what is phd mathematics

• Doing a PhD in Mathematics
• Doing a PhD

What Does a PhD in Maths Involve?

Maths is a vast subject, both in breadth and in depth. As such, there’s a significant number of different areas you can research as a math student. These areas usually fall into one of three categories: pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics. Some examples of topics you can research are:

• Number theory
• Numerical analysis
• String theory
• Random matrix theory
• Graph theory
• Quantum mechanics
• Statistical forecasting
• Matroid theory
• Control theory

Besides this, because maths focuses on addressing interdisciplinary real-world problems, you may work and collaborate with other STEM researchers. For example, your research topic may relate to:

• Biomechanics and transport processes
• Evidence-based medicine
• Fluid dynamics
• Financial mathematics
• Machine learning
• Theoretical and Computational Optimisation

What you do day-to-day will largely depend on your specific research topic. However, you’ll likely:

• Continually read literature – This will be to help develop your knowledge and identify current gaps in the overall body of knowledge surrounding your research topic.
• Undertake research specific to your topic – This can include defining ideas, proving theorems and identifying relationships between models.
• Collect and analyse data – This could comprise developing computational models, running simulations and interpreting forecasts etc.
• Liaise with others – This could take many forms. For example, you may work shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals from different disciplines supporting your research, e.g. Computer scientists for machine learning-based projects. Alternatively, you may need frequent input from those who supplied the data for your research, e.g. Financial institutions or biological research colleagues.
• Attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and events.

Browse PhD Opportunities in Mathematics

Application of artificial intelligence to multiphysics problems in materials design, study of the human-vehicle interactions by a high-end dynamic driving simulator, physical layer algorithm design in 6g non-terrestrial communications, machine learning for autonomous robot exploration, detecting subtle but clinically significant cognitive change in an ageing population, how long does it take to get a phd in maths.

The average programme duration for a mathematics PhD in the UK is 3 to 4 years for a full-time studying. Although not all universities offer part-time maths PhD programmes, those that do have a typical programme duration of 5 to 7 years.

Again, although the exact arrangement will depend on the university, most maths doctorates will require you to first register for an MPhil . At the end of your first year, your supervisor will assess your progress to decide whether you should be registered for a PhD.

Additional Learning Modules

Some Mathematics departments will require you to enrol on to taught modules as part of your programme. These are to help improve your knowledge and understanding of broader subjects within your field, for example, Fourier Analysis, Differential Geometry and Riemann Surfaces. Even if taught modules aren’t compulsory in several universities, your supervisor will still encourage you to attend them for your development.

Most UK universities will also have access to specialised mathematical training courses. The most common of these include Pure Mathematics courses hosted by Mathematics Access Grid Conferencing ( MAGIC ) and London Taught Course Centre ( LTCC ) and Statistics courses hosted by Academy for PhD Training in Statistics ( APTS ).

What Are the Typical Entry Requirements for A PhD in Maths?

In the UK, the typical entry requirements for a Maths PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Mathematics or Statistics [1] .

However, there is some variation on this. From writing, the lowest entry requirement is an upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree in any math-related subject. The highest entry requirement is a first-class (1st) honours Master’s degree in a Mathematics or Statistics degree only.

It’s worth noting if you’re applying to a position which comes with funding provided directly by the Department, the entry requirements will usually be on the higher side because of their competitiveness.

In terms of English Language requirements, most mathematics departments require at least an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each individual subtest.

Tips to Consider when Making Your Application

When applying to any mathematics PhD, you’ll be expected to have a good understanding of both your subject field and the specific research topic you are applying to. To help show this, it’s advisable that you demonstrate recent engagement in your research topic. This could be by describing the significance of a research paper you recently read and outlining which parts interested you the most, and why. Additionally, you can discuss a recent mathematics event you attended and suggest ways in how what you learnt might apply to your research topic.

As with most STEM PhDs, most maths PhD professors prefer you to discuss your application with them directly before putting in a formal application. The benefits of this is two folds. First, you’ll get more information on what their department has to offer. Second, the supervisor can better discover your interest in the project and gauge whether you’d be a suitable candidate. Therefore, we encourage you to contact potential supervisors for positions you’re interested in before making any formal applications.

How Much Does a Maths PhD Typically Cost?

The typical tuition fee for a PhD in Maths in the UK is £4,407 per year for UK/EU students and £20,230 per year for international students. This, alongside the range in tuition fees you can expect, is summarised below:

Note: The above tuition fees are based on 12 UK Universities [1]  for 2020/21 Mathematic PhD positions. The typical fee has been taken as the median value.

In addition to the above, it’s not unheard of for research students to be charged a bench fee. In case you’re unfamiliar with a bench fee, it’s an annual fee additional to your tuition, which covers the cost of specialist equipment or resources associated with your research. This can include the upkeep of supercomputers you may use, training in specialist analysis software, or travelling to conferences. The exact fee will depend on your specific research topic; however, it should be minimal for most mathematic projects.

What Specific Funding Opportunities Are There for A PhD in Mathematics?

Alongside the usual funding opportunities available to all PhD Research students such as doctoral loans, departmental scholarships, there are a few other sources of funding available to math PhD students. Examples of these include:

You can find more information on these funding sources here: DiscoverPhDs funding guide .

What Specific Skills Do You Gain from Doing a PhD in Mathematics?

A doctorate in Mathematics not only demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning, but it also provides you with highly marketable skills. Besides subject-specific skills, you’ll also gain many transferable skills which will prove useful in almost all industries. A sample of these skills is listed below.

• Logical ability to consider and analyse complex issues,
• Commitment and persistence towards reaching research goals,
• Outstanding verbal and written skills,
• Strong attention to detail,
• The ability to liaise with others from unique disciple backgrounds and work as part of a team
• Holistic deduction and reasoning skills,
• Forming and explaining mathematical and logical solutions to a wide range of real-world problems,
• Exceptional numeracy skills.

What Jobs Can You Get with A Maths PhD?

One of the greatest benefits maths PostDocs will have is the ability to pursue a wide range of career paths. This is because all sciences are built on core principles which, to varying extents, are supported by the core principles of mathematics. As a result, it’s not uncommon to ask students what path they intend to follow after completing their degree and receive entirely different answers. Although not extensive by any means, the most common career paths Math PostDocs take are listed below:

• Academia – Many individuals teach undergraduate students at the university they studied at or ones they gained ties to during their research. This path is usually the preferred among students who want to continue focusing on mathematical theories and concepts as part of their career.
• Postdoctoral Researcher – Others continue researching with their University or with an independent organisation. This can be a popular path because of the opportunities it provides in collaborative working, supervising others, undertaking research and attending conferences etc.
• Finance – Because of their deepened analytical skills, it’s no surprise that many PostDocs choose a career in finance. This involves working for some of the most significant players in the financial district in prime locations including London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. Specific job titles can include Actuarial, Investment Analyst or Risk Modeller.
• Computer Programming – Some students whose research involves computational mathematics launch their career as a computer programmer. Due to their background, they’ll typically work on specialised projects which require high levels of understanding on the problem at hand. For example, they may work with physicists and biomedical engineers to develop a software package that supports their more complex research.
• Data Analyst – Those who enjoy number crunching and developing complex models often go into data analytics. This can involve various niches such as forecasting or optimisation, across various fields such as marketing and weather.

What Are Some of The Typical Employers Who Hire Maths PostDocs?

As mentioned above, there’s a high demand for skilled mathematicians and statisticians across a broad range of sectors. Some typical employers are:

• Education – All UK and international universities
• Governments – STFC and Department for Transport
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – NHS, GSK, Pfizer
• Finance & Banking – e.g. Barclays Capital, PwC and J. P. Morgan
• Computing – IBM, Microsoft and Facebook
• Engineering – Boeing, Shell and Dyson

The above is only a small selection of employers. In reality, mathematic PostDocs can work in almost any industry, assuming the role is numerical-based or data-driven.

How Much Can You Earn with A PhD in Maths?

As a mathematics PhD PostDoc, your earning potential will mostly depend on your chosen career path. Due to the wide range of options, it’s impossible to provide an arbitrary value for the typical salary you can expect.

However, if you pursue one of the below paths or enter their respective industry, you can roughly expect to earn [3] :

Academic Lecturer

• Approximately £30,000 – £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with 10 years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role. Certain academic positions can earn over £80,000 depending on the management duties.

Actuary or Finance

• Approximately £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £70,000 and over with 10 years experience
• Approximately £180,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

• Approximately £28,000 starting salary
• Approximately £35,000 – £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with 10 years experience

Data Analyst

• Approximately £45,000 – £50,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £90,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Again, we stress that the above are indicative values only. Actual salaries will depend on the specific organisation and position and responsibilities of the individual.

Facts and Statistics About Maths PhD Holders

The below chart provides useful insight into the destination of Math PostDocs after completing their PhD. The most popular career paths from other of highest to lowest is education, information and communication, finance and scientific research, manufacturing and government.

Note: The above chart is based on ‘UK Higher Education Leavers’ data [2] between 2012/13 and 2016/17 and contains a data size of 200 PostDocs. The data was obtained from the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA ).

Which Noteworthy People Hold a PhD in Maths?

Alan turing.

Alan Turing was a British Mathematician, WW2 code-breaker and arguably the father of computer science. Alongside his lengthy list of achievements, Turning achieved a PhD in Mathematics at Princeton University, New Jersey. His thesis titled ‘Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals’ focused on the concepts of ordinal logic and relative computing; you can read it online here . To this day, Turning pioneering works continues to play a fundamental role in shaping the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Ruth Lawrence

Ruth Lawrence is a famous British–Israeli Mathematician well known within the academic community. Lawrence earned her PhD in Mathematics from Oxford University at the young age of 17! Her work focused on algebraic topology and knot theory; you can read her interesting collection of research papers here . Among her many contributions to Maths, her most notable include the representation of the braid groups, more formally known as Lawrence–Krammer representations.

Emmy Noether

Emmy Noether was a German mathematician who received her PhD from the University of Erlangen, Germany. Her research has significantly contributed to both abstract algebra and theoretical physics. Additionally, she proved a groundbreaking theorem important to Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In doing so, her theorem, Noether’s theorem , is regarded as one of the most influential developments in physics.

Other Useful Resources

Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) – IMA is the UK’s professional body for mathematicians. It contains a wide range of useful information, from the benefits of further education in Maths to details on grants and upcoming events.

Maths Careers – Math Careers is a site associated with IMA that provides a wide range of advice to mathematicians of all ages. It has a section dedicated to undergraduates and graduates and contains a handful of information about progressing into research.

Resources for Graduate Students – Produced by Dr Mak Tomford, this webpage contains an extensive collection of detailed advice for Mathematic PhD students. Although the site uses US terminology in places, don’t let that put you off as this resource will prove incredibly helpful in both applying to and undertaking your PhD.

Student Interviews – Still wondering whether a PhD is for you? If so, our collection of PhD interviews would be a great place to get an insider perspective. We’ve interviewed a wide range of PhD students across the UK to find out what doing a PhD is like, how it’s helped them and what advice they have for other prospective students who may be thinking of applying to one. You can read our insightful collection of interviews here .

[1] Universities used to determine the typical (median) and range of entry requirements and tuition fees for 2020/21 Mathematics PhD positions.

• http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Degree-programmes-2020/MPhilPhD-Mathematics
• https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-mathematics?wssl=1
• https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/mapmpdpms
• https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/mathematics-mphil-phd
• http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2020/sci/phd-mathematics/
• https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/mathematics-phd
• https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/studying-here/pgr/phd-application
• https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-courses/mathematics-phd/
• https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/degrees/mathematics-phd
• https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/05325/phd-pure-mathematics/
• https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/courses-2020/mathematicsphd/
• https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/degrees/mathematics/

[2] Higher Education Leavers Statistics: UK, 2016/17 – Outcomes by subject studied – https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/28-06-2018/sfr250-higher-education-leaver-statistics-subjects

[3] Typical salaries have been extracted from a combination of the below resources. It should be noted that although every effort has been made to keep the reported salaries as relevant to Math PostDocs as possible (i.e. filtering for positions which specify a PhD qualification as one of their requirements/preferences), small inaccuracies may exist due to data availability.

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Ph.D. Program Overview

Description.

The graduate program in the field of mathematics at Cornell leads to the Ph.D. degree, which takes most students five to six years of graduate study to complete. One feature that makes the program at Cornell particularly attractive is the broad range of  interests of the faculty . The department has outstanding groups in the areas of algebra, algebraic geometry,  analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics, dynamical systems, geometry, logic, Lie groups, number theory, probability, and topology. The field also maintains close ties with distinguished graduate programs in the fields of  applied mathematics ,  computer science ,  operations research , and  statistics .

Core Courses

A normal course load for a beginning graduate student is three courses per term. 

There are no qualifying exams, but the program requires that all students pass four courses to be selected from the six core courses. First-year students are allowed to place out of some (possibly, all) of the core courses. In order to place out of a course, students should contact the faculty member who is teaching the course during the current academic year, and that faculty member will make a decision. The minimum passing grade for the core courses is B-; no grade is assigned for placing out of a core course.

At least two core courses should be taken (or placed out) by the end of the first year. At least four core courses should be taken (or placed out) by the end of the second year (cumulative). These time requirements can be waived for students with health problems or other significant non-academic problems. They can be also waived for students who take time-consuming courses in another area (for example, CS) and who have strong support from a faculty; requests from such students should be made before the beginning of the spring semester. 

The core courses  are distributed among three main areas: analysis, algebra and topology/geometry. A student must pass at least one course from each group. All entering graduate students are encouraged to eventually take all six core courses with the option of an S/U grade for two of them. 

The six core courses are:

MATH 6110, Real Analysis

MATH 6120, Complex Analysis

MATH 6310, Algebra 1

MATH 6320, Algebra 2

MATH 6510, Introductory Algebraic Topology

MATH 6520, Differentiable Manifolds.

Students who are not ready to take some of the core courses may take MATH 4130-4140, Introduction to Analysis, and/or MATH 4330-4340, Introduction to Algebra, which are the honors versions of our core undergraduate courses.

"What is...?" Seminar

The "What Is...?" Seminar is a series of talks given by faculty in the graduate field of Mathematics. Speakers are selected by an organizing committee of graduate students. The goal of the seminar is to aid students in finding advisors.

Schedule for the "What Is...?" seminar

Special Committee

The Cornell Graduate School requires that every student selects a special committee (in particular, a thesis adviser, who is the chair or the committee) by the end of the third semester.

The emphasis in the Graduate School at Cornell is on individualized instruction and training for independent investigation. There are very few formal requirements and each student develops a program in conjunction with his or her special committee, which consists of three faculty members, some of which may be chosen from outside the field of mathematics. 

Entering students are not assigned special committees. Such students may contact any of the members on the Advising Committee if they have questions or need advice.

Current Advising Committee

Analysis / Probability / Dynamical Systems / Logic: Lionel Levine Geometry / Topology / Combinatorics: Kathryn Mann Probability / Statistics:  Philippe Sosoe Applied Mathematics Liaison: Richard Rand

Admission to Candidacy

To be admitted formally to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must pass the oral admission to candidacy examination or A exam. This must be completed before the beginning of the student's fourth year. Upon passing the A exam, the student will be awarded (at his/her request) an M.S. degree without thesis.

