Ph D Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences

Students seeking a Ph.D. are expected to show a broad grasp of mathematics and demonstrate a genuine ability to do mathematical research. The Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Science is a traditional research degree, and its requirements are representative of all doctoral programs.

After being admitted to graduate status by the Department, a student seeking a Ph.D. must be admitted to candidacy for this degree. Admission to Ph.D. candidacy follows successful completion of the Qualifying Oral Examination.

After this examination, the only remaining requirement for the Ph.D.degree is timely completion and public defense of an acceptable thesis.

The Ph.D. thesis is expected to display depth and originality and be publishable by a refereed journal.

The principal Areas of Current Research in the department associated with the given degree are Applied Analysis, Scientific Computing, Mathematical Finance and Probability.

Doctor of Arts in Mathematical Sciences

The Doctor of Arts Degree shares all requirements and standards with the Ph.D., except with respect to the thesis. The D.A. thesis is not expected to display the sort of original research required for the Ph.D. thesis, but instead to demonstrate an ability to organize, understand, and present mathematical ideas in a scholarly way, usually with sufficient originality and worth to produce publishable work. Whenever practical, the Department provides D.A. candidates the opportunity to use materials developed to teach a course. While the typical Ph.D. recipient will seek a position which has a substantial research component, as at a large university or in an industrial or governmental research laboratory, the D.A. recipient usually will seek a position where research is not central.

Doctor of Philosophy in Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization (ACO)

This program is jointly administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the School of Computer Science, and the Tepper School of Business. It focuses on algorithmic issues arising in computer science and operations research, particularly the mathematical analysis of these issues. The requirements for this degree and information on participating faculty are available on the ACO web site.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pure and Applied Logic (PAL)

This is an interdisciplinary program jointly offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the School of Computer Science, and the Department of Philosophy. The course requirements for this program are spelled out in the next section. Students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences seeking a degree in pure and applied logic follow the program described in a separate brochure or on the Pure and Applied Logic web page.

See also:
Course requirements and recommendations
Exams and Thesis Requirements
ACO web site
Pure and Applied Logic web site