Mathematics and Statistics Doctoral Degree Requirements

Program | Faculty | Master's | Doctoral | Courses

Summary of Degree Requirements

A detailed description of all degree requirements may be obtained from the departmental Graduate Program Director or from the department's Web site: http://www.math. umass.edu.

Ph.D. Coursework

A doctoral candidate must successfully complete 36 credits in graduate courses. There are distribution requirements which allow students to obtain a broad knowledge of mathematics and/or statistics and its applications. After completing the Qualifying Examinations (see below), students are expected to devote most of their time to their dissertation research (18 dissertation credits are required); during this period a student will normally take courses only in his or her specialty.

Qualifying Examinations

Twice each year written examinations are offered in the areas of advanced calculus/linear algebra, algebra, analysis, applied mathematics/numerics, complex analysis, probability/statistics and geometry/topology. Ph.D. candidates must pass a Basic Examination (in three areas, including advanced calculus/linear algebra) at the Ph.D. level and an Advanced Examination in two of these subjects. Roughly, the Basic Examinations are based on material usually covered in undergraduate and first-year graduate courses, while the Advanced Examinations are based on material from first- and second-year graduate courses.

Foreign Language Requirement

For the Ph.D. degree, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics requires a reading knowledge of one of the following languages: French, German, or Russian at the Graduate School's level 3sufficient to understand a mathematical or statistical article written in the language. The requirement is satisfied by passing a written examination given by the Department.

Teaching Requirement

All students in the doctoral program are expected to gain experience communicating their subject by participating in the instruction of students. This requirement may be satisfied by performing the duties ordinarily assigned to a Teaching Assistant, but the precise kind and extent of activities necessary to satisfy it will be determined on an individual basis for each student.