The admission to candidacy examination is given to determine if the student is “ready to begin work on a thesis.” The content and methods of examination are agreed on by the student and his/her special committee before the examination. The student must be prepared to answer questions on the proposed area of research, and to pass the exam, he/she must demonstrate expertise beyond just mastery of basic mathematics covered in the core graduate courses. 

To receive an advanced degree a student must fulfill the residence requirements of the Graduate School. One unit of residence is granted for successful completion of one semester of full-time study, as judged by the chair of the special committee. The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of six residence units. This is not a difficult requirement to satisfy since the program generally takes five to six years to complete. A student who has done graduate work at another institution may petition to transfer residence credit but may not receive more than two such credits.

The candidate must write a thesis that represents creative work and contains original results in that area. The research is carried on independently by the candidate under the supervision of the chairperson of the special committee. By the time of the oral admission to candidacy examination, the candidate should have selected as chairperson of the committee the faculty member who will supervise the research. When the thesis is completed, the student presents his/her results at the thesis defense or B Exam. All doctoral students take a Final Examination (the B Exam, which is the oral defense of the dissertation) upon completion of all requirements for the degree, no earlier than one month before completion of the minimum registration requirement.

Masters Degree in the Minor Field

Ph.D. students in the field of mathematics may earn a Special Master's of Science in Computer Science. Interested students must apply to the Graduate School using a form available for this purpose. To be eligible for this degree, the student must have a member representing the minor field on the special committee and pass the A-exam in the major field. The rules and the specific requirements for each master's program are explained on the referenced page.

Cornell will award at most one master's degree to any student. In particular, a student awarded a master's degree in a minor field will not be eligible for a master's degree in the major field.

Graduate Student Funding

Funding commitments made at the time of admission to the Ph.D. program are typically for a period of five years. Support in the sixth year is available by application, as needed. Support in the seventh year is only available by request from an advisor, and dependent on the availability of teaching lines. Following a policy from the Cornell Graduate School, students who require more than seven years to complete their degree shall not be funded as teaching assistants after the 14th semester.

Special Requests

Students who have special requests should first discuss them with their Ph.D. advisor (or with a field member with whom they work, if they don't have an advisor yet). If the advisor (or field faculty) supports the request, then it should be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies.  

PhD Program

More information and a full list of requirements for the PhD program in Mathematics can be found in the University Bulletin .

During their first year in the program, students typically engage in coursework and seminars which prepare them for the  Qualifying Examinations .  Currently, these two exams test the student’s breadth of knowledge in algebra and real analysis. 

Starting in Autumn 2023, students will choose 2 out of 4 qualifying exam topics: 

• real analysis
• geometry and topology
• applied mathematics

Course Requirements for students starting prior to Autumn 2023

To qualify for candidacy, the student must have successfully completed 27 units of Math graduate courses numbered between 200 and 297.

Within the 27 units, students must satisfactorily complete a course sequence. This can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

• Math 215A, B, & C: Algebraic Topology, Differential Topology, and Differential Geometry
• Math 216A, B, & C: Introduction to Algebraic Geometry
• Math 230A, B, & C: Theory of Probability
• 3 quarter course sequence in a single subject approved in advance by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Course Requirements for students starting in Autumn 2023 and later

To qualify for candidacy, the student must have successfully completed 27 units of Math graduate courses numbered between 200 and 297. The course sequence requirement is discontinued for students starting in Autumn 2023 and later.

By the end of Spring Quarter of their second year in the program, students must have a dissertation advisor and apply for Candidacy.

During their third year, students will take their Area Examination , which must be completed by the end of Winter Quarter. This exam assesses the student’s breadth of knowledge in their particular area of research. The Area Examination is also used as an opportunity for the student to present their committee with a summary of research conducted to date as well as a detailed plan for the remaining research.

Years 4&5

Typically during the latter part of the fourth or early part of the fifth year of study, students are expected to finish their dissertation research. At this time, students defend their dissertation as they sit for their University Oral Examination. Following the dissertation defense, students take a short time to make final revisions to their actual papers and submit the dissertation to their reading committee for final approval.

Throughout the PhD Program

All students continue through each year of the program serving some form of Assistantship: Course, Teaching or Research, unless they have funding from outside the department.

Our graduate students are very active as both leaders and participants in seminars and colloquia in their chosen areas of interest.

Overview of the PhD Program

For specific information on the Applied Mathematics PhD program, see the navigation links to the right. 

What follows on this page is an overview of all Ph.D. programs at the School; additional information and guidance can be found on the  Graduate Policies  pages. 

General Ph.D. Requirements

• 10 semester-long graduate courses, including at least 8 disciplinary.   At least 5 of the 10 should be graduate-level SEAS "technical" courses (or FAS graduate-level technical courses taught by SEAS faculty), not including seminar/reading/project courses.  Undergraduate-level courses cannot be used.  For details on course requirements, see the school's overall PhD course requirements  and the individual program pages linked therein.
• Program Plan (i.e., the set of courses to be used towards the degree) approval by the  Committee on Higher Degrees  (CHD).
• Minimum full-time academic residency of two years .
• Serve as a Teaching Fellow (TF) in one semester of the second year.
• Oral Qualifying Examination Preparation in the major field is evaluated in an oral examination by a qualifying committee. The examination has the dual purpose of verifying the adequacy of the student's preparation for undertaking research in a chosen field and of assessing the student's ability to synthesize knowledge already acquired. For details on arranging your Qualifying Exam, see the exam policies and the individual program pages linked therein.
• Committee Meetings : PhD students' research committees meet according to the guidelines in each area's "Committee Meetings" listing.  For details see the "G3+ Committee Meetings" section of the Policies of the CHD  and the individual program pages linked therein.
• Final Oral Examination (Defense) This public examination devoted to the field of the dissertation is conducted by the student's research committee. It includes, but is not restricted to, a defense of the dissertation itself.  For details of arranging your final oral exam see the  Ph.D. Timeline  page.
• Dissertation Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination, a committee chaired by the research supervisor is constituted to oversee the dissertation research. The dissertation must, in the judgment of the research committee, meet the standards of significant and original research.

Optional additions to the Ph.D. program

Harvard PhD students may choose to pursue these additional aspects:

• a Secondary Field (which is similar to a "minor" subject area).  SEAS offers PhD Secondary Field programs in  Data Science and in  Computational Science and Engineering .   GSAS  lists  secondary fields offered by other programs.
• a Master of Science (S.M.) degree conferred  en route to the Ph.D in one of several of SEAS's subject areas.  For details see here .
• a Teaching Certificate awarded by the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning .

SEAS PhD students may apply to participate in the  Health Sciences and Technology graduate program  with Harvard Medical School and MIT.  Please check with the HST program for details on eligibility (e.g., only students in their G1 year may apply) and the application process.

In Applied Mathematics

• First-Year Exploration
• Areas of Application
• AM & Economics
• How to Declare
• Who are my Advisors?
• Secondary Field
• Senior Thesis
• Research for Course Credit (AM 91R & AM 99R)
• AB/SM Information
• Peer Concentration Advisors (PCA) Program
• Student Organizations
• How to Apply
• PhD Timeline
• PhD Model Program (Course Guidelines)
• Oral Qualifying Examination
• Committee Meetings
• Committee on Higher Degrees
• Research Interest Comparison
• Collaborations
• Cross-Harvard Engagement
• Clubs & Organizations
• Centers & Initiatives
• Alumni Stories

Ph.D. Degree Programs

The UCSD Mathematics Department admits students into the following Ph.D. programs:

• Ph.D. in Mathematics -- Pure or Applied Mathematics.
• Ph.D. in Mathematics with a  Specialization in Computational Science .
• Ph.D. in Mathematics with a  Specialization in Statistics .

In addition, the department participates in the following Ph.D. programs:

• Ph.D. in  Bioinformatics .
• Ph.D. in  Mathematics and Science Education  (joint program between UCSD and SDSU).

For application information, go to  How to Apply (Graduate) .  

Ph.D. in Mathematics

The Ph.D. in Mathematics allows study in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. The mathematics department has over 60 faculty, approximately 100 Ph.D. students, and approximately 35 Masters students. A list of the UCSD mathematics faculty and their research interests can be found at  here . The Ph.D. in Mathematics program produces graduates with a preparation in teaching and a broad knowledge of mathematics. Our students go on to careers as university professors, as well as careers in industry or government.

In the first and second years of study, Ph.D. students take courses in preparation for three written qualifying examinations (quals). One qual must be taken in Algebra or Topology, and another in Real or Complex Analysis. A third qual may be taken in Numerical Analysis or Statistics or one of the remaining topics in the first two groups. All three quals must be passed by the start of the third year. After the qualifying exams are passed, the student is expected to choose an advisor and follow a course of study agreed on by the two of them. At this point, the student chooses a thesis topic, finds a doctoral committee and presents a talk on his or her proposed research topic. If the committee is satisfied with this talk, the student has "Advanced to Candidacy." The student will then pursue their research agenda with their advisor until they have solved an original problem. The student will submit a written dissertation and reconvene his or her committee for a Final Defense. At the Final Defense, the student gives a seminar talk that is very similar to a talk that he or she might give for a job interview.

Nearly every admitted Ph.D. student gets financial support. The financial support is most commonly in the form of a Teaching Assistantship, however, Research Assistantships and other fellowships are also available.

Because of the large faculty to student ratio, graduate students have many opportunities to interact with faculty in courses or smaller research seminars. The graduate students also run their own "Food for Thought" seminar for expository talks as well as a research seminar where they give talks about their research.

UCSD has excellent library facilities with strong collections in mathematics, science, and engineering. Ph.D. students are provided with access to computer facilities and office space.

Full-time students are required to register for a minimum of twelve (12) units every quarter, eight (8) of which must be graduate-level mathematics courses taken for a letter grade only. The remaining four (4) units can be approved upper-division or graduate-level courses in mathematics-related subjects (MATH 500 may not be used to satisfy any part of this requirement). After advancing to candidacy, Ph.D. candidates may take all course work on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Typically, students should not enroll in MATH 299 (Reading and Research) until they have passed at least two Qualifying Examinations at the PhD or Provisional PhD level, or obtained approval of their faculty advisor.  

Written Qualifying Examinations

Effective Fall Quarter 1998, the department made changes in their qualifying exam requirements with a view to:

• improving applied mathematics' access to students and the attractiveness of its program to applicants; and
• broadening the education of our doctoral students and leading more of them towards applied areas.

The department now offers written qualifying examinations in  SEVEN (7)  subjects. These are grouped into three areas as follows:  

• Three qualifying examinations must be passed. At least one must be passed at the Ph.D. level and a second must be passed at either the Ph.D. or Provisional Ph.D. level.
• Of the three qualifying exams, there must be at least one from each of Areas 1 and 2. 
• Students must pass at least two exams from distinct areas with a minimum grade of Provisional Ph.D. (For example, a Ph.D. pass in Real Analysis, Provisional Ph.D. pass in Complex Analysis, M.A. pass in Algebra would  NOT  satisfy this requirement, but a Ph.D. pass in Real Analysis, M.A. pass in Complex Analysis, Provisional Ph.D. pass in Algebra would, as would a Ph.D. pass in Numerical Analysis, Provisional Ph.D. pass in Applied Algebra, and M.A. pass in Real Analysis.) All exams must be passed by the September exam session prior to the beginning of the third year of graduate studies. (Thus, there is no limit on the number of attempts, encouraging new students to take exams when they arrive, without penalty.) Except for this deadline, there is no limit on the number of exams a student may attempt.

After qualifying exams are given, the faculty meet to discuss the results of the exams with the Qualifying Exam and Appeals Committee (QEAC). Exam grades are reported at one of four levels:  

Department policy stipulates that at least one of the exams must be completed with a Provisional Ph.D. pass or better by September following the end of the first year. Anyone unable to complete this schedule will be terminated from the doctoral program and transferred to one of our Master's programs. Any grievances about exams or other matters can be brought before the Qualifying Exam and Appeals Committee for consideration.

Exams are typically offered twice a year, one scheduled late in the Spring Quarter and again in early September (prior to the start of Fall Quarter). Copies of past exams are available on the  Math Graduate Student Handbook .

In choosing a program with an eye to future employment, students should seek the assistance of a faculty advisor and take a broad selection of courses including applied mathematics, such as those in Area 3.  

Master's Transferring to Ph.D.

Any student who wishes to transfer from masters to the Ph.D. program will submit their full admissions file as Ph.D. applicants by the regular closing date for all Ph.D. applicants (end of the fall quarter/beginning of winter quarter). It is the student's responsibility to submit their files in a timely fashion, no later than the closing date for Ph.D. applications at the end of the fall quarter of their second year of masters study, or earlier. The candidate is required to add any relevant materials to their original masters admissions file, such as most recent transcript showing performance in our graduate program. Letters of support from potential faculty advisors are encouraged. The admissions committee will either recommend the candidate for admission to the Ph.D. program, or decline admission. In the event of a positive recommendation, the Qualifying Exam Committee checks the qualifying exam results of candidates to determine whether they meet the appropriate Ph.D. program requirements, at the latest by the fall of the year in which the application is received. For students in the second year of the master's program, it is required that the student has secured a Ph.D. advisor before admission is finalized. An admitted student is supported in the same way as continuing Ph.D. students at the same level of advancement are supported. Transferring from the Master's program may require renewal of an I-20 for international students, and such students should make their financial plans accordingly. To be eligible for TA support, non-native English speakers must pass the English exam administered by the department in conjunction with the Teaching + Learning Commons.  

Foreign Language Requirement

There is no Foreign Language requirement for the Ph.D. in Mathematics.  

Advancement to Candidacy

It is expected that by the end of the third year (9 quarters), students should have a field of research chosen and a faculty member willing to direct and guide them. A student will advance to candidacy after successfully passing the oral qualifying examination, which deals primarily with the area of research proposed but may include the project itself. This examination is conducted by the student's appointed doctoral committee. Based on their recommendation, a student advances to candidacy and is awarded the C. Phil. degree.  

Dissertation and Final Defense

Submission of a written dissertation and a final examination in which the thesis is publicly defended are the last steps before the Ph.D. degree is awarded. When the dissertation is substantially completed, copies must be provided to all committee members at least four weeks in advance of the proposed defense date. Two weeks before the scheduled final defense, a copy of the dissertation must be made available in the Department for public inspection.  

Time Limits

The normative time for the Ph.D. in mathematics is five (5) years. Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of eleven (11) quarters. Total university support cannot exceed six (6) years. Total registered time at UCSD cannot exceed seven (7) years.  

