Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics

The mathematics graduate program is primarily a Ph.D. program designed to prepare especially able students for a career in mathematical research and college teaching. The relatively small enrollment of about 40 students permits small classes and close contact with the faculty. Qualified students receive financial aid up to 5 years, primarily through teaching assistantships. There are also several fellowships for entering students and research assistantships for advanced students. DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. A student must be admitted to candidacy, for which eight qualification credits subject to the distribution requirements are necessary (see sections 3 and 8). A student must earn three more qualification credits - thus the total of eleven - to obtain a Ph.D. A student must demonstrate ability to read mathematics in one of the three foreign languages: French, German, Russian (for details and some exceptions, see section 9). Each student must prepare for and successfully pass a Topics Examination on an advanced subject A student must complete a thesis which contains substantial new mathematics and which is approved by a committee of three faculty members (including possibly some outside mathematicians) and defended in an officially scheduled final examination. Because Brown's doctoral programs train graduate students to become educators as well as researchers, teaching is an integral part of the graduate education. All doctoral students in the Mathematics program are required to train as teaching assistants for at least two semesters. In consultation with the DGS, this requirement may be fulfilled during any of the years in the program. Concerning tuition payment requirements by the Graduate School, see the University Catalog and consult the department. If all requirements for the Ph.D. are not completed within five years after admission to candidacy, readmission to candidacy must be approved by the Department and the Graduate Council.