What are the last dates to drop/add a course?
Check with the Graduate Office or go toDrop/Add Schedule.
How and when do I register for courses?
After you discuss your choices with your advisor, you will then register for your courses yourself by using the scheduling assistant in your myPurdue. The pin number is 999999. Registration deadlines can be found on theregistrar's website. If you register late, you will be charged a $200 late registration fee.
How and when must I file my Plan of Study (POS)?
File your plan of study as soon as possible but you must file it no later than one month before you take your Advanced Topics Exam. You file your plan online at :MyPurdueYou may want to consult the Graduate Office first.
Samples of Master's and Ph.D. plans of study are available atSamples.
Are there checklists and timelines for master's and PhD degrees?
Yes, they are available at:Master's degreeand atPhD degree
I was assigned an advisor my first semester, is it possible to change to someone else?
Yes. As you focus on a research area and a thesis advisor, make a request to the Graduate Office to change advisor.
What happens if I'm not certified in oral English after one year ?
Your financial support will be terminated.
What are the time limits to get a master's degree?
A maximum of two years. An additional semester is allowed only under special circumstances and if satisfactory academic and teaching progress is being made.
What are the time limits to get a PhD degree?
A maximum of seven years, if satisfactory academic and teaching progress is being made. Financial support is then terminated.
What are the deadlines for completing my Qualifying Exams?
If you were admitted with a bachelor's degree then you must pass all exams before the beginning of your 5th semester. If you were admitted with a master's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics then you must pass all exams before the beginning of your 4th semester. Check with the Graduate Office.
When should I pass my oral Advanced Topics Exam?
The Advanced Topics Exam must be passed within 18 months of completing all your Qualifying Exams. Fill out theAdvanced Topics Exam Proposal Form(available in the Graduate Office) at least one month before exam is taken.
Do I have to register to get my degree in my last semester ?
Yes, even if you have completed all your coursework, you must be registered as a candidate during the semester the degree is expected. Check with the Graduate Office.

CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES:

How and when do I register for courses ?
After you discuss your choices with your advisor, you will then register for your courses yourself by using the scheduling assistant in your myPurdue. The pin number is 999999. Registration deadlines can be found on theregistrar's website. If you register late, you will be charged a $200 late registration fee.
What are the last dates to drop/add a course ?
Check with the Graduate Office or go toDrop/Add Schedule
What are the minimum and maximum number of credit hours I can register for as a graduate student?
As a Math graduate student you must always be enrolled full-time. In the fall and spring semesters that is a minimum of 8 credit hours and in the summer that is 6 credit hours. The maximum number of credit hours you can enroll in is 17 in the fall and spring and 9 in the summer
What is the maximum number of credit hours can I register for research (MA699) in one semester ?
12 hours.
Can I repeat a course ?
Yes, check with your advisor and the Graduate Office before doing so.
Can I use courses from outside the math department on my Plan Of Study ?
Yes, if they are approved by your advisor and the Graduate Office.
Can I take undergraduate classes ?
Yes, with the approval of the Graduate Office. None of these courses may be used on a plan of study.
Can I transfer credits from other institutions ?
In exceptional cases only, with an approval of the Graduate Office, up to a maximum of 12 credit hours.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS & ASSISTANTSHIPS:

When do my teaching responsibilities begin and end ?
Teaching responsibilities beginone week priorto the start of classes each semester and end onTuesdayafter Finals Week.
How do I get classlists from MyPurdue ?
You need to accessMyPurdueon the web using your Purdue Career account.
What do I do if I have problems in the class I teach ?
See Dominic Naughton immediately.
What determines my TA salary ?
Teaching assistants progress through several steps which are determined by: quality of teaching and paper grading, progress towards more advanced teaching assignments, course grades and satisfactory academic progress. The details are given explicitly in the TA Manual. Salaries are determined according to your status prior to each academic year and does not change during the year.

