Master of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics (Water)
The University of Waterloo offers a unique research-based Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) collaborative program in Water. This program, jointly offered by eight departments across the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics and Science, is intended to promote multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives related to water. The goal of the program is to supplement disciplinary (specialist) training offered in individual departments with perspectives from a variety of water-related disciplines. Students graduating from the collaborative program will be better equipped to work in multidisciplinary teams to solve increasingly complex water issues.
The over 130 faculty members involved in water research at the University of Waterloo represent international excellence and leadership in the field. The faculty cohort includes a Canada Excellence Research Chair, eight Canada Research Chairs, two NSERC Industrial Research Chairs and several University Chairs. The University’s water programs are diverse and collectively comprehensive, creating a dynamic research and learning environment. Core disciplinary expertise includes:
- Hydrological (groundwater, surface water) science and engineering;
- Water/wastewater treatment and technology;
- Ecohydrology;
- Aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology;
- Water management, policy and governance.
The collaborative program in Water represents tremendous opportunity for graduate students to train within their chosen disciplines while being exposed to perspectives of water research, innovation and management from other fields.
Admissions Requirements
Interested students should apply to the collaborative program in Water in one of the following departments via the regular university application process:
The collaborative program is available to students who are applying to thesis or major paper-based research programs in the home department and whose program of study will have a substantial focus on water. Admission requirements are the same as home department programs, who must approve the application. Students will be required to submit a brief statement of their research interests in water with their application.
Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all of the requirements of their home department, including any specific courses, thesis or seminar milestones, and all of the requirements of the Water program. Whether or not collaborative program courses can be used as electives in the home department will be determined by the department, and may differ from department to department. It is therefore possible that students will need to take additional courses beyond those prescribed by the home department in order to meet the specific requirements of the Water program.
The Master of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics (Water) degree is only available in a Thesis option. Candidates for the degree must obtain an average of at least 70% in their courses.
The Master of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics (Water) requires the completion of four one-term (0.50 unit) graduate courses, with a breadth requirement and Water core course requirement, and the writing of a thesis. It is not required that the thesis contain original results. However, many of our students (for example, those who have had research experience as undergraduates) do obtain new results which may lead to publications in the research literature.
Students in the Master of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics (Water) program are allowed to take at most one 600-level course (including similar cross-listed courses offered by other departments) for credit.
The Master's thesis is read by a committee which consists of the thesis supervisor and two other faculty members who are knowledgeable about the research area. The committee is approved by the Departmental Graduate Committee. There is also a thesis defence, which consists of a twenty minute presentation by the candidate, followed by detailed questioning by the committee members. The thesis should normally be submitted to the Mathematics Faculty Graduate Office at least three weeks before the date of the thesis defence. A final version of the thesis should be given to the members of the examining committee at least two weeks before the defence date.
Breadth Requirement
All Master's students are required to take one Computation course and one Differential Equations or Techniques course, from the following list:
Core Courses
Core courses are designed to provide fundamental multidisciplinary knowledge and experience to complement the student’s specialist courses and water-related research in the home department.
The two required core courses are:
- WATER 601: Integrated Water Management (0.50 credit)
- WATER 602: Integrated Water Management Project (0.50 credit)
Research Seminar
Students will make a formal presentation on their research at an annual symposium or other designated event. This will be an opportunity to interact with a very broad multidisciplinary audience that crosses all areas of research in the collaborative programs.
Other opportunities
Students enrolled in the collaborative program will be offered other learning opportunities, such as participation in seminars and workshops and access to visiting fellows and scholars, which will enhance the learning experience.
Applying for the collaborative program in Water
For more information about the collaborative Water graduate programs, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator of a participating department or:
Dr. Mark Servos
Program Director
Phone: 519-888-4567 x36034
Email: mservos@uwaterloo.ca
Interested students should visit the Graduate Studies Office website.
If you need further assistance with the application, please email the Graduate Studies Office.