Graduate Programs

Welcome to Graduate Studies in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Saskatchewan!  We offer graduate degree programs in Mathematics (MSc, MMath, and PhD) and in Statistics (MSc and PhD).

The University of Saskatchewan is a research-intensive institution of higher education located in the city of Saskatoon, the largest city in the province of Saskatchewan.  The University is situated on a beautiful limestone campus along the South Saskatchewan riverbank. The University, which is a member of the U15 group of Canadian universities, offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to nearly 30,000 students from around the world.

Our Department is an excellent environment in which to pursue further studies in the mathematical sciences. We are proud to have an outstanding group of internationally-renowned researchers and instructors.  In our Mathematics MSc, MMath, and PhD programs, we offer specializations in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Discrete Mathematics.  Our Statistics MSc and PhD programs cover a very wide range of theoretical and applied statistical ideas and techniques. Please consult our list of our faculty members and their research interests. The research activities of our faculty members and research scientists include strong international collaborations.  Many of our faculty members also engage in interdisciplinary research.

Graduate students in our Department have access to high-quality taught courses that prepare them for research in their subjects of specialization.  Our graduate students tend to work closely with their supervisors on research activities and thesis work.  This partnership results in an environment where students successfully acquire highly sought-after skills within their discipline.

Our Master's programs are designed to prepare students for doctoral research, as well as to provide specialized training applicable to further employment in the Public Sector, Business, and Industry.  Our MSc programs is typically completed in two years.  After 12 months in the MSc program and successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, a student may be considered for transfer to the Doctoral program.

A Doctoral degree is essential for anyone wishing to work in academia and is a valuable credential for highly-qualified specialists in industry and government. The PhD is a research degree that is normally completed in four to five years.

We are pleased to offer adequate financial support to the majority of our Graduate Students. Many of our graduate students are international students and the Department welcomes international applications.

Through regular colloquia, seminars, and research visits by experts in each of the four specializations above, the Department maintains a lively and stimulating research environment.  We encourage graduate students to attend a variety of talks and seminars that not necessarily related to their specialization.  We also run Graduate Student Seminars in which students share their work and receive feedback from one another and supervisors.  The Math & Stats Graduate Student Society organizes mathematical and social activities for our graduate students on a regular basis.

The City of Saskatoon offers a scenic riverbank, many parks, a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant cultural community, and a high quality of life.  A diverse city of just over 270,000 people, Saskatoon is a fantastic place to live while pursuing your graduate degree.

General information for prospective graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan can be found on the website of the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. 

For specific information, feel free to explore the tabs on the current web page, or contact the Graduate Administrator.

• Application Procedures

Our Degree Programs at a Glance 

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers five different graduate degree programs: 

• MSc in Mathematics (Research-Focused Master's Degree with Thesis, typically 2 years)
• MMath in Mathematics (Course-Focused Master's Degree with Project, typically 1.5-2 years)
• PhD in Mathematics (Research-Focused Doctoral Degree with Thesis, typically 4-5 years)
• MSc in Statistics (Research-Focused Master's Degree with Thesis, typically 2 years)
• PhD in Statistics (Research-Focused Doctoral Degree with Thesis, typically 4-5 years) 

The MSc and PhD are research-focused degrees, culminating in an original thesis. In particular, a PhD dissertation is intended to make a substantive and formative contribution to existing knowledge in mathematics, statistics, or the wider mathematical sciences. The MMath program is centred around courses and a final project whose outcome is an exposition or synthesis of existing and perhaps emerging ideas in the mathematical sciences. 

Students applying to one of the three Mathematics degree programs (MSc, MMath, PhD) can select a specialization based on their area of interest.  The specializations are Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Discrete Mathematics.  The specializations are informal and a student can work at the interface of two or more of these (e.g. blending pure mathematical perspectives into applied problems).  Choosing a specialization helps us to match a student with potential supervisors and will influence graduate courses that they will take, if they are successfully admitted to the program. 

In the majority of cases, students will take approximately 2 years to complete the MSc program in Mathematics or Statistics, although students sometimes take a shorter time (e.g. 1.5 years) or a longer time (e.g. 2.5-3 years).  Students completing the MMath program will often take 1.5-2 years to complete the program, although this is partly subject to the availability of appropriate courses given the larger number of courses required compared to our other programs.  Finally, students will often take between 4 and 5 years to complete the PhD program in Mathematics or Statistics, although it is not unusual for students to require a longer period (e.g. 6 years). 

