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A Guide to the Mathematics Graduate Program 1: The Ph.D. program (also see Section 3) 2: The Master's program (also see Section 3) 3: Items that apply to all graduate students 1.1 The overall structure of the Ph.D. program The two parts of the Ph.D. program, precandidacy and candidacy, have the following requirements, which are described in detail below. Precandidacy requirements: Candidacy requirements: Full-time Ph.D. students typically complete the program in five years; part-time students usually take somewhat longer. CCAS has an upper limit of eight years for completing all degree requirements. If endorsed by the department, extensions may be granted upon petition to the Dean. 1.2.1 Credit hours of graduate work The Ph.D. program requires 72 credit hours of approved graduate course work (which includes Dissertation Research credits, Math 399). Students must complete at least 48 credit hours during precandidacy. Credit hours are accumulated through approved course work and transfer credit. To encourage breadth of course work, (a) before 36 credits have been completed, Math 295, Reading and Research (independent study), can be taken only by petition to, and with the approval of, the graduate committee and (b) at most 15 credits of any combination of Math 295, 398, and 399 may be among a student's final 18 credits (typically the fourth year of full-time study) and at most 12 credits of these courses may be among the previous 18 credits (typically the third year of full-time study). Subject to the approval of the graduate committee (requested via petition) and the agreement of the instructor, mathematics graduate students may take the following undergraduate courses for graduate credit: Math 101, 102, 103, 113, 132, 139, 140, 148, 170, 181. Graduate students in such courses must be assigned appropriate additional work to bring the courses up to the graduate level. The graduate committee may limit the number of such courses that students take. Students wishing to take courses outside the department must petition and obtain the approval of the graduate committee. The committee may limit the number of such courses that students take. Up to one-sixth of the credit hours toward a Ph.D. may be via courses offered by other institutions in the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students wishing to take such courses must petition and obtain the approval of the graduate committee. The qualifying exams must be completed successfully before the specialty exam may be attempted. The qualifying exams are offered twice a year, once shortly before the Fall semester and once shortly before the Spring semester. Full-time students normally take these exams after two semesters in the program; part-time students normally take them after three. Students should let the graduate committee know which exams they intend to take by the middle of the semester preceding the desired exam session. Three qualifying exams
are required; each is three hours long and each is given on a
different day. In consultation with his or her advisor, a student
selects the three exam areas from the following options:
All exams are graded at the Ph.D. level (Pass with Distinction, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail) and at the Master's level (Pass or Fail). If an exam is not passed at the Ph.D. level on the first attempt, the student may take the exam in that area at the next scheduled exam session (not later). Failure on the second attempt results in the termination of the student's Ph.D. program. A Ph.D. student who receives a Master's Pass on all three exams may choose to complete the requirements for a Master's Degree. It is not required that all three exams be taken for the first time during the same exam session. However, for students with TAships or similar support, a necessary condition for continuing support for a third year is the completion of the qualifying exams by January of the second year; therefore, to allow time for any required re-takes, supported students are strongly advised to make their first attempt on each of their three exams no later than August after their first year. Consulting one's advisor to develop a sound plan for when to take the exams is recommended. While the graded exams remain in the department files, a student can ask the department secretary for copies of his or her own graded exams. Getting copies of one's exams and discussing them with the graders is especially important if an exam has to be retaken. Copies of past exams are available from the department secretary. The specialty exam is an oral exam in the student's intended research area and is conducted by a specialty exam committee made up of three faculty members (usually all in the department), including a prospective dissertation advisor. Starting soon after the completion of the qualifying exams, the better part of a year is typically devoted to preparing for and then taking the specialty exam. The prospective advisor prepares a syllabus; in addition to listing the exam topics and recommended sources, this document sets a target completion date and names the exam committee. Early in the exam preparation process, the graduate committee is informed of the arrangements and the syllabus is filed in the student's departmental file. The exam committee (especially the advisor) assists the student in preparing for the exam. The advisor chairs the exam, which is conducted by the exam committee and is open to attendance by all mathematics faculty members and graduate students. The exam committee meets privately immediately after the exam to determine the outcome, which can be Pass with