Curriculum

First Year Program Coursework

The coursework for first year students include core courses in:

• Linear Algebra and Matrix Analysis
• Principles of Analysis I,II
• Real Analysis I
• Abstract Algebra I
• Complex Analysis I

These courses provide a foundation for the PhD Qualifying Exam, more details below, taken at the end of the first year. Recent courses offered in addition to the core courses include:

• Ordinary Differential Equations I,II,III
• Partial Differential Equations I,II,III
• Functional Analysis
• Harmonic Analysis
• Operator Theory
• Calculus of Variations
• Optimization
• Mathematical Neuroscience
• Numerical Analysis I,II,III
• Algebraic Combinatorics

Second Year Program Coursework

In the second year, students take advanced courses in preparation for choosing a thesis research area and a PhD thesis adviser. The second year culminates in the PhD Candidacy examination, which has written and oral components.

The bulk of the doctorate Mathematics program is spent in thesis research, which may include delivering research seminars or conference presentations and publishing research articles. The structure of the program allows for completion of a Math PhD in five years.

Learn more

Math PhD Qualifying Exam

Each student is required to pass a qualifying examination after the first year of study to ensure that they have the potential to complete the Mathematics PhD program. The list of topics is strictly defined (available through the Graduate Program Committee) and parallels roughly the content of MATH 504-506 sequence: Linear Algebra (one term) and Principles of Analysis, I, II (two terms). The syllabi for these courses are standardized. The examinations will be given twice a year, in June and in September.

A student is allowed no more than two attempts for this exam. Unless there are serious extenuating circumstances, the first attempt is to take place no later than June of the first year of study and the second attempt (if it is needed) should take place the next available date.

Qualifier Exam Topics [PDF]
Previous Written Qualifier Problems [PDF]

Math PhD Candidacy Exam

The PhD candidacy examination must be attempted for the first time by the end of the second year of study. The examination will take the form of an oral presentation followed by a question period, during which only the PhD candidacy committee will be present. The PhD candidate will prepare a written report corresponding to the presentation and distribute hard copies to the members of the committee no later than 10 days prior to the exam.

The purpose of the oral section of the exam is to present the objectives and merits of the student's proposed research project and to demonstrate his/her knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the general area of the proposed research. The purpose of the written component is to familiarize students with the methods of scientific writing.

This examination will be scheduled individually and is supervised by the PhD candidacy committee. University regulations specify composition of this committee as well as procedures for this examination and re-examination. They currently mandate that the PhD candidacy examination must take place after successful completion of at least one year of graduate work at Drexel, and prior to the end of the second year of doctoral study.

Career Options

The doctoral program prepares students for a wide range of careers in both academia and a variety of other industries. Recent PhD graduates have gone on to positions that include:

• Tenure-track assistant professor appointments
• Visiting assistant professor appointments
• Postdoctoral research positions
• Positions in financial institutions
• Software development

Organizations that hire mathematicians include:

• Government labs
• Research offices and agencies
• Engineering research organizations
• Computer information and software firms
• Energy systems firms
• Aerospace and transportation
• Financial service and investment management firms
• Communication services
• Chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturers
• Medical device companies
• Producers of petroleum and petroleum products

(source: SIAM website on careers)

Teaching Fellow Policy for Math PhD Students

The College of Arts and Sciences regards training in pedagogy and instruction to be core to the mission of doctoral education. Therefore, all PhD students in the College are required to perform significant teaching duties (defined over multiple terms) during their pursuit of their degree. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Supervising teaching labs
• Running course recitations
• Teaching as the primary instructor
• Running student seminars
• Training junior researchers in core research methods
• Running or actively participating in pedagogical seminars or conferences

Alternate fulfillment of this requirement is at the discretion of the program director and the head of the student's home department.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should use the online application found on the Office of Graduate Admissions website. The application deadline for the Fall Quarter is January 15th. The GRE general/subject test is optional.

The FAQs page includes common questions and answers about the program. The faculty research areas page has a list of the various research topics within the department.

Inquiries about admissions and requirements of the Master’s in Mathematics:

Sobha Philip
Graduate Program Manager
Korman Center - Room 295
gradadmissions@math.drexel.edu
215.895.2668

General inquiries about the Master of Science in Mathematics:

Gideon Simpson, PhD
Graduate Program Adviser
Korman Center - Room 262
grs53@drexel.edu
215.895.1849

Apply for a PhD in Mathematics or visit our campus to get firsthand information about Drexel and the city of Philadelphia.