Qualifying Exams

MS Exam

To earn the MS in Mathematics, students are required to pass the Master's Exam in their chosen area of concentration. The examination must be passed within one year after completing 32 hours toward the degree. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook  for additional details.

 

Master's Exam FAQ

When is the Master's exam offered?

The exam is offered twice each year. The Spring exam is given the first week after Spring break. The Fall exam is given the week before the Fall semester begins. Exact dates are listed on the online registration form.

Do I need to register in advance for this exam?

Students must pre-register for this exam by submitting the online registration form at least two weeks prior to the exam date. This exam is restricted to students admitted to one of the MSCS graduate programs.

What is included on this exam?

A comprehensive list of the courses covered on the exam as well as the number of questions on each topic is outlined in the exam content section.

How is the exam scored?

The exam is graded on a scale of 0 to 160. Each question is worth 20 points and the 8 questions with the highest numerical scores are used to determine the final score. A minimum score of 90 is required to "pass" the exam and meet the minimum requirements for the degree. A score of 110 or above is considered a "high pass" and meets the minimum requirement for admission to the PhD program.

How can I prepare for the exam?

Sample exams are available on the website for review.

Can I take the exam more than once?

Students can retake the exam the next time it is offered. Students who plan to retake the exam are encouraged to review their first exam. This review will clarify where errors were made and will help identify which areas need more attention. Contact the Graduate Studies office for a copy of your exam.

How do I request a regrade on an exam question?

Students may request a regrade on any portion of the Master's examination. However, students should first review the Regrade Policy  carefully and be aware that a regrade may result in raising or lowering the student's score on the exam.

 

MS Exam Content

Students will take the master's exam in their chosen area of concentration. Each exam question is worth 20 points and the 8 questions with the highest numerical scores will be used to determine the student's grade for the exam. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook  for additional details and refer to the MS Exam FAQ for the answer to the most often asked questions.

Pure Mathematics (3 questions each) : 

Algebra (Math 330, 431)

Analysis (Math 313, 414)

Complex Analysis (Math 417)

Logic (Math 430)

Number Theory (Math 435)

Point-Set Topology (Math 445)
 

Applied Mathematics (3 questions each):

Analysis (Math 313, 414)

Complex Analysis with Application (Math 417)

Applied Differential Equations (Math 480)

Applied Partial Differential Equations (Math 481)

Numerical Analysis (MCS 471)
 

Mathematical Computer Science (2 questions each):

Computer Algorithms I (MCS 401)

Combinatorics (MCS 421)

Graph Theory (MCS 423)

Codes and Cryptography (MCS 425)

Theory of Computation I (MCS 441)

Numerical Analysis (MCS 471)
 

Probability and Statistics:

Intro to Probability (Stat 401) - 2 questions

Statistical Theory (Stat 411) - 3 questions

Nonparametric Statistical Methods (Stat 416) - 1 question

Intro to Survey Sampling (Stat 431) - 1 question

Computational Statistics (Stat 451) - 1 question

Applied Probability Models (Stat 461) - 2 questions

Applied Statistical Methods II (Stat 481) - 2 questions

 
 

Preliminary Exams

To attain the level of doctoral candidacy and begin research, students admitted to the PhD or DA program must first pass a doctoral preliminary examination consisting of two written exams, a minor sequence, and an oral examination (Statistics concentrators only). This process helps to determine the student's readiness to undertake thesis research.

Students who have completed 64 hours of graduate coursework and have passed the doctoral preliminary examination are formally recommended to the Graduate College as doctoral candidates. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook  for additional details and specific deadlines for completion.
 

Preliminary Examination FAQ

When are the written prelims offered?

Prelims are offered once each year, typically at the end of the Spring semester. The date and time of each exam is arranged by the examiner in consultation with the students pre-registered for the exam. Students are allowed 3 hours to complete the exam.

How do I register for a prelim?

Students register online for each exam no later than February 28. Students who register for a prelim, then decide not to take the exam, MUST notify the examiner at least 10 days prior to the exam. Failure to do so will result in a failing score on the exam.

Which prelims must I take?

The prelims are listed by subject area. Students must complete two different written prelims and select a minor sequence from a third prelim area. Most students may "select" their prelims. Statistics students are required to take the Probability and Statistics prelim, then select their remaining prelim and minor sequence.

How can I prepare for the exams?

