Statistical Sciences: Statistics PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

Students in the PhD program can conduct research in the fields of 1) Statistical Theory and Applications or 2) Probability or 3) Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance. The research conducted in the department is vast and covers a diverse set of areas in theoretical and applied aspects of Statistical Sciences. Students have the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary areas and team up with researchers in, for example, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, and the Rotman School of Management. The main purpose of the program is to prepare students for pursuing advanced research both in academia and in research institutes.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry after completing an appropriate bachelor’s degree (excluding Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance).

 

Fields:
1) Statistical Theory and Applications;
2) Probability

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the PhD program is competitive, and applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Applicants may be accepted with a master's degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least a B+ average. Applicants with degrees in biostatistics, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or any discipline where there is a significant quantitative component will also be considered.

  • Three letters of recommendation.

  • A curriculum vitae.

  • A letter of intent or personal statement outlining goals for graduate studies.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

  • During Year 1, students must successfully complete a total of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • STA3000Y Advanced Theory of Statistics (1.0 FCE)

         and two of the following:

    • STA2101H Methods of Applied Statistics I and STA2201H Methods of Applied Statistics II (1.0 FCE)

    • STA2111H Probability Theory I and STA2211H Probability Theory II (1.0 FCE)

    • STA2311H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics I and STA2312H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics II (1.0 FCE).

  • Courses must be chosen in consultation with the advisor and approved by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

  • Within Years 1 and 2, students must complete a two-part comprehensive examination: 1) an in-class written comprehensive exam and 2) a research comprehensive exam.

    • Students must attempt the in-class written comprehensive by the end of Year 1. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed by the end of Year 2. Students who achieve A or A+ grades in all required coursework are exempt from the in-class written exam.

    • Students must attempt the research comprehensive exam by the beginning of Year 2, which includes a technical report and an oral presentation. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed at the end of Year 2.

    • Students must pass both the in-class written exam and the research exam to continue in the program.

Thesis Requirements

Conducting original research is the most important part of doctoral work. The thesis document must constitute significant and original contribution to the field. Students will have yearly meetings with a committee of no less than three faculty members to assess their progress. The completed thesis must be presented and defended within the Department of Statistical Sciences in addition to being presented and defended at the School of Graduate Studies.

Residency Requirements

Students must also satisfy a two-year residency requirement, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the PhD program is competitive, and applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Applicants may be accepted via direct entry with a bachelor's degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least an A– average. The department also encourages applicants from biostatistics, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or any discipline where there is a significant quantitative component.

  • Three letters of recommendation.

  • A curriculum vitae.

  • A letter of intent or personal statement outlining goals for graduate studies.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

  • Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Year 1: complete 3.0 FCEs:

      • STA3000Y Advanced Theory of Statistics (1.0 FCE)

        and two of the following:

      • STA2101H Methods of Applied Statistics I and STA2201H Methods of Applied Statistics II (1.0 FCE)

      • STA2111H Probability Theory I and STA2211H Probability Theory II (1.0 FCE)

      • STA2311H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics I and STA2312H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics II (1.0 FCE).

      • Courses must be chosen in consultation with the advisor and approved by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.

    • Complete an additional 2.0 FCEs at the graduate level. The additional courses must be approved by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

  • Within Years 1 and 2, students must complete a two-part comprehensive examination: 1) an in-class written comprehensive exam and 2) a research comprehensive exam.

    • Students must attempt the in-class written comprehensive by the end of Year 1. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed by the end of Year 2. Students who achieve A or A+ grades in all required coursework are exempt from the in-class written exam.

    • Students must attempt the research comprehensive exam by the beginning of Year 2, which includes a technical report and an oral presentation. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed at the end of Year 2.

    • Students must pass both the in-class written exam and the research exam to continue in the program.

Thesis Requirements

Conducting original research is the most important part of doctoral work. The thesis document must constitute significant and original contribution to the field. Students will have yearly meetings with a committee of no less than three faculty members to assess their progress. The completed thesis must be presented and defended within the Department of Statistical Sciences in addition to being presented and defended at the School of Graduate Studies.

Residency Requirements

Students must also satisfy a three-year residency requirement, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

 

Field: Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the PhD program is competitive, and applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Applicants may be accepted with a master's degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least a B+ average. Applicants with degrees in biostatistics, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or any discipline where there is a significant quantitative component will also be considered.

  • Three letters of recommendation.

  • A curriculum vitae.

  • A letter of intent or personal statement outlining goals for graduate studies.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

  • During Year 1, students must complete the following 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs):

    • (1.5 FCEs) All of:

      • STA2111H Probability Theory I,

      • STA2211H Probability Theory II, and

      • STA2503H Applied Probability for Mathematical Finance.

    • (0.5 FCE) One of:

      • STA2501H Advanced Topics in Actuarial Science or

      • STA4246H Research Topics in Mathematical Finance.

    • (1.0 FCE) One of:

      • STA2101H Methods of Applied Statistics I and STA2201H Methods of Applied Statistics II or

      • STA2311H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics I and STA2312H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics II or

      • STA3000Y Advanced Theory of Statistics.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

  • Within Years 1 and 2, students must complete a two-part comprehensive examination: 1) an in-class written comprehensive exam and 2) a research comprehensive exam.

    • Students must attempt the in-class written comprehensive by the end of Year 1. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed by the end of Year 2. Students who achieve A or A+ grades in all required coursework are exempt from the in-class written exam.

    • Students must attempt the research comprehensive exam by the beginning of Year 2, which includes a technical report and an oral presentation. If a student fails this portion of the comprehensive exam, one further attempt will be allowed at the end of Year 2.

    • Students must pass both the in-class written exam and the research exam to continue in the program.

Thesis Requirements

Conducting original research is the most important part of doctoral work. The thesis document must constitute significant and original contribution to the field. Students will have yearly meetings with a committee of no less than three faculty members to assess their progress. The completed thesis must be presented and defended within the Department of Statistical Sciences in addition to being presented and defended at the School of Graduate Studies.

Residency Requirements

Students must also satisfy a three-year residency requirement, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years