Qualfication process

Students must qualify in three of the four core areas. The expected timeline for passing qualifiers is 2 qualifiers by the beginning of the third semester and 3 qualifiers by the beginning of the fourth semester. TA's, RA's, and Fellowship recipients who do not meet this timeline will not be guaranteed continued funding. To qualify in an area a student must demonstrate sufficient mastery of the material in the first two semesters of the corresponding sequence. Qualification in an area may be done in one of the following three ways. An advanced student may take one or more qualifier exams upon arrival to the program. Depending on their score, the student may qualify in the area outright, and/or be placed into a higher course in the correponding sequence. The attempt is recorded only if the student passes; a negative result has no consequence on the student's progress. A student may qualify in an area by obtaining a course grade of A- or higher in each of the first two semesters of the corresponding sequence. A student may take a qualifier examination after the completion of two semesters of course work in the area. If a student fails a qualifier once, they are given one more chance to pass the qualifier at the next available opportunity. Qualifier examinations in each of the four areas will be offered at least two times a year, usually during the week before the beginning of Fall and Spring semester. The lists of topics covered on the qualifying exams in the four core areas are revised periodically. Students must declare their intention of taking a qualifying exam to the qualifier committee (or to the program director) several months ahead of the exam to ensure proper scheduling.

(latest update: 7/21/09)