The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Mathematics is designed to enable its students to master a significant body of mathematics, including a specialty in applied mathematics, to relate this knowledge to a coherent area of science or engineering, and to carry on fundamental research in applied mathematics. The recipient of this degree will, according to his or her abilities and choice of subspecialty, be able to work effectively in a research and development environment involving mathematical or statistical analysis and modeling in business, government, or industry; to teach mathematics at the college or university level; and to carry on fundamental research in his or her area of speciality.

Additional Requirements for Admission into the Ph.D. program in Applied Mathematics.

Prospective students must have completed at least 27 hours of courses in the mathematical sciences, as approved by the department Graduate Committee, with grades of C or better and an overall GPA in math or stat courses of 3.0 or better. Admission to the doctoral program requires that the candidate be able to take Analysis at the level of the department's first year graduate course. For prospective students who have done work in mathematics beyond the bachelor's degree, performance on that work will be considered in admissions decisions. Candidates for admission must make satisfactory scores on the quantitative portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Admission to the program is through the Graduate School, based on the recommendation of the department Graduate Committee or its designate, the Graduate Program Coordinator. Recommendations are based on the Committee's judgement of the candidate's ability to complete a doctorate in mathematics, as supported by the applications materials provided. The department may waive certain minimum requirements if it judges the candidate, based on all the evidence provided, to be capable of completing the program. In case there are more candidates than can be accommodated, candidates are admitted in order of perceived mathematical ability, promise of success, and suitability to the program.

Degree Requirements Program of Study.

There is no formal credit hour requirement in the major field, but the student must complete an approved program of study, including a minor, typically including approximately 54 credit hours. The minor is interdisciplinary and may be satisfied by 9 hours of course work outside the mathematics department, by 6 credit hours for a project in an area of application, or by a combination of external coursework and directed project in an area of application totaling 9 credit hours. At least half of all course work applied toward the degree must be taken in courses open to graduate students only.

Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination consists of two written examinations: an examination based on Real Analysis I and II and an examination based on two related courses chosen by the student and approved by the department Graduate Committee. The student is expected to take the preliminary examination within three semesters of being admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Comprehensive Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy

Each student must pass a comprehensive oral examination covering the student's chosen field of research and related advanced course work. At the discretion of the student's Doctoral Committee, the comprehensive qualifying examination may include an additional written examination. The student is expect to form her/his Doctoral Committee before the end of the third year in the doctoral program. The student may apply for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree after passing the comprehensive qualifying examination.

Dissertation

The student must complete and defend a dissertation based on a research program approved by the student's dissertation adviser which results in a high quality, original and substantial piece of research. The student must orally present and successfully defend the dissertation before her/his Doctoral Committee. in a defense that is open to the public.

Residency Requirement

The student must enroll for one continuous full-time year (i.e. two consecutive semesters of at least nine graduate credit hours in each semester) after being admitted to the Ph.D. degree program.

Language and Research Tool Requirements

Each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German or Russian by passing a written translation exam in one of these languages conducted by the Mathematics Department. In addition, the student must demonstrate significant computer expertise as applicable to the research or teaching in his or her major field as approved by the student's Advisory Committee. The computer expertise requirement may include course work or work on a project and may overlap with the minor requirement.