Students earning a PhD in mathematical sciences can choose to study in several different areas. The departments excellent ratio of graduate students to faculty permits close personal guidance for each student. Students are able to tailor their programs of study to match their interests in specific areas of mathematics and statistics as well as interdisciplinary research.
Specialization(s):
All four specializations require a program of study with 45 credits beyond a masters degree or 72 credits beyond a bachelors degree. Students applying to the PhD program without a masters degree will usually be directed to MS programs in Mathematics, Industrial Mathematics or Statistics, unless they have a strong background and clear professional interests. Satisfactory performance in an MS program can lead to admission to the PhD program in Mathematical Sciences.
- Pure and Applied Mathematics: This is a traditional doctoral program in mathematics, offering broad training in the foundations of modern mathematics together with specialized training in an area of mathematical research. The dissertation represents a significant contribution to mathematics research in the chosen area of specialization.
- Statistics: This specialization offers broad training in theoretical and applied statistics for students seeking careers in data sciences, academia, industry, or government. The dissertation represents a significant contribution to statistical research.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: This specialization gives students the opportunity to receive advanced training in mathematics and/or statistics in the context of another field of inquiry, such as biology, business, education, engineering, ecology, economics, or physics. Students in this specialization usually take about two thirds of their coursework in Mathematics and Statistics and the remaining third in the other discipline. The dissertation itself will generally entail the development of advanced mathematical or statistical methods to solve problems in another subject area.
- College Teaching: This specialization is designed for students preparing for careers focused on teaching mathematics and statistics. Students in the College Teaching specialization receive broad training in pure and applied mathematics and statistics and complete six credits of College Teaching Internship under the guidance of their supervisory committee. The dissertation for this specialization is flexible and may include original research in mathematics, statistics or education as well as exposition of important mathematical and statistical theories and their historical relationships.
- Climate Adaptation Science (Mathematical Science PhD): The Climate Adaptation Science specialization provides students with experiences in actionable science through internship and research experiences. Program includes interdisciplinary research to identify adaptive responses to changing climate extremes and two-part internships with agency, NGO, and industry partners. In a first internship, students contribute to projects and learn the workplace cultures and science needs of the host. The internship experiences inform interdisciplinary climate adaptation research by student teams. In a second internship, students share science results and tools with the host organization and help put that science into action.

