Policies of the Mathematics Graduate Program of the University of Maryland

ADMISSION TO GRADUATE STUDY

Admission is granted to applicants who show promise in mathematics as demonstrated by their undergraduate record. Unless courses in advanced calculus and (undergraduate) abstract algebra have been taken, admission may be on a provisional basis (conditioned on passing MATH 410 and/or MATH 403.) It is required for admission that applicants take the general Graduate Record Examinations and the subject examination in mathematics. It should be emphasized that admission to graduate status does not guarantee that a student will be able to earn a degree. 

An applicant whose record is less than ideal may be admitted provisionally. Such a student must achieve at least a "B" average during the first year and must earn grades of at least "B" in any courses specified in the terms of admission. Provisional status lasts only one year. 

An applicant may be admitted provisionally before completion of an undergraduate and/or master's degree with the understanding that a final official transcript will be filed after the degree has been awarded and before the end of the first semester of graduate work at the University of Maryland.  After an applicant is admitted, an official letter is sent by the Graduate School stating for which semester the student is admitted. If the student does not register for the specified semester the admission is canceled and a new application must be submitted. An admission can be deferred for one time only and for up to one year. 

The admission status may be terminated if a graduate student's overall average stays below B for an extended period. 

ADVISING, REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF GRADUATE STANDING

Every student is expected to meet with an advisor each semester. New students admitted for the Fall semester complete advising and registration during the one week orientation program that takes place in August, the week before the start of class. New students admitted for the Spring semester should contact the Office of Graduate Studies to make arrangements for advising. For currently enrolled students, registration takes place through the Office of Graduate studies every October and March for the following semester. 

In order to aid students in planning their programs, the Department tries to follow a regular schedule for offering the basic graduate course. The Department will make every effort to adhere to the following frequencies. 
 
 

Every Semester	MATH	630
	AMSC	666
Every Year	MATH	600, 601, 631, 642, 660, 661, 670, 671, 673, 674, 712, 713, 730, 734, 740, 742
	AMSC	660, 661, 662, 667, 670, 671, 673, 674
	STAT	600, 601, 650, 700, 701, 740
Every Other Year	MATH	606, 607, 620, 632, 634, 636, 643, 710, 744
	AMSC	600, 604, 610, 612, 614, 720, 721
	STAT	610, 611, 710, 711, 720, 750, 770

Any course may be repeated and the grade on the repeated course replaces the original grade in determining the overall average. As long as the overall average is at least "B" at the time of receiving the degree, grades of  "D", "F" and "I" may stand, but "D" and "F" count as 0 quality points in computing averages, and courses in which these grades are received cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements. 

The deadline for dropping courses without penalty is normally midway through the semester. After this date all courses dropped automatically receive the grade of F unless the student withdraws from the University. The Schedule of Classes should be consulted for pertinent dates. 

A full time graduate student must carry a combination of courses that adds up to at least 48 units each semester (excluding the summer sessions). For graduate assistants this requirement is reduced to a minimum of 24 units. A unit is defined as follows: 

• All 400 level courses: 4 units per credit hour;
• All 600/700 level courses (except 799): 6 units per credit hour;
• 799 course: 12 units per credit hour;
• 899 course: 18 units per credit hour.

Students are expected to make steady progress toward their degrees. For the M.A. degree, all requirements must be completed within five years from the date of admission. A student admitted to a Ph.D. program must be admitted to candidacy within five years from the date of admission. After admission to candidacy all requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within four additional years. Minimal continuous registration is required of all students who have been admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. 

GRADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

Graduate teaching assistantships are the main form of financial aid offered by the Department. In addition to a stipend, graduate assistants receive a tuition scholarship for up to ten credits per semester and are eligible for health insurance benefits.

Graduate teaching assistants usually conduct two three-hour courses each semester and hold a specified number of office hours per week. Occasionally a graduate assistant may have grading or tutoring responsibilities only.

Applicants for the Fall semester who desire financial support should submit their applications to the Graduate Committee by February 1 (December 15 for foreign students). Financial aid applications are only processed once a year.

Renewals of all fellowships and assistantships depend upon both satisfactory performance of teaching assignments and a satisfactory scholastic record in graduate studies. An obvious restrictive factor is the number of positions that will be available for the following academic year. All renewals will be made by March 1 of each year, possibly on a contingent basis, but made final by the end of the spring semester. 

