³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Mathematics and Statistics

important

Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

Mathematics and Statistics

Location

Location

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics
  • Burnside Hall, Room 1005
  • 805 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal QC H3A 0B9
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-3800
  • Fax: 514-398-3899
  • Email: grad.mathstat [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/mathstat/

About Mathematics and Statistics

About Mathematics and Statistics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs that can be focused on applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics leading to master’s degrees (M.A. or M.Sc.), with program options in Bioinformatics and in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE). The research groups are:

  • Algebra;
  • Algebraic Geometry;
  • Analysis;
  • Applied Mathematics;
  • Differential Equations;
  • Differential Geometry;
  • Discrete Mathematics;
  • Geometric Group Theory;
  • Logic;
  • Mathematical Biology;
  • Mathematical Physics;
  • Number Theory;
  • Probability;
  • Statistics.

In the basic master’s programs, students must choose between the thesis option, and the non-thesis option which requires a project. The Bioinformatics and CSE options require a thesis. In addition to the Ph.D. program in Mathematics and Statistics, there is a Ph.D. option in Bioinformatics.

The Department's website provides extensive information on the Department and its facilities, including the research activities and research interests of individual faculty members. It also provides detailed supplementary information concerning our programs, admissions, funding of graduate students, thesis requirements, advice concerning the choice of courses, etc.

Students are urged to consult the , which coordinates intermediate and advanced-level graduate courses among Montreal and Quebec universities. A list of courses available under the ISM auspices can be obtained from the ISM website. The ISM also offers fellowships and promotes a variety of joint academic activities greatly enhancing the mathematical environment in Montreal and in the province of Quebec.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Programs in Mathematics and Statistics

Detailed program requirements for the following M.A. programs are found in Arts > Graduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Mathematics and Statistics.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis) (45 credits)

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs with concentrations in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics leading to the master's degree (M.A.). The thesis option requires a thesis and six approved courses.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Mathematics and Statistics (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs with concentrations in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics leading to the master's degree (M.A.). The non-thesis option requires a project and eight approved courses.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Programs in Mathematics and Statistics

Detailed program requirements for the following M.Sc. programs are found in Science > Graduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Mathematics and Statistics.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis) (45 credits)

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs with concentrations in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics leading to the master's degree (M.Sc.). The thesis option requires a thesis and six approved courses.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis): Bioinformatics (48 credits)

Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics. Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the M.Sc. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis): Computational Science & Engineering (47 credits)

CSE is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary area with connections to the sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. CSE focuses on the development of problem-solving methodologies and robust tools for the solution of scientific and engineering problems.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs with concentrations in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics leading to the master's degree (M.Sc.).The non-thesis option requires a project and eight approved courses.

Ph.D. Programs in Mathematics and Statistics

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Mathematics and Statistics

The Department offers a course of studies leading to the Ph.D. degree. It differs substantially from the master’s programs in that the student must write a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge. The thesis topic is chosen by the student in consultation with the research supervisor. The thesis must be examined and approved by an internal examiner (normally the research supervisor), an external examiner, and the Oral Examination Committee. The student must present an oral defence of the thesis before that Committee. To submit a thesis for examination, the student must first pass comprehensive examinations.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Mathematics and Statistics: Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics. Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the Ph.D. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field and will have the capability of developing an independent bioinformatics research program.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Mathematics and Statistics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Mathematics and Statistics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements, the Department requirements are as follows:

Master's Degree

The normal entrance requirement for the master's programs is a Canadian honours degree or its equivalent, with high standing, in mathematics or a closely related discipline in the case of applicants intending to concentrate in statistics or applied mathematics.

Applicants wishing to concentrate in pure mathematics should have a strong background in linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real and complex analysis.

Applicants wishing to concentrate in statistics should have a strong background in linear algebra and basic real analysis. A calculus-based course in probability and one in statistics are required, as well as some knowledge of computer programming. Some knowledge of numerical analysis and optimization is desirable.

