Our Programs
The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science offers four types of degree programs at the graduate level:
Research based programs
Masters of Mathematics (MMath) in: Actuarial Science, Biostatistics, Statistics
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in: Actuarial Science, Biostatistics, Statistics
Professional programs
Master of Actuarial Science (MActSc)
Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF)
MMath Actuarial Science
Who is it for?
The MMath in Actuarial Science is a research-based degree program for applicants with a background in actuarial science, statistics, mathematics, or other quantitative fields.
What does it take to get in?
A four-year Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline such as statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, engineering, etc. with a minimum average of 78%. International students can review the admission equivalencies to determine the requirements for their country.
What options are available?
Thesis:
All students are enrolled into the Research Paper stream. Those interested in the thesis option can request a switch after the first term, normally an average of 90% or higher is required. Approval from the department and supervisor is required.
Co-op:
Students can request a switch to the co-op stream after their first term in the program. Approval must be granted by the supervisor and department.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions (there are no Winter or Spring admissions)
MMath Statistics
Who is it for?
This program is for students interested in studying and creating new methods of collecting, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data. Research areas include artificial intelligence, business and industrial statistics, computational statistics, data science, machine learning, probability, statistical modeling and inference, and survey methods. Graduates from this program find employment as statisticians or data scientists in government, medical, technology or finance sectors, or transition into our PhD program or PhD programs at other top universities.
What does it take to get in?
A four-year Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline such as statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, engineering, etc. with a minimum average of 78%. International students can review the admission equivalencies to determine the requirements for their country.
What options are available?
Thesis:
All students are enrolled into the Research Paper stream. Those interested in the thesis option can request a switch after the first term, normally an average of 90% or higher is required. Approval must be granted by the supervisor and department.
Co-op:
Students can request a switch to the co-op stream after their first term in the program. Approval must be granted by the supervisor and department.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions (there are no Winter or Spring admissions)
MMath Biostatistics
Who is it for?
This program is for students interested in the development and application of statistical methods to solve problems arising in health, biology, and the environment. Graduates find employment in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, regional or national centers for health research, academic centers, and public health agencies.
What does it take to get in?
A four-year Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline such as statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, engineering, etc. with a minimum average of 78%. International students can review the admission equivalencies to determine the requirements for their country.
What options are available?
Thesis:
All students are enrolled into the Research Paper stream. Those interested in the thesis option can request a switch after the first term, normally an average of 90% or higher is required. Approval must be granted by the supervisor and department.
Co-op:
Students can request a switch to the co-op stream after their first term in the program. Approval must be granted by the supervisor and department.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions (there are no Winter or Spring admissions)
PhD in Actuarial Science
Who is this program for?
This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline and would like to pursue research in actuarial science. Graduates from this program typically enter academia or work in the private sector after graduation.
Areas of specialization include: quantitative risk management, stochastic modelling, finance, and Monte Carlo methods.
What does it take to get in?
A Master's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline completed or expected with a cumulative GPA of at least 78% from a Canadian university (or its equivalent). A demonstrated ability to conduct high level research is helpful but not required.
Students with a four-year Bachelor's degree are invited to apply directly to the PhD program. The admissions committee will review each applicant's background for suitability and may recommend admission to our Master's program instead.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions. There are no Winter or Spring admissions.
PhD in Statistics
Who is this program for?
This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline. The PhD will build on this background with the goal of training first-class independent researchers. Graduates from this program find career opportunities in academia, research, and private industry.
Areas of specialization include: artificial intelligence, biostatistics, business and industrial statistics, data science, exploratory data analysis, machine learning, non-parametric methods, probability theory, statistical computing, statistical inference, statistical geometry, stochastic processes, survey sampling, survival analysis, and time series.
What does it take to get in?
A Master's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline completed or expected with a cumulative GPA of at least 78% from a Canadian university (or its equivalent). A demonstrated ability to conduct high level research is helpful but not required.
Students with a four-year Bachelor's degree are invited to apply directly to the PhD program. The admissions committee will review each applicant's background for suitability and may recommend admission to our Master's program instead.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions. There are no Winter or Spring admissions.
PhD in Biostatistics
Who is this program for?
This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline that are looking to develop research skills to address a wide range of challenges arising in health, biology, and the environment. Demand for biostatisticians in Canada and internationally is high and graduates typically find employment in areas such as pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, regional or national centers for health research, academic centers, and public health agencies.
Areas of specialization include: clinical trial design, epidemiological methods, generalized linear models, longitudinal data analysis, event history analysis, stochastic processes, and statistical computing.
What does it take to get in?
A Master's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline completed or expected with a cumulative GPA of at least 78% from a Canadian university (or its equivalent). A demonstrated ability to conduct high level research is helpful but not required.
Students with a four-year Bachelor's degree are invited to apply directly to the PhD program. The admissions committee will review each applicant's background for suitability and may recommend admission to our Master's program instead.
When should I apply?
Application deadline: January 15th for fall admissions. There are no Winter or Spring admissions.