For Graduate Students

All graduate students in Mathematics & Statistics are required to attend and participate in the Graduate Student Seminars (MATH 990 and STAT 990). Each seminar is organized by one or more current graduate students with the support of the respective Graduate Chairs in Mathematics and Statistics. Each seminar will convene approximately every two weeks, for up to 1.5 hours on each occasion, during the Fall and Winter terms. During each meeting, there will be at least one talk, which should be about 30 minutes long, by a current graduate student. It is expected that each current student will have contributed a talk by the end of April. The talks can be related to a student's research or be purely expository in nature, under the advice of their supervisor(s). Each academic year, the plan/format for that year's MATH 990 and STAT 990 offerings should be discussed between the volunteer organizers and the respective Graduate Chair within the first two weeks of the Fall Term.  The Graduate Chair will have the final authority on approving the plan/format and the plan may be revisited for the Winter Term if organizational issues arise.

The overall purpose of the 990 seminar talks is to allow students to learn about one another's work and mathematical/statistical interests and to foster academic interaction between students.  The experience is also intended to help students cultivate their scientific communication skills.

Attendance and participation in the Graduate Seminars is necessary for fulfilling your MATH 990 or STAT 990 requirements each year. You will receive the schedule and further information by email in September from the volunteer organizers.

Current graduate students are required to attend the Department Colloquium, which features distinguished speakers from across the mathematical sciences.  The Colloquium is intended to communicate progress at the research frontier while at the same nurturing appreciation for the broader world of mathematics and statistics — especially ideas outside your specific research interests.

Attendance at the Colloquium is necessary for fulfilling your MATH 990 or STAT 990 requirements each year. 

You will receive advance notice by email of each Colloquium from the Mathematics and Statistics Main Office. Colloquiums are also announced on the department's events page, Facebook, and X accounts.

Your supervisor(s) or research group may organize their own seminars.  You are required to attend and participate in seminars as per the direction of your supervisor(s).

For CGPS policies, please see https://cgps.usask.ca/policy-and-procedure/index.php.

For frequently used forms, please see https://teamdynamix.usask.ca/TDClient/33/Portal/Requests/ServiceCatalog?CategoryID=55

 

Graduate Student employees are part of the PSAC Union.

The collective agreement between the University of Saskatchewan and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 40004: 

https://careers.usask.ca/agreements/psac/agreements/graduate-students/psac-table-of-contents.php 

 

Normally, the maximum number of hours of TA work for any graduate student, regardless of the number of appointments held, is no more than an average of 12 hours per week. However, in select instances, it may be possible to temporarily exceed this average (by no more than a set amount), subject to a revised contract and an agreement by all relevant parties. Students should consult articles 14.01 and 14.08 of the PSAC Collective Agreement for the exact clauses governing the number of teaching hours that may be assigned.  Students with questions regarding this are advised to speak to their Graduate Admininistrator or Graduate Chair. 

Department Graduate Student Travel Policy and Procedures

You must have your supervisor(s) approve the travel in advance by email. The supervisor(s) approval and travel details must be reported to both your Graduate Chair (MATH: Dr. Steven Rayan or STAT: Dr. Chris Soteros) and the Graduate Administrator (Kyla Denton).  

It is important that we know where you are going, when you are going, and when you will return. If you know your flight numbers and times, please report those to us. Knowing these details is important, especially if a disaster or other emergency event occurs in the area you are travelling to. If an emergency does occur in your region, proactively letting us know your status is appreciated. It is important that you follow all current Canadian Travel Advisories (https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories).

TA Duties: If unable to perform your assigned duties, you must let Manuela Golban (TA / Lab Coordintor) and the instructor of the course know immediately.  Manuela will be able to assist with finding coverage for your duties.

Regardless of whether your assigned TA duties are affected or not, you should let Manuela know you are travelling as a courtesy to her as she may ask you to cover duties for other students, in which case knowing that you are away will be helpful to her.