Distinction, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail. A student may not take the specialty exam more than twice. The second attempt, if needed, must be scheduled within one semester of the first. Soon after passing the specialty exam, if not earlier, the student starts working with a thesis advisor. A student who wishes to change thesis advisors may do so at any time; all that is required is the consent of the new advisor. The new advisor may require the student to retake the specialty exam. A Ph.D. candidate must demonstrate an ability to read mathematics in a foreign language. The language exam, which can be given by any faculty member who knows the language, is written and consists of translating several pages of a mathematical text into English. A dictionary is allowed. The typical languages for this exam are French, German, and Russian; upon petition to the graduate committee, another language that can be shown to be relevant to the student's research area may be accepted. For many students, a review of earlier language courses suffices to prepare for this exam. Those needing more assistance might take language courses offered by GW (e.g., French 49: French for Graduate Students), local community colleges, or the USDA; the cost of such courses is not covered by tuition credits and these courses do not count toward the credit hour requirement. A student in the Ph.D. program may enter candidacy only after completing all precandidacy requirements. Admission to candidacy is granted only if the student's performance on the General Examination and in courses gives a good indication of success in candidacy; passing the General Examination at the minimum level does not necessarily give this indication. The prospective dissertation advisor makes this judgement and recommends advancement to candidacy if he or she is confident that the student will be able to complete candidacy. 1.3.1 Dissertation Research credits A Ph.D. student must take 12 to 24 credits of Dissertation Research (Math 399) as part of the required 72 credit hours. Math 399 may be taken during precandidacy. Students in candidacy must register for at least three hours of Math 399 per semester until they have attained the 72 hours. 1.3.2 The dissertation and the Final Oral Examination (thesis defense) The CCAS Guide to Theses and Dissertations contains guidelines that students must follow as they prepare their dissertations. Students are encouraged to ask the CCAS Graduate Office to check the format of the thesis prior to completion. When planning a thesis defense, keep in mind CCAS deadlines, the three week minimum that the examining committee has to read the thesis, and the time that may be needed after the defense for revisions. A first task in organizing the defense is for the advisor, in consultation with the graduate committee, to assemble the final examination committee. This committee is made up of the thesis advisor (director), the co-director (if applicable), two readers, and two additional examiners; at least one examiner must be from outside the department. Also, another person is selected to serve as chair of the defense. The Ph.D. candidate, with the assistance of the advisor, must make every effort to ensure that the thesis is free of errors before it is submitted to the final examination committee. The thesis must be submitted to the committee at least three weeks before the defense. Thesis defenses are open to the public; the advisor should see that an announcement is sent to the entire department. The defense consists
of an hour-long talk by the candidate on his or her research followed
by several rounds of questions by the final examination committee,
excluding the director (and co-director, if applicable). Once the
question session ends, the defense is over and the chair dismisses the
candidate and the audience. The committee then meets to determine the
outcome, which can be Following a thesis defense at which the thesis was accepted as is, or following the completion of the required revisions and the subsequent filing of the Final Dissertation Approval form, the successful Ph.D. candidate submits his or her dissertation electronically, following the instructions in the CCAS Guide to Theses and Dissertations and the Electronic Theses & Dissertations websites; these websites have links to the ProQuest/University Microfilm (UM) form, which must also be submitted electronically. (See the graduate committee chair for the username and password needed for the UM form.) Paper copies of two additional forms must be submitted to CCAS (Phillips 107): the Electronic Theses & Dissertations Approval (signed by the student and the thesis advisor) and the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). It is highly recommended that all of these items be submitted well in advance of the CCAS deadline. After this material has been submitted, the graduate committee chair completes the Graduation Clearance form for the candidate. During candidacy, students register for at least 3 credit hours of Dissertation Research (Math 399) each Fall and Spring semester until they fulfill their credit hour and dissertation research credit requirements. Those needing time beyond that to complete the degree requirements register for one credit hour of Continuing Research (CCAS 940) per semester. Continuing Research does not count toward the credit hour requirement. 1.5 Forms related to the Ph.D. program Note: "Departmental Advisor" on these forms refers the graduate committee chair. The thesis advisor is called the "Director". Forms are completed in consultation with initial or thesis advisors (referred to as "the student's advisor" below), but few forms require their signatures.
