Suggested Ph.D. Course Program

Department of Mathematics
University of South Florida

This is only a suggestion. See the Graduate Program Director or your Advisor for other possibilities that better fit your background. Keep in touch with the Graduate Program Assistant for paperwork. This suggestion does not list every detail of requirements.

Some courses are classified as ``Core'' or ``Elective Sequences,'' and it is required to take four sequences. See <a href="seq/seq.html"> List of Sequences </a> for the list.

How to read the following list: For example, if you take MAA 5306 Real Analysis I and MTG 5316 Topology I in the first semester, then ``Core Sequence A-I'' and ``B-I'' would represent the above courses, respectively, and ``Core Sequence A'' and ``B'' are the sequence on Real Analysis and Topology. Then you would want to take ``Core Sequence A-II'' and ``B-II'' (meaning MAA 5307 Real Analysis II and MTG 5317 Topology II, respectively) in the Spring, to complete two sequences, and to prepare for Qualifying Exams on Core A and B.

In the following list, MAS 5107 Advanced Linear Algebra is listed separately from Core Sequences, although it is part of the Algebra Core Sequence, which consists of three courses, MAS 5107 and MAS 5311/2 Algebra I/II. The sequence Algebra I/II can be taken as either of ``Core Sequence A,'' ``B'' or ``C''.

Similarly, ``Elective Sequence A-I'' means the first course in an elective sequence, and ``Elective 1 (or another number)'' means an elective course which may or may not be part of an Elective Sequence. Electives may be offered as ``Selected Topics Courses.''

Year 1

Fall

• Core Sequence A-I     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Core Sequence B-I     (3 cr. hrs.)

• MAS 5107     Advanced Linear Algebra     (3 cr. hrs.)

• English Course for foreign students

Spring

• Core Sequence A-II     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Core Sequence B-II     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Elective 1    (3 cr. hrs.)

Core Qualifying Exam A"> in May

Summer

• Elective 2    (3 cr. hrs.)

• Elective 3     (3 cr. hrs.)

Core Qualifying Exam B in September

Year 2

Fall

• Elective Sequence A-I     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Core Sequence C-I     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Language     (3 cr. hrs.)

Core Qualifying Exam A in January, if you did not take it in May.

If you pass both of the Core Qualifying Exams A and B at Ph.D. level (which is required for a Ph.D. candidacy), and satisfy the Language Requirement, then apply for the third, Elective Qualifying Exam. This satisfies the requirement that the syllabus of the exam be approved by the Graduate Program Director at least one semester before the exam.

Spring

• Elective Sequence A-II     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Core Sequence C-II     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Seminar-Colloquium Course     (3 cr. hrs.)

Elective Qualifying Exam in May

Passing one of the Core Qualifying Exams at M.A. level, and passing the above listed courses with at least a ``B'' average would qualify for an M.A. degree. (See Catalog for thesis option for M.A.)

This will let you enter the Ph.D. program.

If you pass three exams at Ph.D. level, apply for the Ph.D. candidacy.

If Electives are not offered in your area of interest, take Independent Study Courses for the third qualifying exam.

Complete paperwork for the thesis committee with the Graduate Program Assistant.

The requirement of taking four sequences is satisfied at this point.

Summer

• Elective 4   (3 cr. hrs.)

• Elective 5   (3 cr. hrs.)

Year 3

Fall

• Elective 6  (3 cr. hrs.)

• Dissertation     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Seminar-Colloquium Course     (3 cr. hrs.)

Spring

• Elective 7   (3 cr. hrs.)

• Dissertation     (3 cr. hrs.)

• Seminar-Colloquium Course     (3 cr. hrs.)

Summer

• Elective 8  (3 cr. hrs.)

• Dissertation     (3 cr. hrs.)

Year 4

Apply for graduation.

Apply for extension for Teaching Assistantship if necessary.

Fall

• Dissertation     (6 cr. hrs.)

• Seminar-Colloquium course     (3 cr. hrs.)

Apply for Oral Dissertation Defense.

Spring

• Dissertation     (9 cr. hrs.)

This satisfies the requirement to take 90 cr. hrs. (University Requirement).

This satisfies taking 6 hrs of Dissertation during previous three periods before graduation.