Course Work: If your travel will impact your coursework, you must communicate with the instructors individually. We cannot guarantee or require instructors to support your travel, even if an emergency is the cause. If travel will cause you to miss any content or graded work, including exams or quizzes, you must discuss your options with the instructor. Please note that an instructor may be unable to accommodate missed content, and your grade may be negatively impacted. 

Letters Approving Travel: We do not issue letters approving personal travel by default, as they are rarely required. Occasionally, a student requires them due to the location they are traveling to. If you require a letter approving your personal travel, you must request one from the Administrative Coordinator (Kyla Denton), after which the Department will issue you a letter. 

ISSAC: You should proactively verify with ISSAC or CIC that you are permitted to travel with your current immigration documents and that you will be permitted back into Canada. https://students.usask.ca/international/issac.php

Every graduate student in Mathematics or Statistics shall be assigned an Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee for each MSc student shall consist, as a minimum, of the student's designated research supervisor(s), an additional member from the Department ("internal examiner"), and the Graduate Chair in Mathematics or Statistics (depending on the student's program), who shall serve as Chair of Advisory Committee.  Each MMath student will have such a committee, chaired by the Graduate Chair in Mathematics.

The Advisory Committee for each PhD students shall consist, as a minimum, of the student's designated research supervisor(s), two additional members (“internal examiners”) of the Department, one cognate faculty member from a different academic unit at the University of Saskatchewan (or, in some cases, a CGPS-approved member from outside the University), and the Graduate Chair in Mathematics or Statistics, depending on the student's program.  The Graduate Chair shall serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee.

In an instance where the Graduate Chair of your program is a supervisor or an internal examiner, then another faculty member in the Department shall be appointed on a meeting-by-meeting basis to serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee.

It is the aim of the Department's Graduate Committees to form an Advisory Committee for each new student within the first four months of the start date of their current program. Members are selected in consultation with the proposed supervisor(s) and with the student’s intended specialization as well as any relevant interdisciplinary aspects in mind.

The Advisory Committee assists the supervisor(s) in guiding the student towards a successful degree outcome.  The Committee ensures that learning and research objectives are met and provides a broader perspective on the student's work.

While the student will select some preliminary courses for their first term through discussion with their supervisor(s), the Advisory Committee may recommend relevant courses for subsequent terms with student's preparation and goals in mind.

A crucial function of the Committee is to meet annually with the student to conduct a formal progress evaluation, the purpose of which is to assess the student's progress towards program completion and, in the event that progress is unsatisfactory, to suggest actions that will get the student back on track.

The Advisory Committee will normally form a subset of the student's Examination Committee for the purposes of conducting the thesis defence in the case of an MSc or PhD student, as well as the Candidacy Examination in the case of a PhD student.  In the case of an MMath student, the Advisory Committee will assess the student's project submission.

In order to maintain their graduate program registration, each student must be registered in one of MATH 992 (MMath), MATH or STAT 994 (MSc), or MATH of STAT 996 (PhD) at all times (Fall, Winter, and Spring / Summer).  Students must also register in the MATH or STAT 990 Seminar course in Fall and Winter.  These courses are not taught courses in the usual sense.  A student fulfills the 992 / 994 / 996 requirements by performing their research or project work under the guidance of their supervisor(s).  A student fulfills their annual 990 requirements by attending and delivering a talk for the Graduate Student Seminar and by attending the Department Colloquium.  In addition, new graduate students should complete the GPS 960 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity course within their first year.  The course is completed through online self-study.

The mandatory registration courses are used to verify your full-time status, calculate your tuition, and meet the requirements of study permits (in the case of international students).

Beyond the mandatory registration courses described above, students are also required to successfully complete a certain number of credit units of study in graduate-level taught or reading courses that support their research or project specialization. In the case of PhD students, some of these courses will be selected with preparation for the Qualifying and Comprehensive examinations in mind.

A one-term / one-semester taught course is normally worth 3 credit units (CUs) and consists of approximately 36 hours of lecture time.  A two-term / two-semester taught course is typically worth 6 CUs and is approximately 72 lecture hours.  Some courses are offered in a reading or seminar format, in which case the course may not adhere to a set number of lecture hours.

