Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Pure Mathematics - Quantum Information

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 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.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

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

Admission requirements

  • 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)

Degree requirements

    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, including the 2 Quantum Information core courses, 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, and at least 2 of the courses must be QIC graduate courses (note that cross-listed courses, such as PMATH871/QIC710, are regarded as both PMATH and QIC courses). The other 2 courses can include at most 1 PMATH course numbered in the 600s and at most 1 graduate course from outside Pure Mathematics or Quantum Information. 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.
    • Quantum Information core courses:
      • QIC 710 Quantum Information Processing (equivalent to PMATH 871 Quantum Information Processing)
      • QIC 750 Implementation of Quantum Information Processing
    • If students have credit for a course deemed equivalent to a particular core QIC course by the IQC Curriculum Committee, then that part of the core requirement may be waived, but the minimum number of required courses will remain 4.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Master's Seminar
    • Regular participation in a departmental seminar is required.
  • Master’s Thesis
    • The thesis should be on a topic related to quantum information and 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, including the 2 Quantum Information core courses, with an average of at least 70% (with unit weights equal to 0.50). At least 4 courses must be PMATH courses, and at least 3 of the courses must be QIC graduate courses (note that cross-listed courses, such as PMATH 871/QIC 710, are regarded as both PMATH and QIC 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.
    • Quantum Information core courses:
      • QIC 710 Quantum Information Processing (equivalent to PMATH 871 Quantum Information Processing)
      • QIC 750 Implementation of Quantum Information Processing
    • If students have credit for a course deemed equivalent to a particular core QIC course by the IQC Curriculum Committee, then that part of the core requirement may be waived, but the minimum number of required courses will remain 6.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Master’s Research Paper
    • The Master's Research Paper should be on a topic related to quantum information and 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.
Department of Pure Mathematics website
Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Pure Mathematics - Quantum Information future students program page