It may be useful to describe what the majority of students who have successfully completed their Ph.D. and obtained an academic job have done. In the past some students have waited until the last time limit before completing their qualifying exams, finding an advisor or advancing to candidacy. We strongly discourage this, because experience suggests that such students often do not complete the program. Although these are formal time limits, the general expectation is that students pass two qualifying exams, one at the Ph.D. level and one at the masters level by the beginning of their second year. (About half of our students accomplish this.) In the second year, a student begins taking reading courses so that they become familiar with the process of doing research and familiarize themselves with a number of faculty who may serve as their advisor. In surveying our students, on average, a student takes 4 to 5 reading courses before finding an advisor. Optimally, a student advances to candidacy sometime in their third year. This allows for the fourth and fifth year to concentrate on research and produce a thesis. In contrast to coursework, research is an unpredictable endeavor, so it is in the interest of the student to have as much time as possible to produce a thesis.

A student is also a teaching assistant in a variety of courses to strengthen their resume when they apply for a teaching job. Students who excel in their TA duties and who have advanced to candidacy are selected to teach a course of their own as an Associate Instructor. Because there are a limited number of openings to become an Associate Instructor, we highly recommend that you do an outstanding job of TAing in a large variety of courses and advance to candidacy as soon as possible to optimize your chances of getting an Associate Instructorship.

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Mathematics, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

The goal of our PhD program is to train graduate students to become research mathematicians. Each year, an average of five students complete their theses and  go on to exciting careers  in mathematics both inside and outside of academia.

Faculty research interests  in the Johns Hopkins University Department of Mathematics are concentrated in several areas of pure mathematics, including analysis and geometric analysis, algebraic geometry and number theory, differential geometry, algebraic topology, category theory, and mathematical physics. The department also has an active group in data science, in collaboration with the  Applied Math Department .

The Department values diversity among its members, is committed to building a diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from all interested parties.

A brief overview of our graduate program is below. For more detailed information, please see the links at the right.

Program Overview

All students admitted to the PhD program receive full tuition fellowships and teaching assistantships. Teaching assistant salaries for the 2022-2023 academic year are $33,000, and exceptional applicants are also considered for supplementary fellowships. Students making satisfactory progress can expect to be supported for six years.

PhD candidates take two or three courses per semester over the first several years of the program. These are a mix of required and intermediate-level graduate courses, independent studies, and special topics classes offered by our faculty.

By the beginning of their second year, students are asked to demonstrate competency in algebra and in analysis by passing written qualifying exams in these two broad areas. Students are then expected to choose an advisor, who will supervise their dissertation and also administer an oral qualifying exam to be taken in the second or third year. More specifics about all these requirements are described on the  requirements page .

All graduate students are invited to attend  weekly research seminars in a variety of topic areas  as well as regular department teas and a weekly wine and cheese gathering attended by many junior and senior members of the department. A graduate student lunch seminar series provides an opportunity for our students to practice their presentation skills to a general audience.

PhD students will gain teaching experience as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses. Most of our students lead two TA sections per week, under the supervision of both the faculty member teaching the course and the director of undergraduate studies. Students wanting more classroom experience (or extra pay) can teach their own sections of summer courses. First-year students are given a reduced TA workload in the spring semester, in preparation for the qualifying exams.

In addition to their stipend, each student is awarded an annual travel allowance to enable them to attend conferences for which limited funding is available or visit researchers at other institutions.

Financial Aid

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive teaching assistantships and full tuition fellowships. Exceptional applicants become candidates for one of the university's George E. Owen Fellowships.

William Kelso Morrill Award

The William Kelso Morrill Award for excellence in the teaching of mathematics is awarded every spring to the graduate student who best exemplifies the traits of Kelso Morrill: a love of mathematics, a love of teaching, and a concern for students.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Three awards are given each year to a junior faculty member and graduate student teaching assistants who have demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment to undergraduate education.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program is based on primarily on academic records, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The Department of Mathematics values diversity among its members, is committed to building a diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from all interested parties.

Via the online application , applicants should submit:

• A Statement of Purpose
• An optional Personal Statement
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE scores for both the general and the subject test
• Official TOEFL scores (if English is not your first language)

The required Statement of Purpose discusses your academic interests, objectives, and preparation. The optional Personal Statement describes your personal background, and helps us create a more holistic understanding of you as an applicant. If you wish you may also discuss your personal background in the Statement of Purpose (e.g. if you have already written a single essay addressing both topics), instead of submitting separate statements.

Application fee waivers are available based on financial need and/or participation in certain programs .

Many frequently asked questions about the graduate admission process are answered here .

No application materials should be mailed to the department. All application materials are processed by the Graduate Admissions Office .

Undergraduate Background

The following is an example of what the math department would consider a good background for a student coming out of a four-year undergraduate program at a college or university in the U.S. (assuming a semester system):

• Calculus in one variable (two semesters, or AP credits)
• Multivariable Calculus (one semester)
• Linear Algebra (one semester)
• Complex analysis (one semester)
• Real analysis (two semesters)
• Abstract algebra (two semesters)
• Point-set topology (one semester)

Many admitted students have taken upper-level undergraduate mathematics courses or graduate courses. Nevertheless, the department does admit very promising students whose preparation falls a little short of the above model. In such cases, we strongly recommend that the student start to close the gap over the summer, before arriving for the start of the fall semester.

Financial Support   

Students admitted to the PhD program receive full tuition fellowships and teaching assistantships. Teaching assistant salaries for the 2022–2023 academic year are $33,000. Students making satisfactory progress can expect to be supported for six years. Exceptional applicants are considered for supplementary fellowships of $6,000 each year for three years.

Students from underrepresented groups may be eligible for other university-wide supplemental fellowships. Summer teaching is available for students seeking extra income.

Additional Information for International Students

Student Visa Information:  The Office of International Services at Homewood  will assist admitted international students in obtaining a student visa.

English Proficiency: Johns Hopkins University requires students to have adequate English proficiency for their course of study. Students must be able to read, speak, and write English fluently upon their arrival at the university. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of their proficiency in English before they can be offered admission and before a visa certificate can be issued. Proficiency can be demonstrated by submitting results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS . Johns Hopkins prefers a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL or a Band Score of 7 on the IELTS. Results should be sent to Johns Hopkins directly by TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants taking the IELTS must additionally upload a copy of their score through the application system. However, do not send the student copy or a photocopy of the TOEFL.

Program Requirements

Course requirements.

Mathematics PhD candidates must show satisfactory work in Algebra (110.601-602), Real Variables (110.605), Complex Variables (110.607), and one additional non-seminar mathematics graduate course in their first year. The first-year algebra and analysis requirement can be satisfied by passing the corresponding written qualifying exam in September of the first year; these students must complete at least two courses each semester. In addition, PhD candidates must take Algebraic Topology (110.615) and Riemannian Geometry (110.645) by their second year. Students having sufficient background can substitute an advanced topology course for 110.615, or an advanced geometry course for 110.645 with the permission of the instructor.

Candidates must show satisfactory work in at least two mathematics graduate courses each semester of their second year, and if they have not passed their oral qualifying exam, in the first semester of their third year.

Qualifying Exams

Candidates must pass written qualifying exams by the beginning of their second year in Analysis (Real & Complex) and in Algebra. Exams are scheduled for September and May of each academic year, and the dates are announced well in advance.

Candidates must pass an oral qualifying examination in the student’s chosen area of research by April 10 of the third year. The topics of the exam are chosen in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed (provisionally) to be the student’s thesis advisor, who will also be involved in administering the exam.

PhD Dissertation

Candidates must produce a written dissertation based upon independent and original research. After completion of the thesis research, the student will defend the dissertation by means of the  Graduate Board Oral exam . The exam must be held at least three weeks before the Graduate Board deadline the candidate wishes to meet.

Our PhD program does not have a foreign language requirement.

To apply for admissions and financial aid, or for additional information on admissions requirements for the Ph.D. program in pure mathematics, please go to the appropriate Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website listed below. All other inquiries may be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Mathematics Department.

• Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS)
• Mathematics Graduate Studies
• Financial Support

Graduate Program Administrator

The Department of Mathematics does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.

Preparing the Application The statement of purpose for graduate applications is carefully weighted by the admissions committee. The applicant’s statement should convince the committee that they are able to communicate effectively and with a deep understanding of mathematics. It is not intended to be a biographical sketch or a reflection on one’s decision to enter the field.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Letter writers should be faculty or others qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate study in mathematics. The letters must be submitted online and by the application deadline.

Applicants should include any research papers, publications, and other original works they would like to have evaluated by the admissions committee.

The department requests that applicants submit GRE Mathematics Subject Test scores if practical. Applicants should check on the ETS website for test dates in their area to ensure the scores will be submitted before the application deadline. An official score report should be sent to Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences using code 3451.

While the admissions committee reviews all applications submitted before the deadline, missing math subject test scores provide one less data point available to evaluate the application. Depending on the strength of the application, the missing subject test scores may put the application at a disadvantage.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers and who do not hold an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English is the primary language of instruction must submit scores from the Internet Based Test (IBT) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test.

Harvard Griffin GSAS requires applicants to upload an electronic copy of undergraduate transcripts. Hard copies of official transcripts are not required at the time of application.

Ph.D. Program in Pure Mathematics The department does not grant a terminal Master’s degree, but the Master’s can be obtained “on the way” to the Ph.D. by fulfilling certain course and language exam requirements.

In general, there is no transfer status application to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or to the Department of Mathematics. No formal credit is given for an MSc or MA earned elsewhere. All applicants are considered to be applying as first-year graduate students. The only difference Master’s study may make is to better prepare students for the Qualifying Exam.

All graduate students are admitted to begin their studies in the fall term. The department plans on an entering class of about twelve students. Since the admissions committee receives a few hundred applications, the competition is keen.

Funding Graduate Study Applicants are urged to apply for all funding available to them. If no outside funding is available to the applicant, financial aid in the form of scholarships, research assistantships, and teaching fellowships is available. In general, students who do not have outside support will get scholarship support in their first year, but students are required to act as a teaching fellow for one-half course (i.e. for a one-term course) in their second through fifth years.

The department strongly recommends applicants to seek out and apply for all sources of financing available to them for graduate study. Recommended sources for funding US graduate students are NSF Graduate Fellowships and NDSEG Fellowships . Applicants from the UK are urged to also apply for the Kennedy fellowships and applicants from UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia for Knox fellowships . International students may apply for the Fullbright IIE or any home country fellowships available for study abroad.

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offers programs for both the Master’s degree and the Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics. Please visit the SEAS website for more information on degrees in applied mathematics at www.seas.harvard.edu

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Ph.D. Program in Mathematics

Degree requirements.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree in mathematics must fulfill a number of different departmental requirements.

NYU Shanghai Ph.D. Track

The Ph.D. program also offers students the opportunity to pursue their study and research with Mathematics faculty based at NYU Shanghai. With this opportunity, students generally complete their coursework in New York City before moving full-time to Shanghai for their dissertation research. For more information, please visit the  NYU Shanghai Ph.D. page .

Sample course schedules (Years 1 and 2) for students with a primary interest in:

Applied Math (Math Biology, Scientific Computing, Physical Applied Math, etc.)

Additional information for students interested in studying applied math is available here .

Probability

PDE/Analysis

The Written Comprehensive Examination

The examination tests the basic knowledge required for any serious mathematical study. It consists of the three following sections: Advanced Calculus, Complex Variables, and Linear Algebra. The examination is given on three consecutive days, twice a year, in early September and early January. Each section is allotted three hours and is written at the level of a good undergraduate course. Samples of previous examinations are available in the departmental office. Cooperative preparation is encouraged, as it is for all examinations. In the fall term, the Department offers a workshop, taught by an advanced Teaching Assistant, to help students prepare for the written examinations.

Entering students with a solid preparation are encouraged to consider taking the examination in their first year of full-time study. All students must take the examinations in order to be allowed to register for coursework beyond 36 points of credit; it is recommended that students attempt to take the examinations well before this deadline. Graduate Assistants are required to take the examinations during their first year of study.

For further details, consult the page on the written comprehensive exams .

The Oral Preliminary Examination

This examination is usually (but not invariably) taken after two years of full-time study. The purpose of the examination is to determine if the candidate has acquired sufficient mathematical knowledge and maturity to commence a dissertation. The phrase "mathematical knowledge" is intended to convey rather broad acquaintance with the basic facts of mathematical life, with emphasis on a good understanding of the simplest interesting examples. In particular, highly technical or abstract material is inappropriate, as is the rote reproduction of information. What the examiners look for is something a little different and less easy to quantify. It is conveyed in part by the word "maturity." This means some idea of how mathematics hangs together; the ability to think a little on one's feet; some appreciation of what is natural and important, and what is artificial. The point is that the ability to do successful research depends on more than formal learning, and it is part of the examiners' task to assess these less tangible aspects of the candidate's preparation.

The orals are comprised of a general section and a special section, each lasting one hour, and are conducted by two different panels of three faculty members. The examination takes place three times a year: fall, mid-winter and late spring. Cooperative preparation of often helpful and is encouraged. The general section consists of five topics, one of which may be chosen freely. The other four topics are determined by field of interest, but often turn out to be standard: complex variables, real variables, ordinary differential equations, and partial differential equations. Here, the level of knowledge that is expected is equivalent to that of a one or two term course of the kind Courant normally presents. A brochure containing the most common questions on the general oral examination, edited by Courant students, is available at the Department Office.

The special section is usually devoted to a single topic at a more advanced level and extent of knowledge. The precise content is negotiated with the candidate's faculty advisor. Normally, the chosen topic will have a direct bearing on the candidate's Ph.D. dissertation.

All students must take the oral examinations in order to be allowed to register for coursework beyond 60 points of credit. It is recommended that students attempt the examinations well before this deadline.

The Dissertation Defense

The oral defense is the final examination on the student's dissertation. The defense is conducted by a panel of five faculty members (including the student's advisor) and generally lasts one to two hours. The candidate presents his/her work to a mixed audience, some expert in the student's topic, some not. Often, this presentation is followed by a question-and-answer period and mutual discussion of related material and directions for future work.

Summer Internships and Employment

The Department encourages Ph.D. students at any stage of their studies, including the very early stage, to seek summer employment opportunities at various government and industry facilities. In the past few years, Courant students have taken summer internships at the National Institute of Health, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and NASA, as well as Wall Street firms. Such opportunities can greatly expand students' understanding of the mathematical sciences, offer them possible areas of interest for thesis research, and enhance their career options. The Director of Graduate Studies and members of the faculty (and in particular the students' academic advisors) can assist students in finding appropriate summer employment.

Mentoring and Grievance Policy

For detailed information, consult the page on the Mentoring and Grievance Policy .

Visiting Doctoral Students

Information about spending a term at the Courant Institute's Department of Mathematics as a visiting doctoral student is available on the Visitor Programs  page.

Mathematics, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Mathematics

The PhD program in mathematics is intended for students with exceptional mathematical ability. The program emphasizes a solid mathematical foundation and promotes innovative scholarship in mathematics and its many related disciplines.

The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences has very active research groups in analysis, number theory, geometry and discrete mathematics.

