(revised August, 2016)
Graduate Students in the MATH, STAT, or AMSC programs are expected to make reasonable progress toward their degrees. In the following charts, a supported student is one who receives funding from the Mathematics Department, either as a TA, GA or as a fellow.
Notes:
1. The time limits for support by the Mathematics Department apply even if the student is not supported by the Mathematics Department for some intervening period.
2. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, students who do not pass all of their written qualifying exams by the end of the January cycle of their THIRD year will be dropped from the program.
3. In some cases, upon admission, the Graduate Director can negotiate a slower timetable. Examples include part-time students, and students that would benefit from taking 400-level courses in their first year.
4. Since the requirements in the Scientific Computation concentration of the AMSC program are somewhat different, there is a separate set of charts for students in this concentration.
5. For students in the Applied Mathematics concentration of the AMSC program, "qualifying exam" may in some cases be replaced by its equivalent in other departments. In BMGT, this may mean two written examinations (since they only cover one semester of material each), and in CMSC this may mean "qualifying requirement". 6. Please note that it is a University requirement that a student be registered during the semester that they plan on completing their degree/graduating.
To convert credit hours to units:
- 899, units = 18 × credits
- 799, units = 12 × credits
- 600 level, units = 6 × credits
- 400 level, units = 4 × credits
For the AMSC requirements for Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics, see the AMSC website
Progress expected of students in the MATH and STAT Ph.D. programs
| By the end of: | Ideal progress | To maintain support | To remain in program |
| 1st Year | Prepare for and pass 2 qualifying exams | Pass 12 credit hours with at least a 2.75 gpa | Pass 24 units each term with at least a 2.75 gpa |
| 2nd Year | Finish the 4 courses and choose field/advisor | Pass 1 exam by January, and pass 24 credit hours, at least 15 at 600 level, with 3.0 gpa | Pass 24 units each term with at least a 3.0 gpa |
| 3rd Year | Advance to candidacy, start working on dissertation | Pass all exams and course requirements by January | Pass all exams and course requirements by January |
| 4th Year | Make good progress toward dissertation | Reach candidacy by March 1 | Pass 24 units each term with at least 3.0 gpa |
| 5th Year | Finish dissertation, publish paper(s) and apply for jobs | Make good progress toward finishing dissertation | Pass 24 units each term with at least a 3.0 gpa and reach candidacy |
| 6th Year |
| Last year of support eligibility | Have a further 4 years to complete Ph.D. |
Progress expected of full-time students in M.A. or M.S. programs (non-thesis option)
| By end of: | Expected progress |
| 1st Year | Prepare for and pass 1 qualifying exam and complete at least 12 credits at the 600 level with 3.0 gpa |
| 2nd Year | Complete course requirements and complete qualifying exams (exams must be completed by January). Must be registered during final semester. |
(International students usually need to complete the Masters degree in 2 years because of visa requirements.)
Progress expected of part-time students in M.A. or M.S. programs
| By end of: | Ideal progress | To remain in program |
| 1st Year | Prepare for and pass 1 qualifying exam (non-thesis option), or complete at least 12 credits at the 600 level with 3.0 gpa (thesis option) | Pass 48 units each term with at least a 3.0 gpa |
| 2nd Year | Complete course requirements and qualifying exam requirements (non-thesis option). Choose advisor and begin serious work on thesis (thesis option) | Pass 48 units each term with at least 3.0 gpa |
| 3rd Year | Complete scholarly paper (non-thesis option) or thesis, receive degree | Pass 48 units each term with at least 3.0 gpa, pass 2 exams (non-thesis option) and complete course requirements. |
| 4th Year and beyond |
| Pass final exam by end of 4th year. Complete M.A. or M.S. by end of 5th year. Must be registered during final semester. |
Progress expected of students in AMSC Scientific Computation M.S. program
| By end of: | Ideal progress | To remain in program |
| 1st Year | Pass AMSC 660-663, plus one Core Science Course, with 3.5 gpa | Pass 48 units each term with at least a 3.0 gpa |
| 2nd Year | Complete core requirements, with 3.5 gpa | Pass 48 units each term with at least 3.0 gpa |
| 3rd Year | Complete electives and scholarly paper (non-thesis option) or thesis, receive degree | Pass 48 units each term with at least 3.0 gpa. Must be registered during final semester. |