MASTER'S DEGREE:

What are the requirements for a master's degree ?
See the Graduate Program handbook. The requirements checklist and timeline are available at:MS degree checklist
How and when must I file my Plan of Study (POS) ?
File your plan of study as soon as possible but definitely at leastone semester beforethe semester in which you plan to graduate. You file your plan online at :MyPurdue. You may want to consult the Graduate Office first.
Samples of Master's plans of study are available atSample Master's.
I was assigned an advisor my first semester, is it possible to change to someone else ?
Yes. Check with the Graduate Office.
What are the time limits to get a master's degree ?
A maximum of two years. An additional semester is allowed only under special circumstances and if satisfactory academic and teaching progress is being made.
What is a " Master's Advisory Committee" ?
This will be 3 faculty with whom you've had classes. One will serve as chair of this committee. See Graduate Office for help.
Are there resources available for professional development for graduate students ?
Yes, the Graduate School maintains a professional development website at:Professional Development

PHD DEGREE:

What are the requirements for the PhD degree ?
See the Graduate Program handbookhere. The requirements checklist and timeline are available at:PhD Checklist
What are the deadlines for completing my Qualifying Exams ?
If you were admitted with a bachelor's degree then you must pass all exams before the beginning of your 5th semester. If you were admitted with a master's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics then you must pass all exams before the beginning of your 4th semester. Check with the Graduate Office.
Where can I find previous Qualifying Exams ?
The old exams may be found at:Qual Archive
Which topics am I responsible for on the Qualifying Exams ?
Check the topics list in the Graduate Handbook:Qual Topics. You are responsible for all topics listed in the syllabus, even if they are not covered in the corresponding course.
What determines my TA salary ?
Teaching assistants progress through several steps which are determined by: quality of teaching and paper grading, progress towards more advanced teaching assignments, course grades, and satisfactory academic progress. The details are given explicitly in the TA Manual. Salaries are determined according to your status prior to each academic year and does not change during the year.
I have successfully passed all my quals, what are the next steps ?
Find a thesis advisor as soon as possible and complete the oral Advanced Topics Exam and the language exam within the specified time limits. A checklist for PhD is available at:PhD Checklist
When should I pass my oral Advanced Topics Exam ?
The Advanced Topics Exam must be passed within 18 months of completing all your Qualifying Exams. Fill out theAdvanced Topics Exam Proposal Form(available in the Graduate Office) at least one month before exam is taken.
What is a " PhD Advisory Committee" ?
This is your thesis committee consisting of 3 or 4 faculty. The chair is your thesis advisor and the other 2 or 3 faculty are close to your research area and/or faculty with whom you've had classes. See Graduate Office for help.
How and when must I file my Plan of Study (POS) ?
File your plan of study as soon as possible but definitely at leastone semester beforethe semester in which you plan to graduate. You file your plan online at :MyPurdueYou may want to consult the Graduate Office first.
Samples of Ph.D. plans of study are available at:Sample Ph.D..
Is there travel money available to attend professional meetings ?
Yes, but it is distributed on a case-by-case basis. Check with your advisor and then the graduate head.
Can I do research in absentia ?
Yes. Check with the Graduate Office.
Where can I find thesis stylefiles to help me type my thesis ?
For theses typed in LaTeX there are standard stylefiles conforming to Purdue Thesis Format available at:LaTeX
My thesis is nearly done, what must I now do to obtain the PhD degree ?
Check with the Graduate Office as soon as possible. There are still several requirements to complete and deadlines to meet.
Is there a list of recent PhD recipients ?
Yes, go to:Recent PhDs(up to 2016).
Are there resources available for professional development for graduate students ?
Yes, the Graduate School maintains a professional development website at:Professional Development
What happens if I get a "U" in MA 699 ?
This is a quote from the Policies and Procedures Manual for Administering Graduate Student Programs:
A. Grades and Index Requirements
A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a (3.0/4.0 GPA) or better. Indices below this level are marked "low" on the grade reports. The student also is expected to earn S grades for research registration. Two consecutive sessions of U grades for research registration mandate that the department take formal action and inform the student, in writing, and the Graduate School with regard to discontinuation or conditions for continuation of the student's graduate study. In any event, the student's progress should be reviewed each session by the student's department. The student's progress also may be reviewed by the Graduate School. Should the student fail to perform in either coursework or research on a level acceptable to the advisory committee, the departmental graduate committee, or the dean of the Graduate School, he or she may be asked to discontinue graduate study at Purdue.