All three degrees (MSc, MMath, and PhD) involve taught courses that are designed to give students a solid foundation in graduate-level mathematics and/or statistics as they approach the research frontier of, and cutting-edge ideas within, these disciplines.  As the MMath program is not research-based, it involves more coursework than the other programs. 

Admissions Requirements

Please consult these pages regarding the official admissions requirements for our programs: 

• https://grad.usask.ca/programs/mathematics.php
• https://grad.usask.ca/programs/statistics.php 

Coursework Requirements

• MSc candidates in Mathematics are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit units of coursework (equivalent to 3 one-term courses) at the graduate level as part of their degree requirements.
• MMath candidates are required to complete a minimum of 24 credit units of coursework (equivalent to 8 one-term courses) as part of their degree requirements, with at least 18 credit units at the graduate level.
• MSc candidates in Statstics are required to complete a minimum of 12 credit units of coursework (equivalent to 4 one-term courses) as part of their degree requirements, with at least 9 credit units at the graduate level.
• PhD candidates in Mathematics or Statistics are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit units of coursework (equivalent to 3 one-term courses) at the graduate level as part of their degree requirements. 

The total number of required courses will be determined by the student's Master's or PhD Advisory Committee, which includes their supervisor(s) as well as additional faculty experts. 

For more information about the course work requirement and other policies associated with the program, please see Information for Current Students. 

MSc Thesis Requirements 

In addition to the coursework requirement (9 credit units for Mathematics and 12 credit units for Statistics), MSc candidates must complete an original thesis that elicits or anticipates an original point of view on emerging theoretical topics and/or applications in mathematics, statistics, or the wider mathematical sciences. A student in this program will have a thesis supervisor(s) who will guide the student towards completing the thesis.  The adequacy of the thesis is decided by an Examination Committee consisting of the candidate's Advisory Committee and an Arm's Length Examiner drawn from within or outside the University. The candidate must pass an oral defence based on the work in the thesis. 

Math Project Requirements 

In addition to the 24 credit units or more of coursework (of which at least 18 must be at the graduate level), MMath candidates must complete a project whose outcome is an exposition or synthesis of existing and perhaps emerging theoretical ideas and/or applications in the mathematical sciences. A student in this program will have a project supervisor(s) who will guide the student towards completing the project.  The written project will be evaluated by the student's MMath Advisory Committee but will not be subject to a defence. 

PhD Candidacy and Thesis Requirements 

In addition to the 9 credit units or more of graduate-level coursework, a student registering in the PhD program in Mathematics or Statistics must pass a Candidacy Examination, which consists of a written report, an oral presentation, and an oral examination conducted by the candidate's Advisory Committee. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the student is well equipped to commence work within their proposed area(s) of research and that their thesis proposal is feasible. The examination may only occur after the student has completed all of their coursework and usually before the end of their second year in the program. 

The research for the PhD thesis and the thesis preparation are supervised by designated research supervisor(s). The student is required to submit a thesis containing a formative and worthwhile contribution that enhances current knowledge within a specialized theoretical and/or applied aspect(s) of mathematics, statistics, or the wider mathematical sciences. The adequacy of the thesis is decided by an Examination Committee consisting of the candidate's Advisory Committee, University Examiner drawn from within the University, and an External Examiner drawn from outside this University. The candidate must pass an oral defence based on the work in the thesis. 

For more information about the course work requirement, Candidacy Examination procedures, and other policies associated with the program, please see Information for Current Students. 

Related Programs 

Separate from our primary programs and specializations is the Collaborative Biostatistics Program, which is an interdisciplinary graduate program managed by the School of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan with support from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 

Applications to the Collaborative Biostatistics Program cannot be made through Mathematics and Statistics and require a separate, dedicated application.

• Application Procedure
• General Minimum Admission Requirements
• Additional International Students Admission Requirements 

The language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan is English. Applicants for admission whose first language is not English must, therefore, present evidence of proficiency in English prior to initial registration. Evidence of proficiency in English is necessary, as evidenced by a degree from a country where one of the official languages is English, or approved standardized testing (TOEFL examination or equivalent).