Mathematical Sciences Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in mathematical sciences at Portland State University differs significantly from the traditional model of Ph.D. education in mathematical sciences. While mathematics is at the core, the program aims to develop professionals who have versatility, who are conversant in other fields, and who can communicate effectively with people in other professional cultures. The broad-based training will prepare candidates for industry, government, and higher education. The program prepares the candidate to be well grounded in his or her field, yet conversant with several subfields by dedicating approximately 25 percent of the credit hour requirements to professional development, cross-disciplinary experiences, and allied area coursework. Students take a concentration of allied area courses, outside the department, in one or more of mathematics and statistics many natural partner disciplines, including, computer science, engineering, physics, biology, economics, finance, urban studies and planning, medicine, or public health. The courses are chosen with the assistance of the allied area adviser to form a coherent area of study directly relevant to the student’s goals.

Candidates entering with a bachelor’s degree must complete an approved program of 99 credit hours distributed as follows: coursework (63 credits), a doctoral seminar (9 credits), and dissertation research (27 credits). Coursework must include: 45 credits of mathematics and statistics courses, of which at least 10 courses are at the 600 level, and 15 credits of allied area courses at the 500 and 600 level. Students entering with a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond a master’s degree distributed as follows: a minimum of 18 credits of approved courses in mathematics and statistics at the 600 level, a minimum of 15 credits in an allied area at the 500 and 600 level, 9 credits of doctoral seminar, and 27 credits of dissertation research. Candidates must pass comprehensive examinations in mathematics and an allied area.