M.Sc. Thesis Program

Duration:  3 academic terms over 16 months (in exceptional cases, can be completed in 12 months)

Beginning term: Start in Fall (September) or Winter (January)

Requirements: 21 credits (6 courses), 24 thesis credits, M.Sc. thesis

Program milestones:

• End of first term:  Students should have completed 2-3 courses.
• End of second term: Students should have completed 2-3 courses and chosen their thesis topic.
• End of third term: Students should have completed any remaining courses and submitted their thesis.

Accelerated M.Sc. Thesis program

(current McGill undergraduate students ONLY)

Duration:  3 academic terms over 12 months

Beginning term: Must apply by December 1 for the following Summer Admission. Contact grad.mathstat [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Accelerated%20M.Sc.%20Thesis%20Program) (Graduate Program Coordinator) for details.

Requirements: 4 courses (15 credits), 6 research preparation credits, 24 thesis credits, M.Sc. thesis

Program milestones:

• End of first term (Summer):  Students should have chosen thesis topic, completed research preparation credits.
• End of second term (Fall): Students should have completed 2-3 courses.
• End of third term (Winter): Students should have completed remaining courses and submitted their thesis. 

M.Sc. Project Program

(Currently not offered)

We encourage most students to apply for the Master's Thesis Program.  Prospective applicants should contact the grad.mathstat [at] mcgill.ca (subject: M.Sc.%20Project%20Program) (Graduate Program Coordinator).

Duration:  3 academic terms over 16 months, or part-time

Beginning term: Start in Fall (September) or Winter (January)

Requirements: 8 courses (29 credits), 16 research project credits, M.Sc. project

• End of first term:  Students should have completed 3 courses.
• End of second term: Students should have completed 3 courses and chosen project topic.
• End of third term: Students should completed remaining 2 courses and submitted their project. 

PhD Thesis Program

Duration:  3 – 4 years

Beginning term: Start in Fall (September) or Winter (January)

Requirements: 6 courses (minimum 21 credits), with at least two courses a the 600-level or above, qualifying exam, Ph.D. thesis and oral thesis defense.

• End of first year (PhD 2):  Students should have completed 4-6 courses.
• End of second year (PhD 3): Students should have completed remaining courses and passed the qualifying exam.  
• End of fourth year (PhD 5): Students should have submitted their thesis and completed the PhD oral defense.

Students who do not have a Master’s degree will be required to do one additional year of coursework at the beginning of the program (PhD 1), where the required courses are selected with the help of their supervisor.