Applicants wishing to concentrate in applied mathematics should have a strong background in most of the areas of linear algebra, analysis, differential equations, discrete mathematics, and numerical analysis. Some knowledge of computer programming is also desirable.

Students whose preparation is insufficient for the program they wish to enter may, exceptionally, be admitted to a Qualifying year.

Ph.D. Degree

A master's degree with high standing is required, in addition to the requirements listed above for the master’s program. Students may transfer directly from the master’s program to the Ph.D. program under certain conditions. Students without a master's degree, but with exceptionally strong undergraduate training, may be admitted directly to Ph.D. 1.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See University Regulations & Resources > Graduate > Graduate ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ and Application Procedures > Application Procedures for detailed application procedures.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:

  • Personal Statement – In the personal statement, the applicants should clearly explain their choice of preferred research group(s) and preferred area(s) of research, as well as providing relevant information that will not be reflected on their transcripts
  • Research Proposal (optional) – If applicants have a specific research problem of interest that they want to pursue, they may discuss the details in the research proposal
  • Applicants in pure and applied mathematics should provide a GRE score report, if available

For more details, please consult www.mcgill.ca/mathstat/postgraduate/prospective-students/admissions.

Application Dates and Deadlines

Application Dates and Deadlines

Application opening dates are set by Enrolment Services in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), while application deadlines are set by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ departmental website; please consult the list at www.mcgill.ca/gps/contact/graduate-program.

Ìý Application Opening Dates Application Deadlines
Ìý All Applicants Non-Canadian citizens (incl. Special, Visiting & Exchange) Canadian citizens/Perm. residents of Canada (incl. Special, Visiting & Exchange) Current ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Students (any citizenship)
Fall Term: Sept. 15 Jan. 15 Jan. 15 Jan. 15
Winter Term: Feb. 15 Sept. 10 Sept. 15 Sept. 15
Summer Term: N/A N/A N/A N/A

Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty

Chair
David A. Stephens
Graduate Program Director
Dmitry Jakobson
Emeritus Professors
William J. Anderson; B.Eng., Ph.D.(McG.)
Michael Barr; A.B., Ph.D.(Penn.) (Peter Redpath Emeritus Professor of Pure Mathematics)
William G. Brown; B.A.(Tor.), M.A.(Col.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Marta Bunge; M.A., Ph.D.(Penn.)
Ian Connell; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Manit.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Kohur N. GowriSankaran; B.A., M.A.(Madr.), Ph.D.(Bom.)
Paul Koosis; B.A., Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
Michael Makkai; M.A., Ph.D.(Bud.) (Peter Redpath Professor of Pure Mathematics)
Sherwin Maslowe; B.Sc.(Wayne St.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Calif.)
Arak M. Mathai; M.Sc.(Kerala), M.A., Ph.D.(Tor.)
Karl Peter Russell; Vor.Dip.(Hamburg), Ph.D.(Calif.)
Georg Schmidt; B.Sc.(Natal), M.Sc.(S. Af.), Ph.D.(Stan.)
Vanamamalai Seshadri; B.Sc, M.Sc.(Madr.), Ph.D.(Okl.)
George P.H. Styan; M.A., Ph.D.(Col.)
Kwok Kuen Tam; M.A., Ph.D.(Tor.)
John C. Taylor; B.Sc.(Acad.), M.A.(Qu.), Ph.D.(McM.)
Jian-Jun Xu; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Beijing), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Rensselaer Poly.)
Sanjo Zlobec; M.Sc.(Zagreb), Ph.D.(N'western)
Professors
Masoud Asgharian; B.Sc.(Shahid Beheshti), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Peter Bartello; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences)
Rustum Choksi; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Brown)
Henri Darmon; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Harv.), F.R.S.C. (James ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Professor)
Stephen W. Drury; M.A., Ph.D.(Cant.)
Christian Genest; B.Sp.Sc.(UQAC), M.Sc.(UQAM), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) (Canada Research Chair)
Eyal Z. Goren; B.A., M.S., Ph.D.(Hebrew)
Pengfei Guan; B.Sc.(Zhejiang), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Princ.) (Canada Research Chair)
Jacques C. Hurtubise; B.Sc.(Montr.), D.Phil.(Oxf.) F.R.S.C.
Dmitry Jakobson; B.Sc.(MIT), Ph.D.(Princ.) (Peter Redpath Professor)
Vojkan Jaksic; B.S.(Belgrade), Ph.D.(Calif. Tech.)
Niky Kamran; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Bruxelles), Ph.D.(Wat.), F.R.S.C. (James ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Professor)
Adam Oberman; B.S.(Tor.), M.S., Ph.D.(Chic.)
Charles Roth; M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Hebrew)
David A. Stephens; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Nott.)
John A. Toth; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McM.), Ph.D.(MIT)
Adrian Vetta; B.Sc., M.Sc.(LSE), Ph.D.(MIT) (joint appt. with Computer Science)
Daniel T. Wise; B.A.(Yeshiva), Ph.D.(Princ.) (James ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Professor)
David Wolfson; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Natal), Ph.D.(Purd.)
Associate Professors
Louigi Addario-Berry; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Antony R. Humphries; B.A., M.A.(Camb.), Ph.D.(Bath)
Abbas Khalili; B.S., M.S.(Isfahan Univ. of Tech), Ph.D.(Wat.)
Jean-Philippe Lessard; B.Sc.(Sher.), M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Georgia Tech.)
Jean-Christophe Nave; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Calif., Santa Barbara)
Johanna Neslehova; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Hamburg), Ph.D.(Oldenburg)
Sergey Norin; M.S.(Saint Petersburg St.), Ph.D.(Georgia Tech.)
Mikael Pichot; B.Sc.(Lyon), M.S., Ph.D.(ENS Lyon)
Russell Steele; B.S., M.S.(Carn. Mell), Ph.D.(Wash.)
Gantumur Tsogtgerel; B.Sc.(Nat. Univ. Mongolia), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Utrecht)
Assistant Professors
Linan Chen; B.S.(Tsinghua), Ph.D.(MIT)
Sarah Harrison; B.Sc.(MIT), Ph.D.(Stan.) (joint appt. with Physics), (Canada Research Chair)
Tim Hoheisel; Dipl., Ph.D.(Wurzburg)
Jessica Lin; B.A.(NYU), Ph.D.(Chic.)
Michael Lipnowski; B.Sc. (Waterloo), Ph.D. (Stanford)
Piotr Przytycki; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Warsaw)
Brent Pym; B.ScE (Queens), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto)
Marcin Sabok; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Warsaw)
Jérôme Vétois; Ph.D.(Cergy-Pontoise)
Yi Yang; B.S.(Sichuan), M.S., Ph.D.(Minn.)
Associate Members
Xiao-Wen Chang (Computer Science)
Pierre R.L. Dutilleul (Plant Science)
Leon Glass (Physiology)
James A. Hanley (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Hamed Hatami (Computer Science)
Lawrence Joseph (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Anmar Khadra (Physiology)
Michael Mackey (Physiology)
Erica E.M. Moodie (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Prakash Panangaden (Computer Science)
Robert W. Platt (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
James O. Ramsay (Psychology)
Alexandra Schmidt (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Kaleem Siddiqi (Computer Science)
Christina Wolfson (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Adjunct Professors
Renato C. Calleja; B.S.(Tec. Autonomo de Mexico), Ph.D.(Texas-Austin)
Vasek Chvatal; Ph.D.(Wat.)
Eliot Freid; B.S.(Calif. Poly. St.), M.S., Ph.D.(Calif. Tech.)
Andrew Granville; B.A., CASM(Camb.), Ph.D.(Qu.)
Adrian Iovita; B.S.(Bucharest), Ph.D.(Boston)
Dimitris Koukoulopoulos; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Ill.-Chic.)
Xin Yang Lu; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Pisa)
Etienne Marceau; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Laval); Ph.D.(Louvain)
Ming Mei; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Jiangxi Normal Uni.), Ph.D.(Kanazawa)
M. Ram Murty; B.Sc.(Car.), Ph.D.(MIT), F.R.S.C.
Claude-Alain Pillet; M.Sc., Ph.D.(ETH Zurich)
Iosif Polterovich; M.Sc.(Moscow St.), Ph.D.(Weizmann Inst.)
F. Bruce Shepherd; B.Sc.(Vic., Tor.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Wat.)
Armen Shirikyan; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Moscow St.); Habilitation(Paris-Sud XI)
Johannes Walcher; Dip., Ph.D.(ETH Zurich) (joint appt. with Physics)
Senior Faculty Lecturer
Axel Hundemer; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Munich)
Armel Djivede Kelome; M.Sc.(Benin), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Georgia Tech.)
Faculty Lecturers
José A. Correa; M.Sc.(Wat.), Ph.D.(Car.)
Jérôme Fortier; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Laval), Ph.D.(UQAM)
Jeremy Macdonald; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Alberta), Ph.D.(McG.)
Sidney Trudeau; Ph.D.(McG.)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis) (45 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis): Bioinformatics (48 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Thesis): Computational Science & Engineering (47 credits)

