PhD Minors

All coursework must be approved by the Mathematics PhD advisor. Students must earn a “B” or higher in all coursework, or receive instructor approval that indicates the student's performance in their course merits a PhD minor. Appeals can be made.  

Transfer course work must be approved by the minor advisor, with final approval given by the Director of Graduate Studies. In cases where suitable course work was transferred or where the advisor cannot or will not approve the transfer credit, an examination set by the PhD minor advisor may be substituted. Appeals can be made. 

*NOTE* Students may also choose two supporting minor subjects, in which case 6 units of approved graduate course work is required for each minor.

It is highly recommended that students consult with their PhD minor advisor about the suitability of their course work for the minor and for their careers before beginning their coursework.

Mathematics courses that are required for the student's PhD major or are in the subject area of the student's PhD major may not be used towards the Mathematics PhD minor. (For example, a PhD student in Statistics cannot use math courses that are required for the Statistics PhD or math courses whose content is statistics for the Mathematics PhD minor.)

*NOTE* Some co-convened courses may be suitable as part of the PhD minor, but as a general rule the PhD minor advisor will not approve a plan of study that includes more than 6 units of co-convened courses. 

The first step is to provide an appeal in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies, Graduate Coordinator, or Graduate Office. The appeal will be reviewed by the Graduate Committee according to their procedures. The Committee may place additional requirements/deadlines on the student as a prerequisite for continuing in the program. 

Note that these procedures are for appeals of graduate program requirements, not individual grades or qualifying exam results. Course grade appeals can be made through the Graduate College and appeal of qualifying exam results should be made through the qualifying committee or to individual examiners. 

The Graduate Office will respond within 7 business days that the appeal has been received and give an explanation of the further steps being taken. The office should provide an update to the student at least every 2 weeks.

Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Graduate Committee must submit an appeal in writing to Head of the Mathematics Department, who will make a decision in consultation with other faculty, as appropriate.