • AMATH 731 Applied Functional Analysis
    • AMATH 732 Asymptotic Analysis and Perturbation Theory
• Students may not count more than three graduate courses that are cross-listed with undergraduate courses for credit towards their MMath (thesis) degree. This restriction applies to all 600-level AMATH courses and any cross listed courses offered by other departments.
• Courses are selected in consultation with the student's supervisor. Students are encouraged to select courses that will help them develop a broad knowledge of Mathematics and its applications: appropriate courses are often offered by other departments in the Faculties of Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

Link(s) to courses

• Applied Mathematics (AMATH) courses

Master’s Research Paper

• The Master's research paper is a review paper that is typically prepared over the course of one term. It should be 25-35 pages in length. The Master's research paper is assessed by the research supervisor and one other faculty member. There is no oral examination.