PhD Program Requirements

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy (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).

PhD

This full-time program normally takes 12 academic sessions (four years) to complete and requires continuous registration. There is a maximum time limit of six years to complete the program.

PhD Direct Entry

This full-time program normally takes 15 academic sessions (five years) to complete and requires continuous registration. There is a maximum time limit of seven years to complete the program.

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
  • STA2111H Probability Theory I and STA2211H Probability Theory II
  • STA2311H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics I and STA2312H Advanced Computational Methods for Statistics II.

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

 

PhD Direct Entry

Students must complete an additional 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) at the graduate level. The additional courses must be approved by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.  It is strongly recommended that these courses are completed at the end of Year 2, but no later than the end of Year 4.

 

Field: Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance

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.
 

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

In-Class Written Exam

Students must attempt the in-class written comprehensive exam 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.

Research Comprehensive 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.

Conducting original research is the most important part of doctoral work. Your thesis must constitute significant and original contribution to the field.

Annual Doctoral Progress

You will have yearly meetings with a committee of no less than three faculty members to assess your progress.  

Departmental Oral Examination and Final Oral Examination

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 (SGS). 

All students must satisfy a two-year residency requirement as outlined in the Calendar of the School of Graduate Studies, General Regulations.

Direct-Entry PhD students must satisfy a three-year residency requirement.

 

Questions about your program? 

Please reach out to our graduate team at grad.statistics@utoronto.ca.