Sample exams are posted on the website for review. Check the Exam Topics link to see if a prelim syllabus is available.

What is the minor sequence?

The minor sequence consists of two 500-level courses that lead to a written prelim, without overlapping an area in which a written prelim is taken. The minor sequence requirement can be satisfied either by passing a written prelim in a third area OR by completing the sequence of courses and earning grades that convert to a qualifying numerical score.

What is a qualifying score on the doctoral prelim exam?

Scores assigned for the written prelim exams are: 1 (best), 2, 3, and 5 (fail). Students may retake a written prelim. Although scores of 2 and 3 are passing scores, the sum of the scores on the two written prelims cannot exceed 4. To be eligible for doctoral candidacy, the combined scores of the two written prelims along with the numerical score earned in the minor sequence cannot exceed 6; in addition, Statistics students must pass an Oral Examination.

When do I take the Oral prelim exam (Statistics students only)?

Shortly after completing the written prelims and minor sequence, Statistics students should contact their advisor to plan for their Oral Prelim exam. Students must submit the Committee Recommendation form at least 30 days prior to their planned Oral Prelim exam date. Specific deadlines for nomination to doctoral candidacy are outlined in the Graduate Handbook .

 

Prelim Exams

The written prelims are based on a sequence of graduate courses identified below. The sum of the scores on the two written prelims must not exceed 4; combined with the minor sequence, the sum cannot exceed 6. Students should consult the Graduate Handbook for additional details.

Note: All statistics PhD students are required to pass Probability and Statistics and select one of the remaining Statistics prelims (Linear Inference, Sampling, and Design or Game Theory).

Written Prelims and their associated courses:

Algebra

  • Math 516 (Second Course in Abstract Algebra I)
  • Math 517 (Second Course in Abstract Algebra II)

Analysis

  • Math 533 (Real Analysis I)
  • Math 535 (Complex Analysis I)

Geometry and Topology

  • Math 547 (Algebraic Topology I)
  • Math 549 (Differentiable Manifolds I)

Logic

  • Math 502 (Metamathematics I) and at least one of the following
  • Math 504 (Set Theory I)
  • Math 506 (Model Theory I)
  • Math 511 (Descriptive Set Theory)

(starting fall 2014) Differential Equations

  • Math 576 (Classical Methods of Partial Differential Equations)
  • Math 585 (Ordinary Differential Equations)

(starting fall 2014) Methods in Applied Analysis

  • Math 539 (Functional Analysis I)
  • MCS 571 (Numerical Analysis of Partial Differential Equations)

Number Theory

  • Math 514 (Number Theory I)
  • MATH 515 (Number Theory II)

Applied Mathematics (select two)

  • Math 580 (Mathematics of Fluid Dynamics)
  • Math 582 (Linear and Nonlinear Waves)
  • Math 586 (Computational Finance)

Combinatorics

  • MCS 521 (Combinatorial Optimization)
  • MCS 591 (Advanced Topics in Combinatorial Theory)

Algorithms and Complexity

  • MCS 501 (Computer Algorithms II)
  • MCS 503 (Mathematical Methods of Algorithm Analysis)
  • MCS 541 (Computational Complexity)

Computational Science

  • MCS 563 (Analytic Symbolic Computation)
  • MCS 571 (Numerical Analysis for Partial Differential Equations)
  • MCS 572 (Introduction to Supercomputing)

Probability and Statistics

  • This prelim is required FOR all Statistics PhD students)
  • Stat 501 (Probability Theory I)
  • Stat 511 (Advanced Statistical Theory I)

Linear Inference, Sampling, and Design

  • Statistics PhD students must select one prelim from Linear Inference, Sampling, and Design or Game Theory
  • Stat 521 (Linear Statistical Inference) plus one of the following:
  • Stat 522 (Multivariate Statistical Analysis)
  • Stat 531 (Sampling Theory I)
  • Stat 535 (Optimal Design Theory I)

Game Theory

  • Statistics PhD students must select one prelim from Linear Inference, Sampling, and Design or Game Theory
  • Stat 571 (Non-cooperative Games) plus one of the following:
  • Stat 572 (Cooperative Game Theory)
  • Stat 591 (Advanced Topics in Statistics, Probability, and Operations Research)

Mathematics Education

  • Only Doctor of Arts students may take this prelim

History of Mathematics

  • Only Doctor of Arts students may take this prelim