Mathematics

Master of Science (MSc), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Build a solid foundation in mathematical and statistical theory with a view to applications in science and industry.

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Faculty/School

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science



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Program Components Length
Master of Science (MSc)Coursework and thesis24 months
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Coursework and dissertation48 months

Why study the Program at UBC Okanagan?

The mathematics graduate program at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC, offers tier-one research-based degrees to students in a collegial, close-knit setting.

Our dynamic faculty and students are engaged in a variety of research projects, many in collaboration with partners in government, non-profit agencies and industry.

Our research-based MSc and PhD degrees in mathematics provide students with theoretical, practical and analytical expertise, as well as experience in the application of scientific results to real-world problems.

Mathematics students enrolled in the MSc program will learn theory and methods, as well as undertake a practical research project. Graduates with an MSc degree are prepared for employment opportunities in research and teaching, as well as industry and government or for further studies leading toward an advanced degree such as a PhD.

Program Milestones

  • establishing a faculty supervisory committee
  • preparing, presenting, and defending a thesis research proposal
  • completing coursework in mathematics and statistics
  • collecting and analyzing data
  • writing and defending a thesis and, ideally, publishing research results

Coursework & Thesis Requirements

  • 18 credits of coursework: 4 approved credits per winter term
  • additional coursework may be required, at the discretion of the supervisory committee
  • 12-credit MSc thesis (MATH 549)

Exceptional MSc students can transfer to the PhD program after one year if they meet program requirements and are approved by the Graduate Program Advisory Committee.

Most MSc students become Teaching Assistants for at least one semester in order to gain valuable experience and to learn effective communications strategies.

The PhD is an advanced research degree that requires original and substantive contributions to the advancement of our understanding of an area of mathematics or statistics. Graduates of the PhD program are prepared for careers that involve teaching and/or conducting independent research and teaching within academia, governmental and industrial settings.

Program milestones

  • establishing a faculty supervisory committee
  • completing 30 credits of coursework requirements, as approved by the student’s supervisory committee (up to 18 course credits from an MSc program may count towards satisfying this requirement)
  • preparing, presenting, and defending a dissertation research proposal
  • passing a candidacy examination that demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge in one’s chosen field and specialization
  • completing dissertation research and writing, and defending the work
  • communication research results via presentations and publication in scientific journals

Upon passing the proposal exam, PhD students become candidates and are eligible to teach courses if they meet program requirements, and are approved by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Research and Supervisors

Supervisors

Please connect with a faculty supervisor before you start the application process. We look forward to hearing about your research interests and career goals.

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Jeff Andrews | Associate Professor | Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics | jeff.andrews@ubc.ca | 250.807.9931 | SCI 111

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Clustering and classification via mixture models with applications to bioinformatics.
Heinz Bauschke | Professor | Mathematics | heinz.bauschke@ubc.ca | 250.807.8529 | ASC 352

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Convex analysis and optimization, monotone operator theory, projection methods, and applications.
W. John Braun | Professor | Mathematics, Statistics | john.braun@ubc.ca | 250.807.8032 | SCI 378

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Computational statistics, with applications to fire science; statistical process control; statistical education. Most recently, I have been focusing on visualization methodology, using a class of techniques called Data Sharpening.
Wayne Broughton | Associate Dean, Associate Professor | Mathematics | wayne.broughton@ubc.ca | 250.807.8761 | ASC 403

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Combinatorial design theory and graph theory.
Edward Butz | Associate Professor | Mathematics | edward.butz@ubc.ca | 250.807.9533 | SCI 107

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Optimal risk management strategies in neuroscience; risk management in finance.
Sylvie Desjardins | Associate Professor | Mathematics | sylvie.desjardins@ubc.ca | 250.807.8767 | SCI 387

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Mathematical ecology and insect dispersal.
Eric Foxall | Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track | Mathematics | efoxall@mail.ubc.ca | SCI 115

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Stochastic processes and mathematical biology
Yong Gao | Professor | Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics | yong.gao@ubc.ca | 250.807.9503 | SCI 262

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Algorithmic and computational problems in artificial intelligence and network science; applications in social media and computational biology; graph theory and probabilistic method.
Lengyi Han | Assistant Professor of Teaching | Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics | lengyi.han@ubc.ca | 250.807.8879 | SCI 383

