COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematics
Program of Study
The Department of Mathematics offers a program leading to
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
The Ph.D. program is an intensive course of study
designed for the full-time student planning a career in research and teaching
at the university level or in quantitative research and development in industry
or government. Admission is limited and highly selective. Successful applicants
have typically pursued an undergraduate major in mathematics.
In the first year of Ph.D. studies, students must pass
written examinations in the areas of the basic first-year courses. In the
second year an oral examination on two selected topics must be passed. Students
must also acquire a reading knowledge of one language, either French, German,
or Russian. Subsequent years are devoted to seminars, research, and the
preparation of a dissertation. Students are required to serve as teaching
assistants or instructors for four years beginning with the second year of study.
Those contemplating academic careers are strongly encouraged to serve as
instructors for at least two semesters.
There are allied doctoral programs in statistics,
computer science, and applied mathematics.
Research Facilities
The Department is housed in a comfortable building
containing an excellent mathematics library, computing and printing facilities,
faculty and graduate student offices, a lounge for tea and conversation, and
numerous seminar and lecture rooms.
Financial Aid
The department has a broad fellowship program designed to
help qualified students achieve the Ph.D. degree in the shortest practicable
time. Each student admitted to the Ph.D. program is appointed a fellow in the
Department of Mathematics for a period of five years, contingent on good
progress. A fellow receives a stipend for the nine-month academic year and is
exempt from payment of tuition.
A fellow in the Department of Mathematics may hold a
fellowship from a source outside Columbia University. When not prohibited by
the terms of the outside fellowship, the University supplements the outside
stipend to bring it up to the level of the University fellowship. Candidates
for admission are urged to apply for fellowships for which they are eligible
(e.g., National Science Foundation, Ford and Hertz Foundations).
Cost of Study
All students admitted to the Ph.D. program become fellows
in the Department and are exempt from tuition. Students may be responsible for
certain fees: a student activity fee, transcript fee, university facility fee
and international service fee.
Living and Housing Costs
Students in the Ph.D. program are entitled to affordable
University housing near the Department in Morningside Heights.
This makes it possible to live comfortably in the
University neighborhood on the fellowship stipend.
Student Group
The Ph.D. program in mathematics has an enrollment of
approximately 60 students. Typically, 10-12 students enter each year. While
students come from all over the world, they form an intellectually cohesive and
socially supportive group.
Location
New York City is America's major center of culture.
Columbia University's remarkably pleasant and sheltered campus, near the Hudson
River and Riverside Park, is situated within 20-30 minutes of Lincoln Center,
Broadway theaters, Greenwich Village, and major museums. Most department
members live within a short walk of the University.
The University
Since receiving its charter from King George II in 1754,
Columbia University has played an eminent role in American education. In
addition to its various faculties and professional schools (such as
Engineering, Law, and Medicine), the University has close ties with nearby
museums, schools of music and theology, the United Nations, and the city
government.
Applying
The application deadline is December 15th for admission
the following September. Applicants must
submit their undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a
curriculum vitae and statement of purpose, and scores from the GRE General Test
and Mathematics Subject Test. Students whose undergraduate degree was not from
an English-speaking country must also submit scores from the TOEFL or
IELTS. Applications must be filed online.
Correspondence and Information
Information for Prospective Doctoral Students
For information on the application process:
Stephanie Brusco
Mathematics Admissions Counselor
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Columbia University
Office of Student Affairs
107 Low Library, MC 4304
New York, NY 10027
212-854-6726
gsas-admit@columbia.edu
For information on the department and program:
Michael Thaddeus
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Mathematics
Columbia University
2990 Broadway
509 Mathematics, MC 4406
New York, NY 10027
212-854-4308
