DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general University requirements stated
earlier in this catalog, the student must meet the following
requirements:
Course of Study
Each student must follow a plan of study, approved by a
faculty adviser, which usually includes three years of course
and seminar work. A minimum of 81 graduate credits of course
work are required for the degree, at least 60 of which must
be in mathematics and the rest may be in closely related
fields. At least 36 of the 60 credits in mathematics must
be in nonintroductory courses or seminars.
First Examination
Students should pass their first-year examinations within
the first two years of graduate study. When this is not
done, notices will be sent informing them that they must
complete their first-year examinations by the end of the
next academic year in order to maintain their matriculated
status. In extraordinary cases, which must be presented
in writing to the Executive Officer, additional time may
be granted at the discretion of the Executive Officer.
The Mathematics Qualifying (or Preliminary) Examinations
are given in six areas. The exams are scheduled twice a
year, in September and May. Students must pass three exams
(of their choosing) to be considered to have passed the
Qualifying exams (also called the "First Examination;" it
is listed this way on the transcript.) Students may retake
a failed exam once. Exams are graded Pass/Fail. Students
must sign up at least three days in advance of any exams
that they wish to take so that the proctor will know how
many students to expect. Each exam is scheduled for three
hours.
Foreign Languages
The candidate must demonstrate ability to read the literature
of mathematics in two of the following languages: French,
German, and Russian. Substitution of other foreign languages
may be permitted in special cases. Students must demonstrate
the required proficiency in one of these languages before
they complete their second year of study and in the second
language before graduation.
Second Examination
After passing the First Examination, the student specializes
in some area of advanced mathematics. A faculty committee
will be appointed to help the student arrange a program
of study in an area of special interest. When this program
of study is completed, the student takes an oral examination
given by the faculty to determine readiness to pursue dissertation
research.
Dissertation
Each student must complete a dissertation embodying the
results of original research in mathematics. The thesis
is usually written in a field of specialization recommended
by the candidate's thesis advisor and approved by the thesis
committee. The completed dissertation must be approved by
the thesis committee and must be defended at an oral examination.
For more information on the dissertation, see the Graduate
Center's Instructions
for Preparing the Doctoral Dissertation.
See also the student info link on the upper left.
Last Modified on: 09/03/2006
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