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (3 credit hours) MAT 501 Geometry and Topology of Manifolds I (3) or MAT 516 Graph Theory I (3) or MAT 543 Abstract Algebra I (3) or MAT 570 Real Analysis I (3)

Other Requirements (3 credit hours) MAT 591 Seminar (3)

Electives (24-39 credit hours)

Research (27-42 credit hours) MAT 792 Research

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MAT 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Electives are to be chosen from math or related area courses approved by the student's supervisory committee.

Students must pass:

• two qualifying examinations
• a written comprehensive examination
• an oral dissertation prospectus defense

Students should see the department website for examination information.

Each student must write a dissertation and defend it orally in front of five dissertation committee members.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics or a closely related area from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of education and career goals
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Additional eligibility requirements include competitiveness in an applicant pool as evidenced by coursework in linear algebra (equivalent to ASU course MAT 342 or MAT 343) and advanced calculus (equivalent to ASU course MAT 371), and it is desirable that applicants have scientific programming skills.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

• Address an original research question in mathematics.
• Able to complete original research in theoretical mathematics.
• Apply advanced mathematical skills in coursework and research.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program in mathematics possess sophisticated mathematical skills required for careers in many different sectors, including education, industry and government. Potential career opportunities include:

• faculty-track academic
• finance and investment analyst
• mathematician
• mathematics professor, instructor or researcher
• operations research analyst
• statistician

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-3951

PhD in Mathematics

The PhD in Mathematics provides training in mathematics and its applications to a broad range of disciplines and prepares students for careers in academia or industry. It offers students the opportunity to work with faculty on research over a wide range of theoretical and applied topics.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for obtaining an PhD in Mathematics can be found on the associated page of the BU Bulletin .

• Courses : The courses mentioned on the BU Bulletin page can be chosen from the graduate courses we offer here . Half may be at the MA 500 level or above, but the rest must be at the MA 700 level or above. Students can also request to use courses from other departments to satisfy some of these requirements. Please contact your advisor for more information about which courses can be used in this way. All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher.
• Analysis (examples include MA 711, MA 713, and MA 717)
• PDEs and Dynamical Systems (examples include MA 771, MA 775, and MA 776)
• Algebra and Number Theory (examples include MA 741, MA 742, and MA 743)
• Topology (examples include MA 721, MA 722, and MA 727)
• Geometry (examples include MA 725, MA 731, and MA 745)
• Probability and Stochastic Processes (examples include MA 779, MA 780, and MA 783)
• Applied Mathematics (examples include MA 750, MA 751, and MA 770)
• Comprehensive Examination : This exam has both a written and an oral component. The written component consists of an expository paper of typically fifteen to twenty-five pages on which the student works over a period of a few months under the guidance of the advisor. The topic of the expository paper is chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor. On completion of the paper, the student takes an oral exam given by a three-person committee, one of whom is the student’s advisor. The oral exam consists of a presentation by the student on the expository paper followed by questioning by the committee members. A student who does not pass the MA Comprehensive Examination may make a second attempt, but all students are expected to pass the exam no later than the end of the summer following their second year.
• Oral Qualifying Examination: The topics for the PhD oral qualifying exam correspond to the two semester courses taken by the student from one of the 3 subject areas and one semester course each taken by the student from the other two subject areas. In addition, the exam begins with a presentation by the student on some specialized topic relevant to the proposed thesis research. A student who does not pass the qualifying exam may make a second attempt, but all PhD students are expected to pass the exam no later than the end of the summer following their third year.
• Dissertation and Final Oral Examination: This follows the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree .

Admissions information can be found on the BU Arts and Sciences PhD Admissions website .

Financial Aid

Our department funds our PhD students through a combination of University fellowships, teaching fellowships, and faculty research grants. More information will be provided to admitted students.

More Information

Please reach out to us directly at [email protected] if you have further questions.

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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Mathematics

• Ph.D. in Mathematics
• General Information
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• M.S. in Mathematics
• Ph.D. in Mathematics with Thesis in Actuarial Science
• M.S. in Actuarial Science
• M.S. in Applied Financial Mathematics
• M.S. in Applied Financial Mathematics – Actuarial Science
• Course Schedule
• Preliminary Exams

Overview of Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a PhD in Mathematics, a student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• 45 credits, including 15 doctoral dissertation research credits/GRAD 6950
• If you have a Master’s degree in mathematics at UConn, then 30 credits are required, including 15 doctoral dissertation research credits.
• Pass at least one prelim exam after each semester for the first three semesters of their graduate study.
• Finish all prelim exam requirements by the beginning of the spring semester in their second year.
• Finish all core course requirements by the end of their second year of graduate study,
• Choose a thesis advisor no later than the end of the fall semester of the third year.
• Form your advisory committee :  Major Advisor and at least two Associate Advisors or Co-Major Advisors and at least one Associate Advisor.
• Meant to further the student’s education, scholarship and professional development.
• Material should be in the broad area in which the student intends to write a dissertation, but should not focus on the actual thesis research.  Students present and answer questions about the material they have studied.
• The exam is normally taken at the end of the third year or beginning of the fourth year.
• Submit Dissertation Proposal
• Submit Plan of Study
• Apply for Graduation in Student Admin by the fourth week of the final semester.
• Dissertation Specifications under Dissertation Information
• Thesis templates (for LaTex) are available on our Thesis Formatting page
• Submit Approval Page – Step 7
• Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates – Step 7
• Add Diploma Address in Student Admin and Diploma Info.

Preliminary Examination and Core Course Requirements

Pure Mathematics

• Math 5111/Measure and Integration
• Math 5120/Complex Function Theory
• Math 5210/Abstract Algebra
• Math 5310/Introduction to Geometry and Topology I
• Math 5160/Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes I
• Math 5210/Abstract Algebra I
• Math 5211/Abstract Algebra II
• Math 5260/Mathematical Logic I
• Math 5360/Differential Geometry

Applied Mathematics

• Math 5410/Introduction to Applied Mathematics I
• Math 5510/Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory I
• Math 5440/Partial Differential Equations
• Math 5520/Finite Element Solution Methods I

Past Prelim Exams

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program synopsis and training.

 The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in mathematics is the highest degree offered by our program. Graduates will have demonstrated their ability to conduct independent scientific research and contribute new mathematical knowledge and scholarship in their area of specialization. They will be well-supported and well prepared for research and faculty positions at academic institutions anywhere in the world. Owing to their independence, analytic abilities, and proven tenacity, our PhD graduates are also sought after by private and government employers.

Our PhD program offers two tracks, one for Theoretical Mathematics and one for Applied Mathematics . The tracks differ only in the course and  qualifying requirements during the first two years. Applicants are required to decide on one of the tracks and applications will be evaluated subject to respective criteria described below.

Once students have passed their Qualifying Requirements, the two tracks merge and there is no distinction in later examinations and research opportunities. In particular, the candidacy exam for both tracks consists of a research proposal, the graduate faculty available for advising is the same, and the final degree and thesis defense are independent of the initially chosen track.

Expected Preparations for Admission

Competitive applicants to the theoretical track are expected to have strong foundations in Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra, equivalent to our Math 5201 - 5202  and Math 5111 - 5112 sequences.

Expected preparations for the applied track include the equivalents of a rigorous Real Analysis course (such as Math 5201 ), a strong background in Linear Algebra, as well as an introductory course in Scientific Computing.

Besides these basic requirements, competitive applicants in either track submit evidence for a broad formation in mathematics at the upper-division or beginning graduate level. Relevant coursework in other mathematical or quantitative sciences may also be considered, especially for the applied track.

Prior research experiences are not required for either track, and we routinely admit students without significant research background. Nevertheless, applicants are encouraged to include accounts of research and independent project endeavors as well as letters of supervising mentors in order to be more competitive for fellowship considerations. The research component is likely to have greater weight in applications to the applied track.

These prepared documents serve to provide our admission committee with a narrative overview of the applicant's mathematical trajectory. Their primary focus should, therefore, be to enumerate and describe any evidence of mathematical ability and mathematical promise. The information included in the documents should be well-organized, comprehensive, informative, specific, and relevant. This will help our committee to properly and efficiently evaluate the high number of applications we receive each year.

Our Graduate Recruitment Committee will generally  not  consider GRE test scores for this Autumn 2024 admissions. If you have already taken the test, please do not self-report the scores to us. In exceptional circumstances students may have the option to report unofficially. 

International students whose native language is not English and are not exempt should score at least a 20 on the Speaking portion of the TOEFL or at least 6.5 on the IELTS Speaking portion.  We also recommend an overall score of at least 95 on TOEFL or at least 7.0 on IELTS.  For a list of exempt countries, please see  https://gpadmissions.osu.edu/intl/additional-requirements-to-apply.html

Qualifying Requirements by Track

The qualifying requirements for the theoretical track are fulfilled by passing our Abstract Algebra course sequence  ( Math 6111 , Math 6112 ) and  our Real Analysis course sequence ( Math 6211 , Math 6212 ), each with at least an A-, or  by passing a respective examination.

The qualifying requirements for the applied track combine a mandatory Scientific Computing course ( Math 6601 ), one of the algebra or analysis courses, and three additional courses chosen from  Math 6602 , Math 6411 ,  Math 6451 , and the courses comprising the algebra and analysis sequences.

The breadth requirements in the applied track are more flexible than in the theoretical track, but also include a mandatory graduate course in a non-math STEM department from an approved list. 

You can find more information about our PhD program requirement here .

Opportunities & Outcomes

The research opportunities and academic outcomes of our doctoral program are described in detail in the Graduate Program Prospectus  [pdf]. 

Our department has about 80 active graduate faculty on the Columbus and regional campuses. Virtually every area of mathematics is represented in our program, with a sampling displayed below.

• Commutative, Non-commutative, & Quantum Algebra
• Analytic, Algebraic, Computational Number Theory
• Algebraic Geometry, Tropical Geometry
• Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Physics
• Real and Complex Analysis
• Functional Analysis, Operator Algebras
• Combinatorics and Graph Theory
• Differential Geometry
• Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory
• Financial and Actuarial Mathematics
• Logic and Foundations
• Probability Theory, Statistical Mechanics
• Mathematical Biology
• Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
• Representation theory
• Scientific Computing
• Topology, Topological Data Analysis

See also our  Applied Mathematics Topics List  [pdf].

Our program offers many support opportunities without teaching duties as well, to allow more time for scientific endeavors. These opportunities include university fellowships, external funding, and departmental fellowships and special assignments. See the  Financial Support  page for more details.

The median time to degree completion in our program is below six years but also varies significantly among our students, with as little as four years for students entering with substantial prior preparations. Funding is guaranteed for six years and can be extended to seven years with advisor support and the permission of the Graduate Studies Committee.  

Most of our graduates continue their careers in academia. Post-doctoral placements in the last two years include, for example, UCLA, Stanford, ETH-Zürich, Brown University, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Vienna, EPF Lausanne, Free University at Berlin, Purdue University, and University of Utah. In recent years our graduates also went to Princeton University, IAS, University of Chicago, Yale University, University of Michigan, Cal-Tech, Northwestern University, University of Texas, Duke University, SUNY Stony Brook, Purdue University, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, and Indiana University. Recent non-academic placements include Google, Facebook, Amazon, NSA, and prestigious financial institutions.

Students also have access to training and networking opportunities that prepare them better for careers in private industry and teaching - for example, through the Erdős Institute  - and are regularly offered highly competitive positions in the industry. 

Nearly half of the graduate population consists of domestic students coming from both larger universities and smaller liberal arts colleges with a solid math curriculum. And as a program group member of the National Math Alliance , we are dedicated to enhancing diversity in our program and the scientific community. The International students in our program come from all parts of the world with a wide variety of educational backgrounds.

Prospective students:  [email protected]

Graduate Office Department of Mathematics The Ohio State University 231 W 18th Avenue ( MA 102 ) Columbus, Ohio 43210 United States of America                

Phone: (614) 292-6274 Fax: (614) 292-1479

[pdf] - Some links on this page are to .pdf files. If you need these files in a more accessible format, please email  [email protected] . PDF files require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader software to open them. If you do not have Reader, you may use the following link to Adobe to download it for free at:  Adobe Acrobat Reader .

PhD in Mathematics

The PhD in Mathematics consists of preliminary coursework and study, qualifying exams, a candidacy exam with an adviser, and creative research culminating in a written dissertation and defense. All doctoral students must also do some teaching on the way to the PhD. There are minimal course requirements, and detailed requirements and procedures for the PhD program are outlined in the  PhD Handbook .

Please note that our department alternates recruiting in-coming classes that are focused on either applied or pure mathematics. For the Fall 2024 admissions (matriculation in September 2024), we are focusing on students interested in areas of applied mathematics.

All our professors are active in research, and are devoted to teaching and mentoring of students. Thus, there are many opportunities to be involved in cutting-edge research in pure and applied mathematics. Moreover, the seven other research universities in the Boston area are all within easy reach, providing access to many more classes, seminars and colloquia in diverse areas of mathematical research.

Teaching assistantships are available for incoming PhD students, as well as a limited number of University-wide fellowships. Tufts has on-campus housing for graduate students, but many choose to live off-campus instead.

In addition to the above, PhD students often:

• Mentor undergraduates as teaching assistants and course instructors, and through graduate-student run programs like the Directed Reading Program.
• Meet with advisors and fellow students to share research and collaborate with scholars across disciplines
• Attend professional development workshops and present research at conferences

Department of Mathematics

Requirements for the ph.d. degree.

In order to qualify for the Mathematics Ph.D., all students are required to:

• Complete eight term courses at the graduate level, at least two with Honors grades.
• Pass qualifying examinations on their general mathematical knowledge;
• Submit a dissertation prospectus;
• Participate in the instruction of undergraduates ;
• Be in residence for at least three years;
• Complete a dissertation that clearly advances understanding of the subject it considers.

All students must also complete any other  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences degree requirements  as they appear in the Programs and Policies bulletin.

The normal time for completion of the Ph.D. program is five to six years. Requirement (1) normally includes basic courses in algebra, analysis, and topology.  Students typically complete the eight-course requirement by the end of their third year.  The Honors grades of (1) must be achieved within the first two years.  A sequence of three qualifying examinations (algebra and number theory, real and complex analysis, topology) is offered each term.  All qualifying examinations must be passed by the end of the second year.  There is no limit to the number of times that students can take the exams, and so they are encouraged to take them as soon as possible.

The dissertation prospectus should be submitted during the third year. 

The thesis is expected to be independent work, done under the guidance of an adviser. This adviser should be contacted not long after the student passes the qualifying examinations. A student is admitted to candidacy after completing requirements (1)–(5) and obtaining an adviser.

In addition to all other requirements, students must successfully complete MATH 991a, Ethical Conduct of Research, prior to the end of their first year of study. This requirement must be met prior to registering for a second year of study.

Master’s Degrees :

The M.Phil. and M.S. degrees are conferred only en route to the Ph.D.; there is no separate master’s program in Mathematics.

M.Phil.   Please refer to the Graduate School Degree Requirements

M.S.   A student must complete six term courses with at least one Honors grade, perform adequately on the general qualifying examination, and be in residence at least one year.

Department of Mathematics

Phd requirements.

