Residence:

Three years of full time study, two of which must be at the University of Washington.

6 three-quarter sequences numbered 500 or above or equivalent, including three sequences from the department's list of core graduate courses. More precisely, at least two sequences from this list must be satisfactorily completed during year one, and three must be satisfactorily completed by the end of year two. A student may substitute a passing performance in a preliminary exam for satisfactory completion of the corresponding designated core course.

Preliminary Examinations:

Pass three preliminary exams by September of the beginning of the third year. These exams, four hours in length, are offered every September in the mathematical subjects treated by the designated core courses. Currently, these subjects are algebra, real analysis, complex analysis, topology and geometry of manifolds, and linear analysis.

A student may substitute completion of a full three-quarter sequence of a designated core course, in which grades of 3.8 or above are received each quarter, for the passing of the corresponding preliminary exam. Only one such exam can be replaced in this manner.

First and second year students who have satisfied the requirements for two preliminary exams, who have an established research direction, and who wish to prepare to work under the direction of a specific faculty member, have an additional option, the Oral Prelim Option (click here for a more detailed description):

Such students may propose a two-quarter program of reading under the direction of a member of the graduate Mathematics faculty. The reading program culminates in an "Oral Preliminary Examination" based on a document written by the student. Upon approval of the Graduate Program Committee and provided that the faculty member becomes the official doctoral advisor of the student, the student is judged to have completed prelims.

Foreign Language/Computer Requirement:

Pass either two foreign language exams or one foreign language exam and a computer programming exam. A PhD student is expected to pass one language or computer exam by the end of Summer quarter after the second year, and the second by the end of Summer quarter after the third year.

General Examination:

An oral examination on a special area of intended research, given by a committee after the student has passed the preliminary exams and the language exams. This exam can be given only after two years of graduate study. Normally, it should be taken by the middle of the student's fourth year. In addition, the student will prepare a written General Paper and distribute it to the committee at least two weeks before the date of the General Exam. The content of this paper is decided upon in consultation with the committee. For example, this might be a 10-20 page expository account of the student's research area, culminating in a problem or list of problems to be studied, together with a discussion of some of the relevant literature.

Thesis:

An original contribution to knowledge. 27 credits of Math 800 required.

Final Examination:

An oral exam given by a committee headed by the thesis supervisor.