2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematical Sciences
|
|
 Return to: Degree Programs and Graduate Certificates
Graduate Coordinator:
Xianggui (Harvey) Qu
371 Science and Engineering Building
(248) 370-4029
qu@oakland.edu
Program description
The Doctor of Philosophy in applied mathematical sciences degree program is designed with three specialization areas in applied mathematical sciences: applied continuous mathematics, applied discrete mathematics, and applied statistics. The program prepares students for employment in business, industry, or government, as well as traditional academic positions.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
- March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
- March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following University and Program application documents by the published application deadlines:
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- A total of three letters of recommendation from individuals who are capable of evaluating scholarly achievements and potential for independent research
- Official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted by applicants who are graduates of programs taught in a language other than English
- A brief personal statement (not more than 500 words) describing their goals in pursuing the Ph.D. Applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship should also describe any prior teaching experience or other potentially relevant background. All application materials must be received no later than the beginning of March in order to be considered for a teaching assistantship appointment for the following academic year.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade-point average, with a major in one of the mathematical sciences, engineering, computer science, the physical sciences, the biological sciences, or the health sciences
- Knowledge of a scientific programming language is strongly recommended
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
Specific course prerequisites for regular admission into the program (with relevant Oakland University course numbers) include:
- Multivariable Calculus (MTH 254)
- Linear Algebra (MTH 275)
- Advanced Calculus (MTH 452)
In addition, there are specialization prerequisites (with relevant Oakland University course numbers):
a. Applied Continuous Mathematics
- Differential Equations (required prerequisite) (APM 255)
- Complex Variables (recommended prerequisite) (MTH 352)
b. Applied Discrete Mathematics
- Abstract Algebra (MTH 475)
- Discrete Mathematics (APM 263)
c. Applied Statistics
Twelve credits in statistics are required. Example:
- STA 226, Applied Probability and Statistics (4 credits)
- STA 402, Applied Linear Models I (4 credits)
- STA 403, Applied Linear Models II (4 credits)
Students who lack the necessary background may need to complete a few prerequisite undergraduate courses prior to regular admission into the program.
|
Degree requirements
A minimum of 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for the Doctor of Philosophy in applied mathematical sciences degree consisting of 60 credits (15 courses) of coursework, 3 credits of APM 695 or STA 695 (Problem Solving Seminar) and 27 credits of APM 790 or STA 790 (Dissertation Research).
Students who have earned a master’s degree may petition to have prior coursework applied toward the 60 credits. The Committee on Graduate Programs will evaluate the student’s prior master’s degree work and allow Ph.D. credits for courses judged to be relevant to the proposed Ph.D. course of study. A maximum of 32 credits may be applied; all candidates must complete at least 28 credits of additional coursework exclusively at Oakland University.
In the Ph.D. program, courses awarded a grade of less than 3.0 will not count toward the degree: however, all numerical grades earned are used in computing a student’s GPA, and an overall 3.0 GPA must be maintained. Course requirements
The course requirements and options for each specialization are as follows: 1. Applied Statistics Specialization
a. Specialization requirements
Nine courses are required in the applied statistics specialization consisting of:
and six courses selected from the following list; these six courses must include one of the following sets of courses: (STA 515, STA 615), (STA 521, STA 621), (STA 528, STA 628), (STA 530, STA 630)
- STA 503, Applied Linear Models II (4 credits)
- STA 504, Discrete Data Analysis (4 credits)
- STA 506, Statistical Computing (4 credits)
- STA 515, Stochastic Processes I (4 credits)
- STA 521, Multivariate Statistical Methods I (4 credits)
- STA 522, Statistical Process Control (4 credits)
- STA 526, Nonparametric Methods (4 credits)
- STA 528, Reliability and Life Data Analysis I (4 credits)
- STA 529, Statistical Methods in Sample Surveys (4 credits)
- STA 530, Time Series I (4 credits)
- STA 531, Bayesian Methods (4 credits)
- STA 603, Advanced Design of Experiments (4 credits)
- STA 610, Probability Theory (4 credits)
- STA 615, Stochastic Processes II (4 credits)
- STA 621, Multivariate Statistical Methods II (4 credits)
- STA 628, Reliability and Life Data Analysis II (4 credits)
- STA 630, Time Series II (4 credits)
In addition, the requirements include completion of at least 3 credits (included in dissertation research credit requirements) of the following 1-credit seminar:
b. Distribution requirements
1. Two courses are required in the applied continuous mathematics area consisting of:
2. Two courses are required in the applied discrete mathematics area consisting of:
In addition, there are two free elective courses for a total of fifteen courses to satisfy the 60-credit course requirement, exclusive of dissertation research credit. 2. Applied Discrete Mathematics Specialization
a. Specialization requirements
Nine courses are required in the applied discrete mathematics specialization consisting of:
and four courses selected from the following list:
- APM 564, Applied Mathematics: Discrete Methods II, (4 credits)
- APM 567, Algorithms and Complexity, (4 credits)
- APM 577, Computer Algebra, (4 credits)
- APM 581, The Theory of Computation, (4 credits)
- APM 665, Approximation and Randomized Discrete Algorithms, (4 credits)
- APM 673, Coding Theory, (4 credits)
- MOR 554, Linear and Integer Optimization, (4 credits)
- MOR 555, Nonlinear Optimization, (4 credits)
- MTH 670, Algebraic Number Theory, (4 credits)
- MTH 671, Commutative Algebra, (4 credits)
- MTH 672, Algebraic Geometry, (4 credits)
In addition, the requirements include completion of at least 3 credits (included in dissertation research credit requirements) of the following 1-credit seminar:
b. Distribution requirements
Two courses are required in the applied statistics area consisting of:
Two courses are required in the applied continuous mathematics area consisting of:
In addition, there are two free elective courses for a total of fifteen courses to satisfy the 60-credit course requirement, exclusive of dissertation research credit. 3. Applied Continuous Mathematics Specialization
a. Specialization requirements
Nine courses are required in the applied continuous mathematics specialization consisting of:
and four courses selected from:
In addition, the requirements include completion of at least 3 credits (included in dissertation research credit requirements) of the following 1-credit seminar:
b. Distribution requirements
Two courses are required in the applied statistics area consisting of:
Two courses are required in the applied discrete mathematics area consisting of:
In addition, there are two free elective courses for a total of fifteen courses to satisfy the 60-credit course requirement, exclusive of dissertation research credit. Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The required types of monitoring include Time Limit, Completion Rate, Excessive Withdrawals and GPA Requirements. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details. Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Department requirements: In the Ph.D. program, courses awarded a grade of less than 3.0 will not count toward the degree: however, all numerical grades earned are used in computing a student’s GPA, and an overall 3.0 GPA must be maintained.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study. Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.
