This is the standard doctoral program for most students wishing to get
a PhD degree in Mathematics, including the RUME option.
More details about the MA/PhD program,
including graduation requirements, can be found
in section 4 of the Mathematics
Graduate Student
Handbook.
All students in the MA/PhD program (regardless
of their future specialization) need to pass the three PhD qualifying
examinations in the subjects of Algebra, Analysis and Topology. Each one of
these exams is associated with a two-semester graduate course sequence.
These courses form the core of our MA degree, and are also counted towards
the PhD degree. Students who pass all three qualifying examinations
can go into the PhD program in one of the following
two options.
- PhD Program (traditional option). This program is
essentially the same as the MA/PhD
program above. The main difference is
that students who already have a masters degree in
Mathematics may apply directly to this program.
Students with a baccalaureate degree apply to
the MA/PhD program, and change to the PhD program on successful
completion of the PhD qualifying examinations.
The student's ultimate goal in this program is to write and defend a
dissertation representing an original contribution to research in
mathematics.
- PhD Program (RUME option). As is the case with the
traditional option,
students who already have a Masters degree in
Mathematics may apply to this program, while
students with a baccalaureate degree apply to
the MA/PhD program.
The student's ultimate goal in this program is to write and defend a dissertation representing an original contribution to research in
undergraduate mathematics education.
Students with strong mathematical backgrounds are
encouraged to take "free shot" attempts at the
PhD qualifying examinations.
These examinations are usually held in
August, the week before classes start. These "free shot" attempts
are only offered to students when they first enter the program, and
results
of the free shots do not go on the student's
record unless the student passes.
For samples of past examinations and some syllabi
see here.