Forms to be completed by students
Forms to be
completed by the department: 2.1 The requirements of the Master's program The department offers two Master's degrees: Master's of Arts in Mathematics and Master's of Science in Applied Mathematics. These degrees are earned by completing either of the following sets of requirements. Option 1
requirements: Option 2
requirements: Note: the Ph.D. program requires qualifying exams in three areas, so Master's students who are interested in possibly transferring to the Ph.D. program should aim to satisfy the Option 1 requirements and to pass the exams at the Ph.D. level. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years; part-time students typically take three years. CCAS has an upper limit of four years to complete the degree requirements. If endorsed by the department, extensions may be granted upon petition to the Dean. 2.1.1 Credit hours of graduate work The Master's of Arts in Mathematics requires 30 (for Option 1) or 36 (for Option 2) credit hours of approved course work in mathematics. The Master's of Science in Applied Mathematics requires 30 (for Option 1) or 36 (for Option 2) credit hour of approved course work divided between mathematics and one of the following areas of application: physics, computer science, statistics, operations research, economics, engineering (civil, electrical, or mechanical). At most 12 of the required credit hours can be outside mathematics. Students must petition and obtain the approval of the graduate committee in order to register for courses outside the department. Math 295, Reading and Research (independent study), can be taken only by petition to, and with the approval of, the graduate committee. Subject to the approval of the graduate committee (requested via petition) and the agreement of the instructor, mathematics graduate students may take the following undergraduate courses for graduate credit: Math 101, 102, 103, 113, 132, 139, 140, 148, 170, 181. Graduate students in such courses must be assigned appropriate additional work to bring the courses up to the graduate level. These courses may comprise up to 6 of the required credit hours. Up to one-quarter of the work toward a Master's degree may be via courses offered by other institutions in the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students wishing to take such courses must petition and obtain the approval of the graduate committee. Master's exams are offered twice a year, once shortly before the Fall semester and once shortly before the Spring semester. Master's candidates may petition the graduate committee to schedule the exams after the Spring semester. Full-time students typically take these exams after two semesters in the program; part-time students typically take them after three. Students should let the graduate committee know which exams they intend to take by the middle of the semester preceding the desired exam session. Three Master's exams
are required for Option 1; one is required for Option 2. Each exam is three hours long and each is
given on a different day. In consultation with his or her advisor, a
student selects the exam area(s) from the following options:
All exams are graded at the Ph.D. level (Pass with Distinction, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail) and at the Master's level (Pass or Fail). If an exam is not passed at the Master's level on the first attempt, the student may take the exam in that area at the next scheduled exam session (not later). Failure on the second attempt results in the termination of the student's program. For those aiming to satisfy the Option 1 requirements, it is not required that all three exams be taken for the first time during the same exam session. Consulting one's advisor to develop a sound plan for when to take the exams is recommended. While the graded exams remain in the department files, a student can ask the department secretary for copies of his or her own graded exams. Getting copies of one's exams and discussing them with the graders is especially important if an exam has to be retaken. Copies of past exams are available from the department secretary. Master's students who have fulfilled the credit hour requirement but need additional time to complete their degree requirements register for one credit hour per semester of Continuing Research (CCAS 920). Continuing Research does not count toward the credit hour requirement. This option applies, for instance, if a student has yet to complete an incomplete in a course that contributes to his or her 30 credit hours. 2.3 Forms related to the Master's program Note: "Departmental Advisor" on these forms refers the graduate committee chair. Forms are completed in consultation with initial advisors, but few forms require their signatures.