General examination and dissertation
The General Examination is intended to assess the student’s overall knowledge of mathematical sciences at the graduate level and the student’s ability to pursue the doctoral degree in his or her selected specialization. The General Examination is administered by the Committee on Graduate Programs and consists of two parts:
- Part I consists of three written section exams and is offered once near the beginning of the fall term (normally in August) and once near the beginning of the winter term (normally in January). Each section exam covers material in one of the areas of continuous mathematics, discrete mathematics and statistics.
- Part II of the General Examination may only be attempted after passage of Part I. Part II consists of a single written exam and is offered within a month after the results of Part I are announced. The material covered in this single exam involves only the area of the student’s prospective specialization.
Both parts of the General Examination must be passed within 13 months of the initial attempt at Part I, and a student may attempt each part of the General Examination no more than twice.
Detailed guidelines about the material to be covered on both parts of the General Examination are available from the Graduate Coordinator. Exception to the above must be approved by the Committee on Graduate Programs.
A student must have completed at least 12 credits of graduate coursework at Oakland with a GPA of 3.0 or better before taking the General Examination. No student with a GPA below 3.0 will be permitted to take the General Examination. Students in the Ph.D. program will not be allowed to accumulate more than 32 credits toward the Ph.D. degree without taking the General Examination. A student must have passed the General Examination to be eligible to register for Doctoral Dissertation Research.
Dissertation committee
Each student who has passed the General Examination will have a dissertation committee prior to registration for doctoral research credit.
The dissertation committee will be appointed by the Committee on Graduate Programs, with the approval of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. The dissertation committee will consist of five faculty members, at least three of whom will be in the specialization area of the student. Prior to the formation of the committee, the student will nominate one faculty member from the student’s area of specialization with the concurrence of the faculty member. At least one member of the committee will be selected by the Committee on Graduate Programs from faculty in the department but outside the student’s area of specialization. The chair of the dissertation committee will be the intended supervisor of the doctoral dissertation for the student and is normally the faculty member nominated by the student. The membership of the committee may be changed by action of the Committee on Graduate Programs, with the approval of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Final oral examination and dissertation defense
The chair of the dissertation committee is responsible for keeping the committee members informed about the progress of the dissertation research and making preliminary drafts of the dissertation available to all members of the dissertation committee in a manner which permits timely suggestions for improvements. When the chair of the committee determines that the dissertation is ready for oral presentation, the chair will request that a colloquium talk be scheduled where the student presents the dissertation. Immediately following the colloquium, the committee will continue an oral examination of the candidate. Others are welcome to attend this portion of the final examination, with the consent of the candidate and the committee. When this oral examination is concluded, the committee will meet privately and decide whether the candidate, with possible modifications in the dissertation, will be recommended by the committee to receive the Ph.D. Every member of the committee must be present at the oral examination and be willing to sign the dissertation (after suitable and specified modifications, if any) for the student to pass this final oral examination.
Residency requirements
A minimum residency requirement is full-time residency (a minimum of 8 credits per semester) for at least three consecutive full semesters (fall-winter-fall, fall-winter-summer, winter-summer-fall, etc.) with at least two of these devoted to dissertation research. The demands of this research activity imply that the student may not be employed in work which is not directly related to dissertation research, for more than 20 hours a week while satisfying this residency requirement. Petitions for exceptions to this policy may be submitted to the Committee on Graduate Programs.
Continuous enrollment
The continuous enrollment policy for doctoral students requires continuous registration of graduate students for at least 1 credit each semester in the academic year to maintain an active graduate student status. This includes semesters in which the comprehensive, preliminary or qualifying examination is taken, defense, and each subsequent term (fall and winter) until the degree requirements are met and the dissertation is submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Some agency and graduate assistantship eligibility may have course-load requirements that exceed the minimum registration requirements of the Continuous Enrollment Policy (e.g., Veterans Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization for international students, and federal financial aid programs). Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to register for the appropriate number of credits that are required for funding eligibility and/or compliance as outlined by specific agency regulations under which they are governed.
Time to degree
The maximum time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree program is no more than ten years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program.
The time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree requires a student to achieve candidacy within six years from the first course enrollment in the doctoral program. After being advanced to candidacy, a student is expected to complete the remaining degree requirements within four years (including the dissertation defense).
|
Return to: Degree Programs and Graduate Certificates
|