FINANCIAL:

When is the first Teaching Assistant Payday ?
The first payday is usually September 15th. The second payday is the the last working day of September. The remaining paydays are the last working day of the month.
When is the first Fellowship Payday ?
The last working day of the month starting in August.
Where do I find out information about the Graduate Insurance ?
The Business Office will have new Graduate Insurance Packets available for pickup after the semester starts and after you have been informed you have been hired.
Do I need a Social Security Number to be paid ?
Yes, you need to apply for a Social Security Number as soon as you know you have been hired. This number is needed to set you up on payroll. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you can use your Student ID Number (999) until you receive your Social Security Number. Please let the Business Office know you have applied when you go through the Graduate Orientation.
What determines my TA salary ?
Teaching assistants progress through several steps which are determined by: quality of teaching and paper grading, progress towards more advanced teaching assignments, course grades, and satisfactory academic progress. The details are given explicitly in the TA Manual. Salaries are determined according to your status prior to each academic year and does not change during the year.
Is there travel money available to attend professional meetings ?
Yes, but it is distributed on a case-by-case basis. Check with your advisor and then the graduate head.
Is summer support guaranteed ?
No. However, summer support is usually granted to first year students. Summer support is based on available positions, your academic and teaching progress, and availability of appropriate courses for students to take.
Can I apply for research support ?
You are nominated.
How do I let the department know I want summer support ?
Dominic Naughton sends out a form which, among other things, asks what are your plans for the summer. Return that form promptly to him.
Are there funding opportunities outside the department ?
The Graduate School maintains afunding database.

PROBLEMS:

What happens if my GPA falls below 3.00 ?
You will be asked to come to the Graduate Office. Your privileges to remain a student may be in jeopardy. You may lose either your fellowship or your assistantship level may be adversely affected.
I'm having difficulties in one of my courses, what can I do ?
Talk with the Graduate Committee Chair immediately. Do not wait until the end of the semester.
Under what conditions can I be terminated as a graduate student ?
Students may be terminated for reasons including: Unsatisfactory academic progress, continued low GPA, failure to complete Qualifying Exams within specified time limits, and failure to complete Advanced Topics Exam within specified time limits.
Can I lose my fellowship ?
Yes, if your academic progress is deemed unsatisfactory or you are not progressing in a timely manner.
What happens if I'm not certified in oral English after one year ?
Your financial support will be terminated.
What is OEPP ?
The Oral English Proficiency Program (OEPP) works with departments helping non-native English speaking teaching assistants. They screen potential teaching assistants for English proficiency, make recommendations, and offer English courses. They are the final arbitor on who is certified to be in front of a classroom teaching.
If I witness or am a victim of sexual or any other kind of harassment, what do I do ?
Contact the Graduate Office or Dominic Naughton.
I'm having visa problems, whom do I contact ?
First inform the Graduate Office immediately. You will then be directed to the appropriate office or program.
Is there help available for confidential medical and psychological problems ?
Yes. The Student Health Center (494-1700) orSTUDENT HEALTH CENTER; Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 494-6995 orCAPS
What do I do if I have problems in the class I teach ?
See Dominic Naughton immediately.
Is there someone outside the department with whom I can discuss problems?
Yes. The Graduate School has an ombudsman:
- Thomas W. Atkinson, Ph.D.
  Associate Dean of the Graduate School
  Young Hall, Room 160
To make an appointment, contact Joy Beckett at 494-0245 orjbeckett@purdue.edu
What happens if I get a "U" in MA 699 ?
This is a quote from the Policies and Procedures Manual for Administering Graduate Student Programs:
A. Grades and Index Requirements
A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a (3.0/4.0 GPA) or better. Indices below this level are marked "low" on the grade reports. The student also is expected to earn S grades for research registration. Two consecutive sessions of U grades for research registration mandate that the department take formal action and inform the student, in writing, and the Graduate School with regard to discontinuation or conditions for continuation of the student's graduate study. In any event, the student's progress should be reviewed each session by the student's department. The student's progress also may be reviewed by the Graduate School. Should the student fail to perform in either coursework or research on a level acceptable to the advisory committee, the departmental graduate committee, or the dean of the Graduate School, he or she may be asked to discontinue graduate study at Purdue.

