The Institute of Applied Mathematics is a cross-departmental graduate program at UBC. Our members are graduate students already enrolled in a variety of departments who commit to fulfilling the academic requirements of the IAM. We do not have an admissions stream, and we do not grant degrees, so students must already be enrolled in a UBC department before they can apply to join the IAM.

How to Apply

– Register as a graduate student in any UBC academic department.
– Sign up with an academic advisor who is a faculty member of the IAM or is willing to become a member.
– Fill out the IAM Student Application Form.

Academic Requirements

The IAM’s requirements are in addition to (and in coordination with) your home department’s graduate guidelines. All academic and administrative details relevant to degree completion (e.g., qualifying exams, thesis preparation and presentation requirements, transfer from master’s to PhD, etc.) will be those dictated by your home department and the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies. In many cases, courses you take to fulfill IAM requirements are likely to count toward your department’s requirements as well. For PhD students in the Mathematics Department, the IAM breadth requirement replaces the Math Department’s course requirement.

Both the Master’s and PhD programs of the IAM require taking courses from the IAM’s core areas of study; these are listed below. A list of some suggested courses in the IAM core areas can be found here.

IAM Core Areas of Study

  • Applied Analysis
  • Differential Equations
  • Discrete Methods
  • Scientific Computation
  • Applied Probability and Statistics
  • Control and Optimization
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Mathematical Biology
  • Mathematical Analysis in an area not listed above (with approval from IAM director)
  • Application area not listed above (with approval from IAM director)

IAM Master’s Program Requirements

– Have a supervisor who is (or is willing to become) a faculty member of the IAM.
– Attend the IAM seminars at least twice per semester.
– Fulfill the IAM thesis/coursework requirement as outlined below. When you have completed your courses, fill out the IAM MSc Coursework Requirement form, get it signed by your supervisor(s), and submit it by email to admin@iam.ubc.ca for approval by the IAM director.
– Make a presentation of your thesis work at an IAM seminar, research-group meeting, or similar forum.
– All other academic and administrative details relevant to degree completion (e.g., thesis preparation and presentation requirements, transfer from master’s to PhD, etc.) will be those dictated by your home department and the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Coursework required

There are three available thesis/coursework options for a master’s degree (most students choose the first):

  • 12-credit master’s thesis + 18 credits of coursework
       – 6 credits minimum of 500-level courses in at least two of the IAM Core Areas
       – 3 credits minimum outside home department
  • 6-credit master’s thesis + 24 credits of coursework
       – 6 credits minimum of 500-level courses in at least two of the IAM Core Areas
       – 6 credits minimum outside home department
  • 3-credit master’s essay + 27 credits of coursework
       – 12 credits minimum of 500-level courses in at least three of the IAM Core Areas
       – 6 credits minimum outside home department

    In all cases
    – 6 credits maximum of 300-400 level courses (any department).
    – Relevant graduate-level courses taken while you were an undergraduate at UBC or at another university (with approval) can be counted toward the IAM coursework requirement.

IAM PhD Program Requirements

– Have a supervisor who is (or is willing to become) a faculty member of the IAM.
– Attend the IAM seminars at least twice per semester.
– Fulfill the IAM breadth requirement in your coursework, as outlined below.
   — During your first semester in the PhD program, prepare your breadth requirement proposal using this form, get it signed by your supervisor, and submit it via email to admin@iam.ubc.ca for approval by the IAM director.
   — Once you have finished your coursework, complete the same form with all final grades and any revised courses, get it signed, and resubmit.
– Mathematics Department students only: pass the Math qualifying exams.
– All other academic and administrative details relevant to degree completion (e.g., qualifying exams, thesis preparation requirements, thesis defense, transfer from master’s to PhD, etc.) will be as specified by your home department and the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies.

PhD Breadth Requirement

From the Core Areas of Study (above), choose one major field and two secondary fields; these three areas will define your PhD breadth requirements:

Coursework required
  • Major field: 9 credits minimum coursework (at least 6 graduate credits)
  • Secondary fields: in each, 6 credits minimum coursework (at least 3 graduate credits)
  • 6 credits minimum of 500-level Math courses
  • 3 credits minimum outside home department (for non-Math students these three credits can be part of the six credits of 500-level mathematics)

– Minimum grade of 70% in each of those courses taken at UBC contributing to the requirement, and an overall average of at least 75% in courses across all three core areas.
– Previously written theses and papers, as well as previous work experience, can contribute to the fulfillment of the breadth requirements, with approval. For students transferring into the PhD program, courses taken at the MSc level at UBC or other universities can be counted toward the breadth requirement.
– In those cases where previous work experience, previously written theses or papers, or courses taken elsewhere contribute to the breadth requirement, the IAM director will be the final arbiter.

IAM Facilities

The IAM has a suite of office and common spaces in the L.S. Klinck building: LSK 306, 309, and 311. The common areas include a kitchenette, meeting areas with whiteboards and AV equipment, and comfortable lounge areas. IAM members are welcome to use the common spaces for quiet study, for meeting with colleagues and research groups, and for giving presentations. The lounge (LSK 306) and the small conference room (LSK 311-A) can be reserved by emailing admin@iam.ubc.ca. Existing room bookings can be viewed here.

We have 26 desks for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; in the IAM application, new members can specify whether they would like to be assigned to a desk at the IAM, if available.

Doors to the IAM suite are kept locked. IAM members may request access (via UBC card) by emailing admin@iam.ubc.ca. Access to the suite is restricted to IAM members and their accompanied guests only, except during seminars and other IAM events. Many members’ computers and other personal possessions are unsecured at their desks, so it is very important that the area be kept secure.

 

Revised February 2023