The M-Phimac Program

In only 12 months, McMaster’s M-Phimac program prepares students for successful careers as professional mathematicians in the constantly changing world of finance.

Students first develop their skills and knowledge through 8 months of intense course work, scheduled from September to April. The program ends with a 4-month industriy-focused project from May to August, allowing students to gain real-world experience and develop valuable contacts.

Most students participate in a paid internship or permanent position with a financial institution. Other students are paired with a mentor, often from one of the big 5 Canadian banks, who works with the student on an industrial project on the leading edge of research and development in the field of financial mathematics. The industrial project is completed with a paper and a presentation. Selected presentation samples can be seen here.

While knowledge and experience in mathematical problem-solving in Finance are critical, just as critical are the development of professional skills and competencies. The M-Phimac program is designed to provide a focus on professional skills, such as oral and written communication skills, networking, and working in teams, that are the keys to success in a financial mathematics career.