• The MMath program requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 CUs of course work.
• The MSc program in Mathematics requires the successful completion of a minimum of 9 CUs of course work at the 800-level.
• The MSc program in Statistics requires the successful completion of a minimum of 12 CUs of course work at the 800-level (or 9 CUs at the 800-level and 3 CUs at the 300- or 400-level subject to approval, with a passing grade of at least 70% in the undergraduate course).
• The PhD programs in Mathematics and Statistics each require the successful completion of a minimum of 9 CUs of course work at the 800-level.

Additional courses may be required or recommended depending on the student’s background and thesis.

For the MSc and MMath degrees, a student is expected to maintain a cumulative average of 70% with no grade less than 60% in each taught graduate course.

For the PhD degree, students must obtain a final grade of at least 70% in each course. Undergraduate courses do not count towards the PhD program requirements.

If you are intending to tak an undergraduate course as part of the Statistics MSc (subject to the approval of your Advisory Committee), then you must consult the Graduate Administrator (Kyla Denton) prior to registration. Undergraduate courses will be assessed undergraduate tuition by default, in addition, there are a number of overrides that Kyla will need to enter to allow you to register without error. If you forget this step, your tuition will not be assessed correctly and you will likely overpay tuition.

 

All graduate courses offered can be found here:

https://artsandscience.usask.ca/math/graduates/courses-offered.php

College-level policies concerning the PhD Candidacy Examination are detailed here.  Within the larger framework of the College-level policies, each graduate program administers the Candidacy Examination in a format that fits the purposes and needs of the program and its students.  The specific implementation within Mathematics and Statistics is detailed below.

The primary purpose of the Candidacy Examination will be to ascertain whether a PhD candidate has the knowledge and tools to begin working on their thesis problem. The thesis problem should be determined in advance of the examination through collaborative discussions between the candidate, their supervisor(s), and their PhD Advisory Committee. The examination will subsequently assess whether the candidate possesses sufficient awareness and facility with the background material and research literature to begin producing original research in line with the thesis plan.

The Candidacy Examination willtake place by the end of the candidate's second year in the PhD program, measured from the starting date in the program, but not before the candidate has completed all required coursework to the satisfaction of the Advisory Committee. Exceptions to completing by the end of the second year (because of the need to complete further courses or due to disruptions or other extenuating circumstances) must be approved by the supervisor(s), the advisory committee, and by CGPS. Normally, the candidate will have had at least two formal progress meetings with their Advisory Committee before the Candidacy Examination, allowing for some feedback around their coursework and a formalization of the thesis problem. The Advisory Committee will consult the candidate as to a specific, appropriate time for the Candidacy Examination. The candidate will be formally notified by their Graduate Chair at least sixty days notice before the date of Examination, which is the date on which the candidate shall deliver an oral presentation and engage in a question period with examination committee members. For the purpose of the Candidacy Examination, the Examination Committee will normally be the candidate's PhD Advisory Committee together with the Graduate Chair of the program, who will chair the examination and deliberations. Other relevant committee members may be added with the agreement of all parties.

The Examination shall consist of three components:

• a written report, which must be sent by the candidate or supervisor(s) to the Graduate Chair for distribution to the Examination Committee (if the candidate transmits the document to the Graduate Chair, it should not be without the prior approval of the supervisor(s));

• an oral presentation, which is the be held on the agreed-upon Examination date and which will take place at least two weeks after the submission of the written report; and

• a question period containing up to two rounds of questioning, which shall immediately follow the presentation.

The Examination allows for some variation in the length of the written report and the duration of the oral presentation, as quantified below, which takes into account the varying levels of original work — none in some instances and an appreciable amount in other cases — that students will have produced by the end of their second year.

