Ph.D. in Mathematics
Program Overview
Degree Requirements
Course Credits
- Total requirement: 45 credits, including 15 doctoral dissertation research credits (GRAD 6950).
- Course level: All courses must be 5000-level or above.
- Field study option: MATH 5850 – Graduate Field Study Internship, if taken, must be included in the Plan of Study and may count toward research.
- With a prior UConn master’s in mathematics: Only 30 credits are required, including 15 doctoral dissertation research credits.
Coursework & Exams
Core Courses & Prelims
- Pass three preliminary exams and two core courses (see below).
- Pass at least one preliminary exam after each semester for the first three semesters.
- Complete all preliminary exam requirements by the start of the spring semester of the second year.
- Complete all core course requirements by the end of the second year.
General/Oral Exam
- Must be passed before the fourth year begins (by the end of year three).
- Public portion: A 50-minute presentation on a broad area related to the intended dissertation. The talk should not focus on the candidate’s own research; original results, if any, may be presented briefly at the end.
- Private portion: Only the candidate and the advisory committee are present. The committee will ask questions about the presentation topic and the candidate’s major field of study before deciding on the outcome.
Dissertation
- Write, defend, and submit the dissertation.
- Specifications: See Dissertation Information for details.
- Formatting support: Thesis templates (LaTeX) are available on the Thesis Formatting page.
Preliminary Exams
Thesis in Pure Mathematics
Three from the following:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5210/Abstract Algebra
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
Thesis in Applied Mathematics
Three from the following:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
- Math 5410/Introduction to Applied Mathematics I
- Math 5510/Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory I
Thesis in Actuarial Science
Both of the following:
- Math 5160/Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes I
- Math 5639/Actuarial Loss Models
One additional from the following:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5210/Abstract Algebra
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
- Math 5410/Introduction to Applied Mathematics I
- Math 5510/Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory I
Coursework
Thesis in Pure Mathematics
Two from the following in addition to prelim courses:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5160/Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes I
- Math 5210/Abstract Algebra I
- Math 5211/Abstract Algebra II
- Math 5260/Mathematical Logic I
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
- Math 5360/Differential Geometry
Thesis in Applied Mathematics
Two from the following in addition to prelim courses:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
- Math 5160/Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes I
- Math 5410/Introduction to Applied Mathematics I
- Math 5440/Partial Differential Equations
- Math 5510/Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory I
- Math 5520/Finite Element Solution Methods I
Thesis in Actuarial Science
Two from the following in addition to prelim courses:
- Math 5111/Measure and Integration
- Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
- Math 5161/Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes II
- Math 5210/Abstract Algebra I
- Math 5211/Abstract Algebra II
- Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
- Math 5360/Differential Geometry
- Math 5410/Introduction to Applied Mathematics I
- Math 5440/Partial Differential Equations
- Math 5510/Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory I
- Math 5520/Finite Element Solution Methods I
Timeline
First Year
- Complete at least 5 courses.
- Pass two prelims — one in January after the fall semester, and one in August after the spring semester.
Second Year
- Pass final prelim in, or before, January after the fall semester.
- Complete all core courses by the end of spring semester.
- Look for thesis advisor.
- Begin preparation for general/oral exam.
Third Year
- By no later than the end of the fall semester, have a thesis advisor.
- Which courses to take are now up to you and your advisor, including GRAD 6950/Doctoral Dissertation Research credits.
- Take general/oral exam by end of the spring semester.
Fourth Year
- Focus on results for your thesis.
- Ensure that you are on track to complete 30 course credits and 15 GRAD 6950/Doctoral Dissertation Research credits.
- Before completing 18 credits, submit Plan of Study.
Advising, Teaching, & Support
Overview
After arriving at UConn, each student in the Ph.D. program is assigned a initial advisor. The initial advisor assists the student in choosing courses and guides them towards successfully passing their prelim requirements (see below).
By the middle of the third year, each student chooses a major advisor (also called a thesis advisor). The major advisor directs the student in their research, meeting with them regularly and offering constructive feedback. It is possible to have two co-major advisors.
The student, in consultation with the major advisor, will also select an advisory committee, consisting of the major advisor and at least two associate advisors (or at least one, in case the student has two co-major advisors).
The major advisor, and at least one of the associate advisors, must be members of the Graduate Faculty.
Your Advisor
After arriving at UConn, each student in the Ph.D. program is assigned a initial advisor. The initial advisor assists the student in choosing courses and guides them towards successfully passing their prelim requirements (see below).
By the middle of the third year, each student chooses a major advisor (also called a thesis advisor). The major advisor directs the student in their research, meeting with them regularly and offering constructive feedback. It is possible to have two co-major advisors.
The student, in consultation with the major advisor, will also select an advisory committee, consisting of the major advisor and at least two associate advisors (or at least one, in case the student has two co-major advisors).
The major advisor, and at least one of the associate advisors, must be members of the Graduate Faculty.
Teaching Assignments
Students in the Ph.D. program may be appointed as Teaching Assistants (TAs) typically start teaching discussion sections.
After some experience, TAs will likely be assigned a course as instructor of record.