Forms to be
completed by students Forms to be
completed by the department: 3: Items that apply to all graduate students 3.1 Maintaining graduate student status A student must be enrolled without interruption throughout the program, unless CCAS grants a leave of absence. Depending on the stage in the program, enrollment may be achieved by registration for courses, Dissertation Research (Math 399; Ph.D. students only), or Continuing Research. A student may request a leave of absence for a specific period of time, not to exceed two semesters during the total period of degree candidacy. Upon granting leave, CCAS provides instructions on how to register as being on leave; those on leave must register as instructed to remain in the program. Only approved graduate course work that is taken at GW or through the consortium contributes to the grade-point average (GPA). Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 (B) in all course work taken following admission to the program. 3.4 Academic workload and full-time/part-time status Full-time students register for 9 to 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester; part-time students register for 6. This does not apply to full-time or part-time students who have fewer than 9 or 6 credit hours, respectively, remaining to be completed. Those who are employed more than 20 hours a week should apply as part-time students and cannot register for more than 6 credit hours per semester. Ph.D. candidates who lack only dissertation credits to fulfill the credit hour requirement may have full-time status if they are registered for at least 3 credits of Dissertation Research (Math 399) and are actively engaged in dissertation research and writing. Students who have completed the credit hour requirements but who have not completed all degree requirements may have full-time status if they have not exceeded the program time limit and are registered for Continuing Research. Those who meet these conditions but are employed more than 20 hours a week may have half-time status. Some students taking fewer than 9 credit hours may need to have their status as full-time students certified (for instance, for insurance or visa purposes). International students on F or J visas who need such certification should contact the International Services Office. All other students who need such certification can get information and forms from the Office of the Registrar. A Ph.D. candidate who
holds a Master's degree that is relevant to his or her field of study
may request to transfer up to 24 credit hours toward a Ph.D. for
acceptable post-baccalaureate graduate work taken at the Master's
level. Subject to the following conditions, a Ph.D. candidate who
does not hold a Master's degree may request to transfer up to 24
credit hours and a Master's candidate may request to transfer up to 6
credit hours: courses to be transferred A student applies for transfer credit by filling out the Transfer Credit form in consultation with his or her advisor and submitting it to the graduate committee. If the committee approves the request, it is forwarded to CCAS. A transcript of the course work must be on file in the CCAS office before the dean will consider the request. Although transferring more credit later is possible, it is expected that by the end of their first year, students will apply for any transfer credit they want to be credited for. A student cannot receive credit for both a course via transfer credit and a similar GW course. For a Ph.D. student who is awarded 24 hours of transfer credit, the minimum number of additional credit hours required in precandidacy is 24 (see Section 1.2.1). Transfer credit for courses in related disciplines may be requested. GW offers forms of financial assistance in addition to those discussed here; see the links in Section 4. Financial support is renewable from year to year based on satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree sought and any additional requirements of the particular type of support involved. 3.6.1 University fellowships/teaching assistantships (TAships) Full-time
Ph.D. candidates in mathematics are supported mainly by TAships, which
consist of: TAs who have not yet completed their credit hour requirements must register for 9 credit hours per semester; they will be awarded 9 hours of tuition credits. Those who have fewer than 9 credit hours left to complete may register for fewer than 9 hours and, accordingly, be awarded fewer tuition credits. The duties of TAs may include teaching a course, conducting recitations, assisting in a computer lab, holding office hours, grading homework, and proctoring and grading exams. Such duties typically take about 15 hours per week. See General information for mathematics graduate students for more information. The graduate committee, in consultation with students' advisors, makes recommendations to CCAS for renewal of support; these recommendations are subject to the approval of the CCAS Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Students making good progress toward earning a Ph.D. and performing their teaching duties well usually receive at least five years of support. Requests for a sixth year of funding can be made when there is good evidence that the student is likely to complete the degree in the sixth year. 3.6.2 Research fellowships/assistantships If funding is available and research interests match, graduate students can be supported by research fellowships and assistantships. Students interested in funding via sponsored research should speak with faculty members involved in such projects. The support packages for research assistants are comparable to those for TAs. Degrees are conferred in January, May, and August. Enrollment, via courses or Continuing Research (or, during the summer, a 0-credit Continuous Enrollment), is required for the semester or summer at the close of which the degree is to be awarded; all degree requirements must be completed by the last day of final exams for that semester or summer. A student must file an Application for Graduation by the date indicated on the University Calendar for the semester or summer in which he or she intends to graduate. Ph.D. students must complete all requirements by April 1 in order to be included in the Spring Hooding Ceremony. Note: Continuous Enrollment for 0 credits is an option that applies only in the summer; it is arranged directly by CCAS (not by the student) when CCAS receives a student's application for summer graduation. 3.8 Transfer between the Master's and the Ph.D. program To have maximum flexibility for transfers between programs, the qualifying exams for Ph.D. students are the same as the Master's exams and all exams are graded both at the Ph.D. level and at the Master's level. A Ph.D. student who passes at the Master's level and wishes, or is required, to terminate his or her program may opt to receive a Master's Degree; this is done by submitting a petition to transfer to the Master's Program, transferring credits earned in the Ph.D. program to the Master's program, and completing the Master's Degree requirements. A Master's student who passes at the Ph.D. level may apply to the Ph.D. program; if admitted, all credits earned in the Master's Program, as well as the results of qualifying exams that are no more than five years old, transfer to the Ph.D. program. If a student who earns a Master's Degree at GW but does not achieve Ph.D. level passes is later admitted to the Ph.D. program, he or she must retake the qualifying exams. Updated 3 February 2009. |