PhD Milestones

Coursework

You will begin with courses tailored to the specific area of mathematics or statistics you are studying along with courses designed to prepare for your qualifying exams. We recommended you take no more than nine credits (three 3-credit courses) in any one semester so that you can successfully balance classroom learning with other obligations.

All incoming graduate students are required to take a one-credit Proseminar course the week before classes begin in the fall semester.

Preliminary exams

You are encouraged to take the department’s Graduate Qualifying Exam (also known as the written preliminary exam) as an assessment before you begin classes. Taking the exam early can help identify your area of strengths and help you select courses that will better prepare you to pass the exam. Following the assessment, you will have two attempts to pass the GQE. See Year Two and the Graduate Handbook for more information.

• Math students: The GQE covers upper-level undergraduate material from analysis and linear algebra. You may schedule your GQE anytime after completing your first semester and are expected to pass the exam by the start of your third semester.
• Statistics students: The GQE covers theoretical and applied topics. Usually, the GQE is taken just prior to your third semester and you are expected to pass the exam by the start of your fourth semester.

Teaching assistantship

Most PhD graduate students who receive an offer including funding are supported financially through a teaching assistant position. The time commitment is approximately 20 hours per week. Details are available on the WSU Graduate School website and under Labor Relations on the Human Resource Services website.

Seminars

Faithful seminar attendance is a habit we encourage you to develop in your first year. You will be introduced to a broad range of current topics in statistics and mathematics research and have opportunities to meet scientist and colleagues from other institutions.

Plan to attend at least one of the following weekly seminars:

• Theory and Applications of Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, and Number Theory
• Mathematical Biology
• Mathematics Education
• Analysis

Research

Earning an advanced degree in mathematics or statistics is a research-centered activity. First-year students are encouraged to meet informally with faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to talk about their projects and interests and learn about possible research or mentoring opportunities. This will be helpful when you are selecting members of your PhD committee and as you develop your individual research project.

Summer

Your first summer in graduate school will give you the chance to continue studying for your GQE and/or to immerse yourself in research without the distraction of courses or regular seminars. Plan ahead: you will need secure additional financial support for summer (May–August). Many students have the opportunity to TA during summer session.

You will meet with your research advisor to determine which courses you should take to complete the classroom-based portion of your degree program. You are expected to take three graded courses per semester as you continue to broaden your knowledge base.

Continue to dedicate yourself to your research project, completion of your course requirements, and engaging with department seminars and research groups.

GQE and required forms

By the end of your second year, you should have passed the department’s Graduate Qualifying Exam (GQE), formally selected your committee members, and filed the Program of Study Request form with the WSU Graduate School.

Residency

Residency in Washington state (for eligible students) is also expected at the beginning of Year Two. Plan ahead to meet this state requirement.

The department’s Doctoral Qualifying Exam (DQE) assesses your expanding ability to learn and advance knowledge in your area of specialty. Your committee will define the material to be covered and the format (written and/or oral examination). You are expected to pass the DQE by the end of your third year.

Coursework

You are expected to continue taking one or two graded courses per semester to broaden your knowledge base.

Seminars

Continue attending seminars regularly. Present your work at least once and invite your committee members to keep them informed of your research direction.

Internships

You are encouraged to apply for internships or summer schools in your research area. Most applications are due in the late fall for the following summer. A one-credit professional development course is offered in fall semester to help you develop application materials.

Continued dedication to your chosen research area is essential for advancing your skill set and preparing for graduation and future employment.

Preliminary Exam

In your fourth year, the WSU Graduate School mandates the completion of an oral preliminary exam, accomplished by crafting an innovative research proposal and presenting it to your committee. This is an opportunity for you to get feedback on the scope your PhD work and your research approach.

You will need to submit the Examination Scheduling Form with approved examination date to the Graduate School at least 10 working days prior to the examination.

Passing the preliminary examination advances you to the rank of “doctoral candidate.” From this notable milestone, you will have a maximum of four years to complete your PhD degree program. Any extension of time must be approved by the department faculty and the Graduate School.

Coursework and seminars

You are expected to continue taking one or two graded courses per semester to broaden your knowledge base and to attend weekly seminars.

Presentations and professional development

Presenting your work to others helps you develop professional and public speaking skills and can be an opportunity to hear valuable feedback. In addition sharing your work at a department seminar, consider presenting your research at a professional society meeting.

Seek out internships or summer schools in your research area.

By now you should also have begun drafting papers for publication based on your research.

Throughout the remainder of your graduate school career, you will continue to develop your research identity and increase the depth of your knowledge and experience.

This year will be dedicated to writing your dissertation, drafting papers for publication, and presenting your work in seminars and professional meetings. Remember to keep your committee informed of your progress and research findings.

You will become the expert on your dissertation topic. As you delve more deeply into your own research, continue to foster a broad and open mind by attending seminars and keeping up on discipline advances.

Professional opportunities

You should begin seeking out and applying for professional opportunities. The one-credit professional development course offered in the fall is a good resource for preparing materials for employment in academia, private industry, government offices, national laboratories, and beyond.

Your written PhD dissertation is the capstone of your graduate career and will describe a significant body of original research. The adequacy of this work will be judged by your research advisor and committee members.

Most successful PhD candidates have submitted at least one first-author paper for publication by the time they near the completion of their dissertation. Publications can give you a competitive edge on the job market after graduation.

Your final written dissertation should be submitted to your committee members at least one month prior to the date of your oral dissertation defense.