Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics - Mathematical Physics

Modern society has been shaped by a long tradition of mutual inspiration and enrichment between Mathematics and the Sciences. In this tradition, the Department of Applied Mathematics offers its graduate students opportunities for study in the areas of Control Theory and Dynamical Systems, Fluid Mechanics, Mathematical Medicine and Biology, Mathematical Physics, and Scientific Computation. Our students' research projects involve cutting-edge applications of mathematical theory in a broad range of fundamental and applied sciences. These applications include, for instance, cancer therapy optimization, control of shape memory alloys, fractal image processing, quantum computing, and the study of climate variability, inflationary cosmology, and nanotechnology. The Department of Applied Mathematics is one of five units that comprise the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, which was ranked 20th worldwide in the 2015 QS University Rankings for mathematics. Graduate students in the department benefit from our close links with the Faculties of Science and Engineering, the Centre for Mathematical Medicine, the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience, the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, the Water Institute, and the Centre for Computational Mathematics in Industry and Commerce. We offer both Master's and PhD programs. Our thesis-based Master's of Mathematics (MMath) program normally takes two years to complete. Many of the graduates of this program subsequently pursue PhD degrees, others are successful in obtaining rewarding positions in industry or government. Our PhD program generally takes four years to complete. Most of our PhD graduates find employment in university research. Others take on positions in research and development in industry, government, or commerce.

Our research in Mathematical Physics focuses on quantum information theory, nanotechnology and quantum gravity and cosmology. The goal of quantum information theory is to study and utilize the profound way in which quantum effects can influence the physical propagation and processing of information. It is part of the world-wide effort to develop methods for controlling individual molecules, atoms and photons. One of the main goals is to utilize the quantum mechanical phenomenon of entanglement to achieve a quantum parallelization of computation. This can then provide an exponential speed-up of certain types of calculations. The same quantum phenomena can be used to protect information channels (for example, fibre optic channels) from eavesdropping, a proven technology which already has cryptographic applications. In this context, some of our faculty members are closely involved with University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

Minimum grade point average: 78% or its equivalent.
It is absolutely essential that the application for admission into the program contain evidence of potential for performing original research. This should be 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.
Supervisors
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Application materials
Resume
Transcript(s)
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)