Graduate student supervisor


Donovan Hare | Associate Professor | Mathematics | donovan.hare@ubc.ca | 250.807.9537 | SCI 113

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Combinatorics with a focus on graph coloring problems; discrete optimization with a focus on MIP/constraint programming solutions for the high-stakes testing industry.
Warren Hare | Associate Head Graduate Program, Professor | Mathematics | warren.hare@ubc.ca | 250.807.9378 | ASC 353

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Mathematical optimization; nonconvex analysis; derivative-free optimization; bundle methods; applications in road design.
Alex Hill | Assistant Professor | Astrophysics, Mathematics, Physics | alex.hill@ubc.ca | 250.807.8919 | SCI 261

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Radio, optical, and computational astronomy. Interstellar gas, magnetic fields, and turbulence in and around the Milky Way. Photoionization and radiative transfer in interstellar gas. High velocity clouds. Cosmology and the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME).
Yves Lucet | Professor | Computer Science, Mathematics | yves.lucet@ubc.ca | 250.807.9505 | ASC 350

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Computational mathematics, optimization and convex analysis; modeling; model road design to minimize construction costs under safety and environmental constraints; creating algorithms for computer-aided convex analysis; visualizing operators in 2D, 3D, and 4D.
Xiaoping Shi | Associate Professor | Mathematics, Statistics | xiaoping.shi@ubc.ca | 250.807.9289 | SCI 108

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Change point analysis; saddle point approximation; inverse moment approximation; k-sample inference, and cluster analysis.
Javad Tavakoli, PhD | Professor | Mathematics | javad.tavakoli@ubc.ca | (250) 317-5373 | SCI 114

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Information geometry, topological data analysis, queueing theory and applications in telecommunication systems, random walks in quarter plane and applications in probability modeling.
Paul Tsopméné | Assistant Professor of Teaching | Mathematics, Statistics | paul.tsopmene@ubc.ca | 250.807.8386 | SCI 259

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Algebraic topology; calculus of functors and its applications to embeddings including knots and links; manifold calculus; homotopy theory; graph complexes
Rebecca Tyson | Professor | Mathematics, Sustainability (IGS) | rebecca.tyson@ubc.ca | 250.807.8766 | SCI 386

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Mathematical biology and spatial ecology; mathematical models of ecological systems; the development and analysis of mathematical and computational models; cyclic predator-prey populations.
Irene Vrbik | Assistant Professor of Teaching | Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics | irene.vrbik@ubc.ca | 250.807.8872 | SCI 104

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Mixture models; supervised and unsupervised learning; computational statistics and biostatistics.
Shawn / Xianfu Wang | Professor | Mathematics | shawn.wang@ubc.ca | 250.807.9524 | ASC 351

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Variational analysis; convex analysis; optimization; classical analysis; optimization applications in signal processing; statistics; communications.
Amy Wiebe | Assistant Professor | Mathematics | amy.wiebe@ubc.ca | 250.807.8806 | SCI 110

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Combinatorics; discrete geometry; realization spaces of polytopes and matroids; interaction of problems in combinatorics with applied algebraic geometry and optimization; equiangular lines and combinatorial problems arising from applications to digital communications.

Labs and Centres

Learn more about research in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics and find descriptions of the the centres, institutes and labs that form the foundation of our research efforts.

Students and Alumni

Meet our students

See what our students are up to—find them in our Contact page for their research interests, supervisors, alma maters and info.

Connect with your peers

The Quantitative Sciences Course Union (QSCU) is a student union dedicated to connecting students with each other, the university and the community in order to enhance their research, learning and overall experience at UBC Okanagan.

Theses and Dissertations

Find all UBC Okanagan student publications on the University’s digital repository for research and teaching materials.
EXPLORE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Tuition and Funding

Tuition

Tuition amounts presented here are estimates only and all fees are subject to change. For official tuition and fee information, visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

Program Schedule Domestic (per year) International (per year)
MSc Full-time $5,407.56 $9,500.19
PhD Full-time $5,407.56 $9,500.19

Tuition is paid three times a year, on the first day of each term: Winter Term 1 (September), Winter Term 2 (January), and Summer Term (May).

Funding Opportunities

Graduate student stipends are funded through a combination of internal and external funding awards, Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships.

Although funding and stipend amounts are not guaranteed, the mathematics program has a number of assistantships available for qualified students. Talk to your potential supervisor about funding opportunities.