A set of current departmental guidelines is available here. Generally, a first year graduate student will be given a renewal for another year if he/she has completed 12 credit hours of course work as well as having performed satisfactorily as an assistant. Subsequent renewals are contingent upon such factors as having passed the written examinations at either the Master's or Ph.D. level or making satisfactory progress on a Ph.D. dissertation. 

WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

All students in the Ph.D. program and all M.A. students who do not choose the thesis option must take written examinations in three fields of mathematics. These examinations are given in January and August during the weeks preceding the start of classes. The sign-up months for the examinations are October and March respectively. 

The written examinations for the Ph.D. are given in the following fields: algebra and number theory, analysis (real and complex), geometry and topology, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, mathematical logic, probability, statistics, applied statistics, and numerical analysis. The student may choose to be examined in any three fields with the following exceptions: statistics and applied statistics cannot both be taken, ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations cannot both be taken, nor can the combination of analysis, partial differential equations or ordinary differential equations, and numerical analysis be taken. 

There is no limit on the number of times a student can attempt the examinations, but two examinations must be passed by the end of the student's third year in the graduate program, and all three must be passed by the end of the fourth year. Most full-time students pass all three examinations by the end of the second year or middle of the third year. 

No special combination of fields is mandatory and students usually prepare for three areas which relate to their field of interest. Two or three specified 600/700 level courses in each of three fields will generally provide enough background for the examination. Detailed syllabi are available here.

The written examinations for the M.A. without thesis are given in the same fields as those mentioned above for the Ph.D.   Again, each student takes examinations in three different fields. Such students have two options: 

(a) they may take the same examinations described above that are administered to Ph.D. students and receive a Master's level pass  (if unsuccessful at the Ph.D. level). 

(b) they may take special Master's examinations that will be given at the same time as the Ph.D. version but which will cover less material. Some of the questions of the Ph.D. examinations may appear on this examination. The syllabi for this examination are available here. 

There is no limit on the number of times a student can attempt the examinations, but in order to earn a M.A. degree with the non-thesis option two examinations must be passed by the end of the student's third year in the graduate program, and all three must be passed by the end of the fourth year. Most full-time students pass all three examinations by the end of the second year or middle of the third year. 

REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL M.A. STUDENTS

Residence Requirements. A full-time student must have two semesters in residence, a part-time student four semesters. All requirements for the M.A. degree must be completed within a period of five years. 

Transfer of credit. Up to 6 credits of graduate level work taken at another regionally accredited institution are permitted providing that: 

1. The faculty advisor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies agree that the specific credits are acceptable in the student's program. 
2. A grade of  "B" or better was earned in the courses offered. No courses with pass/fail grades will be accepted. 
3. The credit was earned within the five year limit imposed for completing the Master's degree at The University of Maryland. 
4. The course received graduate credit at the institution where it was taken, and has not been used to meet the requirements for any degree previously carried.

Approved Program Form: A student who has applied for a diploma must complete the Approved Program Form obtained from the Office of Graduate studies before the dead line listed in the Schedule of Classes. This form is returned to the Administrator of the Graduate Program who will forward it to the Graduate School. 

Grade Point Average. The student must maintain an average of  "B" or better in all courses taken, not just those listed on the Approved Program Form. For this purpose, the grades of  "D" and  "F" count as 0 quality points, and courses with these grades cannot be used for degree requirements. 

Incompletes. Any grade of incomplete in a course listed on the Approved Program Form must be removed. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR M.A. WITH THESIS

In addition to satisfying the requirements applicable to all M.A. candidates, the student must have: 

1. Taken a total of 24 hours of courses carrying graduate credit of which at least 15 are at the 600/700 level;  Of  these 15 hours at least 12 hours must be in mathematics. 
2. Taken at least 3 hours in each of two fields of mathematics distinct from the one in which the thesis is written, and obtained a grade of  "B" or better in each of these courses. These 6 hours are part of the 12 hours mentioned in (1); 
3. Taken 6 hours of thesis research in addition to requirements (1); 
4. Written a satisfactory thesis; 
5. Passed a final oral examination. 

Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee Form:  This form obtained from the Office of  Graduate Studies, must be completed two months prior to the date of the final oral and in keeping with the deadline listed in the Schedule of  Classes.  It should be completed in conjunction with the student's thesis advisor and returned to the Administrator of  the Graduate Program who will forward it to the Graduate School.  This will generate the Report of  Examining Committee form sent from the Graduate School to the advisor to be taken to the final oral examination to be signed by all members of the thesis committee and returned to the Graduate School. There is also an equivalent internal form. The student will be examined on the thesis and related topics at the discretion of the examiners. All pertinent  information concerning this oral examination should be given to the Office of Graduate Studies two weeks prior to the examination. The information will then be posted as the examination is open to the public. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.A. WITHOUT THESIS

In addition to satisfying the requirements applicable to all M.A. candidates, the student must have: 

1. Taken a total of 30 hours of courses carrying graduate credit of which at least 18 are at the 600 or 700 level. Of these 18 hours, no less than 12 hours must be in mathematics; 
2. Taken parts 1 and 2 of at least two 600/700 level full-year courses in mathematics except that a suitable "Selected Topics" course may be substituted for the second part of one of these full-year courses; 
3. Passed either three different written exams at the Master's level or passed two different written exams at the PhD level; 
4. Written a satisfactory scholarly paper; 
5. Passed a final oral examination.

Final Oral Examination.  The  final oral examination shall consist of a presentation of the material in the scholarly paper, plus questioning by the examiners based on the paper and whatever material in the approved M.A. program that has not been covered by the written examination. The examining committee shall consist of the two readers of the scholarly paper. 

THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

To receive the Ph.D. degree in mathematics a student must display a high level of scholarship shown by the ability to do original research and should possess a broad knowledge of the major fields of modern mathematics.  It is not necessary to have a master's  degree before obtaining the doctorate. 

Residence Requirements.   The equivalent of at least three full years of graduate study is required of which at least one must be in residence at The University of  Maryland campus. At least 18 hours of course work must be taken at The University of Maryland, plus 12 hours of credit research at the Ph.D.  level. 

Minimum Requirements. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, the student must have: 

1. Taken at least 36 hours of formal course work (at least 27 at the 600/700 level) with an average of "B" or better. Courses used as part of a master's program may be used in fulfillment of this requirement. At least 18 hours must be taken in the Department of Mathematics. Grades of "D" and "F" count at 0 quality points and the courses in which they are obtained cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements; 
2. Taken at least 12 hours of Mathematics 899;
3. Passed the written examination in three fields at the Ph.D. level; 
4. Fulfilled specific requirements by the field committee that represents the student's principal mathematical interests. The student must demonstrate that he or she has obtained a sufficient depth of mathematical knowledge and has the ability to write a dissertation on a topic in the field in question.
5. Passed an examination in one foreign language; 
6. Been admitted to candidacy during the semester previous to the one in which the degree is granted or earlier; 
7. Prepared a dissertation representing an original contribution to existing mathematical knowledge; 
8. Passed the final oral examination. 

Advisors. The entire course of study must constitute a unified program, approved by an advisor in the field of the student's major interest. 

Admission to Candidacy. Before petitioning for admission to candidacy a student must have: 

1. Completed half of the residence requirements; 
2. Maintained a B average in formal course work; 
3. Passed the written examinations at the Ph.D. level; 
4. Satisfied the specific requirements of the field committee governing the field of principal interest; 
5. Obtained the consent of a faculty member who will accept the responsibility of directing a dissertation.

Dissertation. The dissertation must represent an original contribution to existing mathematical knowledge. It must follow the format given in the "Style and Policy Manual for Theses and Dissertations" written by the Graduate School and available in the Office of Graduate studies. Two copies, on the prescribed type paper, must be deposited at the Graduate School Records Office after the final oral examination and before the deadline listed in the Schedule of Classes. Also, one copy must be deposited with the CMPS Library. This copy may be obtained through use of the Department's copying facilities and can be returned to the student in approximately two years time. It is expected that the dissertation or some modification thereof will be submitted to a mathematical journal for publication. 

Final Oral Examination. The final oral examining committee must consist of five members, one whom is on the graduate faculty of a department other than mathematics. Each member of the committee must be given a copy of the dissertation at least ten days prior to the examination. 

The Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee form is obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies and must be completed and returned to that office three months prior to the final oral and in accordance with the deadline listed in the Schedule of Classes. Details governing the structure of the committee are on the back of the form. This form will generate the Report of Examining Committee form sent from the Graduate school to the advisor which must be taken to the Graduate School. There is also an equivalent internal form. 

All pertinent information concerning the oral examination should be given in the Office of Graduate Studies two weeks prior to the examination. The information will then be posted as this examination is open to the public. 

No final oral may be scheduled until the language examination has been passed. 

The final oral examining committee will examine the candidate on the research work incorporated in the dissertation, review attainments in the major and minor fields and then vote on the candidate's qualifications for the degree. In order to justify a finding of failure, at least two negative votes must be cast. 

Last updated 1/29/03 by jmr.