Overview

The Mathematics Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is an international center for education and research in mathematics. Graduate programs, with opportunities for specialization in all major areas of mathematics, lead to Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Students are encouraged to complement their study of mathematics with the rich array of programs in areas of application on the Madison campus. In particular the excellent programs offered by the Departments of Statistics and Computer Sciences are of special interest to many students in Mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics offers two graduate programs: the Ph.D. and the M.A. Below is a brief description of the departmental requirements for these degrees.  For the Graduate School Academic Guidelines click here.

 

Ph.D. Program

Each year approximately 20 students complete the mathematics PhD program. The time to the degree is usually 4-8 years and on the average 5-6 years. Presently the number of students in the program is approximately 150. The degree requirements are as follows.

  1. Residence. Complete 32 graduate-level credits (300 level or above, no audits or pass/fail) as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
     

  2. Courses. Complete 54 credits of graduate work. These credits must be in mathematics or an approved minor.
     

  3. Minor for Math students.

    • Option A. Complete (typically) 12 credits in one department, either the Mathematics Department or another approved department. The exact course requirements for this option are set by the approved department. Fulfilling this requirement within the Math Department requires 12 credits of courses numbered 700 or higher in an area different from those of the two qualifying exams. A Computer Science minor is quite popular, and those minor requirements can be found here. Information on a Statistics minor is also available.
       

    • Option B. Complete four courses (and at least 12 credits) in one or more departments which may include the Mathematics Department. The exact course requirements for this option are set by the Mathematics Department Graduate Program Committee. To avoid disallowed courses, obtain approval in the early planning stages, by submitting a four course plan to the Graduate Progam Committee Chair.

     

    Minor for students outside the Math Dept, please see Minor Requirements link for more information.

     

  4. Grades. Maintain a grade point average of 3.3 or better in mathematics and cross listed courses.
     

  5. Qualifying Exams. Pass qualifying exams in two of six areas. The areas are algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, logic, and geometry/topology. These exams are generally given the week before the beginning of classes each semester. They are written, the time allowed for each is six hours, and they are based on our first year graduate curricula. For example, our first year curriculum in algebra should prepare one for the algebra exam. Qualifying exams may be taken as often as necessary. The "Guide to Topics for the Qualifying Examinations" may be helpful.
     

  6. Specialty Exam. Pass a specialty exam in the intended area of research. This exam is given by a committee of three faculty, one of whom usually is or will be your dissertation advisor. The exam may be either written or oral, but as a rule it is almost always the latter.
     

  7. Research and Dissertation. Under the guidance of a member of the Mathematics Department, complete a significant piece of original research and render it in a written form that others can easily understand. Please see the Staff Specialization list for detailed information on mathematical research

M.A. Program

The degree requirements are as follows.

  1. Residence. Complete 16 graduate-level credits (300 level or above, no audits or pass/fail) as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
     
  2. Courses. Complete 30 or more graduate credits. These must include 18 or more credits in mathematics (or cross listed courses). Graduate credit is given for courses numbered above 300. Pass with a grade of B or higher four of the following core courses: Math 703, Math 704, Math/CS 712, Math/CS 713, Math 721, Math 722, Math 725, Math 741, Math 742, Math 751, Math 752, Math 761, Math 770, Math 771, Math 773, Math 776.
     
  3. Minor. Complete 18 or more credits that provide training in (a) some specialty within mathematics or (b) some outside specialty on which mathematics bears. The specialty in (b) may be academic or vocational.
     
  4. Computing. Complete an advanced computer science course which involves substantial programming in a structured language such as Pascal or C. Suitable courses are: CS 367, CS 536, CS 537, CS 564, CS 712, CS 713, CS 719, CS 730, CS 883, or CS 884. Other courses require prior approval of the Graduate Studies Coordinator. This requirement is waived if two qualifying exams are passed.
     
  5. Grades. Achieve a grade point average of 3.3 or better in mathematics and cross listed courses.
     
  6. Time. Finish in two years.