Students who have not had the equivalent of MA 405 (Introduction to Linear Algebra and Matrices), MA 407 (Introduction to Modern Algebra), or MA 425–426 (Mathematical Analysis I and II) must make up these courses. Students who have not had the equivalent of MA 426 may take it for graduate credit by registering for MA 591M.

Select three one-year sequences from among the following.

• Each exam is written and graded by two faculty members.
• At the end of the Spring Semester, the two exam writers for a qualifying exam will come up with a study guide for the qualifying exams that year. That study guide will be given to the students in the course, and will be given to the DGP so that any students who wants to take the exam and who were not in the course will be able to prepare for the exam.
• Each exam is a three hour long written exam.
• It is recommended that students attempt at least one to two exams by the end of their first year. By the end of their second year (first year for students entering with a MS in Mathematics), students have to attempt a number of exams equal to the number of exams they have yet to pass.
• One retake is allowed for each of the three examinations (with exceptions described below). Students are advised to schedule retakes as soon as possible; retakes must be done within 12 months of the date the examination is first taken. If a student fails an examination twice, he/she is considered to have failed the written qualifying examinations.
• The retake does not have to be the same exam as the one initially failed. However, if an examination for a specific sequence is failed and retaken later, the second examination must be considered a retake of the first.
• Incoming students are allowed to take qualifying exams in the August that they arrive. A fail at that time does not count against the student.
• The number of examinations taken at any given exam period cannot exceed the remaining number of passes need to reach a total of three.
• January exams are reserved for retakes. If a student takes a January retake in the first year or second year (first year only for students with a previous master’s degree), fails that happen at that time do not count against the student.
• Students must complete the exams by January of the third year (January of the second year for students with a previous masters).
• It is possible to “drop” an exam one has registered for any time up to two weeks before the exam (no questions asked). After that, we recommend students talk to the director or the administrator of the programs. Dropping an exam only applies to students who do have the option to “wait”, i.e., are not required to take the exam at that exam session.
• For part-time students, years will be counted using credit hours, with one year equal to 18 credit hours. For full-time students, calendar years are used. Students who start the graduate program in the spring semester should have a statement from the DGP put into their file specifying the date by which their exams must be taken. Depending on prior coursework, whether they are a transfer student, etc., it will be after three, four, or five semesters.

Faculty have provided these “suggested paths” of courses that students can take, depending on their area of interest.  Note, however, that the particular courses most relevant for an individual student will vary depending on which faculty the student works with, and what project the student works on.  Hence, it’s important to talk to faculty early to figure out the best courses that are right for each student.