• Prospective Graduate Student FAQ
• Graduate Board Oral Exam
• Graduate Courses

Qualifying Exams

• Recent PhD Theses
• Graduate Awards

Course Requirements

Mathematics PhD candidates must show satisfactory work in Algebra (110.601-602), Real Variables (110.605), Complex Variables (110.607), and one additional non-seminar mathematics graduate course in their first year. The first-year algebra and analysis requirement can be satisfied by passing the corresponding written qualifying exam in September of the first year; these students must complete at least two courses each semester. In addition, PhD candidates must take Algebraic Topology (110.615) and Riemannian Geometry (110.645) by their second year. Students having sufficient background can substitute an advanced topology course for 110.615, or an advanced geometry course for 110.645 with the permission of the instructor.

Candidates must show satisfactory work in at least two mathematics graduate courses each semester of their second year, and if they have not passed their oral qualifying exam, in the first semester of their third year.

Teaching Seminar

Candidates must take, attend, participate in, and pass the course 110.771 (GTA Teaching Seminar). The seminar is an important part of the preparation for classroom teaching, and thus an essential part of mathematics graduate education. The seminar is generally required in a student’s first year at JHU. A student supported by an external fellowship may delay taking the seminar until the spring before they are required to TA (but may not postpone the seminar entirely).

Candidates must pass written qualifying exams by the beginning of their second year in Analysis (Real & Complex) and in Algebra. Exams are scheduled for September and May of each academic year, and the dates are announced well in advance. More information as well as old exams and syllabi can be found on the Qualifying Exams page .

Candidates must pass an oral qualifying examination in the student’s chosen area of research by April 10th of the third year. The topics of the exam are chosen in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed (provisionally) to be the student’s thesis advisor, who will also be involved in administering the exam.

PhD Dissertation

Candidates must produce a written dissertation based upon independent and original research. After completion of the thesis research, the student will defend the dissertation by means of the  Graduate Board Oral exam . The exam must be held at least three weeks before the Graduate Board deadline the candidate wishes to meet.

Our PhD program does not have a foreign language requirement.

The MA Degree

Although the Department of Mathematics does not admit students seeking a terminal MA degree, students in the PhD program may earn an MA degree.

MA candidates must complete:

• Four graduate courses given by the Hopkins Department of Mathematics
• Two additional courses at the graduate or 400 level, other than 110.401, 110.405 and 110.415, given by the Hopkins Department of Mathematics, or with the permission of the graduate program director, graduate mathematics courses given by other departments or universities.

All courses used to satisfy the requirements must be completed with a grade of B- or better. (Advanced graduate courses completed with a grade of P can also be used to satisfy the requirements.)

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PhD Program

The PhD in mathematics requires:

• A total of 90 credit hours*, including seven core courses and five formal 500 level courses.
• Four written preliminary exams .
• A 1 credit professional development course, MATH 492, taken during the first fall semester in the PhD program. (Only for classes entering fall 2018 and later.)
• A 1 credit current topics in math course, MATH 483, taken during the second fall semester in the PhD program. (Only for classes entering fall 2017 and later.)
• An oral preliminary exam .
• A doctoral thesis .

*Students can transfer up to 30 credits for a master's degree earned elsewhere.

Students must also satisfy a three-year teaching requirement, fulfilled by teaching assistantships. Currently most grad students who do not have a special fellowship get a 22k annual living stipend and free tuition which is contingent on about 10 hours of teaching work per week during the fall and spring semesters. This teaching component often includes a combination of teaching of recitations, workshops and/or grading homework assignments—those with good evaluations can sometimes get assigned to teach a section of a course which results in additional pay beyond the 22k stipend. No summer duties are associated with the stipend but student's wishing to earn some extra money can apply to teach summer courses for the department also.

PhD students should apply for a master’s degree when 30 credits are accumulated and the Master's degree requirements outlined below are met. Students will be awarded an MA in mathematics once the requirements are met and the master's program form is completed. (See the graduate coordinator for the necessary forms.)

Students may also be asked to participate in the graduate students seminars.

Typically students complete the PhD in four to six years.

Earning a Masters degree along the way to a PhD

PhD students should apply for a master’s degree when 30 credit hours of gradaute courses in the math department are accumulated. Courses with substantial mathematical content from outside of the math department can be used to meet the rest of the 30 credit hour requirement, but they need to be pre-approved by the graduate committee. The credits must include at least 5 of the 7 core courses. The courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B-.

Getting a pass on a prelim exam exempts a student from taking the corresponding core course, but does not grant credit hours.

Students will be awarded an MA in mathematics once the requirements are met and the master's program form is completed. (See our graduate administrator for the necessary forms.) Students have 2 years for the completion of the Master’s degree requirements.

Registration

Graduate students who are teaching assistants must register for a minimum of 18 credits for the academic year (9 credits per semester).

Graduate students who are not teaching assistants must register for a minimum of 24 credits per year (12 credits per semester).

Once a PhD student has completed 90 credits during the PhD program, all remaining credits must be taken via the continuation status placeholder course MATH 999. At this stage no further courses appear on your graduate transcript though you may continue to take courses on any topics you desire as you work to complete your PhD research. Typically students transition to the placeholder MATH 999 only sometime in the middle of their 5th year and stay at that status until completion of degree.

Students in continuation status get charged an approximately U.S. 1000 fee per semester in their 6th year and onwards. This fee is subtracted from their stipend.

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Students must take all seven core courses in their first three years, or demonstrate proficiency by passing the prelims in the respective topics. The seven courses need to be passed with a B- or better grade. If possible, students should take advanced courses in their chosen area in the second year. Students are required to maintain a B average or better.

Core Courses

MATH 403: Probability Theory MATH 436: Algebra I MATH 437: Algebra II MATH 440: General Topology MATH 453: Differentiable Manifolds MATH 471: Analysis I MATH 467: Analysis II

Sample Schedule

The following schedule allows students to pass the prelims by August at the end of their first year, and start research quickly.

Students must pass four written preliminary exams (prelims) of their choosing from the prelims corresponding to the 7 core courses. Prelims need to be passed with at least 3/5 problems substantially correct. Prelims are given during the year, as part of the final exams of the corresponding courses, and again in August.

Students are required to pass exams according to the following schedule:

• One exam passed by the end of May in their first year
• Two exams passed by the end of August of after their first year.
• At least three passes by the end of December of their second year. If a student fails to satisfy this or the previous requirement, they can continue in the program, but will separate at the end of the Spring semester.
• All four prelims must be passed by the end of May of the second year.
• Note, that regardless of which courses a student chooses for their prelim exams, they must pass all 7 core courses with the minimum grade of B- by the end of their second year.

Preliminary exams:

• Probability Theory (MATH 403)
• Algebra I (MATH 436)
• Algebra II (MATH 437)
• Analysis I (MATH 471)
• Analysis II (MATH 467)
• Topology (MATH 440)
• Geometry (MATH 453)

Each prelim has five problems, and grades are based on the number of questions which are substantially correct. A score of three or higher is considered a pass for the prelim. Getting a pass on a prelim exam satisfies the requirement of passing the corresponding course as well.

Topics covered on Prelims and list of study books:

• Algebra I prelim topics
• Algebra II prelim topics
• Analysis I prelim topics
• Analysis II prelim topics
• Topology prelim topics
• Geometry prelim topics
• Probability prelim topics

Past Prelims

Here are some past prelims in pdf form:

• Algebra I : 2020-August , 2021-Fall , 2022-August
• Algebra II : 2020-Spring , 2021-Spring , 2022-Spring
• Analysis I : 2021-August , 2022-August , 2022-Fall
• Analysis II : 2019-Spring , 2019-August , 2022-Spring
• Topology : 2020-Fall , 2021-Fall , 2022-Fall
• Geometry : 2020-Spring , 2021-Spring , 2022-Spring
• Probability : 2023-Spring , 2023-August
• December 2013
• August 2013
• December 2012
• August 2012
• December 2011

Oral Preliminary Exam

The oral preliminary exam should be taken within six months of passing the written prelims. The exam is on a substantial paper, generally in the thesis area, selected in consultation with the thesis advisor. This exam must be passed at least six months before the thesis defense. Students are  encouraged to pass their oral exam by the end of their third year in the program. They are required to pass it by the end of their fourth year.

Doctoral Thesis

The main requirement for the PhD is completion of a doctoral thesis, written under supervision of an adviser. Upon completion of the thesis, students must schedule a thesis defense.

Students will need to find a thesis adviser after they pass the prelims.

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Best Doctorates in Mathematics: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

Given that only a small proportion of the general population holds a PhD in Mathematics, there aren’t many people pursuing doctoral studies in the math field. It requires a high level of intelligence and mathematical ability which a typical person doesn’t possess. It also requires a decent work ethic and the ability to commit five to seven years to research and study.

However, PhD in Mathematics salaries are high. If you’re interested in pursuing a PhD in Mathematics, check out our article to find the best mathematics PhDs and what mathematics jobs you can get. First, let’s find out what a PhD in Mathematics is.

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What is a phd in mathematics.

A PhD in Mathematics is a doctoral degree obtained by a graduate student in mathematics. This kind of mathematics graduate program allows students to develop their research capabilities in mathematics and its potential applications.

PhD in Mathematics can be a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, or Doctor of Applied Mathematics degree. Students need to submit their PhD thesis in order to complete the math degree program they are pursuing. Math doctorate programs can take between three and six years to complete, depending on how much time is dedicated to the thesis and its required research.

How to Get Into a Mathematics PhD Program: Admission Requirements

The requirements to get into a mathematics PhD program typically include application fees, school transcripts, a professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of academic purpose. The admission process for most mathematical PhD programs is similar.

Some schools also require that students have mastered the material roughly equivalent to the undergraduate mathematics major, such as several semesters of calculus and experience with differential equations. Other doctoral math programs require applicants to submit essays or a minimum GPA score as entrance requirements.

PhD in Mathematics Admission Requirements

• Professional CV or resume
• Statement of academic purpose
• Application fee
• At least three recommendation letters
• Undergraduate and graduate school transcripts

Mathematics PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Mathematics?

It is extremely hard to get into a PhD program in Mathematics. For example, the Harvard PhD acceptance rate is 4.59 percent and the University of Wisconsin has a zero percent PhD acceptance rate over a five-year median. Doctoral studies in mathematics are rigorous and have a low acceptance rate, making it difficult to get into and obtain a Doctorate in Mathematics.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

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Best PhDs in Mathematics: In Brief

Best universities for mathematics phds: where to get a phd in mathematics.

The best universities for mathematics PhDs are Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University.

Other universities also have excellent PhD in Mathematics programs that we haven’t mentioned in our list, like Johns Hopkins University, Colorado State University, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Chicago.

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1754 as King's College. It is among the top five national universities and is known as the oldest institution of higher education in New York. At Columbia University, students can find doctoral studies in biological sciences, astronomy, chemistry, economics, music, psychology, and religion.

Mathematics PhD

The PhD mathematics program is designed for full-time students interested in research and teaching at the university level. It is an intense course also meant for students that seek careers in quantitative research and development in business or government. It covers subjects like analysis and probability, Riemann surfaces, cumulative algebra, and modern geometry.

Mathematics PhD Overview

• Program Length: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Tuition and Fees: $25,248/semester
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Department of Defense Funding, NIH Fellowship Parent Funding 

Mathematics PhD Admission Requirements

• A completed online application form at the Online Application System
• $120 application fee
• Statement of purpose
• A video essay (to be completed in the Online Application System)
• A current resume or CV
• Official transcripts from each university you attended
• Two letters of reference

Harvard University was established in 1636 by the Puritan clergyman John Harvard. It is known as the oldest institution of higher learning in the US and as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It offers many PhD programs in subjects such as anthropology, statistics, virology, physics, neuroscience, mathematics, immunology, and history of science.

This doctoral program is intended for students who aspire to be research mathematicians and have demonstrated a strong interest in this field. The math graduate courses cover topics like commutative algebra, advanced real analysis, differential geometry evolution dynamics, Riemann surfaces, and Hodge theory.

• Program Length: 4-5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Tuition and Fees: $50,928/first two years of study; $13,240/second two years of study
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Hertz Foundation, National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program, National Physical Science Consortium for Minorities and Women, National Science Foundation
• Application
• $105 application fee 
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Demonstration of English proficiency (for non-native speakers)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a land-grant research university in Cambridge. Founded in 1861, MIT is best known for its programs in physical science and engineering. It offers a wide array of doctoral studies in aeronautics and astronautics, physics, political science, economics, chemical engineering, biology, brain, and cognitive sciences.

Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science Mathematics Degree

In addition to choosing between a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Science program, students can choose to apply to the Pure or Applied Mathematics programs. Geometry, number theory, algebra, logic, statistics, topology, astrophysics, combinatorics, analysis, probability, numerical analysis, and theoretical physics, are covered in the Pure and Applied Mathematics curricula.

Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science Mathematics Degree Overview

• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $27,755/term
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards, Faculty Early Career Development Program, Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF)

Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science Mathematics Degree Admission Requirements

• Fill out the online application
• Transcripts including grades in math/science/engineering courses
• At least three names and email addresses of recommendation letter writers
• Educational and work history
• Statement of objectives
• Outside financial support and potential outside support
• Credit/debit card payment of the $75 application fee
• Self-reported grades
• Arrange for submission of official transcripts and letters of recommendation

Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university that was founded in 1746. It is known as the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the US. Princeton University has many PhD programs in subjects like philosophy, mechanical and aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and neuroscience.

Applied and Computational Math PhD

In this program, students gain a thorough understanding of areas of mathematics critical to scientific and engineering applications, such as numerical analysis and other computational approaches. In the first year, students choose three topics from six applied mathematics categories. At the end of the first year, students need to take a preliminary exam. 

Before the third year, students need to pass the general examination which culminates in a seminar on a research topic. The final requirement for this program is the doctoral dissertation which can be a mathematical contribution to one field of science or engineering.

Applied and Computational Math PhD Overview

• Tuition and Fees : $58,790/year 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: University, departmental, and program fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, external financial support

Applied and Computational Math PhD Admission Requirements

• $75 application fee
• Recommendation letters
• Fall semester grades (for students currently enrolled in master’s degree programs)
• English language tests (for international students)

Established in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology is known for its excellent technology, engineering, and computing programs. It offers PhDs in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology, Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Color Science, Imaging Science Sustainability, and many more disciplines.

Mathematical Modeling PhD

Students in this program plan their own trajectory based on required coursework, research, and their selected concentration. They can select from concentrations in the areas of applied inverse problems, biomedical, and discrete mathematics, among others. Some of the program’s courses cover subjects like numerical analysis and computing for mathematical modeling. 

Mathematical Modeling PhD Overview

• Acceptance Rate: 74%
• Tuition: $54,176/year 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Federal loans, Outside Scholarships, Yellow Ribbon Program, employment through co-ops, internships, or assistantships

Mathematical Modeling PhD Admission Requirements

• Online graduate application
• Copies of official transcripts of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate courses
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Current resume/CV
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal statement of educational objectives
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score (international students)
• $65 application fee

Stanford University is well-known for its enterprising student population and high return on investment. Founded in 1885 by California senator Leland Stanford, Stanford University is consistently ranking in the top 10 national universities. Stanford offers many PhD programs in its Graduate School of Engineering, including programs in engineering, medicine, and education.

