Program Overview

Program Overview

The Combinatorics and Optimization (Quantum Information) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is offered by the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo. This program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in combinatorics and optimization, as well as expertise in quantum information science.

Research Fields

The program focuses on the following research fields:

• Algebraic Combinatorics
• Continuous Optimization
• Cryptography
• Discrete Optimization
• Graph Theory
• Quantum Computing

Program Details

• Department/School: Combinatorics and Optimization
• 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)
• July 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
• October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in combinatorics and optimization, or in a closely related field, with a minimum 89% average in master's level coursework.
• Completion of a master's thesis.
• Evidence of research ability or potential.
• Students in the PhD program are regarded as being on probation during their first year in the department, and their performance during this first year determines whether they are allowed to continue in the program.
• A student who is enrolled in the Master of Mathematics (MMath) program in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization and wishes to continue in the PhD program has to apply for admission into the program.
• In exceptional cases, a graduate student enrolled in a MMath (Thesis) program in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization may, through the Graduate Officer and with the consent of the Supervisor, petition the Graduate Committee to be transferred into a PhD program.
• Students applying to the PhD program who hold a master's degree from another university may, in some cases, be admitted initially into the MMath program.
• Applicants educated outside of Canada, including those from the United States, are recommended to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) subject test in mathematics.

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 to see recent submissions from the department of Combinatorics and Optimization graduate students.

Application Materials

• 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): These are questions specific to the program you’re applying to.
• 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 to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program.
• Review living costs and housing.
• Learn about the PhD housing guarantee program for admitted students.
• Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students.