COMPUTERS AND MAIL:

How often must I check my mailbox and my email ?
Check your mailbox at leasttwicea day. Mailboxes areunderthe names. Look carefully in your mailbox, you may have mail underneath someone else's mail. Check your university email at leasttwicea day as well. You can check your Purdue account from anywhere in the world:Web Email
Which computer account should I use ?
Use your mathematics department computer account. This is the account for which you will receive correspondence from the department.
How do I change my password ?
Go to the computer consultants' office on the 8th floor.
How do I access my departmental computer account anywhere ?
Use your Purdue Career Account user id and password at :Web Email
Whom do I contact if I'm having problems with the computer in my office ?
See the consultants on the 8th floor or email your problem to them atsciencehelp@purdue.edu.
How do I get a Purdue Career computer account from ITaP ?
Every graduate student automatically has one. You only need a Purdue ID to get a username and a password from any computer which has a bar code reader in any ITaP lab. You'll need a Purdue Career account to login into MyPurdue.
Where is the nearest ITaP computer lab ?
MATH B10
How do I get classlists from MyPurdue?
You need to accessMyPurdueon the web using your Purdue Career account.
What is MyPurdue ?
MyPurdueon the web offers student help resources (academic, financial, personal, career, etc). It also offers administrative information such as classlists to instructors. You'll need your Purdue Career account.
Is there a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for computer-related issues ?
Yes, the departmental computer staff maintain anFAQ page.

Master's Degree Checklist

Requirement	Deadline
Satisfy Oral English Proficiency (OEPP, if needed)	Before the end of one year of graduate study
File Electronic Plan of Study (go to MyPurdue)	As early as possible, at least semester prior to graduation
Complete course requirements (3.00 GPA, no more than 2 C's on POS; 30 hrs - pure and applied math and CS&E; 34 hrs - Computational Finance)	Two years
Register as a candidate	Semester degree is expected

PhD Degree Checklist

Requirement	Deadline
Satisfy Oral English Proficiency (OEPP, if needed)	Before the end of one year of graduate study
Pass Qualifying Exams	Within 2 year if admitted with master's; within 1.5 years if admitted without master's
Find thesis advisor	As early as possible (even before quals)
Pass Advanced Topics Exam (Oral exam)	Within 18 months of passing all qual exams
Find Thesis Advisory Committee	Shortly after passing Advanced Topics
File Electronic Plan of Study (see MyPurdue)	As early as possible, no later than one year prior to graduation
Complete 42 hrs - coursework (some from master's plan of study)	Within 7 years
File Preliminary Exam (NOT an exam, Grad Office handles)	Shortly after plan of study is approved & foreign language completed
Thesis research (MA699)	Continuous registration after AT exam passed
Register as a candidate	Semester degree is expected
Request Appointment of Final Examining Committee	At least two weeks prior to thesis defense
Thesis Defense	Semester degree is expected
Thesis Submission (for instructions see Grad Office)	Before last day of semester degree is expected

Sample Master's Plans of Study

Master's Degree Requirements

(1) Pure Math:

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	ABSTRACT ALGEBRA	MA	553	3	RE	B	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	REAL ANALYSIS	MA	504	3	RE	B	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA	MA	554	3	RE		-	-	May 2005
PRIMARY	DIFF GEOM	MA	562	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	INTROD TO PROBABILITY	MA	519	3	RE	B	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	INTRO COMPLEX ANLY	MA	525	3	RE	A	-	-	Aug 2003
PRIMARY	INTRO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	INTRO TO FCN ANLY	MA	546	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	ELEM TOPOLOGY	MA	571	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	REAL ANALYSIS	MA	544	3	RE	A	-	-	Aug 2003

(2) Applied Math (not continuing on to Ph.D.) with Discrete Math option:

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	ABSTRACT ALGEBRA	MA	553	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	ADVANCED DISCRETE MATH	MA	518	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	NUMERICAL ANALYSIS	C S	514	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	REAL ANALYSIS	MA	504	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA APPL	MA	511	3	RE	A	-	-	Aug 2004
PRIMARY	INTROD TO PROBABILITY	MA	519	3	RE	B	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	INTRO COMPLEX ANLY	MA	525	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	INTRO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE	C	-	-	May 2004
RELATED	REAL ANALYSIS	MA	544	3	RE		-	-	May 2005
RELATED	LINEAR GRAPH THEORY	MA	575	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003

(3) Applied Math (continuing on to Ph.D.):

