Applied Mathematics Qualifying Exam Requirements
Each Applied Math PhD Student will pass three qualifying requirements as proposed in his/her Study Advisory Plan and approved by the AMSC Graduate Committee.
- The first must be a Mathematics Department Written Qualifying Exam in either Algebra, Analysis, Probability, Applied Statistics, or Statistics mathematics area. To prepare, see the scanned copies of old exams.
- The second must be a qualifying requirement in his/her application area, whatever form that takes: Application Area Qualifying Exam.
- If a participating department does not offer written Qualifying/Comprehensive exams, presentation of course grades in lieu of the exam as prescribed by the participating department may be submitted to the Graduate Committee for evaluation of pass or fail.
- If you plan to take courses to satisfy qualifying requirements, these courses must be listed on your Study Advisory Plan and approved by the Graduate Committee.
- In some instances, some participating departments that do not give written exams will give oral examinations (with at least two examiners).
- All exams and courses will be evaluated at the doctorate or master's level.
- If coursework is used to satisfy a qualifying exam requirement, the student must submit the Course Evaluation Form.
- If a participating department does not offer written Qualifying/Comprehensive exams, presentation of course grades in lieu of the exam as prescribed by the participating department may be submitted to the Graduate Committee for evaluation of pass or fail.
- The third can be either:
- a second qualifying requirement in his/her application area, whatever form that takes;
- a second Mathematics Department Written Qualifying Exam in either Algebra, Analysis, Probability, Applied Statistics, or Statistics;
- pass three courses with a grade of B or better and a GPA of at least 3.5 for PhD students (or at least a 3.0 GPA for MS students), where two of the courses must be from one of the sequences:
- MATH 600-601
- MATH 630-631
- MATH 730-740
- AMSC 660-661
- AMSC 666-714
- AMSC 666-715
- AMSC 673-674
- STAT 600-601
- STAT 700-701
and the third course can be drawn from the above list or from:
- MATH 634
- MATH 642
- MATH 660
- MATH 670
- MATH 712
- MATH 713
- MATH 734
- AMSC 600
- AMSC 714
- AMSC 715
- AMSC 764
- CMSC 616
- STAT 650
- If coursework is used to satisfy a qualifying exam requirement, the student must submit the Course Evaluation Form.
* Students cannot use both the written exam and their respective preparation course(s) as 2 separate qualifying requirements. Please refer to the table below:
| Qualifying Exam | Preparation Courses |
|---|---|
| Analysis | MATH 630, 660 |
| Algebra | MATH 600, 601 |
| Probability | STAT 600, 601 |
| (Mathematical) Statistics | STAT 700, 701 |
| Applied Statistics | STAT 740, 741 |
- For example, students cannot use both the Analysis Written Exam and a course work sequence qual that includes MATH630 on their study plan.
AM/SC Qualifying Exam Substitution
Students who are still deciding between the AM and SC tracks have the option of taking AMSC 660-661 and CMSC616. Successful completion of this sequence (GPA of 3.5 or better for PhD students or a 3.0 GPA or better for MS students) satisfies one qualifying exam requirement for the AM track, or helps fulfill the preliminary coursework requirements for the SC track.