Admission to the PhD Program

The Department of Mathematics offers 2 PhD degrees, one in Mathematics and one in Applied Mathematics. Applicants for admission to either PhD program are expected to have preparation comparable to the undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or in Applied Mathematics. These majors consist of 2 full years of lower-division work (covering calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and multivariable calculus), followed by 8 one-semester courses including real analysis, complex analysis, abstract algebra, and linear algebra. These eight courses may include some mathematically based courses offered by other departments, e.g., Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or Economics.



Applicants for admission are considered by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee. The number of students that can be admitted each year is determined by the Graduate Division. In making admissions decisions, the committee conducts a comprehensive review taking into consideration letters of recommendation, level of mathematics preparation, performance in courses, broader impacts (community contributions), research experience, etc.



Degree Requirements



In outline, to earn the PhD in either Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, the candidate must meet the following requirements.

During the first year in the PhD program:



Take at least 4 courses, 2 or more of which are graduate courses offered by the Department of Mathematics



Pass the six-hour written Preliminary Examination covering calculus, real analysis, complex analysis, linear algebra, and abstract algebra; students must pass the prelim before the start of their second year in the program (within three semesters of starting the program).



Pass a three-hour, oral Qualifying Examination emphasizing, but not exclusively restricted to, the area of specialization. The Qualifying Examination must be attempted within two years of entering the program.



Complete a seminar, giving a talk of at least one hour duration.



Write a dissertation embodying the results of original research and acceptable to a properly constituted dissertation committee.



Meet the University residence requirement of two years or four semesters.

The detailed regulations of the PhD program are as follows:



Course Requirements



During the first year in the PhD. program, the student must enroll in at least 4 courses. At least 2 of these must be graduate courses offered by the Department of Mathematics. Exceptions can be granted by the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies.



Preliminary Examination



The Preliminary Examination consists of 6 hours (total) of written work given over a two-day period (3 hours/day). Exam questions are given in calculus, real analysis, complex analysis, linear algebra and abstract algebra. The Preliminary Examination is offered twice a year during the first week of the fall and spring semesters.



Qualifying Examination



To arrange the Qualifying Examination, a student must first settle on an area of concentration, and a prospective Dissertation Advisor (Dissertation Chair), someone who agrees to supervise the dissertation if the examination is passed. With the aid of the prospective advisor, the student forms an examination committee of 4 members. All committee members can be faculty in the Mathematics Department and the chair must be in the Mathematics Department. The QE chair and Dissertation Chair cannot be the same person; therefore, the Math member least likely to serve as the dissertation advisor should be selected as chair of the qualifying exam committee. The syllabus of the examination is to be worked out jointly by the committee and the student, but before final approval, it is to be circulated to all faculty members of the appropriate research sections. The Qualifying Examination must cover material falling in at least 3 subject areas and these must be listed on the application to take the examination. Moreover, the material covered must fall within more than one section of the department. Sample syllabi can be reviewed online or in 910 Evans Hall.



The student must attempt the Qualifying Examination within twenty-five months of entering the PhD program. If a student does not pass on the first attempt, then, on the recommendation of the student's examining committee, and subject to the approval of the Graduate Division, the student may repeat the examination once. The examining committee must be the same, and the re-examination must be held within thirty months of the student's entrance into the PhD program.



For a student to pass the Qualifying Examination, at least one identified member of the subject area group must be willing to accept the candidate as a dissertation student.