Mathematics and Statistics, Ph.D.

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The Ph.D. degree program in Mathematics and Statistics includes concentrations in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and mathematics. These concentrations address the critical need for mathematics faculty and the need for highly trained specialists in the areas of bioinformatics and biostatistics. The concentrations in bioinformatics and biostatistics will graduate strong bioinformaticians and biostatisticians with a broad background in applied areas for direct placement in business, industry, governmental institutions and research universities. The mathematics concentration will graduate mathematicians with broad knowledge of core areas of pure and applied mathematics.

Majors are encouraged to consider carefully the career objectives they wish to pursue after graduation. Early selection of these objectives may suggest the degree programs or concentrations that will prepare students for their chosen careers. Faculty who serve as advisers for graduate majors will discuss with majors the degree programs and concentrations available to them.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics accepts applications for all three semesters. However, in order to be considered for graduate assistantships for the fall semester, applicants must complete the application process in the Office of Graduate Services in sufficient time for the department to receive it by March 1. This process often takes several weeks. International applicants should allow at least two additional months for processing of applications for admission.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics by contacting the Directors of Graduate Studies at the addresses at 3410 Department of Mathematics and Statistics .

Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have the following requirements for students who wish to enter into the Ph.D. program, regardless of concentration:

A baccalaureate degree in mathematics, statistics, or a related field with a grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0. Students with a grade point average of 2.75 will be considered for conditional admission.
Three letters of reference,
Recent GRE scores,
A statement describing study plans.
Applicants from non-English speaking countries must achieve a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Students must have completed courses in mathematics equivalent to the following with a grade of B or higher:

MATH 4435 or MATH 6435 - Linear Algebra II 3 Credit Hours
MATH 4661 or MATH 6661 - Analysis I 3 Credit Hours
MATH 4662 or MATH 6662 - Analysis II 3 Credit Hours

Coursework Requirements

Each of the concentrations requires A minimum of 54 hours of coursework and at least 30 hours of dissertation research.

Students must take four of the six following common core courses (12 credit hours):

MATH 8110 - Real Analysis I 3 Credit Hours
MATH 8200 - Advanced Matrix Analysis 3 Credit Hours
MATH 8510 - Applied Mathematics 3 Credit Hours
STAT 8600 - Probability Theory 3 Credit Hours
STAT 8561 - Linear Statistical Analysis I 3 Credit Hours
MATH 9116 - Teaching College Mathematics 3 Credit Hours

Concentration Requirements

Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours each for the fall/spring semesters and 9 credit hours for the summer semester. These credit hours will consist of courses required for the prescribed program of study, as well as additional hours of MATH 8801, MATH 8802, MATH 8900, MATH 8950, MATH 8999, MATH 9999, STAT 8691, STAT 8692, STAT 8900, STAT 8950, STAT 8999, and STAT 9999.

Transfer credit hours: Students can transfer at most 24 semester credit hours to the program with the approval of the appropriate Graduate Director of the Department. Petition documents include the transcript, the course syllabi, exams and course notes or the textbook.

Qualifying exam: Students must pass a qualifying exam set by the appropriate graduate committee in accordance with any further requirements specified in the previously described concentrations. Students who fail the exam on the first attempt may take it only one more time. Students must pass the qualifying exam within two calendar years of admission.

Candidacy exam: Students must pass an oral candidacy exam before a committee that includes at least two final members of the student’s dissertation committee. The candidacy exam is set by the committee and covers course material within the student’s area of specialization or a proposed topic of thesis research. The details are determined by the committee in a manner consistent with any guidelines stated above for the student’s concentration. A student must advance to candidacy by the fourth year. The candidacy exam can be taken only twice.

Dissertation Committee: The student and his/her dissertation adviser shall form a dissertation committee. The committee should consist of at least four faculty members. For students in the bioinformatics and biostatistics concentrations, one committee member should be from another department such as the School of Public Health, the Department of Biology or another institution.

Final dissertation defense: Upon completion of the research, the student must defend his/her dissertation publicly.

MATH 8801 - Graduate Research in Mathematics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
MATH 8802 - Graduate Laboratory in Mathematics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
MATH 8900 - Math Colloquium 1 Credit Hours
MATH 8950 - Directed Research in Mathematics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
MATH 8999 - Thesis Research 1 to 15 Credit Hours
MATH 9999 - Dissertation Research 1 to 18 Credit Hours
STAT 8691 - Graduate Research in Statistics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
STAT 8692 - Graduate Laboratory in Statistics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
STAT 8900 - Colloquium 1 Credit Hours
STAT 8950 - Directed Research in Statistics 1 to 15 Credit Hours
STAT 8999 - Thesis Research 1 to 18 Credit Hours
STAT 9999 - Dissertation Research 1 to 18 Credit Hours