The following discussion is a template which assumes the student enters in the fall semester and does not already have a Master's degree in Mathematics. Satisfactory progress policies for students in unusual situations, for example those entering in the spring semester or those entering with a Master's degree, will be decided on an individual basis and agreed upon in writing at the time of entrance to the program.
Admission to the PhD program implies a three-year initial commitment by the department, provided that satisfactory academic progress is made and teaching obligations are met. Satisfactory progress is defined as being enrolled for at least 9 units of graduate or approved credit in each semester and maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 in each semester.
Students are expected to complete the core courses and qualifying exams as expeditiously as possible. They are encouraged to attempt any part of the qualifying exam for which they may be ready in August before the first semester of enrollment. A failure on such an attempt will not count toward the limit of two attempts, nor will it prejudice any future evaluation of qualifying exam results.
It is expected that the vast majority of students will enroll in at least one of the core courses during the first year and attempt the corresponding part of the qualifying exam in August following the first year of enrollment. Students who have not passed at least one part of the qualifying exam at the “high pass” level by January of the second year of enrollment, or who have failed one part of the qualifying exam twice, will be required to complete a Master's thesis by the end of the third year of enrollment.
It is expected that all students will have completed the core courses and attempted all three parts of the qualifying exam by August before the third year of enrollment. Students who have passed the qualifying exam at the “high pass” level at this point may continue directly on to the PhD comprehensive exam. Other students will be required to write a Master's thesis by the end of the third year of enrollment.
Continuation in the PhD program beyond the third year is possible only in one of the following circumstances:
Students may earn a Master's degree, independently of whether they continue in the PhD program. Needless to say, earning a Master's degree requires completing the Master's thesis and all other requirements for that degree.
Continuation in the PhD program beyond the third year implies a commitment on the part of the department to two, or possibly three, more years of support, provided that satisfactory academic progress is made and teaching obligations are met. Satisfactory progress is defined as being enrolled for at least 6 units of graduate or approved credit in each semester, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 in each semester, and making adequate progress toward the dissertation as determined by the faculty.
Students are encouraged to complete the written and oral comprehensive examination as early as possible. In all cases, this exam must be complete by the end of February of the fourth year of enrollment. Failure to meet this deadline would be a violation of the “adequate progress” requirement in the preceding paragraph.
Funding and continuation in the program for a sixth year will be determined by the graduate committee, based on the sense of the faculty regarding the student's progress. Funding and continuation in the program beyond the sixth year will be possible only in the most compelling circumstances.