Program Overview

Program Overview

The Applied Mathematics (Water) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is offered at the University of Waterloo, located in the Mathematics 3 (M3) building on the main campus. This program allows students to conduct mathematics-based research and generate new knowledge in a multidisciplinary environment, focusing on innovative ways to tackle global water challenges.

Program Details

• Department/School: Applied Mathematics
• Faculty: Faculty of Mathematics
• Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
• Delivery mode: On-campus
• Program type: Collaborative, Doctoral, Research
• Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
• Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
• Study option(s): Thesis

Application Deadlines

• January 15 (for admission in September)
• June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
• October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Admission Requirements

• Minimum grade point average: 78% or its equivalent
• Evidence of potential for performing original research, typically provided by successful completion of a master's thesis in a mathematics-related discipline
• In some circumstances, a student enrolled in the MMath program may transfer to the PhD program without completing their MMath program

Degree Requirements

• Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree
• Check out Waterloo's institutional thesis repository - UWspace to see recent submissions from the department of Applied Mathematics graduate students

Application Materials

• Resume
• Statement of interest: A statement of maximum 500 words explaining your interest in and fit for the program you’re applying to
• Program-specific questions (PSQ): Questions specific to the program you’re applying to, completed through a form in the online application
• Transcript(s)
• References: Three references are required, normally from academic sources
• Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable: TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

Tuition and Fees

• Visit the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program
• Review living costs and housing, including the PhD housing guarantee program for admitted students in fall 2026 and winter 2027
• Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students

The program is designed to provide students with a competitive edge through mentorship and connections around the world, preparing them for careers in academia, government, or industry. Through a combination of coursework and original research, students will learn cutting-edge applications of mathematical theory in a broad range of fundamental and applied sciences, with a focus on water challenges. The program includes two interdisciplinary water courses that capture both theoretical and practical components, including in-class lectures, fieldwork, interdisciplinary group work, and individual research seminars.