¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Mathematics Doctor of Philosophy Program

Department of Mathematics | Faculty of Science
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2012 Summer

Program Requirements

A doctor of philosophy (PhD) candidate is normally required to complete the master of science (MSc) requirements (either the thesis or the project option) and at least 12 further graduate units. Of these, at least eight units should be from courses numbered 800 or above. Subject to the approval of the department’s graduate studies committee, a PhD candidate with an MSc degree is deemed to have completed the MSc requirements for the purpose of the PhD program requirements.

The graduate course work should normally involve at least four different areas of mathematics subject to the approval of the student’s supervisory committee and the department’s graduate studies committee.

Courses

Seven hundred division courses may be offered in conjunction with a 400 division course. Students may not complete a 700 division course if it is offered in conjunction with a 400 division course which they have completed previously.

Examination and Thesis Proposal

    Candidates normally pass a two stage general exam. The first stage consists of successful completion of a comprehensive exam by enrolling in

  • MATH 878 PhD Comprehensive Examination
  • In the second stage, students present their supervisory committee with a written thesis proposal and then the student defends it at an open oral defence by enrolling in

  • MATH 879 PhD Thesis Proposal

The supervisory committee evaluates the thesis proposal and defence, and passes or fails the student. A candidate cannot complete either the general exam or the second stage more than twice. Both stages must be completed within six full-time terms of initial enrolment in the program.

Thesis Defence

    Students must submit and successfully defend a thesis which embodies a significant contribution to mathematical knowledge by enrolling in

  • MATH 899 PhD Thesis (6)

Operations Research Stream

    A PhD candidate is normally required to complete the MSc requirements and at least 12 further graduate units. Of these, at least eight units must be from courses numbered 800 or above. Subject to the approval of the department's graduate studies committee, a PhD candidate with an MSc degree is deemed to have completed the MSc requirements for the purpose of the PhD program requirements.

    Candidates normally pass a two-stage general exam. The first stage consists of successful completion of

  • MATH 888 Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam: Operations Research
  • In the second stage, students present to their supervisory committee a written thesis proposal and then defend it at an open oral defence by enroling in

  • MATH 879 PhD Thesis Proposal
  • The supervisory committee evaluates the thesis proposal and defence, and passes or fails the student. A candidate cannot attempt either general exam stage more than twice. Both stages must be completed within six full-time terms of initial enrolment in the program.

    Students must submit and successfully defend a thesis which embodies a significant contribution to mathematical knowledge, by completing

  • MATH 899 PhD Thesis (6)
  • See the graduate general regulations for further information.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the graduate general regulations (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.

Return to mathematics index page.

For calendar inquiries and technical problems, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar changes and corrections