Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate mastery in the core areas of algebra/topology and  analysis by solving problems using advanced techniques

2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in their chosen specialty and in an additional area of mathematics by solving problems using advanced techniques

3. Plan and successfully conduct original research, producing results worthy of publication in peer reviewed journals

4. Effectively communicate mathematical ideas

Ph.D. in Mathematics

I. General Requirements

All the candidates for the Ph.D. Degree in mathematics must satisfy the same general requirements. They are:

1. Completion of the requirements for the Masters degree in mathematics via the mathematics track.
2. Completion of a total of at least 72 credits of graduate course work, including credits taken toward the completion of the MS degree.  Credits beyond the MS degree must be at the 600-level or above. Up to 24 credits may be dissertation credits. Dissertation credits can be taken only after students pass the full Qualifying Examinations.
3. Maintaining grade point average of at least 3.6 in the courses covered by the Preliminary and Qualifying Examinations and in the courses in their field of specialization. The Mathematics Graduate Committee may recommend that a student in the Ph.D. program who fails to maintain the required grade point average not be continued in the Ph. D. program.

II. The Preliminary Examination Requirement

The preliminary examination covers two of the three foundational course sequences, MAT 601-602 (Fundamentals of Analysis), MAT 631-632 (Introduction to Algebra), and MAT 651-652 (Probability and Statistics).  It consists of four 2-hour written examinations, two over each sequence. These exams are given as the comprehensive final exams at the end of each semester. The possible outcomes for each exam are Pass, Superior Pass, and Fail. Students must receive three grades of Superior Pass and one Pass or Superior Pass, in the four exams covering two sequences. In each of the four courses, the course grade and the outcome of the Preliminary Examination are two separate decisions.

Students who wish to continue in the Ph.D. program must pass these examinations before their second year of graduate study.  Only two attempts at each of these examinations are permitted. A second try at each exam will be offered in August before the student’s second year. The exact date will be announced at least a month ahead of time. 

Students who enter the Mathematics Graduate Program with extensive preparation in mathematics may attempt the Preliminary Examinations upon entering the Program. This attempt will not be counted as one of the two attempts at the Preliminary Examinations.

Students may petition the Mathematics Graduate Committee to postpone completion of the preliminary examination requirement until before their third year of graduate study.

III. Course Requirements in the Mathematics Option

Students following the mathematics option to the Ph.D. Degree in Mathematics are required to

1. Complete two breadth courses in each of algebra/topology and analysis. The choices of breadth courses in these areas are
   • Algebra/Topology - MAT 661 and either MAT 761 or MAT 731
   • Analysis - MAT 701 and either MAT 712 or MAT 721
2. Complete three additional mathematics courses numbered 700 or above. These courses may not include reading courses or courses taken to satisfy earlier requirements.

IV. Course Requirements in the Mathematics with an Emphasis in Statistics Option

Students following the option in mathematics with an emphasis in statistics leading to the Ph.D. Degree in Mathematics are required to

1. Complete two breadth courses in each of analysis and statistics. These courses must be chosen from the options listed in III 1 and 2 above.
2. Complete either MAT 682 or MAT 683.
3. Complete three additional mathematics courses numbered 600 or above. These courses may not include reading courses or courses taken to satisfy earlier requirements. These courses must be approved by the student’s Ph.D. advisor and the Graduate Committee.
4. Complete one course in applied statistics taken from a list of courses not offered by the Mathematics Department but approved by the Graduate Committee. The list of electives in applied statistics consists of the courses in item III 3 b) above of the requirements for the Masters of Science degree.

V. The Qualifying Examination Requirement

The Qualifying Examination consists of two written tests, each covering one of the following two-course sequences.

• Algebra: MAT 731, 732
• Analysis I: MAT 701, 712
• Analysis II: MAT 701, 721
• Combinatorics: MAT 645, 646
• Numerical Analysis: MAT 683, 684
• Statistics: MAT 654, 755
• Topology: MAT 661, 761

The student should choose the qualifying exams in consultation with their anticipated PhD advisor.  The approved combinations for the two qualifying exams are

• Applied Math: Numerical Analysis and Analysis I
• Statistics: Statistics and Analysis II
• Pure Math: Any combination of Algebra, Analysis I, Analysis II, Combinatorics, and Topology such that the course sequences are disjoint.

