Degree completion

MMath in DS thesis procedure

Students must complete a thesis containing original work under the supervision of a faculty member.  The thesis examining committee consists of the thesis supervisor and two additional readers.  The supervisor and first reader must be members of the Data Science program; the second reader may be any regular faculty member of the university. You must complete the Agreement to Read MMath Thesis Form and submit it to Data Science Administrator (ds.grad.admin@uwaterloo.ca) before you submit your thesis to the Faculty of Mathematics Graduate Office in order that the thesis examining committee is approved by the Program Director.

The student must make an oral presentation of no less than 20 minutes on the thesis before the examining committee members following the regulations for the MMath thesis procedures on the Faculty of Mathematics website. Since practices vary across the Faculty, the student should inquire with the supervisor and readers to determine the exact format and audience of the presention. Committee members should receive a copy of the thesis at least two weeks prior to presentation. Students preparing their thesis should read the MMath thesis procedures webpage for additional resources and information.

Steps to graduate

MMath Degree Completion

In order to receive a MMath degree, you must complete all of your program’s degree requirements. For a complete list of your programs requirements, you should consult the Graduate Academic Calendar for the term in which you were admitted.

If you have any questions regarding the degree competition process, you should contact your Graduate Program Coordinator

Degree Completion deadlines

Minimum completion deadlines and holidays can be found on the academic deadlines and events page. Information regarding blackout dates are noted in the Faculty of Math, MMath Thesis Procedures page. 

In summary if degree completion requirements are met:

• September 1 – April 30 student will attend spring Convocation
• May 1 – August 31 student will attend fall Convocation

Note: Students have until the 100% tuition refund deadline for the upcoming term, date as noted in the academic deadlines and events page each term, to finish in the previous term and not register for the upcoming term. If you finish by the upcoming terms 100% tuition refund deadline it means you do NOT have to register (pay fees) for the new term.

If as student finishes by the 50% tuition refund deadline they can elect to change their status to part-time for the upcoming term to reduce their fees and will also be eligible for a 50% fee refund if they meet this deadline. Please note that students may forfeit funding if they elect to go part-time. 

In the term you intend to complete your degree please follow these final steps:

1. Ensure all degree requirements are met by completing the MMath DS Degree Completion Checklist. The checklist must be completed and submitted before your application to graduate will be approved.
2. Please contact your Graduate Coordinator stating your have submitted the checklist.
3. Apply to graduate on Quest and complete the steps noted in the Graduate studies graduation checklist by the Apply to Graduate deadline noted on the academic deadlines and events page.
4. Consult with your supervisor(s) to establish a timeline to complete, select your readers and a tentative presentation date
   • Review Thesis regulations and formatting review
5. When your thesis is ready to be read and you have selected your readers, follow the steps and complete the Agreement to read MMath thesis form. 
   • The thesis should be approved for display by the supervisor(s) and be sent to committee members before the start of the display period.
6. Email a PDF copy of your thesis and the signed agreement to read form to your Graduate Coordinator.  
7. The agreement to read MMath thesis form will be reviewed by the director of graduate studies and signed.
   • Please allow 1-2 business days for processing.
8. Your Graduate Coordinator will email MGO and CC you with a copy of your thesis and the signed agreement to read form to have your thesis posted on display.
   • Please allow 1-2 business days for processing by MGO
   • MGO requires your thesis to be posted on display for 2 weeks before your presentation date
   • DS requires your thesis to be on display 2 weeks before your presentation date. If your display period is less than 2 weeks it must be approved by the director of graduate studies
9. Once your thesis is on display, MGO will send you a copy of the thesis announcement by email
10. After your presentation:
    • Complete necessary edits as outlined by your supervisor(s) and two readers, if applicable, and review the formatting of your thesis
    • Submit the MMath Thesis Acceptance Form to to the MMath DS Graduate Coordinator
      MMath DS Thesis Acceptance
      • Thesis Embargo: If you wish to request to restrict circulation of your thesis (e.g., due to patent pending), you may do so on the Thesis Acceptance form. You would also have to select the thesis restriction pull down option when uploading your thesis to UWSpace.
11. Upload the final version of your thesis to UWSpace in the Data Science collection.
    • UWSpace may require you to make revisions to the formatting of your thesis. Check your UW e-mail regularly after you submit
12. When your thesis has been accepted by UWSpace, you and your Graduate Coordinator will be notified by e-mail.
13. Once your thesis has been accepted to UWSpace your Graduate Coordinator will complete a final review and update Quest with your completion. GSPA will then also require a few business days to update Quest with your completion. 
14. Updates to Quest noting that you have met your degree requirements does take time. You may obtain a Degree Completion letter from The Centre. Degree completion letters can only be processed once a degree has been coded to your Quest account. Degrees that have been coded will appear at the top of your unofficial transcript. 
15. Present your thesis by following the MMath Thesis procedures and requirements page.
    • Review Thesis regulations and formatting review
16. Once your thesis has been accepted to UWSpace, the Program Administrator will review your degree requirements and submit the Program Completion form once all of your grades are posted on your unofficial transcript. Note: If needed, you may obtain a Program Completion letter from GSPA specifying that you have met your degree requirements only after your unofficial transcript notes your confer date (this will take some time).
17. Complete the Data Science Graduate Exit Form.
18. Review information regarding Convocation.

• If you are not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, you may not engage in employment with the University (TA or RA) past your degree completion date, unless;

  • you hold a valid work permit, or,
  • you have applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

    • Review the information on PGWP for specifics on applying for a PGWP and your status in Canada during the application period. Supporting documentation (copy of work permit or proof of submission of PGWP) can be loaded directly into WorkDay (in Workday, click View All Apps, then click Personal Information and then Worker Documents. You will then be prompted to upload the document). Failure to maintain work authorization may result in jeopardizing your future immigration applications.