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

MATH 600 (6) Master's Thesis Research 1
MATH 601 (6) Master's Thesis Research 2
MATH 604 (6) Master's Thesis Research 3
MATH 605 (6) Master's Thesis Research 4

Required Course

(1 credit)

MATH 669D1 (.5) CSE Seminar
MATH 669D2 (.5) CSE Seminar

Complementary Courses (22 credits)

(minimum 22 credits)

Two courses from List A, two courses from List B, and the remaining credits to be chosen from graduate (500- or 600-level) courses in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Two complementary courses must be taken outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

List A - Scientific Computing Courses:

CIVE 602 (4) Finite Element Analysis
COMP 522 (4) Modelling and Simulation
COMP 540 (3) Matrix Computations
COMP 566 (3) Discrete Optimization 1
MATH 578 (4) Numerical Analysis 1
MATH 579 (4) Numerical Differential Equations

List B - Applications and Specialized Methods Courses:

ATOC 512 (3) Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics
ATOC 513 (3) Waves and Stability
ATOC 515 (3) Turbulence in Atmosphere and Oceans
CIVE 572 (3) Computational Hydraulics
CIVE 603 (4) Structural Dynamics
COMP 557 (3) Fundamentals of Computer Graphics
COMP 558 (3) Fundamentals of Computer Vision
COMP 567 (3) Discrete Optimization 2
COMP 621 (4) Program Analysis and Transformations
COMP 642 (4) Numerical Estimation Methods
COMP 767 (4) Advanced Topics: Applications 2
ECSE 507 (3) Optimization and Optimal Control
ECSE 532 (3) Computer Graphics
ECSE 547 (3) Finite Elements in Electrical Engineering
ECSE 549 (3) Expert Systems in Electrical Design
MATH 555 (4) Fluid Dynamics
MATH 560 (4) Optimization
MATH 761 (4) Advanced Topics in Applied Mathematics 1
MECH 533 (3) Subsonic Aerodynamics
MECH 537 (3) High-Speed Aerodynamics
MECH 538 (3) Unsteady Aerodynamics
MECH 539 (3) Computational Aerodynamics
MECH 541 (3) Kinematic Synthesis
MECH 572 (3) Introduction to Robotics
MECH 573 (3) Mechanics of Robotic Systems
MECH 577 (3) Optimum Design
MECH 610 (4) Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics
MECH 620 (4) Advanced Computational Aerodynamics
MECH 632 (4) Advanced Mechanics of Materials
MECH 642 (4) Advanced Dynamics
MECH 650 (4) Fundamentals of Heat Transfer
MECH 654 (4) Compt. Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 20, 2019) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Mathematics and Statistics (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Mathematics and Statistics

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Mathematics and Statistics: Bioinformatics

Faculty of Science—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)
Back to top