Johns Hopkins University
 Department of Mathematics
 404 Krieger Hall
 3400 N. Charles Street
 Baltimore, MD 21218

 410-516-7397 Phone
 410-516-5549 Fax

Graduate Program Information
 

Requirements for a PhD
The MA Degree
The Graduate Courses
The Qualifying Exams
Choosing an Advisor
Financial Support
TA Responsibilities
Graduate Student Handbook
Grad Board Info
 

Requirements for Ph.D. Degree      

The departmental requirements for the Ph.D. degree are:

1. Candidates must show satisfactory work in Algebra (110.601-602), Real Variables (110.605), Complex Variables (110.607), Algebraic Topology (110.615), and one additional mathematics graduate course (or a course in another department or an advanced undergraduate mathematics course, with the approval of the Graduate Program Director) in their first year. (The seminars and qualifying exam preparation course cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.) The algebra and analysis requirements can be satisfied by passing the corresponding written qualifying exam in September of the first year; these students must complete at least 2 courses each semester. Students having sufficient background in topology can substitute an advanced topology course for 110.615, with the permission of the instructor.

2. Candidates must pass written qualifying exams by the beginning of their second year in Analysis (Real & Complex) and in Algebra. Exams are scheduled for September and May of each academic year.

3. Candidates must show satisfactory work in at least 2 mathematics
graduate courses each semester of their second year, and if they have not passed their oral qualifying exam, in the first semester of their third
year. 

4. Candidates must show a reading knowledge of French, German or Russian, to be demonstrated by passing an examination given in the Department of Mathematics.

5. After passing the language exam, candidates must pass an oral qualifying examination in the student's chosen area of research by April 8 of the third year. The topic of the exam is chosen in consultation with a faculty member (normally the student's future thesis advisor).

6. Candidates must produce a written dissertation based upon independent and original research.

7. Candidates will have teaching experience in mathematics as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses. The student will be under the supervision of both the faculty member teaching the course and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

8. After completion of the thesis research the student will defend their dissertation by means of the Graduate Board Oral exam.  The exam must be held at least three weeks before the Graduate Board deadline which the candidate wishes to meet. Click here to view the Graduate Board's calendar.
 

The M.A. Degree

Although the Mathematics Department does not admit students seeking a terminal M.A. degree, students in the Ph.D. program may earn an M.A. degree. Advanced undergraduate students may also apply to be admitted to the accelerated B.A./M.A. program.

M.A. candidates must complete:

• 4 graduate courses given by the Hopkins Mathematics Department;

• 2 additional courses at the graduate or 400 level, other than 110.401 and 110.405, given by the Hopkins Mathematics Department, or with the permission of the Graduate Program Director, graduate mathematics courses given by other departments or universities.

All courses used to satisfy the requirements must be completed with a grade of B- or better. (Advanced graduate courses completed with a grade of P can also be used to satisfy the requirements.)
 

The Graduate Courses      

Graduate study is centered around three core areas:

Analysis - Real Variables (110.605-606), Complex Variables (110.607), Riemann Surfaces (110.608), Several Complex Variables (110.611-612), Partial Differential Equations (110.631-632), and Riemannian Geometry (110.645-646).

Algebra - Algebra (110.601-602), Number Theory (110.617-618), Lie Groups & Lie Algebras (110.619-620), and Algebraic Geometry (110.643-644).

Topology - Algebraic Topology (110.615-616). 

These 600 level graduate courses are preliminary to research and are built upon the foundations constituted by the 400-level courses:  Advanced Algebra I & II (110.401-402), Analysis I & II (110.405-406), Methods of Complex Analysis (110.311), Introduction to Topology (110.413), and Introduction to Differential Geometry (110.439). 

The 700-level courses are designed to bring students abreast of recent developments and to prepare them for research in the area of their choice.

Graduate Course List
 

The Qualifying Exams     

1. The core qualifying exams.

The core qualifying exams consist of two written exams, one in algebra and one in combined real analysis and complex analysis. These are two to three hour exams covering the core material in each subject. The exams are administered twice a year (in September and May). Exams may be taken one at a time. Entering students are invited to attempt the September exams in their first year. Both exams must be passed by September of the second year.

Syllabus and Old Exams
 

Exam Dates for Fall 2009

Room: Garland 97

Algebra, Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 9:00 - 11:30
 in Garland 97

Analysis, Friday, September 11, 2009, 9:00 - 12:00
in Garland 97

 
2. The language exam.

This exam tests ability to read mathematics in one of the following languages selected by the student: French, German, or Russian.  It must be passed before the major oral is scheduled, but no later than February of the third year.
 

