Graduate: PhD Program
Doctoral Timeline
Summer 0
Meet with DGS, and select coursework. Students with strong preparation in Mathematical Analysis, Linear Algebra, or Mathematical Statistics may opt to take the written part of the doctoral preliminary exam in August prior to the start of classes.
Year 1
Focus on coursework and preparing for written part of doctoral preliminary exam. Attend colloquia and research seminars. Talk to faculty, and narrow down research area. Work with DGS to choose advisory committee by the end of February. Submit initial doctoral plan of study.
Summer 1
Take the two area exams comprising the written part of the doctoral preliminary exam in May. Retake in August, if necessary. Work with advisor and committee.
Year 2
Continue coursework. Retake remaining written area exams in January. Choose a dissertation advisor and committee, and revise doctoral plan of study. Students without an MA in Mathematics should speak with DGS to be awarded the MA.
Summer 2
Work with dissertation advisor and committee.
Year 3
Continue to attend colloquia and research seminars. Coursework transitions to include more specialized research courses such as
- Graduate Seminar in Computational Mathematics (MAT 701), Seminar in Computational Statistics (STA 701)
- Topics in Computational Mathematics (MAT 709), Topics in Computational Statistics (STA 709)
- Directed Doctoral Research (MAT 790)
Complete oral part of the doctoral preliminary exam. Prepare written dissertation outline. Prepare and defend dissertation topic proposal.
Summer 3
Work with advisor and committee.
Year 4
Continue to attend colloquia and research seminars. Continue specialized research coursework and begin completing dissertation hours. Apply for admission to candidacy and submit final doctoral plan of study.
Summer 4
Work with advisor and committee.
Year 5
Continue to attend colloquia and research seminars. Apply for jobs. Finish dissertation research and defense. Apply to graduate, and complete exit forms.
