1. Introduction
The graduate program in Mathematics is aimed at guiding students toward original research. At the end of the program (normally by the end of the fifth year of study) students are expected to submit and defend a PhD thesis that contributes new results to the body of mathematical knowledge. To successfully deal with problems arising in modern mathematics, graduate students need to acquire a considerable background. This is achieved through course work and independent study. The program provides for two sets of examinations to verify the progress:
- Preliminary Examination (normally passed by the end of the first year)
- Qualifying Examination (often passed by the end of the second year).
1.1. Advisers.
Each graduate student has an adviser to help design their program and to closely guide their mathematical development. The Director of the Graduate Studies (DGS) may also be consulted about any aspects of the requirements, planning the program of study, or any other matter pertaining to the graduate studies.
A student in their first and second year is assigned an adviser from the Graduate Curriculum Committee in September of each academic year before they choose a dissertation advisor. A student preparing for the qualifying examination is advised by the chair of their qualifying exam committee. A student writing a dissertation is advised by the dissertation supervisor.
It is vitally important that the students begin thinking about a possible dissertation supervisor sufficiently early in the program (normally toward the end of the first year, or the beginning of the second). Students should be constantly browsing different areas of mathematics and discussing math informally with classmates and faculty, as they search for the fields which attract them most.
Students are advised to learn more about the research of the faculty members as early as possible, starting with the current listings of faculty and their research interests. Graduate students may organize seminars in which they invite faculty to explain their areas of research. Students are expected to attend department colloquiums, and may benefit from some of the many research seminars.
Graduate students with learning disabilities are encouraged to contact the Director- tor of Graduate Studies and the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at ssd@northwestern.edu.
1.2. Course Registration.
Graduate courses are an essential component of a mathematician’s training. Graduates of the Northwestern mathematics program are expected to be well-rounded, in part by having taken courses in a wide variety of subjects. In addition, several courses are research-oriented and presentation-based, offering training for some of the specific skills needed by research mathematicians. Beyond these general expectations, the departmental and Weinberg College legislation provides for certain minimal requirements related to the course work.
The minimal full-time course load for Mathematics graduate students in the first three years is three (3) courses per quarter. It is possible to register for four (4) courses with no increase in tuition. Graduate students in each of their first three years are required to enroll in at least six (6) regular mathematics courses (i.e., not including 499 independent study courses) each year, and at least one (1) such course per quarter. Students who have passed their qualifying examination may count post-candidacy research (TGS 500) toward this requirement. Substitutions or exceptions require the advanced approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.
Graduate students must successfully complete at least nine (9) quality letter-graded course units (ABC, not P/NP or S/U) authorized for graduate credit. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The Graduate School does not accept transfer credit in lieu of the nine letter-graded minimum unit requirement. After fulfilling this residency requirement and passing the Qualifying Examination, a student may register for TGS 500-0 Advanced Doctoral Study or TGS 512-0 Continuous Registration depending on their funding status. If a graduate student has fulfilled all course requirements but not yet passed the qualifying exam, the student may register for Math 590 in lieu of TGS 500.
Summers: By the end of each academic year, each student is required to submit an academic progress report through the Graduate Student Tracking System (GSTS) approved by their academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Each student receiving a university fellowship for the upcoming summer must submit, prior to the end of Spring Quarter, to the Graduate Program Assistant a program of study for the summer months, approved by a supervising faculty member.
1.3. Independent Study.
Independent study courses ("499"; also called "reading courses") are an excellent way for students to explore specific topics not covered by the regular course offerings. They are also a way for students to learn of areas of research of the faculty. As such, they play an essential role for graduate students in search of an adviser.
A student wishing to enroll in Math 499 Independent Study must first enter their request at the department data entry system and seek approval by their academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Independent study courses should not duplicate regular courses offered by the department. In particular, if a course was offered in the near past or will be offered in the near future, then a request to enroll in a 499 course in a similar subject would most likely be denied.