The written report, which is recommended to be no less than 25 pages and no more than 40 pages (single-spaced, including front and end matter), shall propose a thesis topic and demonstrate that the candidate possesses a working knowledge of the subject matter of the emerging project. The report must include a table of contents, an explanation of the motivation for the project, a survey of relevant background material and literature, a description of relevant original work done at this stage (optional), and concrete plans for the next steps and further research. The report must include a properly-formatted bibliography. Parts of the report may subsequently form a portion of the thesis (e.g. the introductory chapter). The expectation in the mathematical sciences is that the Candidacy Report will be prepared in LaTeX, but exceptions may be made in consultion with the supervisor(s).

 

The oral presentation, which is recommended to be no less than 35 minutes and no more than 50 minutes, shall be given in a research seminar style. It should both summarize and elucidate the salient points of the submitted report, from background to the thesis problem to the plans for completing the research. The candidate may employ a chalkboard or electronic slides (or a combination of both) as visual aids. The logical structure and organization of the presentation, the quality and appropriateness of visual aids, and the clarity and manner of speaking style will be assessed in addition to the content.

 

The question period is designed to determine whether the candidate possesses a working knowledge of the foundational mathematics and/or statistics (or other disciplines, as necessary) inherent to the thesis project and whether the candidate possesses sufficient knowledge of the specifics of the thesis plan. The question period will consist of a round of questions, followed by a second round as necessary. The questions may concern the contents of the report, the oral presentation, or both. Each committee member has up to 15 minutes per round to ask questions and engage in a discussion of those questions with the candidate.

Considering the above Candidacy Examination components, the Examination Committee will evaluate the candidate on all of the following:

• background knowledge in the general thesis research area;

• specific knowledge in support of the thesis plan;

• the potential towards completion of the thesis and program (which may be demonstrated through the clarity and feasibility of the thesis plan and/or through specific progress, if any, on the thesis problem to date); and

• the ability to communicate and present mathematical / scientific ideas clearly in writing and orally.

The final outcome is either a Pass or Fail in the Candidacy Examination. This result will be determined by the Examiantion Committee with equal weight applied to the four criteria above. The result will be formally communicated to the candidate by the Graduate Chair for your program within a week of the Examination. A positive result will be taken as confirmation that the candidate's thesis plan and their readiness to pursue it has been accepted by the Examination Committee (and therefore by the PhD Advisory Committee).

Regarding transferring from the MSc program in MATH to the PhD program in MATH or from the MSc program in STAT to the PhD program in STAT, the University of Saskatchewan Course and Program Catalogue states (https://programs.usask.ca//grad-studies/mathematics/math-transfer.php, https://programs.usask.ca//grad-studies/statistics/stats-transfer.php):

"It may be possible, in certain circumstances, to transfer from the MSc program to the PhD program. If the candidate is eligible, then the transfer process can take place after the end of the first year of the MSc program and no later than the end of the second year. The recommendation for the transfer must be initiated through a formal meeting of the candidate’s Advisory Committee. The following conditions must be met:

• The student must have completed at least 9 credit units of coursework at the 800-level and must have achieved a minimum average of 80%. No final mark in any individual course may be below 70%.

• In the opinion of the Advisory Committee, the student must have demonstrated substantial promise as measured by academic accomplishments, the acquisition of discipline-specific knowledge, and the potential for research.

• The student must also have demonstrated strong writing and oral communication abilities."

CGPS has the final authority to approve any such transfer.  If the candidate is approved for transfer by CGPS, then the candidate's registration will be updated from the MSc program to the PhD program and no MSc degree is awarded. The coursework completed thus far in the MSc program will count towards the requirements of the PhD degree.

 

Specific Procedures for Transferring from MSc to PhD in Mathematics 

Regarding the second and third bullets above, we wish to articulate in the case of the Mathematics MSc and PhD programs how the student’s MSc Advisory Committee will evaluate these criteria:

• The candidate wishing to transfer will prepare a transfer report of approximately 10-15 pages (single-spaced) based on one or two foundational, perhaps interrelated, topics deemed by the supervisor(s) to be of potential relevance to the anticipated doctoral work.

• A contextualizing / supporting letter from the supervisor(s) is welcome and will be taken into account by the committee.