Each part of the Qualifying Examination lasts four hours. The parts may be taken separately. There are only two outcomes on each part, Pass or Fail. These examinations will be given twice a year, before or near the beginning of each semester. The exact dates will be announced at least a month ahead of time.

Students must either pass the coursework on which a Qualifying Exam is based before taking it, or petition the Graduate Committee. Students should take the qualifying exam as soon as possible after finishing the corresponding coursework. Students must pass one qualifying exam by the August preceding their fourth year of graduate study and pass both exams no later than January during their fourth year of graduate study.

With the approval of the Mathematics Graduate Committee, students who postpone taking one or both of their Preliminary Examinations until their third year of graduate study may also postpone the Qualifying Examinations, in the same area, until their fourth year of graduate study.

VI. The Language Requirement

All students must demonstrate mastery of English. Generally, admission to graduate study implies proficiency in English, but in some cases, as determined by the chair, associate chair, or by the student’s advisor, remedial work may be required.

VII. The Dissertation Requirement

The most important part of the Ph.D. program is the writing of a dissertation that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to carry out an independent investigation that makes an original, scholarly contribution to mathematics.

Each Ph.D. candidate has a dissertation advisor who provides guidance in the final part of the course program and during the writing of the dissertation. A student should discuss this program with the dissertation advisor each semester before meeting with an academic advisor as part of registration.

VIII. The Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense) Requirement

When the dissertation meets with the approval of the student’s dissertation advisor and the student has acquired a total of 72 hours of graduate credit, the candidate is given a final oral examination of the dissertation and the immediately related field. The committee for this examination will consist of a chair appointed by the Graduate School, the student’s dissertation advisor, and four other members appointed by the Mathematics Graduate Committee with advice from the student and the dissertation advisor. Upon final approval of this committee, a copy of the dissertation will be placed in the mathematics library.

Research Areas

The department’s Colloquium series features weekly lectures by mathematicians from all over the United States and abroad in many of the areas of mathematical research represented in the department. Furthermore several of the research groups organize regular research seminars. Colloquia and seminar schedules, along with other information about our programs, courses, and events, can be found at math.syr.edu.

The following research groups are currently represented in the department.

Graduate Awards

Figures for graduate appointments represent 2021-2022 stipends.

Graduate Scholarships:

Support graduate study for students with superior qualifications; provide, in most cases, full tuition for the academic year.

Graduate Assistantships:

Offered to most Graduate Scholarship recipients; no more than an average of 20 hours of work per week; nine months; stipend ranging from $19,768 to $23,868 in addition to tuition scholarship for 24 credits per year. Additional summer support is generally available.

Syracuse University Graduate Fellowships:

Tax-free stipends are $25,290 for nine months of full-time study; tuition scholarship for 15 credits per semester for a total of 30 credits during the academic year.

Facilities

The mathematics collection is held within the Carnegie Library and supports mathematical research over a broad range of pure and applied mathematics, as well as mathematics education, mathematical statistics, and interdisciplinary areas.  Most of the non-book resources are online and includes an extensive collection of databases and journals supporting the mathematical sciences.  In addition, the library provides a growing collection of ebooks.

Students may borrow course reserved textbooks, laptops, TI graphing calculators, and geometry kits from the Carnegie Library service desk.  Students may also reserve one of three group study rooms located on the first floor of the library.  A computer lab in the library provides software for programming, statistical and data analysis, video and multimedia, and access to printers.

Carnegie Library is home to collections in the sciences, including engineering and computer science, the life sciences, and the physical sciences and hosts a strong collection of databases, journals, and ebooks supporting all disciplines.  The historic Reading Room gives the library a distinctive ambience and provides a quiet place for students to study.