3. The major oral exam.

In addition to the core qualifying exams, there is an oral major exam in the intended area of research. Examining committees consist of two faculty members (including the intended advisor). The material on the exam and the second committee member will be determined in advance by the intended advisor. Students have two attempts to pass this exam.  This exam will not be scheduled until the language exam has been passed.  The major exam must be passed by April 30th of the third year.
 

Choosing an Advisor        

You should choose an advisor by the beginning of your third year.  An advisor will help you select a thesis topic, and will be your guide through your first research project.  In deciding on an advisor, you should determine from the courses you've taken what interests you the most. It is also advisable to attend seminars to get a sense of the different areas of research.  The department hosts weekly seminars in various areas of mathematics. The Afternoon Teas which precede the seminars are a good time to talk to faculty members about their research. You can get to know faculty members at department functions, during office hours or after a class.

First year students are assigned advisors, but after that students must choose their advisor. After deciding who you want to work with, just go to the faculty member and ask if he/she would be willing to be your advisor. Prospective advisors may want to get to know you before committing themselves, e.g. by giving you a warm-up project.
 

Financial Support      

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive full tuition fellowships and teaching assistantships. Teaching assistant salaries for the 2008 - 2009 academic year are at least $18,000. Students making satisfactory progress can expect to be supported for six years. Exceptional applicants are considered for the George E. Owen Fellowship, which offers a supplementary $5000 fellowship for three years.


Teaching Assistant Responsibilities      

The most important responsibility of the teaching assistant is conducting section meetings.  This includes preparation for the meetings and conducting the sections in a professional manner.  The main purpose of the sections is to answer students’ questions about the methods needed to do the homework.  (You should not work out in section problems that are still due.) 

Every effort will be made so that your TA section assignments will not conflict with mathematics courses being offered.  This is primarily done by not assigning math courses during the parts of Thursdays and Fridays that discussion sections are held.  On the other hand, we can not schedule around courses that other departments offer.  If you have conflicts with such courses, it is your responsibility to find a suitable TA who will trade sections with you.  This change of scheduling must be acceptable to the professors involved and to the Chair and/or Director of Undergraduate Studies.  If you cannot find a suitable substitute, you will not be allowed to take the outside course and must TA the section that you have been assigned.

Preparation:

Since the main purpose of the section is to answer students’ questions, it is essential that teaching assistants know how to do and explain all assigned homework exercises.  It is therefore necessary that all teaching assistants prepare solutions to all assigned exercises in detail before section meetings, and have a plan as to how to explain these solutions to the student.  It is inexcusable for a teaching assistant to be asked a homework question and not know how to solve it, or to waste time fumbling through calculations, which should have been worked out during preparation. 

Professional Conduct:

A teaching assistant cannot be effective in the classroom if he or she appears to regard his or her duties lightly.  We expect you to act as dedicated professionals.  This includes arriving at your assigned sections a few minutes before your scheduled time, and keeping the students occupied for the full scheduled time.  In your preparation for your section you should also prepare extra examples and activities for the class in the event that they do not have enough questions to fill the time.

Lack of preparation and unprofessional conduct undermine the efforts of the entire department.  We are working hard to maintain the image of our teaching staff as being capable and professional.  There simply is no room for poor teaching due to lack of preparation or unprofessional conduct.  The Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Chair will investigate reports and complaints by students of TAs being late, rude, or unprepared.  Substantiated neglect of duty can, as in the past, result in full or partial rescinding of the teaching assistantship.

Grading Responsibilities:

The other main responsibility of the teaching assistant is to grade all work done by the students, and to record those grades.  This includes being available to help proctor and grade exams for the course that you are assisting.  We expect teaching assistants to be on time for all grading sessions, proctoring assignments, and other meetings scheduled by instructors, and to check their mailboxes and e-mail regularly so as to stay in contact with the instructor.  If for some reason you are unable to attend a grading session you must find a suitable replacement.

When English is a Second Language:

An international student with a Teaching Assistantship is generally assigned to be a full-time grader during her or his first year in the Department.  All such students must enroll in the course 370.601-602, “Communication Strategies in the American Classroom”.  Proficiency in communication in English must become of sufficient level that the student be judged ready to conduct sections in the fall of the 2nd year.  A student who fails to meet this standard will be considered in neglect of responsibility, and have her or his financial support reduced each year until the deficiency is corrected.  

Emergencies:

If an emergency prevents you from meeting any of your scheduled obligations, you must find a substitute, or if that is not possible, notify the department (516-7397 or 516-7399) at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.   

Graduate Student Handbook      

See the pdf file.
 

Graduate Board     

The Graduate Board is responsible for the administration of University-wide policies and procedures for the award of Master of Arts, M.A.; and Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.