MSc (Oxon.)
Lego person wearing Oxford sub-fusc I received word today that I have passed all of the examination requirements for my master’s at Oxford and thus have completed my degree. So I will receive an MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science, and will be able to refer to myself as the “wonderful Douglas Stebila, BMath, MSc (Oxon.)”. The “wonderful” part doesn’t come with the Oxford degree, it’s just a fact. And the “(Oxon.)” after the “MSc” is just for Oxford degrees: Oxon. stands for (Academia) Oxoniensis; Oxoniensis is the Latin word for Oxford (or perhaps Oxfordshire, I’m not sure which). I won’t actually be able to use the designation until I receive my degree, which won’t be until I go to a graduation ceremony some time next year, but it’s the thought that counts.
And with my MSc in hand, I will now be able to formally enroll in my PhD program here at Waterloo, so perhaps I should mention briefly what that’s all about. I’m doing my PhD in the Combinatorics and Optimization department, under the supervision of Prof. Michele Mosca; I’m also a member of the recently-formed Institute for Quantum Computing. My PhD is supposed to take between 3 and 4 years. I need to complete some course requirements (8 courses), a written and oral comprehensive exam, and my thesis, the subject of which will be quantum cryptography. This term I’m taking 3 courses: Algebraic Enumeration with the venerable David Jackson, Mathematics of Public Key Cryptography, and Advanced Quantum Mechanics. In the future I’ll try to write a little about quantum computing and cryptography so you have an idea of what I actually do, other than read comics all day.
Comment by jesse
Congrats, Douglas. I’m not surprised.
Comment by Petr
Congrats Doug. Continuing to excel at one of the things you do best.
Comment by Patrick
Hey Doug, Congrats. I wish my lame assed UK school would hurry the hell up and get me my marks back.
Cheers,
P
PS I’ve been using MSc. (LSE) for some time now.
Comment by Joe
Hmmm… ok, supposed “Mr. Oxford Mathematician”…
How many Doug’s could we hide behind the yellow dude?
Comment by Meredi
hahahaha… Joe, that’s hilarious… HAHAHAHA.
(Douglas, the heartiest of hearty congratulations to you!)
Comment by Patrick
Everyone watch out. Someone is posting as Matt again. Just a heads up.
Cheers,
P
Comment by Patrick
Doug the above post was not written by me. I have a very bad feeling I’m about to be the next peson hit by the ‘troll’ that has been plaguing our sites. It started with someone impersonating goyer and it looks like, based on the above comment, that someone is staring to post as me.
So if something obnoxious comes up, even for me, its most likely NOT me but the damned troll.
Cheers,
P
