PhD Program Requirements

Students in the 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 can work in multidisciplinary areas and team up with researchers in, for example, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, School of the Environment, Faculty of Information, Mathematics, Public Health Sciences, Sociology, Philosophy, and Psychology, 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.

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 are required to complete the following 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs): 

Course Code

Course Description

FCEs

STA 2101H Methods of Applied Statistics I 0.5
STA 2201H Methods of Applied Statistics II 0.5
STA 2111H Graduate Probability I 0.5
STA 2211H Graduate Probability II 0.5
STA 3000Y Advanced Theory of Statistics 1.0

 

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 student's supervisor and 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): 

All of: 

Course Code

Course Description

FCEs

STA 2111H Graduate Probability I 0.5
STA 2211H Graduate Probability II   0.5
STA 2503H Applied Probability for Mathematical Finance  0.5

 

One of: 

Course Code

Course Description

FCEs

STA 4246H Research Topics in Math Finance  0.5
STA 2501H Advanced Topics in Actuarial Science 0.5

 

Either: 

Course Code

Course Description

FCEs

STA 3000Y Advanced Theory of Statistics   1.0

Or: 

Course Code

Course Description

FCEs

STA 2101H Methods of Applied Statistics I and  0.5
STA 2201H Methods of Applied Statistics II 0.5
 

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