• The Committee will schedule a meeting with the candidate to review the report and ask questions of the candidate. The Committee may request a short presentation from the candidate as part of this meeting.

The Committee will produce a recommendation to the Graduate Chair regarding the transfer; they will communicate this recommendation to CGPS, which has the final authority on the transter. 

Note: The transfer report / presentation will not generally satisfy the Candidacy Exam. That being said, if relevant and sophisticated enough, its contents can later be incorporated into the Candidacy report. Students demonstrating extremely exceptional performance in the Master’s program may indeed be able to pass the Candidacy requirement through the transfer process, but even in such a case, the transfer report is likely to be prepared late in the transfer window (towards the end of the second year of the MSc program), in which case the transfer report may be essentially equivalent to the MSc thesis. In this case, the candidate, supervisor(s), and MSc Advisory Committee should weigh carefully the value of transferring to the PhD versus completing the MSc, especially as the transfer means that the candidate will not earn the MSc degree.

The Government of Saskatchewan's Health Plan provides basic hospital and medical health coverage to residents of Saskatchewan at no charge. If you arrive directly from your home country coverage starts the day you arrive in Saskatchewan.

Students from Other Provinces:
If you are a resident of another Canadian province or territory and are receiving an education in Saskatchewan, then you should retain coverage with your home province or territory. For more information, contact the Health Registries department in your home province.

International Students:
If you are an international student temporarily residing in Saskatchewan to further your education, you may be eligible for Saskatchewan health coverage.

Your application will need to accompany proof of full‐time enrolment at an accredited educational institute, as well as a valid Study Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html).

Apply for a Health Card: 
https://www.ehealthsask.ca/

All new Saskatchewan residents must register themselves and their dependents for a Saskatchewan Health Card in order to receive health benefits.

New Saskatchewan residents are people who have relocated to Saskatchewan from another Canadian
province/territory, or from outside Canada, such as foreign nationals, international students and returning Canadians.

You may complete the application for yourself, your spouse/partner and all dependents under 18 years of age if they are living with you in Saskatchewan.

Student ID:
For updated information on how to receive a Student ID card always refer to the below link, during different periods of the academic year the process may change:

https://bookstore.usask.ca/campus-id.php

Your Student ID card is used to:

• take out books at the library
• track your meal plan balance
• get into your residence room and building
• get discounts from business' that offer deals to students

Proof of Student Enrolment:
If you need to prove that you're a student to another person or organization (like a bank to get a student account), you can print a Confirmation of Enrolment from PAWS. It will show that you are registered in classes as a full-time student as long as you have registered in your mandatory research course (MATH 992, 994, or 996).

https://paws5.usask.ca/#registration

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9 digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits.

A SIN is issued to one person only and it cannot legally be used by anyone else. You are responsible for protecting your SIN. Store any document containing your SIN and personal information in a safe place—do not keep your SIN with you.

For the University of Saskatchewan to be able to issue students their scholarship and employment payments a valid SIN is required. We require your SIN paperwork as soon as possible once you arrive in Canada to ensure you receive your first payment on time. This is very important if you require that payment to pay your tuition! We suggest that you apply for your SIN the first few days in Canada.

Always go to the official government website for instructions and information on how to apply for a SIN:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin.html

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) is a central support unit and a campus partner for all students, staff, and faculty. ISSAC is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, globally aware and inclusive campus community.

The ISSAC website and staff are a very helpful source of information for new students, especially international students. Many details are available on their website.

https://students.usask.ca/international/issac.php#About 

The Student Wellness Centre offers urgent and non-urgent physical and mental health care to University of Saskatchewan students and their spouses and children.

Appliances in offices:
We are in an older building with an electrical system that cannot handle appliances (small or large). Please do not use appliances in your office! This includes space heaters! You may cause a breaker to blow as many offices are on the same circuit. Appliances may be removed with warning by FMD or the College.

Bikes:
Bikes should always be locked up in designated bike racks. It is against fire code to have bikes locked up in any other location (including handrails, staircases, or any other part of the building or area near the building). Bikes can be removed without warning by Facilities if not in a designated bike rack.

