Applicants who have the necessary qualifications can only be admitted if a faculty member agrees to supervise their research. It is important for applicants to explain their research interests through written statements and through personal interviews or telephone conversations with potential supervisors, where possible. The PhD degree has several components designed to ensure well-rounded scholarly and intellectual development in the student. These include course work, a comprehensive examination, departmental colloquia and research seminars, teaching, and thesis research. The minimum residence requirement is two years full-time study.
Normal expectations are for three years full-time residence to complete all requirements.
Part-time residence is approved only under special circumstances. Course work All PhD students must complete a full graduate course in statistics, two semesters of Advanced Research Seminars, as well as other courses determined by the student, the supervisor, and the program committee. Courses related to the student's research interests can be taken in other departments at McGill or other local universities. Comprehensive Examination PhD students are required to complete a written literature review from an original perspective and give a one-hour presentation on the topic. PhD students are expected to attend departmental colloquia and to participate in departmental research seminars.