Mathematics PhD Program

Students in this PhD program take courses in algebraic topology, differential topology, differential geometry, algebraic geometry, theory of probability, real analysis, modern algebra, and mathematical methods of imaging. In the first year, the coursework prepares the students for the qualifying examinations which test them on their skills in algebra and real-world analysis. 

Students must have a dissertation advisor and seek candidacy in their second year. Students will take their Area Examination during their third year, which must be completed by the conclusion of the Winter Quarter. In the fourth and fifth years, students are expected to finish their dissertation research.

Mathematics PhD Program Overview

• Acceptance Rate: 5.7%
• Tuition and Fees: $56,487
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Federal programs, university fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships

Mathematics PhD Program Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US college or university 
• Unofficial transcripts/academic records
• Names and contact information of those who can provide between three and six letters of recommendation
• Online application
• $125 application fee or fee waiver

University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1868. UC Berkeley is known for strict academic criteria for its undergraduate programs. The school has more than 130 academic departments and 80 multidisciplinary research areas. UC Berkeley is among the top universities in the world.

PhD Program in Applied Mathematics

The applied mathematics program requires doctoral students with previous graduate study in mathematics must demonstrate exceptional mathematical research skills. Students in this course can learn about linear algebra and differential equations, multivariable calculus, and discrete mathematics. There are also major electives like mathematical biology and statistics.

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PhD Program in Applied Mathematics Overview

• Program Length: 5-6 years
• Acceptance Rate: 18%
• Tuition and Fees: $10,248.75/semester (resident); $17,799.75/semester (non-resident)
• PhD Funding Opportunities : Berkeley Fellowships, Chancellor’s Fellowships, Cota-Robles Fellowships, Mentored Research Awards, UC Dissertation-Year Fellowships, Conference Travel Grants, Parent and Caregiver Grants

PhD Program in Applied Mathematics Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Enough experience in your undergraduate program to complete the program
• At least three letters of recommendation
• $120 application fee (California residents); $140 application fee (all other applicants)

The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is among the top 30 national universities. It was founded in 1817 in Ann Arbor. Some of the most popular majors from this university are business administration, experimental psychology, and economics. It also has good PhD level programs in education, electrical and computer engineering, and computer and information science.

Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics PhD

This PhD degree's purpose is to create graduates who are well-prepared to pursue successful careers in the mathematical sciences, whether in government or academia. Students in the applied and interdisciplinary mathematics course can learn about risk management and modeling of financial losses, mathematical theory of probability, and modern mathematics.

Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics PhD Overview

• Program Length: 5-6 years 
• Acceptance Rate: 26%
• Tuition and Fees: $25,230.38 (in state); $50,646.38 (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI): Mathematics Graduate Student Instructor Teacher Training Program, and Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA)

Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics PhD Admission Requirements

• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement (500-word limit)
• TOEFL or IELTS Exam (non-native English speakers)
• Three semesters of calculus
• One or two semesters of differential equation courses
• One semester course in modern algebra, linear algebra, geometry or topology
• Advanced calculus of one and several variables 
• $75 application fee (US citizens); $90 application fee (international applicants)

Nelson Dewey, the first governor of Wisconsin, founded the University of Wisconsin in 1848. It has one of the best engineering and business majors. It also has several good graduate degrees from its Department of Mathematics like Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts – Foundations of Advanced Studies, and Master of Arts – Foundations for Research.

Mathematics, PhD

The University of Wisconsin’s Doctor of Philosophy program offers a foundation in fundamental and advanced graduate mathematics. Students in this PhD program can learn about linear algebra, abstract algebra, differential equations, knot theory, and real analysis.

Mathematics, PhD Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 16%
• Tuition and Fees: $12,176/year (in state); $25,504/year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, student loans, student jobs, research and travel grants

Mathematics, PhD Admission Requirements

• Application to the UW–Madison Graduate School
• Master’s degree in mathematics or a related field
• Official transcripts
• Supplementary information form
• Three academic letters of recommendation and one additional letter
• Proof of English proficiency (for non-native speakers)
• One-page statement of purpose

Yale University was founded in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut. It is among the top 10 national universities and is known for its Ivy League reputation . Yale has many PhD programs like anthropology, applied physics, architecture, biomedical engineering, chemical, and environmental engineering. 

PhD in Applied Mathematics

The applied mathematics program entails the study and application of mathematics to issues prompted by a diverse set of application fields. Students study and apply mathematics concepts to questions driven by a variety of applicable fields.

It covers topics such as discrete algorithms, linear and nonlinear partial differential equations, statistical theory and applications, information theory, econometrics, and classical and modern applied harmonic analysis. This program also covers topics like financial statistics, financial mathematics, econometrics probability theory, and information theory. 

PhD in Applied Mathematics Overview

• Acceptance Rate: 6.2%
• Tuition and Fees: $45,700/year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid, university fellowships, dissertation fellowships, teaching fellowships

PhD in Applied Mathematics Admission Requirements

• A list of all the prior colleges or universities you’ve attended 
• Unofficial transcripts from each school
• TOEFL scores (non-native English-speaking applicants)

Can You Get a PhD in Mathematics Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Mathematics online. However, there aren’t many online PhD math programs out there because of two reasons. The first reason is that there isn’t a big demand for PhDs in Mathematics, so online universities are not inclined to find ways to make those programs more accessible.

The second reason is that in traditional doctoral studies graduate students in mathematics are used as research and teaching assistants. Usually, math doctoral studies take place within a community in which PhD students are apprentices learning alongside instructors and one another.

Best Online PhD Programs in Mathematics

How long does it take to get a phd in mathematics.

It takes about five years to get a PhD in Mathematics. Depending on the academic institution and the specifications of the program, it can take between three and six years. Some students prefer to have a master’s degree before entering a doctoral program in mathematics, but most programs do not require students to have more than a bachelor’s degree .

Some doctoral mathematics academic programs offer two degrees called dual degree programs. You can begin pursuing a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and begin earning credits for a PhD at the same time.

Is a PhD in Mathematics Hard?

Yes, a PhD in Mathematics is hard. Doctoral studies that require advanced knowledge of mathematics would be extremely difficult for most people. Whether you choose to pursue a PhD in Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics, you will encounter complex theoretical concepts.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Mathematics?

On average, it costs $12,171 per year to get a PhD in Mathematics . This data is based on the National Center for Educational Statistics’s (NCES) report for the average costs of postgraduate studies at public institutions from 2018 to 2019. According to this data, it would cost a total of $48,684 for four years of studies. The cost to get a PhD in Mathematics has likely risen since 2019.

How to Pay for a PhD in Mathematics: PhD Funding Options

The PhD funding options that students can use to pay for a PhD in Mathematics include research fellowships, teaching assistantships, and tuition waivers. In the previous section, we mentioned the cost of doctoral degrees , but this number is with a deduction in the tuition.

These funding options enable students to lower the cost of tuition. For example, domestic students receive lower tuitions. Without funding options or deductions, a PhD can cost from $20,000 to $30,000 per year.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

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What Is the Difference Between a Mathematics Master’s Degree and PhD?

The difference between a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and a PhD is the career opportunities they provide graduates. People who pursue a PhD in Mathematics usually seek jobs in research and academia, while people who pursue master’s degrees are more interested in advancing their professional careers.

A PhD in Math is more research-intensive and focused on historical and current perspectives within the mathematics field. Master’s degrees are a bit broader. Master’s degrees can take up to three years to complete, while PhD can take up to six years. Math PhD students also teach and engage in departmental activities, while master’s students do not.

Master’s vs PhD in Mathematics Job Outlook

It is usually required for postsecondary teachers to have PhDs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals have a job outlook of 12 percent , four percent higher than the average for all occupations.

Mathematics and statisticians are usually required to hold a master’s degree and they have a job outlook of 33 percent , nearly three times the average for all occupations. According to these numbers, the job outlook for Master’s Degrees in Mathematics is higher than for PhDs in Mathematics. However, these are just two examples of careers available to master’s and PhD holders.

Difference in Salary for Mathematics Master’s vs PhD

According to PayScale, mathematicians with a master’s degree earn $85,000 per year, and mathematicians with a PhD degree earn $110,000 a year. This is a difference of $25,000 per year for mathematics master’s vs PhD holders.

Related Mathematics Degrees

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Why You Should Get a PhD in Mathematics

You should get a PhD in Mathematics because it expands your academic career opportunities and salary options. With a PhD in Math, you can work for private businesses or government agencies. Many PhD grads work in engineering, medicine, and software development, where they apply the advanced mathematical knowledge they acquired from their doctoral programs.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Mathematics

• Specialized skills. A PhD in Mathematics equips you with highly valuable and marketable skills. Aside from subject-specific abilities, you can obtain several transferable skills that will be beneficial in practically any industry, such as exceptional numeracy, logical ability, holistic deduction, and reasoning skills.
• Higher salary. A PhD is a terminal graduate degree, meaning it is the highest level of academic certification you can achieve in this field. So with a PhD you will gain the highest skills and knowledge in mathematics. High-level skills and knowledge often translate to a high salary.
• Career opportunities. One of the best advantages math PhDs have is the option of following a variety of employment pathways. To some extent, all sciences are built on basic mathematical principles, so there are many career opportunities with a PhD in Mathematics. With this kind of degree, you can work in finance, academia, or IT.
• Research opportunities. Doctoral Degrees in Mathematics cover theoretical mathematics which is one of the best areas for research and research methodology. During your doctoral studies in math, you will study and research with some of the smartest people in the world.

Getting a PhD in Mathematics: Mathematics PhD Coursework

Getting a PhD in Mathematics is not an easy task. Students need to learn different math courses, some of which require advanced knowledge of mathematics. There is some standard mathematics PhD coursework, like classes in mathematical analysis or mathematical logic. Find out more details on common mathematics PhD courses below.

Mathematical Analysis

These kinds of courses explain the principles of mathematical analysis, including differentiability, continuity, sequence and series convergence, the Riemann integral, function sequences, and series. Students can also learn real applications of real-world analysis, including the estimation of indeterminate integrals, Laurent series, WKB theory, Cauchy theorem, and residual theorem.

Differential Topology

Courses in differential topology are a part of the theory of differential forms and De Rham’s theory. Somer differential topology courses teach about multilinear algebra, Stokes’ theorem, and an introduction to cohomology. But, in most cases, these courses teach about winding numbers, vector fields, index, smooth maps, transversality, and differential manifolds.

Discrete Mathematics

Courses in discrete mathematics usually cover finite geometry, finite groups, finite topology, finite fields, fundamental algebraic topology, combinatorics, and graph theory. Students can learn about the symmetry group of the regular icosahedron because it is a reoccurring subject throughout the course.

Theory of Probability

Theory of probability courses introduce students to discrete and continuous random variables, independent random variables, conditional probability, distribution functions, Poisson distributions, Bayes theorem, and joint distribution. Students in this course will learn how to use math principles in the analysis of random phenomena.

Algebraic Geometry

In most cases, algebraic geometry courses teach students about complex algebraic varieties, cohomology, affine, and projective algebraic geometry. They also cover the fundamental concepts of complex analytic varieties, Bezout’s theorem, algebraic curves, and surfaces, the language of schemes, and properties of morphisms.

Best Master’s Degrees

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How to Get a PhD in Mathematics: Doctoral Program Requirements

Some of the most common doctoral program requirements to get a PhD in Mathematics are coursework, qualifying exams, research, classroom teaching, and thesis defense. Some doctoral program requirements may vary, but there are a few common steps for most math programs. Keep reading to find out more.

PhD students must finish eight or nine-term courses at the graduate level, in most cases maintaining at least a C average grade. The time for completion of a PhD math coursework is four to five years.

The residency requirement can vary from university to university. For most math PhD candidates, the usual residency requirement is around three years. The whole point of residency is to continue the education and training of students in a specialized field of mathematics.

A committee of three faculty members administers the Qualifying Examination, which is an oral test. Each student selects three qualifying test subjects and discusses them with appropriate examiners. Subjects must be in separate, reasonably broad mathematical fields. 

Typically, the primary topic is decided in cooperation with the potential thesis advisor. After completing the qualifying test, students must choose a thesis advisor, who is usually the primary topic examiner.

In academic positions, teaching is important, especially in mathematical doctoral studies. Many people in math PhD programs aspire to academic positions, so teaching is one of the best ways to learn about the mathematics academic profession. It is an excellent way to learn public presentation skills by completing at least one semester of classroom teaching.

Writing and defending a thesis for a PhD in Mathematics is the culmination of this graduate program. Usually, a thesis is anticipated to contain original research of a high enough quality to be published in a high-level research journal. The defense is usually held in the classroom of the Institute and is presented to the Thesis Examination Committee.

Potential Careers With a Mathematics Degree

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PhD in Mathematics Salary and Job Outlook

People with a PhD in Mathematics earn above the average annual salaries and have careers with above the average job growth. For example, actuaries have a 24 percent job growth till 2030. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average job growth rate for all occupations is 7.7 percent .

Earning a mathematics PhD is difficult but you will graduate with a wide range of job opportunities. People with a PhD in Math earn between $82,360 to $108,660 per year. Overall, people with PhDs in Mathematics have a good salary and job outlook.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Mathematics?

With a PhD in Mathematics, you can work in education or IT and for private, corporate, or government corporations. You can work as a postdoctoral research associate, a math professor in postsecondary or higher education, a director of analytics, a research scientist, a principal software engineer, or an asset manager.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Mathematics

• Data Scientist
• Mathematicians and Statistician
• Operations Research Analyst

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Mathematics?

The average salary for a PhD in Mathematics is $110,000 , according to PayScale. The salary range for doctorate-level degree mathematics jobs ranges from $48,690 to $167,040 per year. Lower-earning operations research analysts make an average of $48,690 , while top-earning data scientists earn $167,040 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest-Paying Mathematics Jobs for PhD Grads

Best mathematics jobs with a doctorate.

There are many jobs you can find with a math PhD. The skills you will gain are applicable to almost any field. Find out more about the best PhD in Mathematics jobs below.

Data scientists are specialists who know how to extract and interpret data. They know how to use models and algorithms to analyze massive data repositories. They use various strategies to determine the optimal methods for developing a data model for a business. Data scientist is one of the most in-demand and highest-paid jobs in 2022. 

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $108,660
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 105,980
• Highest-Paying States: Washington, California, Delaware, New York, New Jersey

Actuaries are more concerned with the financial implications of risk and uncertainty. Actuaries are financial analysts who analyze past and present financial data and forecast future risks. They assess risk using financial theory, statistics, and math and develop plans that reduce the cost of risk.

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $105,900
• Job Outlook: 24% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 27,700
• Highest-Paying States: Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, Vermont

Some of the main responsibilities economists have are to predict the customer demand for the firm's products and the firm's product sales. They deal extensively with microeconomic issues while researching trends, collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data. Economists also investigate how to efficiently allocate resources like raw materials, labor, land, or machines.

