Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Pure Mathematics

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). 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
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Length of program 
  • The program is designed to be completed in 3 terms (12 months). Extensions must be approved by the Department Graduate Officer.
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Master's Research Paper

• Minimum requirements 
  • An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics with at least a 78% standing.
• Application materials 
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    at least 2 academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

All students are admitted to the Master’s Research Paper study option. Students can apply to transfer to the Thesis study option after completing at least one academic term. The transfer must be approved by the Department Graduate Officer.

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• The Thesis option requires a minimum of 4 graduate course credits with an average of at least 70% (with unit weights equal to 0.50 each). At least 2 of the courses must be PMATH graduate courses numbered in the 800's and 900's; it is strongly recommended that at least 3 courses be such. The other 2 courses can include at most 1 PMATH course numbered in the 600s and at most 1 graduate course from outside the Pure Mathematics Department. The selection of courses normally requires the approval of the student’s graduate advisor. In order for a reading course to count as 1 of the 4 required courses, approval must be obtained from the Departmental Graduate Committee. A reading course consisting of work done by a student in the immediate preparation for writing a thesis would not normally be counted as 1 of the 4 required courses.

Link(s) to courses

• Pure Mathematics (PMATH) courses

Master's Seminar

• Regular participation in a departmental seminar is required.

Master’s Thesis

• The thesis must be acceptable to a committee approved by the Departmental Graduate Committee. It will consist of the student's supervisor and two other readers who will normally be faculty members at Waterloo. At least one of the two other readers must be a member of the Pure Mathematics Department. The nature and length of a Master's thesis can vary greatly. However, a typical thesis is roughly 50-100 typed pages. The thesis should be a synthesis of some research papers or monographs, and may also contain some original work. The student will be expected to give a talk on their thesis.

Master's Research Paper option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• The Master’s Research Paper option requires a minimum of 6 graduate course credits with an average of at least 70% (with unit weights equal to 0.50). At least 4 courses must be PMATH courses. At least 2 of the courses must be PMATH graduate courses numbered in the 800's and 900's; it is strongly recommended that at least 3 courses be such. At most 2 courses can be PMATH courses numbered in the 600s. In order for a reading course to count as 1 of the 6 required courses, approval must be obtained from the Departmental Graduate Committee. A reading course consisting of work done by a student in the immediate preparation for writing the research paper would not normally be counted as 1 of the 6 required courses. The selection of courses normally requires the approval of the student's graduate advisor.

Link(s) to courses

• Pure Mathematics (PMATH) courses

Master’s Research Paper

• The Master's Research Paper will normally be completed in the Spring term (May - August) for students who entered the program in the previous Fall term. The research paper must be approved by two readers; the Supervisor(s) and one other reader who will normally hold a PhD and an appointment at the University of Waterloo. A typical research paper is roughly 25-30 typed pages.