All students pursuing the Ph.D degree are required to demonstrate a basic understanding of Algebra (MTH
561/562), Topology (MTH 531/532), and Analysis (MTH 533/534) by
passing preliminary exams in these subjects.
Students must pass all of these exams by the beginning of their second year in the program.
The preliminary exams are given in the middle of August and in the beginning of June of each academic year. Passing any of the preliminary exams
enables a student to by-pass the corresponding 500-level course sequence. Incoming students are welcome to take any of the August exams prior to the
start of the fall semester.
The following syllabi are intended as a rough guide. The actual contents of the exams are determined by the exam committee.