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $105,630
• Job Outlook: 13% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 18,600
• Highest-Paying States: New York, District of Columbia California, New Hampshire, Illinois

In most cases mathematicians and statisticians work in academia and government. Usually, both of the positions require the use of analyzing data or applying statistical and mathematical techniques that help solve problems. 

Statisticians are increasingly involved in statistics and research methodology. Mathematicians are more involved in researching mathematical models or abstractly measuring values and creating results. Mathematics and statistics are the best duos that understand the principles of probability.

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $96,280
• Job Outlook: 33% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 44,800
• Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland

Operations research analysts utilize mathematics and logic to assist businesses in making informed decisions and solving complex problems. They are high-level problem solvers that use sophisticated approaches such as mathematical modeling and statistical analysis to help companies operate more economically.

• Salary with a Mathematics PhD: $82,360
• Job Outlook: 25% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 104,100
• Highest-Paying States: Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Hawaii, New York

Is a PhD in Mathematics Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Mathematics is worth it if you are interested in solving math problems and analytical thinking. You also have to be willing to commit to the long educational journey and research required to achieve this level of degree.

Exploring the mathematical fields is challenging and demanding but with time it provides excellent career opportunities. Math positions are respected and well-paid with positive job outlooks. Other than its academic difficulty, there aren’t many downsides when it comes to doctoral math degrees because you can go on to work in many fields.

Additional Reading About Mathematics

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PhD in Mathematics FAQ

Yes, a math PhD is useful because it will help you acquire some transferable skills that will be useful in virtually any industry. It is also useful for those interested in mathematics research or academia. If you wonder what you can do with a math degree , a PhD will equip you with many valuable skills.

Yes, a PhD in Mathematics is difficult to learn. It is difficult to be admitted to a doctoral program in mathematics, and it is also difficult and too abstract for most people to grasp advanced mathematical principles taught in PhD studies. Doctoral math studies are objectively difficult, even for those who are naturally strong at math and have excelled at it their whole life.

Mathematicians need several skills like active learning, complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills. A good mathematician also needs information ordering and inductive and deductive reasoning abilities.

Mathematicians mainly explore mathematical principles or models and create their own mathematical theories and concepts. Most of the work they do is in the theoretical realm, that is why they mainly want to work in IT, social science, engineering, or financial fields.

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New Graduate Students

We are thrilled that you will be joining the Berkeley Mathematics community this Fall! This page contains pertinent information that will help get you started as a graduate student at Berkeley. 

Complete New Student Onboarding 

You've accepted our offer; now help the Office of the Registrar prepare your student record by completing the "Scheduled Tasks" found on the "My Dashboard" tab of your  CalCentral  account. Scheduled tasks typically include completing the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR), immunizations form, and for international students, the Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF). In addition, you will be required to complete  two mandatory Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment Prevention trainings (online and in-person) . You will receive more information on these requirements via CalCentral and from the department. Thus, it's important that you regularly check your CalCentral account for important campus notifications and tasks. 

For International Students - Obtaining Documents for your Visa Application via the NIF 

The Berkeley International Office (BIO) provides student advising to international students across campus and is responsible for issuing visa documents to all incoming international students. We highly encourage all international students to complete the NIF (Non-immigrant Information Form) as soon as possible in order to have plenty of time to gather the documents required to apply for a student visa. Your departmental offer letter (w/ signature) can serve as proof of financial support. If you need assistance locating your departmental offer letter please contact Christian Natividad at  [email protected] . We also recommend you visit  BIO's website  for new students as you will find a wealth of resources specific to international student arrival including information on visas, housing, money, enrollment, transportation, and health care. 

On this page:  Important Dates & Planning your Arrival  

Important Dates • Arrival • Housing Resources • Financial Matters • Medical Reminders • Student Groups

Orientation & Academics

Prelim Info • Math Orientation • Fall Enrollment 

Employment as a GSI or GSR  

GSI/GSR Overview • Requirements for 1st time GSIs • Language Requirements • Resources for GSIs

Campus Resources

Variety of useful Links 

Graduate Program Contacts  

Contact Info 

Important Dates & Planning your Arrival

Important dates: .

• Prelim Workshop  -  TBD (2024 schedule will be posted late June/early July).
• Enrollment Opens for New Graduate Students -   Friday, July 19, 2024
• Mathematics Graduate Student Orientation -  Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 1015 Evans - Full-day program
• Teaching Conference for first-time  international  GSIs  (REQUIRED)  - Thursday, August 22, 2024
• Teaching Conference for  all  first-time GSIs  (REQUIRED for domestic & international)  - Friday, August 23, 2024
• Fall 2024 Math Prelim Exam s  - Monday, August 26 & Tuesday, August 27. This exam will be held in person.
• Fall 2024 Graduate Division Graduate Student Orientation   - TBD.  Registration is required.
• First Day of Fall Semester  - Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• Practice Prelim  - TBD
• First Day of Fall Instruction  - Wednesday, August 28, 2024
• Grad-stravaganza  - Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 4-6 p.m.

Planning your Arrival 

This summer, we recommend that you arrive in the Bay Area as early as possible in order to get settled for your first year of graduate study. An arrival in early August would be ideal so that you can participate in the prelim prep workshop and complete HR onboarding for new GSIs in advance of your appointment start date (8/1/24). We understand that international students may only enter the country within 30 days of their I-20 or DS-2019 start date - again we recommend arriving as early as your schedule allows. 

Our department orientation (8/21) is not required, but it is highly encouraged that you attend. Not only will you be able to meet your fellow classmates, but we'll also be reviewing campus and department resources, program requirements and expectations, and will host our own Sexual Violence Sexual Harrassment Training, which satisfies the university's in-person SVSH training requirement. We'll also end the day with the office draw!  

Please note that for those of you serving as a GSI this fall, you are required to attend the Teaching Conference for New GSIs and first-time international GSIs are required to attend the  Teaching in the U.S. Classroom Conference (tentative dates above).  

In summary, while it is encouraged that you arrive in Berkeley as early as possible (early/mid-July), the latest you can arrive and still attend all of the required trainings and take the fall prelim is mid-August.

Housing Resources in Berkeley   

University Campus Housing Website (for Ida Jackson, Manville, University Village)

CalRentals - University Listings for Off-Campus Housing and Summer Sublets

The Graduate Assembly's Housing Guide: Best Practices for Finding Housing

Berkeley International Office Housing Resources

SLMath Housing Links (Short-Term Housing)

Rent To Own Labs  (this site is unaffiliated with UC Berkeley)

*If you need a housing reference from the department please feel free to use Christian Natividad at  [email protected] . Please notify him in advance so he knows someone may be contacting him for more information. 

Financial Matters

Students in the Math Department are funded through a combination of sources including Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) salaries, fellowship stipends, university fellowships (Berkeley, Chancellor's, Regents, Ning, etc.) or external fellowships (NSF, NDSEG, NPSC, etc.). In order to receive fellowship payments from the university, students must be officially registered and in good standing. To be considered registered, you must be enrolled in at least one class, have had at least the first installment of fees paid, and have no registration blocks. Please note that full-time enrollment (12 units or a DSP approved reduced course load) is required to remain in compliance with fellowship policy. 

Here is an estimation of when you can expect to receive your first payments from the university (assuming you are a registered student at this time): 

• GSI or GSR Salary if HR onboarding completed by communicated deadlines: ~September 1, 2024 (for August work); if HR onboarding completed after the deadline: ~October 1, 2024 (for August & September work)  
• Department Relocation or recruitment stipends - last week of August 2024
• University Fellowship Awards (Berkeley, Chancellor's, Ning, etc.) - last week of August 2024
• External Fellowships - please refer to granting institution for pay dates  

 A delay in payment could be caused by not being considered a registered student, not having an up-to-date GLACIER record (for international students only), registration blocks, or department delays.  

To receive your fellowship payments via direct deposit please make sure to sign up for EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). The EFT website can also be accessed in CalCentral.

To receive your GSI/GSR salary payment via direct deposit please sign up for EFT during your HR onboarding session with Berkeley Regional Services - ERSO. After your GSI/GSR appointment has been processed by ERSO, you can also sign up for direct deposit via  UC Path .  If you plan to receive paper checks instead of signing up for direct deposit, please make sure your "Local Address" is correct in CalCentral . Direct deposit is STRONGLY recommended to receive payments.  

Also, please keep in mind that receiving  financial assistance from the university may have tax implications  that you are not very familiar with. University and department staff are not able to give tax advice so we encourage you to consult the  IRS website  for more information, and or a personal/family certified tax accountant for assistance.  

International students can find more information on U.S. taxes via the  Berkeley International Office website on tax reporting.  

If you have any questions regarding financial matters please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Stay Healthy! Medical Checklist and Immunization Information 

Once enrolled for the fall term, your  Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)  coverage will start on August 1, 2024 and run through December 31, 2024. Your spring 2024 coverage, once enrolled, starts January 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025. If you have alternate health insurance coverage and do not want to enroll in SHIP please submit your waiver to the University Health Services (UHS) by the deadline in mid-July - see link below for more information and to submit the waiver. Before arriving, please review the new student medical checklist below so that you come prepared for any medical emergencies that may arise. Also, please make sure to review the UC Immunization Requirement policy either via the link below or through your CalCentral account.   

New Student Medical Checklist

UC Immunization Requirement

Information on Waiving SHIP - Deadline ~July 15, 202 4 

Connect with your New Berkeley Math Friends  

The Noetherian Ring - Women and Gender Minorities in the Department of Mathematics at UC Berkeley  

MGSA  &  MGSA Wiki

Unbounded Representation URep (website TBD) 

Berkeley GEMS - Gender Equity in Mathematical Studies 

More information on the Math Grad Life website

Orientation & Academics 

Prelim workshop & prelim exam .

(This prelim section is for Math and Applied Math graduate students only. Logic students can find more information on program requirements and the  Logic prelim exams here. ) 

Taking the prelim exam is the first requirement math graduate students will attempt in the program. All graduate students are required to pass the exam within their first three semesters of the program. It is held every semester (fall & spring) on the Monday and Tuesday mornings before instruction begins. This fall the exam will be held on  Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27.  

The purpose of the prelim exam is to make sure that graduate students have sufficient working knowledge of foundational undergraduate material in the early stages of the PhD program, and to give early feedback on gaps in knowledge. Its intention is not to weed out students, but rather help strengthen one's understanding of core material. There is no penalty for having to retake the exam more than once so we recommend students take the exam in the fall. 

The Prelim Exam also gives you the chance to meet with your cohort and study! It's good to get in the habit of studying and working together - math doesn't have to be lonely in graduate school! We encourage you to attend the Prelim Workshop, which will be run by current graduate students. A practice prelim exam will be held the week before the exam. Topics will alternate between algebra and analysis. You can find the complete schedule on the workshop website (updates forthcoming).  

You can find more information on the  prelim as well as resources to help you prepare and pass exams here . 

Math Graduate Student Orientation (For all incoming Math, Applied Math, and Logic students)

The Mathematics Graduate Student Orientation is scheduled for  Wednesday, August 21st, 2024.  It will be an all day event, which will include a continental breakfast and lunch(RSVP form will be sent via email). More information including a full agenda will be sent closer to the date. You can see a  general agenda here . New students aren't required to attend, but it's highly recommended that students make every effort to be present. Curious about what to expect for your time here? Check out the  MGSA Wiki . 

Fall Enrollment 

Fall enrollment for new graduate students opens on Friday,   July 19th, 9:15am - 4:45 pm.  Registering on-time, and before August 1st, ensures that you will have timely access to health insurance coverage and access to campus resources. 

Course enrollment at Berkeley occurs in two phases (1 & 2) and is assigned based on one's standing (Grad, UG Freshman, Sophomore, etc.). For fall, new graduate students are able to sign up for classes in one phase in late July. All math graduate students must be enrolled full-time with a minimum 12-unit course load each semester. Students needing accommodations such as a reduced course load must be registered with the  Disabled Students' Program.  

In addition to being required to enroll in 12 units each semester, as a program requirement, all first years must enroll in at least four courses total across the fall and spring terms. At least two of these must be graduate courses in Mathematics. MPS 375 and 303 do not count towards the satisfaction of this requirement. MPS 375 is a pedagogy course that all first-time GSIs are required to take. For reference of the course offerings to expect, you can view our course offerings on the  Schedule of Classes  [use the lefthand bar to filter by term and course level (e.g. grad or undergrad)] or on our website  here . To view courses offered in other departments visit the  Berkeley Guide . I recommend using the top ribbon to search by subject rather than by keyword. 

Before finalizing your course schedule, please discuss your plans with your assigned first-year faculty adviser. You will be assigned a faculty adviser in early summer. If you have any general questions about enrollment and your options please feel free to contact us. 

Employment as a GSI or GSR 

The two primary forms of employment for graduate students in the Math Department are Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) appointments. GSRs are appointed directly by the supervising faculty member. The majority of first-year students work as GSIs for the department.

In late spring/early summer an application will be sent out to all students who will be working as GSIs this fall so that we can collect your teaching preferences. We will do our best to match you to your preferences, but please keep in mind that you may not be assigned your first choice. The majority of first-year students are assigned to our larger, lower-division courses as assignments are made based on seniority and prior GSI experience. When submitting your preferences please make sure that your own course schedule does not conflict with the course you may be assigned to as a GSI. Some instructors require attendance at lecture and you will always need to be available to proctor in-class midterms and final exams. The instructor teaching the course is your supervisor so please make sure to have your travel plans for winter and summer break approved by them in advance of making any travel arrangements. You may be needed several days after the final exam is given to complete final grading and administrative duties so it's important that you work with your supervising faculty member to identify when it will be okay for you to depart from campus for breaks.

Fall GSI appointments officially start on August 1st and end on December 31st. Thus, students are paid for the entire month of August and December even though GSI work typically doesn't begin until the start of the semester and usually ends before December 31st.  In order for students to be paid the correct amount it is important that they complete HR onboarding (official employment verification) with Berkeley Regional Services / ERSO by the stated deadlines. Students who do not complete onboarding by the stated deadline may not be paid their GSI salary until October 1st.  More information on onboarding sessions will be sent later this summer. 

Requirements for first-time GSIs: 

• Attend the daylong  Teaching Conference  sponsored by the  GSI Teaching & Resource Center . This conference is held each semester on the Friday before classes begin. Pre-registration is required. All first-time international GSIs must also complete the  Teaching Conference for International GSIs , which takes place in the fall semester the Thursday before classes begin. Pre-registration is also required for Thursday's offering.
• Successfully complete the  online course GSI Professional Standards and Ethics in Teaching   before  interacting with students (in person or online) as an instructor.
• Enroll in and complete the  300-level pedagogy course for first-time GSIs , MPS 375. All GSIs teaching for the first time on campus must take a 300-level pedagogy course, regardless of prior teaching experience or previous courses taken at other universities. If you have a course conflict with MPS 375, students may take a pedagogy course offered by another department as long as you have approval from the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies, Sug Woo Shin, and the alternate department. 
• All first-time GSIs must attend an hour-long  Academic Student Employee (ASE) orientation session . Advanced registration is NOT required.

Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students 

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College of Sciences Announces New Minors, Ph.D. Program and Curriculum Additions

This fall, the College of Sciences will debut three new minors, a new Ph.D. program, and a new “4+1” B.S./M.S. degree program. 

The announcement follows curriculum updates for the 2023-24 academic year, including the launch of the Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being in the School of Psychology and the creation of three new bachelor of science degrees in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. 

“We are excited to announce these additions to the College’s portfolio of academic opportunities for our students,” says David M. Collard , senior associate dean in the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry . “The updates reflect our College’s growth and respond to our students’ interest in pursuing advanced study.”

The additions for the 2024-2025 academic year include: 

“4+1” B.S./M.S. Degree Program

The College offers several options for undergraduate students to earn both a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree as a part of a “4+1” program. Students may apply to the B.S./M.S Degree Program after being at Georgia Tech for about one year. This allows them to tailor their undergraduate and graduate academic requirements to complete both degrees in a timely manner. 

Computation and Cognition Minor 

The Minor in Computation and Cognition is a highly interdisciplinary program that combines advanced computational training with the study of human cognition. Students will learn about the computational mechanisms underlying human cognition and use computational methods to better understand human cognition. Established by the School of Psychology in collaboration with the College of Computing and with support from the Schools of Physics and Mathematics , the minor is open to all students starting this fall.

There are several new courses in the School of Psychology supporting this minor, including PSYC 4690 (Sensation and Perception: A Computational Perspective) and PSYC/PHYS 4745 (Physics of Cognition). These two classes are offered as special topics this fall but will have permanent course numbers in Spring 2025. More new courses in computation and cognition are planned for the next year and beyond.  

Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program, Neuroscience Minor

The new Ph.D. and minor offerings build on the recently launched Neuro Next Initiative in Research and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience , respectively. 

The new Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program is a joint effort across the Colleges of Science, Computing and Engineering. It is focused on educating students to advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach, with scientists and engineers of diverse backgrounds — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025.

Approved by the Board of Regents in 2017, the interdisciplinary B.S. in Neuroscience degree enrolled more than 400 undergraduate students in 2022, and has been the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech. The Minor in Neuroscience is set to become available during the 2024-25 academic year.  

Quantum Sciences and Technology Minor

In response to the explosion of research, development, investment, and hiring in quantum information science taking place across academia, national labs, and private industry, the School of Physics is now hosting a new Minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology . 

Available starting this fall, the program is open to all students, regardless of major, who are interested in learning more about quantum information theory, applications of quantum information to measurement, quantum materials, quantum computation, quantum algorithms, quantum communication, or any other quantum science related topics. The coursework includes basic training in quantum mechanics and quantum information, and a choice of quantum-related electives in physics, math, chemistry, computer science, and electrical engineering. 

The minor was established by the School of Physics in partnership with the School of Mathematics and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry in addition to the Colleges of Computing and Engineering.

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Softening the sharp edges in mathematics.

For everyone whose relationship with mathematics is distant or broken, Jo Boaler , a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), has ideas for repairing it. She particularly wants young people to feel comfortable with numbers from the start — to approach the subject with playfulness and curiosity, not anxiety or dread.

“Most people have only ever experienced what I call narrow mathematics — a set of procedures they need to follow, at speed,” Boaler says. “Mathematics should be flexible, conceptual, a place where we play with ideas and make connections. If we open it up and invite more creativity, more diverse thinking, we can completely transform the experience.”

“Mathematics should be flexible, conceptual, a place where we play with ideas and make connections," says Professor Jo Boaler. (Photo: Robert Houser Photography)

Boaler, the Nomellini and Olivier Professor of Education at the GSE, is the co-founder and faculty director of Youcubed , a Stanford research center that provides resources for math learning that has reached more than 230 million students in over 140 countries. In 2013 Boaler, a former high school math teacher, produced “How to Learn Math,” the first massive open online course (MOOC) on mathematics education. She leads workshops and leadership summits for teachers and administrators, and her online courses have been taken by over a million users. 

In her new book, Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics , Boaler argues for a broad, inclusive approach to math education, offering strategies and activities for learners at any age. We spoke with her about why creativity is an important part of mathematics, the impact of representing numbers visually and physically, and how what she calls “ishing” a math problem can help students make better sense of the answer. 

What do you mean by “math-ish” thinking?

It’s a way of thinking about numbers in the real world, which are usually imprecise estimates. If someone asks how old you are, how warm it is outside, how long it takes to drive to the airport – these are generally answered with what I call “ish” numbers, and that’s very different from the way we use and learn numbers in school.

In the book I share an example of a multiple-choice question from a nationwide exam where students are asked to estimate the sum of two fractions: 12/13 + 7/8. They’re given four choices for the closest answer: 1, 2, 19, or 21. Each of the fractions in the question is very close to 1, so the answer would be 2 — but the most common answer 13-year-olds gave was 19. The second most common was 21. 

I’m not surprised, because when students learn fractions, they often don’t learn to think conceptually or to consider the relationship between the numerator or denominator. They learn rules about creating common denominators and adding or subtracting the numerators, without making sense of the fraction as a whole. But stepping back and judging whether a calculation is reasonable might be the most valuable mathematical skill a person can develop.

But don’t you also risk sending the message that mathematical precision isn’t important? 

I’m not saying precision isn’t important. What I’m suggesting is that we ask students to estimate before they calculate, so when they come up with a precise answer, they’ll have a real sense for whether it makes sense. This also helps students learn how to move between big-picture and focused thinking, which are two different but equally important modes of reasoning.

Some people ask me, “Isn’t ‘ishing’ just estimating?” It is, but when we ask students to estimate, they often groan, thinking it’s yet another mathematical method. But when we ask them to “ish” a number, they're more willing to offer their thinking.

Ishing helps students develop a sense for numbers and shapes. It can help soften the sharp edges in mathematics, making it easier for kids to jump in and engage. It can buffer students against the dangers of perfectionism, which we know can be a damaging mind-set. I think we all need a little more ish in our lives. 

You also argue that mathematics should be taught in more visual ways. What do you mean by that? 

For most people, mathematics is an almost entirely symbolic, numerical experience. Any visuals are usually sterile images in a textbook, showing bisecting angles, or circles divided into slices. But the way we function in life is by developing models of things in our minds. Take a stapler: Knowing what it looks like, what it feels and sounds like, how to interact with it, how it changes things — all of that contributes to our understanding of how it works. 

There’s an activity we do with middle-school students where we show them an image of a 4 x 4 x 4 cm cube made up of smaller 1 cm cubes, like a Rubik’s Cube. The larger cube is dipped into a can of blue paint, and we ask the students, if they could take apart the little cubes, how many sides would be painted blue? Sometimes we give the students sugar cubes and have them physically build a larger 4 x 4 x 4 cube. This is an activity that leads into algebraic thinking. 

Some years back we were interviewing students a year after they’d done that activity in our summer camp and asked what had stayed with them. One student said, ‘I’m in geometry class now, and I still remember that  sugar cube, what it looked like and felt like.’ His class had been asked to estimate the volume of their shoes, and he said he’d imagined his shoes filled with 1 cm sugar cubes in order to solve that question. He had built a mental model of a cube.

When we learn about cubes, most of us don’t get to see and manipulate them. When we learn about square roots, we don’t take squares and look at their diagonals. We just manipulate numbers.

I wonder if people consider the physical representations more appropriate for younger kids.

That’s the thing — elementary school teachers are amazing at giving kids those experiences, but it dies out in middle school, and by high school it’s all symbolic. There’s a myth that there’s a hierarchy of sophistication where you start out with visual and physical representations and then build up to the symbolic. But so much of high-level mathematical work now is visual. Here in Silicon Valley, if you look at Tesla engineers, they're drawing, they're sketching, they're building models, and nobody says that's elementary mathematics.

Click to enlarge: A depiction of various ways to calculate 38 x 5, numerically and visually. (Image: Courtesy of Jo Boaler)

There’s an example in the book where you’ve asked students how they would calculate 38 x 5 in their heads, and they come up with several different ways of arriving at the same answer. The creativity is fascinating, but wouldn’t it be easier to teach students one standard method?

That narrow, rigid version of mathematics where there’s only one right approach is what most students experience, and it’s a big part of why people have such math trauma. It keeps them from realizing the full range and power of mathematics. When you only have students blindly memorizing math facts, they’re not developing number sense. They don’t learn how to use numbers flexibly in different situations. It also makes students who think differently believe there’s something wrong with them. 

When we open mathematics to acknowledge the different ways a concept or problem can be viewed, we also open the subject to many more students. Mathematical diversity, to me, is a concept that includes both the value of diversity in people and the diverse ways we can see and learn mathematics. When we bring those forms of diversity together, it’s powerful. If we want to value different ways of thinking and problem-solving in the world, we need to embrace mathematical diversity.

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Doctoral students in Mathematics Education and Teacher Education and Teacher Development present at national conference

Posted in: Research Presentations

John O’Meara, PhD student in Mathematics Education, presented a paper with Shanna Anderson, PhD student in Teacher Education and Teacher Development (TETD), at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST) conference in Denver, CO on March 19, 2024. They presented their work on Social Network Maps: Supporting STEM Teacher Leaders and Characterizing the Phenomenon of Teacher Leadership, funded by the Wipro Science Education Fellowship grant.

They represented their research team, which includes Drs. Mika Munakata , Emily Klein and Monica Taylor (College of Education and Engaged Learning) and Tim Aberle (PhD student in TETD). Congratulations, all!

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Elaine Liu: Charging ahead

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MIT senior Elaine Siyu Liu doesn’t own an electric car, or any car. But she sees the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewables on the grid as two pieces of an energy puzzle she wants to solve.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the number of public and private EV charging ports nearly doubled in the past three years, and many more are in the works. Users expect to plug in at their convenience, charge up, and drive away. But what if the grid can’t handle it?

Electricity demand, long stagnant in the United States, has spiked due to EVs, data centers that drive artificial intelligence, and industry. Grid planners forecast an increase of 2.6 percent to 4.7 percent in electricity demand over the next five years, according to data reported to federal regulators. Everyone from EV charging-station operators to utility-system operators needs help navigating a system in flux.

That’s where Liu’s work comes in.

Liu, who is studying mathematics and electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), is interested in distribution — how to get electricity from a centralized location to consumers. “I see power systems as a good venue for theoretical research as an application tool,” she says. “I'm interested in it because I'm familiar with the optimization and probability techniques used to map this level of problem.”

Liu grew up in Beijing, then after middle school moved with her parents to Canada and enrolled in a prep school in Oakville, Ontario, 30 miles outside Toronto.

Liu stumbled upon an opportunity to take part in a regional math competition and eventually started a math club, but at the time, the school’s culture surrounding math surprised her. Being exposed to what seemed to be some students’ aversion to math, she says, “I don’t think my feelings about math changed. I think my feelings about how people feel about math changed.”

Liu brought her passion for math to MIT. The summer after her sophomore year, she took on the first of the two Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program projects she completed with electric power system expert Marija Ilić, a joint adjunct professor in EECS and a senior research scientist at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems.

Predicting the grid

Since 2022, with the help of funding from the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), Liu has been working with Ilić on identifying ways in which the grid is challenged.

One factor is the addition of renewables to the energy pipeline. A gap in wind or sun might cause a lag in power generation. If this lag occurs during peak demand, it could mean trouble for a grid already taxed by extreme weather and other unforeseen events.

If you think of the grid as a network of dozens of interconnected parts, once an element in the network fails — say, a tree downs a transmission line — the electricity that used to go through that line needs to be rerouted. This may overload other lines, creating what’s known as a cascade failure.

“This all happens really quickly and has very large downstream effects,” Liu says. “Millions of people will have instant blackouts.”

Even if the system can handle a single downed line, Liu notes that “the nuance is that there are now a lot of renewables, and renewables are less predictable. You can't predict a gap in wind or sun. When such things happen, there’s suddenly not enough generation and too much demand. So the same kind of failure would happen, but on a larger and more uncontrollable scale.”

Renewables’ varying output has the added complication of causing voltage fluctuations. “We plug in our devices expecting a voltage of 110, but because of oscillations, you will never get exactly 110,” Liu says. “So even when you can deliver enough electricity, if you can't deliver it at the specific voltage level that is required, that’s a problem.”

Liu and Ilić are building a model to predict how and when the grid might fail. Lacking access to privatized data, Liu runs her models with European industry data and test cases made available to universities. “I have a fake power grid that I run my experiments on,” she says. “You can take the same tool and run it on the real power grid.”

Liu’s model predicts cascade failures as they evolve. Supply from a wind generator, for example, might drop precipitously over the course of an hour. The model analyzes which substations and which households will be affected. “After we know we need to do something, this prediction tool can enable system operators to strategically intervene ahead of time,” Liu says.

Dictating price and power

Last year, Liu turned her attention to EVs, which provide a different kind of challenge than renewables.

In 2022, S&P Global reported that lawmakers argued that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) wholesale power rate structure was unfair for EV charging station operators.

In addition to operators paying by the kilowatt-hour, some also pay more for electricity during peak demand hours. Only a few EVs charging up during those hours could result in higher costs for the operator even if their overall energy use is low.

Anticipating how much power EVs will need is more complex than predicting energy needed for, say, heating and cooling. Unlike buildings, EVs move around, making it difficult to predict energy consumption at any given time. “If users don't like the price at one charging station or how long the line is, they'll go somewhere else,” Liu says. “Where to allocate EV chargers is a problem that a lot of people are dealing with right now.”

One approach would be for FERC to dictate to EV users when and where to charge and what price they'll pay. To Liu, this isn’t an attractive option. “No one likes to be told what to do,” she says.

Liu is looking at optimizing a market-based solution that would be acceptable to top-level energy producers — wind and solar farms and nuclear plants — all the way down to the municipal aggregators that secure electricity at competitive rates and oversee distribution to the consumer.

Analyzing the location, movement, and behavior patterns of all the EVs driven daily in Boston and other major energy hubs, she notes, could help demand aggregators determine where to place EV chargers and how much to charge consumers, akin to Walmart deciding how much to mark up wholesale eggs in different markets.

Last year, Liu presented the work at MITEI’s annual research conference. This spring, Liu and Ilić are submitting a paper on the market optimization analysis to a journal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Liu has come to terms with her early introduction to attitudes toward STEM that struck her as markedly different from those in China. She says, “I think the (prep) school had a very strong ‘math is for nerds’ vibe, especially for girls. There was a ‘why are you giving yourself more work?’ kind of mentality. But over time, I just learned to disregard that.”

After graduation, Liu, the only undergraduate researcher in Ilić’s MIT Electric Energy Systems Group, plans to apply to fellowships and graduate programs in EECS, applied math, and operations research.

Based on her analysis, Liu says that the market could effectively determine the price and availability of charging stations. Offering incentives for EV owners to charge during the day instead of at night when demand is high could help avoid grid overload and prevent extra costs to operators. “People would still retain the ability to go to a different charging station if they chose to,” she says. “I'm arguing that this works.”

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