Students in other PhD programs may earn a PhD minor in Mathematics by completing 12 units of approved graduate course work in mathematics. All the course work must be approved by the Mathematics PhD minor advisor before students begin their course work. To apply for the minor, students must fill out the online form and have it approved before the advisor will approve the Plan of Study form in GradPath, or serve on the Oral Comprehensive Exam committee.
Students must earn a “B” or higher in all coursework, or receive instructor approval that indicates the student's performance in their course merits a PhD minor. If a student does not receive a “B” or higher, and the instructor does not feel the student’s performance merits a PhD minor, the student may appeal the decision. The appeals process is outlined below.
All transfer course work must be approved by the minor advisor, with final approval given by the Director of Graduate Studies. In cases where suitable course work was transferred or where the advisor cannot or will not approve the transfer credit, an examination set by the PhD minor advisor may be substituted. The student may also appeal the decision as outlined below.
Students may also choose two supporting minor subjects, in which case 6 units of approved graduate course work is required for each minor.
Mathematics courses that are required for the student's PhD major or are in the subject area of the student's PhD major may not be used towards the Mathematics PhD minor. (For example, a PhD student in Statistics cannot use math courses that are required for the Statistics PhD or math courses whose content is statistics for the Mathematics PhD minor.)
Some co-convened courses may be suitable as part of the PhD minor, but as a general rule the PhD minor advisor will not approve a plan of study that includes more than 6 units of co-convened courses.
It is highly recommended that students consult with their PhD minor advisor about the suitability of their course work for the minor and for their careersbefore beginning their coursework.
The PhD minor advisor is currently Professor David Glickenstein.
Appeals Procedure
If a student wishes to appeal any of the requirements mentioned above, the appeal should be made in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies. The appeal will be reviewed by the Graduate Committee and requires a majority vote to succeed. The Committee may place additional requirements/deadlines on the student as a prerequisite for continuing in the program.
Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Graduate Committee must submit an appeal in writing to Head of the Mathematics Department, who will make a decision in consultation with other faculty, as appropriate.