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	NUMERICAL ANALYSIS	C S	514	3	RE	A	YES	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	INT TO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE	A	YES	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	FUNCT COMPLEX VRBL I	MA	530	3	RE	B	YES	-	May 2002
PRIMARY	ELEM STOCHASTIC PROC	MA	532	3	RE	A	YES	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	REAL ANLYS MEASUR THRY	MA	544	3	RE	A	YES	-	Dec 2002
PRIMARY	INTRO FUNCTIONAL ANLY	MA	546	3	RE		YES	-	May 2005
PRIMARY	INTRO ABSTRACT ALGEBRA	MA	553	3	RE	A	YES	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA	MA	554	3	RE	A	YES	-	May 2002
PRIMARY	ELEMENTARY TOPOLOGY	MA	571	3	RE	A	YES	-	Dec 2002
PRIMARY	METH APPLIED MATH I	MA	611	3	RE	A	YES	-	May 2004

(4) Computational Finance:

CF Requirements

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	SIMULATION DES & ANLYS	I E	581	3	RE	B	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	FINANC ENGIN	I E	590	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	INT TO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE		-	-	May 2005
PRIMARY	INTRO TO PROB	MA	519	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	REAL ANLYS MEASUR THRY	MA	544	3	RE		-	-	May 2005
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA	MA	511	3	RE	A	-	-	Aug 2004
PRIMARY	MATH OF FINANCE	MA	515	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	ADV PROB OPTNS NUM MTH	MA	516	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	INTERMED FINAN ENGIN	IE	690D	3	RE	A	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	DES ANALY FIN ALGO	MA	598U	3	RE	A	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	METH APPLIED MATH I	MA	611	3	RE		-	-	Dec 2004
PRIMARY	FINANCIAL RISK MGMT	MGMT	643	2	RE		-	-	Dec 2004
PRIMARY	OPTIONS AND FUTURES	MGMT	641	2	RE	A	-	-	May 2004

Sample PhD Plans of Study

PhD Degree Requirements

(1) Pure Math:

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	M.A. M.S.	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	FUNCT COMPLEX VRBL I	MA	530	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	May 2000
PRIMARY	REAL ANLYS MEASUR THRY	MA	544	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	Dec 1999
PRIMARY	INTRO ABSTRACT ALGEBRA	MA	553	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	Dec 1999
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA	MA	554	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	May 2000
PRIMARY	ALG CURVES FUNCTION I	MA	663	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2003
PRIMARY	ALG CURVES FUNCTION II	MA	664	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2004
PRIMARY	ALGEBRAIC GEOMETRY	MA	665	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2001
PRIMARY	TOPICS ALG GEOMETRY	MA	690A	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2002
PRIMARY	INTRO ELLIPTIC CURVES	MA	690C	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2001
RELATED	INTRO DIFF GEOM & TOPO	MA	562	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	Dec 2000
RELATED	INTRO ALG TOPOLOGY	MA	572	3	RE		-	-	-	May 2005
RELATED	SEVERAL COMPLEX VARI	MA	631	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2002
RELATED	NUMERICAL ANALYSIS	C S	514	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	Dec 2000
RELATED	INT TO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE	A	-	YES	-	May 2000

(2) Applied Math:

Area	Courses Title	Subj. Abbr.	Course No.	Credit Hours	Regis. Type	Grade	B or better	M.A. M.S.	Transfer From	Date Completed To Be Completed
PRIMARY	STOCH UNSAT&SAT FLOW	AGRY	598O	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2002
PRIMARY	ADV SOIL PHYSICS	AGRY	675	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	STAT THERMODYNAMICS	CHM	682	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2003
PRIMARY	MATH MODELING DRUG	MA	692C	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2001
RELATED	INTROD TO PROBABILITY	MA	519	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2000
RELATED	INT TO PART DIFF EQUA	MA	523	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2001
RELATED	DISTRIBUTIONS APPLIC	MA	542	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2002
RELATED	REAL ANLYS MEASUR THRY	MA	544	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2001
PRIMARY	NUM ANALYSIS	CS	514	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2002
RELATED	METH APPLIED MATH I	MA	611	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2002
RELATED	STOCHASTIC PROCESS II	MA	639	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2002
PRIMARY	FUNCT COMPLEX VRBL I	MA	530	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2001
PRIMARY	INTRO ABSTRACT ALGEBRA	MA	553	3	RE	A	-	-	-	May 2001
PRIMARY	LINEAR ALGEBRA	MA	554	3	RE	A	-	-	-	Dec 2001

Quick Links
Purdue Graduate Programs
Mathematics Graduate Student Representatives