Doctoral Programs

Here we give an overview of the doctoral program leading to a Ph.D. in Mathematics, or a Ph.D. in Mathematics with a Concentration in Computational Biosciences. The degree requirements are given separately.

Doctor of Philosophy

This degree is intended for the student with superior mathematical ability, emphasizing the development of creative scholarship and breadth and depth in background knowledge. Admission to the Ph.D. degree program is normally granted after completion of the master's degree.

Program of study: The program of study is selected with the recommendation of the student's supervisory committee

Qualifying Examinations: Qualifying examinations are required. They test a student's mastery of basic material in two of the following seven areas: algebra, differential equations, mathematical biology, discrete mathematics, mathematical statistics, numerical methods, and real analysis.

Foreign Language Requirements: None.

Comprehensive Examinations: Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required.

Dissertation Requirements: A dissertation reporting significant, original research suitable for publication in a professional research journal is required.

Final Examinations: A final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required. A guideline for satisfactory progress can be found at Academic Progress Guidelines

Research Activity

Ph.D. Concentration in Computational Biosciences

Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. in Mathematics Concentration in Computational Biosciences:

Students must satisfy the admission requirements of the Graduate Program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and those of the Computational Biosciences Masters degree program. Students who have already completed the ASU Computational Biosciences Professional Science Masters degree will be expected to satisfactorily complete courses in advanced calculus and linear algebra in order to meet the requirements for admission to the Ph.D. in Mathematics. Students who did not complete the Computational Biosciences Master's degree at ASU will be subject to both sets of requirements.

Requirements for the Concentration in Computational Biosciences:

A standard doctoral degree program at ASU comprises 84 hours of study, of which at least 24 hours are for research study and dissertation, and of which 30 hours may be transferred  from an appropriate masters degree.

Students must  satisfy core components of the Computational Biosciences concentration as follows:

1. CBS 520 (4 hours) Computational Modeling in Biosciences or MAT 420 (3 hours) Scientifc Computing
   
   CBS 521 (4 hours) Case studies in Computational Biosciences or MAT 451 (3 hours) Mathematical Modeling or other appropriate modeling course as approved by their thesis committee.
   
   CBS 530 (4 hours) Introduction to Structural and Molecular Biology
   
   An advanced level course in statistics (3 hours) (recommended STP 530)
   An advancesd level course in experimental design (3 hours) recommended STP 531)
   
   
2. Satisfactorily complete (total minimum GPA 3.75 on these courses)  12 hours of graduate study in mathematics. These  courses are to be chosen as two 6 hour sequences selected from the following qualifier sequences in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics:
   

   Mathematical Biology, Numerical Analysis, Differential Equations, Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics.

3. Take 12 hours of elective graduate credit in School of Life Sciences.
   
   
4. At least 6 hours must be in graduate courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, with labels MAT or STP and numbered 500 or above, and based on which the student will take a written comprehensive exam.
   
   
5. All courses, including remaining electives, must be approved as acceptable by the faculty advisory committee for the doctoral degree.
   
   
6. A sample program of study is attached (pdf). Please observe that this is only an example, each student should meet with their advisor and supervisory committee in order to determine the appropriate selection of courses that will meet the requirements of the CBS degree program.
   
   
7. Students will be regarded as making satisfactory progress provided that they complete requirements of either item 1 or item 2 after one year in the program. They must complete  requirements or both items 1 and 2 before entering their third year of study in the program. They should their program of study by the end of the second year of study.
   
   
8. Stipends: Students who have completed either item 1 or item 2 will be moved from level 4 to level 3 for funding, and those who have completed items 1 and 2 will progress one more level. Students will not progress to the final level of funding until completing their comprehensive exam requirements. (This is consistent with the stipend levels for all other students in the doctoral program in mathematics, see the assistantship page for more information.)