PhD in Mathematical Sciences

The PhD in the Department of Mathematical Sciences prepares students for careers in academia and as professional mathematicians and statisticians. The program can generally be completed in five to six years of full-time study, depending on the student's background. Before beginning their studies, students take a qualifying exam; for mathematics students, this exam is based on Advanced Calculus and Abstract Linear Algebra. For statistics students, it is based on content of the courses Mathematical Statistics STAT6021-6022 and Applied Statistics STAT6031-6032. Students who score well on the qualifying exam move on to 7000-level classes. After completing preliminary exams, students take further courses the next year, fulfilling their breadth requirement. Having chosen an area for their dissertation research, the student will undertake advanced studies in this area, leading to an advanced exam. The final two to three years are spent undertaking the research to be included in the student's independent and original PhD dissertation.

Students who do not have government or other external sponsorship are generally offered a Graduate Assistantship (GA) with a University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) which cover most of the students' tuition and fees. The GA and UGS are renewable for up to six years for students entering with a bachelor's degree and up to five years for students entering with a Master's degree. A variety of fellowships and research grants are also available. Applicants who do not need financial support should make this clear on their application since the competition for GAs is more intense than that for admission only.

Research Fields

Students in mathematics have the opportunity to work with some of the world's leading experts in a variety of research areas. The Department has particular strength in the inter-related fields of analysis, partial differential equations, and probablilty. Students interested in more applied directions can work with experts in mathematical bioscience, computational finance, and cryptography.

Statistics students have the opportunity to work with a variety of experts in pure and applied statistics. Opportunities for internships (part-time employment in place of a GA) with employers such as Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Procter & Gamble, and Medpace are common.

Please see the Graduate Handbook for more details concerning the requirements of the program.

A complete list of doctoral graduates from the Department of Mathematical Sciences contains links to many of our graduates who currently hold academic positions.