Students are expected whenever possible to apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships, including Canadian Tri-Council scholarships and other University Awards.

GRADUATE ENTRANCE AWARD

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science offers a $15,000 merit-based entrance scholarship to three exceptional individuals entering their first year of thesis-based graduate studies under a supervisor from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, or an Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program with a supervisor who is a member of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science.

All applicants to Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science graduate programs who have submitted an application by January 31 will be automatically considered for the award. No additional application is required. Successful applicants will be notified by March 15.

Assistantships

The Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics has funding opportunities and assistantships available for qualified students.

Program Minimum funding Duration
MSc $24,000 per year 2 years
PhD $26,000 per year 4 years
Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Paid TA positions allow graduate students to develop skills in teaching, supervision, facilitation, and student assessment. Teaching assistants may lead seminars, help teach undergraduate courses, or assist in student evaluations and marking.

  • MSc students are eligible for paid TA positions for up to two years.
  • PhD students are eligible for paid TA positions for up to four years.
  • TA positions usually occur September to April. TA hours and wages are governed by the British Columbia Government Employees Union (BCGEU).

Teaching assistants are mentored by their supervisor and via the Centre for Teaching and Learning. To learn more or apply for a position, see our Careers page.

Research Assistantships (RA)

As paid research assistants, graduate students assist their supervisor or other researchers in conducting high-level research. RAs are typically funded by a supervisor’s external grants, contracts or other sources of funding, and, therefore, are not guaranteed.

Research Assistantships are wholly dependent upon individual research supervisor’s funding. RA positions may take place at any time during the school year and wages and hours will vary. RA positions are not guaranteed. Talk to your potential supervisor about RA opportunities.

Scholarships and awards

UBC Awards

The College of Graduate Studies administers merit-based graduate awards at the Okanagan campus. The College manages a number of award competitions each year and administers payment of all internal awards and selected external awards.

External Awards

All prospective graduate students (Domestic and International) should explore and apply for external awards and fellowships, including awards offered by Canada’s three research councils: CIHRNSERC and SSHRC.

Graduate scholarships and awards may also be available from foundations, private organizations or foreign governments (check with your country’s education authority).

 

Admission and Applying

Find a Supervisor

Please contact our faculty supervisors before starting your application. Admission to the program requires the confirmed availability and mentor-match with a faculty supervisor as well as meeting program-specific criteria and requirements.

Admission Requirements

A complete application package will contain:

  • Online application and application fee
  • Unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended are required for the application package. However, if admitted, the student must submit official transcripts to the College of Graduate Studies
  • English language test (for non-native speakers of English)
  • CV or resumé
  • Three reference forms or letters

Master of Science (MSc) Applicants

Applicants to the mathematics MSc program are expected to have:

  • the academic equivalent of a four-year BSc from UBC in mathematics or a related field, with a minimum average of B+ (76%) or better in their third- or fourth-year classes, or
  • at least 12 credits in third- and fourth-year classes in their intended field of study, with an A- (80%) grade or better, or
  • significant formal training and relevant professional experience

Your background training must be sufficient for advanced work in your chosen field. 

Doctoral (PhD) Applicants

PhD applicants are expected to:

  • hold the academic equivalent of a two-year master’s degree from UBC in mathematics or a related field, with a B+ (76%) average or better,
  • demonstrate clear evidence of research ability or potential

Your background training must be sufficient for advanced work in your chosen field.

Exceptional Cases

In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Mathematics Graduate Program Advisory Committee and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.


International applicants

English Language Requirements

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission.

See acceptable English language proficiency tests.

Required Grades and Credentials Guide

Grades and degree credentials required by UBC vary by country. Search the Required Grades and Credential Guide—a guide to assist international students in estimating their eligibility.

International Advisors

An international student advisor can answer questions about immigration, medical insurance and the transition to UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. Visit the International Programs and Services website to meet the team.


Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for full admission and program requirements information. The calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

Note: In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct. 

The College of Graduate Studies defines additional requirements and degree equivalencies.

How to Apply

Applying takes time. We recommend you start your application two months in advance.

For full consideration students should submit all application materials by the following deadlines:

Intake Application Deadline
September January 10
January June 1
Visit the FAQs page for more information and to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.

Visit the FAQs page for more information and to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.