Graduate Program - Department of Mathematics

The Mathematics Ph.D Program

The primary graduate program is the PhD in Mathematics. All students admitted to this program receive financial support, with a full fellowship in the first year. Current students are pursuing exciting projects in a variety of areas of pure and applied mathematics. (See Research areas.) For a detailed description of the PhD program, see Doctoral regulations.

Interdisciplinary study is possible, but it requires extra dedication. One student has completed a joint PhD in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics. Another student has completed a joint PhD in Mathematics and Philosophy, and some further students are now attempting this combination. (See Interdisciplinary study.)

The Higher Learning Commission asks programs to provide a statement of "learning goals''. Here are the goals for the PhD in Mathematics:

1. Students learn to carry out original research at the frontier in some area of mathematics.

2. Students learn to explain the results of their research effectively, both orally and in writing.

The courses, seminars, and individual work with the thesis advisor and other members of the thesis committee, are all designed to help students meet these goals.

Masters Degrees

Students who just want a Masters degree in Mathematics are not normally considered for admission. Students working toward a PhD who want a Masters degree may get one after passing the candidacy examinations and taking 30 credit hours.

The department has a small Master of Sciences in Applied Mathematics (MSAM) program. MSAM students do not receive financial support from the Mathematics Department; most are PhD students in some other department. To be considered for admission, a student needs a mathematics advisor willing to help design a plan of study.

Research Areas and Faculty