Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam: Policy and General Information

  • The comprehensive exam ensures students have sufficient background to undertake Ph.D. research.
  • Ph.D. students must take a written comprehensive examination as a requirement for admission to Ph.D. candidacy.

  • The examination is to be taken at the beginning of the 3rd semester of enrollment as an essential part of MATH 699 (Seminar).


Notes
  • An updated list of topics and references will be provided for each component.
  • The minimum passing score for each component is 70%. A student passes the comprehensive exam upon passing all four components.
  • If a student fails one or more components on the first attempt, a severe warning will be issued. The Graduate Committee will advise the student to retake only the failed component(s) at the beginning of the 4th semester (final chance).
  • The duration of each component is 3 hours.
  • The exam is administered by the Department Graduate Committee. Each component is prepared and graded by at least two examiners appointed by the Chairman upon recommendation of the Graduate Committee; examiners' names are confidential, and percentage scores are reported to the Committee.