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Published byJoseph Fields Modified over 9 years ago
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The Mathematics Department of the University of Southern California Francis Bonahon, Professor and Acting Chair Asher Shamam, Graduate Student
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USC Math at a glance Faculty: 32 tenure track and emeriti 6 joint appointments with teaching 12 postdocs (9 teaching) 6 lecturers 9 joint appointments without teaching 7 research faculty
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USC Math at a glance 53 PhD students All fully supported by TAships, RAships, Fellowships 29 master’s students (including math finance)
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The two PhD Programs The PhD in (pure) Mathematics The PhD in Applied Mathematics
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First year: Introduction to discipline and department PhD in Mathematics Screening exam at the end of first year: Algebra OR Analysis Typically 3 courses/semester Graduate seminar: Introduction to dept faculty and problem solving
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First year: Introduction to discipline and department PhD in Applied Mathematics Screening exam at the end of first year: Real analysis, numerical analysis, probability, statistics Typically 3 courses/semester Graduate seminar: Introduction to dept faculty and problem solving
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Introduction to the research enterprise After passing screening exam, student is expected to select a thesis advisor Usually, begins to read some research articles
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Significant Transition PhD in Mathematics Qualifying Exam before the end of the second year: Two written exams: algebra, analysis, topology/geometry, differential equations, or proba/stats. One oral exam: the student is expected to show that he/she can understand research level mathematics
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Significant Transition PhD in Applied Mathematics Qualifying exam after significant body of research (third or fourth year) Oral exam: the student presents the research already accomplished, and indicates plans for further research leading to the completion of the PhD
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Breadth requirements Student expected to take a certain number of courses, covering a wide spectrum of mathematics PhD in Mathematics: 3 required courses, plus 5 out of a list of 8 PhD in Applied Mathematics: 6 courses out of a list of 19
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Dissertation: choosing the topic Usually, major input from the advisor. Several models: Advisor suggests specific problem Advisor suggests general area, until student/advisor converge on something “doable” Team work on the topic of a grant/contract (applied math)
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Dissertation: When to defend? General rule: When the advisor says so Often, little input from rest of dissertation committee Limit of 5+ years of financial support implies strong incentive to finish on time (pressure on both student and advisor)
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Trend in the USC Math Dept Push student to begin research as early as possible There had been problems in the past
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Innovation Revised PhD in Applied Mathematics: Get graduate exams out of the way sooner Qualifying exam after significant body of research
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Novel Idea PhD in Mathematics, with a minor outside of mathematics Possible minors: Biology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering,...
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PhD with a minor Rationale: Some students were already doing it, getting an master’s degree in engineering over their summers Increase breadth, in particular in Applied Mathematics Better employability?
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PhD with minor Investigating two tracks: PhD in Math with full fledged master’s in other department (negotiations to make it easier) Internal route: MS in Math with specialization, requiring taking 15 units outside of math department
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