Ph.D Coursework

The Ph.D. program in Mathematics requires 48 units of graduate coursework, comprising:

  • 24 units of core courses
  • 24 units of electives

Students may substitute up to three courses outside of mathematics if they are relevant to their area of specialization.

To advance to candidacy, students must:

  • Fulfill all graduate program requirements
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework (excluding S/U-graded courses)
  • Pass both the Preliminary Examinations and the Qualifying Examination
  • Complete a dissertation and deliver an exit seminar

An official copy of the degree requirements, approved by the Graduate Council, is available on the Graduate Studies program webpage.

For course names and descriptions, refer to the General Catalog.

General course syllabi are available HERE.

Course Requirements

Core Courses (24 units)

Students must complete the following six core courses:

  • Analysis: MAT 201A, MAT 201B
  • Algebra: MAT 250A, MAT 250B
  • Topology: MAT 215A, MAT 239

Note: Courses taken at other institutions may substitute for Math 201AB, 215A, 239, or 250AB, pending approval from the Graduate Program Chair.

Electives (24 units)

  • Any 200-level courses not listed above count toward elective units.
  • Maximum of 6 units from MAT 280 (Topics in Mathematics) may be counted toward the M.A.

Research Units

  • Students may take MAT 299 units for research with faculty.
  • No minimum number of research units is required.

English Language Requirement

Students must complete English-language coursework if they:

  • Did not earn a prior degree from an approved English-medium institution.
  • Have not demonstrated proficiency via an exam (e.g. TOEFL).

Courses taken to satisfy this requirement do not count toward the 48-unit graduation requirement.

Teaching Requirement

  • MAT 390 (Teaching Assistantship Training) is required for Teaching Assistantship positions in the Department of Mathematics but does not count toward degree units.
  • All Ph.D. students must serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for at least one quarter. Exceptions require Graduate Program Chair approval.
  • Students beyond their first year are encouraged to apply as Associates In Mathematics to further develop lecturing skills.

Enrollment & Grading Policies

  • Full-time students must enroll in 12 units per quarter, including coursework, research, and seminars.
  • Courses used to fulfill program requirements must be letter graded, unless listed as S/U-only.
  • UC regulations limit enrollment to:
    • 12 graduate-level units (200-level) per quarter
    • 16 combined units (100, 200, 300-level) per quarter