Mathematical Sciences, PhD

Location(s): Main Campus

The department is committed to the idea that pure and applied mathematics are two faces of the same subject. The department offers a lively research atmosphere and students are encouraged to take a broad range of courses. Our faculty’s research expertise includes algebra, analysis, combinatorics, dynamical systems, geometry/topology, graph theory, number theory, probability and statistics. Our department strives to develop intellectual independence in its graduate students both through individual attention and in small classes.Teaching assistants are given varied assignments intended to increase both their experience and employability. The PhD degree prepares a student for university or college teaching and for higher-level employment in government and industry.

Within the PhD program there is a choice of two areas of emphasis:

Mathematics: The mathematics component provides students both with breadth and depth of higher-level pure mathematics. In pure mathematics, the department has special emphasis in algebra, analysis, combinatorics - geometry/topology, graph theory, number theory and probability. In addition, students are encouraged to be acquainted with some applications and to take some courses in statistics and/or computer science.

Statistics: The statistics component gives broad training. The PhD degree prepares students for university teaching and research, as well as consulting and research roles in industry and government. Students are given training in many diverse statistical methods used to analyze data, as well as the mathematical, statistical and probabilistic foundation.

A detailed explanation of the requirements for the PhD degree can be found in the Graduate Handbook of the department.

Admission Requirements

For admission to regular standing, a student should have a bachelor’s degree and have completed (with an average of at least 3.0 in general) a set of mathematics courses approximately equivalent to those required for a bachelor’s degree at Harpur College with a specialization in mathematics. The department requires submission of Graduate Record Examination scores for the general test and, if possible, the subject test in mathematics.

Entering students having substantial graduate-level training may enter the PhD program, skipping the MA.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

Twenty-four credits of coursework is required for the PhD (in addition to coursework required for a master’s degree). These 24 credits may not include: MATH 591, 599, 698, 699, 700 or 707. A total of five or six years of full-time graduate study (including study toward the MA) are normally required to complete the doctorate.

Dissertation Requirements

A student should be admitted to PhD candidacy before the start of the fifth year. The student must do research and write a dissertation under the supervision of an advisor. The dissertation must be defended in an oral examination.

Additional Requirements:

For more information on the Mathematical Sciences PhD program, please refer to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics website or email mathoffice@binghamton.edu for more information. To apply to the Mathematical Sciences PhD program, please visit the University Admissions website.