Overview of Requirements
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Acceptance into Pure Mathematics Program Admission and funding is based on GRE scores, grades in mathematics courses, and recommendation letters. Entering graduate students are expected to have taken at least two semesters worth of undergraduate courses in abstract algebra and real analysis. It is also helpful to have taken courses in general topology and complex analysis. Some students arrive with extra mathematical background, which allows them to get a head start toward qualification and candidacy. Qualifiers Students in the pure mathematics PhD program are expected to pass qualifiers in three out of the four possible subject areas. Two qualifiers must be passed by the beginning of their third semester of residence, and one more qualifier by the beginning of the their fourth semester of residence. Until they pass their qualifiers, students are expected to focus their efforts on completing their course requirements, and passing qualifier exams. Typically a student will be expected to take 9 credit hours of graded courses in pure mathematics per semester until they complete their qualification requirements. Before passing all qualifiers, the student's grade point average (GPA), particularly the score based on the student's performance in the core course sequences, will be used to evaluate the student's progress. According to University rules, a student must maintain a GPA at or above a 3.0. Going below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters results in automatic expulsion from the graduate program. A GPA of less than 3.0 for two non-consecutive semesters can result in a loss of funding. Ph.D. Candidacy Students begin choosing an area of specialization by the end of their second year in the graduate program. Although mentors are there to help in this process, it is up to the student to contact professors and exploring various subject areas before coming to an agreement with a Major Professor. This Major Professor will typically become the student's PhD supervisor. Work on the student's Candidacy Exam begins in earnest as soon as the student has finished qualifying in 3 areas. After the Candidacy exam is completed, the student attains 'Ph.D. Candidacy', a university wide designation. PhD Dissertation and Defense Students are expected to complete their Ph. D. dissertation within two or three years after attaining Ph.D. candidacy. Teaching assistants typically lose funding if they have not completed their Ph.D. requirements by the end of their sixth year of residence in the graduate program. After that they may continue to work on their dissertation work either on their own or as self-pay students. Under university rules, however, students must complete their Ph.D. work within five years of passing their Candidacy Exam. After that students must take another Candidacy Exam to regain Ph.D. Candidacy status, in order to be eligible to receive a Ph.D. degree. |
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