PhD requirements

PhD requirements

PhD in Mathematics

  1. The student must complete successfully 36 credit hours of coursework, including:

    1. At least three of the full year sequences:
         Math 605–606, 611–612, 623–624, 645–646, 651–652, 671–672, Stat 607–608;
    2. At least one of Math 611, Math 623, Math 671;
    3. At least one of Math 645, Math 646, Math 651;
    4. At least one of Math 605, Math 606, Stat 607;
    5. At least one of Math 621, Math 706, Math 725, Math 731.

    A student can satisfy the requirement for a full year sequence in (a) by obtaining a passing score on the corresponding qualifying exam (except for 651–652, which does not correspond to a qualifying exam). Note that this does not count against the number of credit hours that must be completed. Any other changes or substitutions to these requirements must be approved by the GAC. The requirements in (b), (c), and (d) will not generally be waived, but in some cases the GAC may approve substituting a more advanced class in the area.

  2. The student must pass the Advanced Calculus/Linear Algebra exam.
  3. The student must pass two written exams chosen among Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Stochastics and Topology.  (The Probability and Statistics exams can also count for one of these exams, but this option should be used with caution and in consultation with the GPD).
  4. The student must form an oral exam committee and pass the oral exam as described here.
  5. The student must submit a dissertation prospectus, to be approved by the dissertation committee.
  6. The student must write a satisfactory dissertation and pass a final oral examination (primarily a defense of the dissertation), and must satisfy all other requirements of their dissertation committee. The student is required to register for a minimum of 18 dissertation credits.

PhD in Statistics

  1. The student must complete successfully 36 hours of coursework, including Stat 535, Stat 607, Stat 608, Stat 625, Stat 705, and Stat 725.
  2. The student must also complete six elective courses, including two 600 level statistics courses, and 4 courses of the student’s choice, which require prior approval by the statistics coordinator.
  3. The student must pass the Probability and Statistics exams at the PhD level.  These exams cover material from Stat 607 and Stat 608, respectively.  If a student passes either of these exams before taking the corresponding course, it will satisfy the requirement to take the course.
  4. The student must pass the oral literature-based exam. This exam is described here.
  5. The student must submit a dissertation prospectus, which must be presented to the dissertation committee for approval.  
  6. The student must write a satisfactory dissertation and pass a final oral examination (primarily a defense of the dissertation), and must satisfy all other requirements of their dissertation committee. The student is required to register for a minimum of 18 dissertation credits.