Comprehensive Exams:

A Ph.D. student in Mathematics Education must select three (3) of the areas from the core requirements, listed above, and for each must pass a comprehensive exam covering the content of the core courses taken in that area. The exams in Mathematics are given twice a year, in August and January. A student who elects to take the exam over the Statistics sequence will notify the Statistics Department and will take it when the Statistics Department offers their exams, which may not coincide with when the Mathematics exams are given. The comprehensive exams must commence within one year of residence after completing the required coursework. All exams must be completed within 25 months after the first exam is taken. A student may sit for an exam a maximum of three times. With the approval of the student's advisor, a student may substitute the writing of a paper, called a Minor Thesis, for one of the comprehensive exams (see below regarding the requirements for a Minor Thesis).

 

Minor Thesis: The minor thesis option must be approved by the student's advisor and after the student has successfully passed two written comprehensive exams. The minor thesis must be a creative, written work of research or exposition on a topic of mathematical content that is:

In an area different from an area in which the student has passed a written comprehensive exam.

On a topic that is not covered completely in any prior coursework.

On a topic approved by the student's Advisory Committee.

Completed in one semester (fall, spring, or summer), from start to finish, (to encourage the ability to learn mathematics independently and write a suitable exposition in a timely manner). No extensions will be granted.

 

Language Requirements:

There is no foreign language requirement; however, it is expected that students in the Specialization in Mathematics Education exhibit a strong working ability of calculator and computer assisted instruction, which is then documented in their Professional Development Portfolio (see below).

 

Professional Development Portfolio:

Students in the Mathematics Education option must prepare a Professional Development Portfolio documenting professional activities in mathematics and mathematics education undertaken while a graduate student. This protfolio should contain a record of actual activities completed for future inclusion on the student's curriculum vitae. Required components of the Professional Development Portfolio include: active participation in Mathematics Education seminar; attending and presenting at other workshops and local, regional and national meetings; attaining broad teaching experience in courses at different levels and with different modes of instruction, including the use of technology; documenting teaching quality with course syllabi and exams given, course evaluations, and letters of recommendation; and participating in a curriculum development project.

 

Curriculum Development Project:

Every Mathematics Education candidate must participate in a curriculum development project under the supervision of a member of the faculty. A proposal for the curriculum development should be made within six (6) months of passing the comprehensive exams and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

 

Qualifying Examination:

The student must pass an oral qualifying examination over the area of specialization for their Ph.D. thesis. This exam covers the material on a reading list presented to the student by the advisory committee. Its purpose is to test the student's readiness to begin thesis work.

 

Thesis Proposal:

An outline of the proposed thesis research must be presented to the student's advisory committee for approval. A written proposal is then filed with the Graduate College.

 

Thesis:

A thesis must be written according to Graduate College guidelines. The thesis consists of an original research contribution in Pure Mathematics. It must be prepared according to the style required of doctoral theses and defended.

 

Graduate College Requirements:

All requirements listed in the University catalog must be satisfied.