Doors:
If nobody is in your office, lock the door, even if you are just stepping out for a short time. This is to protect your items, your office mate’s items, and the department’s items. If your key is not working for your office, come to the Main office and let the office staff know

If your door will not lock or close reliably due to a defect, please let the Main Office (math.office@usask.ca) know ASAP. If the Main Office is closed (ONLY IF WE ARE CLOSED), contact Work Control at Phone: 966-4496 Text 966-4496 Email workcontrol.centre@usask.ca.

Keys:
University Keys are tracked by codes. If you lose your keys please ensure you report them lost to both the Department's Main Office and to Protective Services: 306-966-5555 (or 5555 from a campus phone). Never label your keys with the building or rooms as this causes security concerns! We suggest using colour coding if you need help knowing what key opens up what.

Lounge:
The lounge has a fridge, coffee maker, kettle, and microwave for your use. Please always clean up after yourself and avoid leaving food in the fridge for long periods of time. If something is not functioning, please let the main office know. The microwave and fridge are there for you to use, please wipe it clean after using them to keep them clean. The custodians do NOT clean these items.

Do not move the microwave or fridge, they are plugged into the only outlets approved by Facilities to avoid the occurrence of a fire. If they stop working, it is most likely due to the breaker being tripped. Contact the main office to have this issue remedied.   

Package Deliveries to Campus:
If having packages mailed to the Department Mailing address, you must ask the Math & Stats Main Office permission in advance to avoid your package being refused.

Printers:
If a printer jams, please let the main office know as soon as possible. If the main office is closed, email math.office@usask.ca and kondra@math.usask.ca  and let us know the printer is jammed. We can only request to unjam the printer if we know it is jammed in the first place.

Scents in the office:
The University Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection encourage staff, students and faculty to voluntarily show consideration to colleagues by being respectful in their odors and the use of scented products. Many people are very sensitive to colognes, perfumes, and other scents, though are uncomfortable to approach. Please respect your office mates and assume that everybody is sensitive by always showing consideration.

Windows:
When the window is open, always have the screen completely closed. There are multiple wasps nests near and in McLean Hall, to prevent wasp attacks inside it is important that we keep the screens closed. If you notice a window open that shouldn’t be, please close it. This includes in the Lounge and any other shared spaces.

Keep windows closed during the winter. It takes very little time for the window to freeze open, and it can cost the department to have somebody sent to thaw the window hinge to allow it to close.

Work Stations / Desk Assignments:
Do not switch offices on your own due to safety and fire regulations. Your desks must be labelled with your name so staff can locate them. You can make your label or request one from the Main Office. Keep your workstations relatively clean and clear, as custodians only take out garbage and sweep once a week. Throw food leftovers out in the lounge or bathroom garbage, as they are emptied more frequently. Keep empty workstations clean and clear, as well as your own.

 

Package Deliveries to Campus:
If having packages mailed to the Department Mailing address you must ask the Math & Stats Main Office permission in advance to avoid your package being refused.

Department Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uofs.math.stats/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UofS_Math_Stats

Important Contact Information:

Math & Stats Main Office	1 (306) 966-6081	office@math.usask.ca
Administrative Coordinator (Kyla Denton)	1 (306) 966-6125	kyla@math.usask.ca
Office Coordinator (Candace Suessmilch)	1 (306) 966-6126	css354@mail.usask.ca
IT Systems Manager (Richard Kondra)	1 (306) 966-6116	kondra@math.usask.ca
Graduate Chair MATH (Alexey Shevyakov)	1 (306) 966-6086	shevyakov@math.usask.ca
Graduate Chair STAT (Chris Soteros)	1 (306) 966-6118	soteros@math.usask.ca
Department Head (Shahedul Khan)	1 (306) 966-2117	khan@math.usask.ca
Deputy Head (Steven Rayan)	1 (306) 966-6090	rayan@math.usask.ca
Graduate TA/Lab Coordinator (Manuela Golban)	1 (306) 966-7953	golban@math.usask.ca