Quant Guide 2017: University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Canada

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Waterloo, Canada

Master of Quantitative Finance | metrics table at end of article

Waterloo offers a technically rigorous and research-oriented programme that aspiring quants can use as a launch pad to further studies in the field. Launched in 1995 by renowned researcher Phelim Boyle, a pioneer of Monte Carlo methods in options pricing, the 16-month-long degree is highly selective – typically admitting just 15 to 20 students a year.

Students choose a thesis or non-thesis option on enrolment: the former is tailored to those interested in pursuing a PhD and includes six taught courses, whereas the latter emulates the structure of a typical master’s, including eight required courses, one elective and an independent research paper.

The admissions requirements reflect the technically demanding nature of the programme. Prospective students must pass both an entrance exam and an interview conducted by a panel of faculty staff. They must also have completed three undergraduate courses in calculus, two in algebra and one in real analysis, as well as advanced courses in statistics and probability. A working knowledge of computer programming languages R, MatLab and C++ is also mandatory – though the course includes a series of workshops designed to familiarise students with the various programming environments used by the modern quant.

Enrollees typically originate from undergraduate studies in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, computer science and economics.

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A strong emphasis is placed on theory. The faculty is made up of active researchers whose areas of interest are reflected in the annual syllabus. The first and second terms each include a module on probability theory, while the second term also includes a course on estimation and hypothesis testing. Programme director Adam Kolkiewicz says the course prioritises mathematical and statistical modelling rather than trading.

Unlike in some other programmes, such as that offered by the University of Toronto, internships are not compulsory – although many students take still them. Internship destinations include Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD Securities and RBC.  

Yet the real-world applications of quantitative methods are by no means absent from the programme. Students are equipped with a practical understanding of the industry through a first-term module on the foundations of finance and a fourth-term component on current topics. The programme advisory board, which includes alumni in senior positions at firms including TD Securities and IBM, ensures it stays up to date with evolving industry trends. Kolkiewicz says the industry demand at present is for graduates adept at risk management and statistics.

University of Waterloo metrics

Click here for links to the other universities and an explanation of how to read the metrics tables

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