The primary emphases in the doctoral program in applied mathematics are applied mathematics, statistics and applied mathematics-physics.

Admission

Admission to the PhD program in applied mathematics requires completion of an undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics or physics, including coursework in advanced calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, and either modern algebra or mechanics, electromagnetism and quantum physics. A grade point average of 3.250 in coursework in mathematics, statistics and physics is required, as well as an overall GPA of 3.000 overall (3.250 if the student has a previous master’s degree). The GRE subject test in mathematics or physics is recommended but not required.

Program Requirements 

To complete the PhD program in applied mathematics, the student must satisfy the course, language and residency requirements given below; pass the qualifying and preliminary examinations; and write a dissertation containing original research in statistics, applied mathematics-physics or applied mathematics.

Course Requirements

A total of at least 84 hours of graduate credit is required. The following courses may not be included:

At least 36 credit hours must be in mathematics, statistics and physics courses numbered above 800 (exclusive of MATH 985, STAT 986 and PHYS 987). Courses used toward a master’s degree may be included. A maximum of 36 credit hours may be transferred from another university at the discretion of the student’s committee.

Professional and Scholarly Integrity Training Requirement

Students are required to take and pass the following four Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) modules for the physical sciences: research misconduct; practices and responsible authorship; conflicts of interest and commitment; data acquisition, management sharing and ownership. This should be done during the first year as a student in the program.

Language Requirements

The student must demonstrate proficiency either in two world languages or in one world language and one high-level computer language. The world languages are Chinese, French, German and Russian. The language proficiency will be demonstrated by passing an examination that consists of the translation, with the use of a dictionary, of one or more passages of mathematics text from the world language into English.

Residency Requirement

The student must complete at least one academic year in residence as a full-time student at WSU.

Qualifying Exam

The qualifying exam is a written exam administered near the middle of both the fall and spring semesters. The student will choose to be examined in two of the following six areas:

1. Real analysis;
2. Numerical linear algebra;
3. Algebra;
4. Topology;
5. Statistics;
6. Physics.

Students electing the Option 1 - applied mathematics track are required to take the real analysis part of the exam. Students electing the Option 2 - statistics track are required to take the statistics part of the exam. Students electing the Option 3 - physics track are required to take the physics part of the exam.

A student who does not pass on the first attempt may be permitted to take the exam a second time. A person who retakes the exam must retake the entire exam. The exam may be retaken only once.

PhD Committee

Upon the student passing the qualifying exam, the graduate coordinator, in consultation with the student, recommends to the departmental PhD Advisory Committee a PhD committee for the student. The student’s PhD committee consists of the student’s dissertation advisor as chair and four other members. At least one, but no more than two, of the committee members shall be from departments outside the department of mathematics, statistics and physics. Within one semester after passing the qualifying exam the student should submit a plan of study to the committee for approval. This committee serves as examining committee for both the preliminary and final exams.

Preliminary Exam

The preliminary exam covers specific topics relevant to the student’s research area as determined by his or her PhD advisor. The student should meet as soon as possible with their advisor to set the topics to be covered. For full-time students, the exam should normally be taken about one year after passing the qualifying exam. Before the preliminary exam is taken, one of the two language requirements must be satisfied. A student who fails the preliminary exam may be permitted to retake the exam if the committee so determines.

Dissertation and Final Exam

Upon passing the preliminary exam, the student becomes a candidate for the PhD degree. Soon thereafter the student must submit a written dissertation proposal to his or her committee for approval. Students may utilize 18-24 credit hours of PhD dissertation hours on their Plan of Study and they must be enrolled at the university during each semester after admission to candidacy until completion of the dissertation. After the dissertation is completed, the student must present and defend it before the committee. This defense constitutes the final exam. The dissertation defense is open to the public.

Applied Learning 

Students in the PhD in applied mathematics are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by completing the PhD thesis (dissertation) and all remaining criteria and requirements for the program.