About Mathematics in The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

The general regulations of The Graduate School govern the work for graduate degrees in mathematics. Specific requirements are explained below. In general, a graduate student in mathematics may receive credit only for mathematics courses numbered 600 and above.

These descriptions summarize the requirements for the master's and Ph.D. degrees. More detailed statements may be obtained from the department. The director of graduate studies must approve all aspects of a student's program. The purpose of the graduate programs is to develop mathematical skills appropriate for competition in academia or industry.

The course schedule for first-year students will depend upon each student's undergraduate training. The normal course load for a graduate student is three courses (nine credit hours) per semester. Graduate students must maintain full-time status in order to qualify for tuition and health insurance benefits. First-year students typically choose courses from five yearlong sequences in algebra (MATH 676, MATH 677), analysis (MATH 653, MATH 656), geometry-topology (MATH 680, MATH 681), scientific computation (MATH 661, MATH 662), and methods of applied mathematics (MATH 668, MATH 669).

The Ph.D. comprehensive exams are based on the content of the first-year sequences. These exams are offered in January and August of each year, just before the semester begins. A Ph.D. student can pass either the Pure Math option or the Applied Math option for the qualifying examination. To pass the Pure Math option a student must pass any three of the five qualifying exams. To pass the Applied Math option, a student is required to pass Methods of Applied Math and Scientific Computation.

During the second year a typical Ph.D. student will take the Ph.D. comprehensive exams and select courses from a list of 20 more advanced "second tier" courses. A typical master's student will complete that degree during the second year. The department considers two years to be the normal time needed to complete a master's degree.

A candidate for a master's degree must satisfy each of the following requirements:

1. Earn at least two semesters of residency credit and complete all requirements within five years
2. Demonstrate computer programming ability by passing an approved undergraduate or graduate course in programming, or by passing an exam administered by the Department of Mathematics
3. Perform satisfactorily in 30 hours of graduate work in a program approved by the director of graduate studies. At least 15 of these hours must be in Department of Mathematics courses numbered 600 or above
4. Complete a master's project or thesis for a master of science degree or a master's thesis for a master of arts degree
5. Pass an oral examination upon completion of the master's project or master's thesis. The exam will cover coursework as well as the project or thesis
6. A master's candidate must pass one of the written comprehensive exams given to doctoral students.

A candidate for a Ph.D. degree must satisfy each of the following requirements:

1. Earn at least four semesters of residency credit and complete all requirements within eight years
2. Satisfy the same computer programming requirement as a master's student
3. Complete either the Pure Math option or the Applied Math option for qualifying examinations by the beginning of the sixth semester
4. Pass at least six courses from the following two lists: a) the second tier courses or b) first-year comprehensive courses that are not basic courses for any of the comprehensive exams passed by the student. Of these six courses at least three must be numbered over 700 and drawn from the second tier list.
5. Pass the Teaching Assistant Teaching Seminar and perform a minimum of two semesters of instructional service
6. Pass a preliminary oral exam on the chosen Ph.D. specialty area
7. Write a Ph.D. thesis and defend it successfully during a final oral exam chaired by the thesis advisor

The student/faculty ratio of about 2/1 makes it possible for graduate students to take reading courses from individual faculty members that are tailored to meet the student's needs.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree 

English language requirements 

• IELTS :6.0
• TOEFL IBT: 79
• PTE : 53

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