This program is being discontinued pending SACSCOC approval and is not accepting applications for admission. The University is still authorized to offer the program and issue the associated credential for students who are currently enrolled in the program.

In 2008, UNCG became the only university in the North Carolina system to offer a Ph.D. in Computational Mathematics. Following the advent of the computer, computational mathematics has emerged as an exciting, rapidly growing area of mathematics. Research in computational mathematics brings together computing power and theoretical mathematics. This challenging and rigorous program culminates in the defense of an original dissertation that is suitable for publication in a refereed journal. Upon completion of this degree, the successful student will be capable of producing new results in their chosen area of research.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a 500-700 word personal statement to be considered for admission.

M.A. Doctoral Track

The M.A. Doctoral Track offers exceptionally well-qualified applicants the opportunity to gain admission to the master's and doctoral programs simultaneously. This program is designed for students who would like to obtain their M.A. and then proceed directly to the Ph.D. program. Students accepted into the M.A Doctoral Track must fulfill all requirements for the M.A. and the Ph.D. and will earn both degrees. Students not accepted into the M.A. Doctoral Track may still be accepted into the M.A. only program.

Degree Program Requirements

Required: 48-54 credit hours

Students are required to earn a minimum of 48 credit hours; successfully complete the qualifying exams, required course work, and preliminary (comprehensive) examination; obtain approval of a dissertation topic; and successfully defend their dissertation. While pursuing the Ph.D. degree, students may elect to obtain a M.A. in Mathematics or a M.S. in Applied Statistics provided they already do not hold the degree and satisfy the master's degree requirements. Nine credits of course work may be used to satisfy the requirements for both the master's degree and the Ph.D. degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Foundational Course Work (3, 6, or 9 credits)
Select up to two courses (0, 3, or 6 credits) from the following: 1		0, 3, or 6
MAT 695	Mathematical Analysis
MAT 727	Linear Algebra
STA 631	Introduction to Probability
STA 632	Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Select one course (3 credits) from the following: 2		3
STA 631	Introduction to Probability
STA 632	Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
MAT 653	Foundations of Mathematical Data Science
MAT 695	Mathematical Analysis
MAT 727	Linear Algebra
MAT 728	Numerical Linear Algebra
Computational Course Work (0, 3, or 6 credits)
Select up to two courses (0, 3, or 6 credits) from the following: 3		0, 3, or 6
MAT 627	Numerical Methods
MAT 630	Computational Discrete Mathematics
STA 642	Statistical Computing
Advanced Course Work (24-30 credits)
Select 24-30 credits from advanced courses in mathematics, statistics, and related areas 4		24-30
Dissertation (18-21 credits)
MAT 799	Dissertation	18-21
Total Credit Hours		48-54

¹

Students who achieve Ph.D. passing scores on their qualifying exams at the beginning of their program of study for two out of the four courses will be considered to have satisfied the requirement. Students who achieved a Ph.D. passing score for one course on their qualifying exams at the beginning of their program of study must select and complete one course from the list before taking the qualifying exam based on the course. Students who do not achieve Ph.D. passing scores for two of the four courses on their qualifying exams at the beginning of their program of study, must select two courses before taking their qualifying exams. 

²

Students may not select a course that they achieved a Ph.D. passing score for on their qualifying exams. At the beginning of their program of study, students have the option to take a third qualifying exam (from the list of four courses) and satisfy this requirement by achieving at least a Master's passing score.

³

Students will be required to complete up to two courses (6 credits) if they have not completed sufficient previous course work in computing. If a student has completed sufficient previous course work, the requirement may be one course (3 credits) or none (0 credits), as determined by the Graduate Program Director.

⁴

Courses at the 600- and the 700-level. The selection of course work must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Qualifying Exams

All students have the option to take qualifying exams at the beginning of their program of study. To successfully complete the qualifying exams, students must achieve Ph.D. passing scores on exams based on two out of these four courses: MAT 695 Mathematical Analysis, MAT 727 Linear Algebra, STA 631 Introduction to Probability, or STA 632 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics. Students who do not achieve Ph.D. passing scores on their qualifying exams at the beginning of their program of study must enroll in and complete one or two of the four courses and then take the corresponding qualifying exams.

Please see the departmental Graduate Student Handbook for the timeline to complete the above requirements and details about the preliminary examination.

Required Milestones*

• Residency (Immersion)
• Research Competency
• Plan of Study
• Comprehensive Exam (Written & Oral)
• Dissertation Proposal
• Admission to Candidacy
• Dissertation Defense
• Filing the Final Approved Dissertation

*

General information about milestones for doctoral programs is available in Section III of the Graduate Policies page in the University Catalog. For information about how milestones are accomplished for a specific program, please refer to the doctoral program's handbook.