Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computational and Applied Mathematics, Ph.D.


The Ph.D. program in computational and applied mathematics focuses on applied mathematics, numerical analysis, and scientific computation. The program is designed to prepare future researchers and scientists for positions in industry and national laboratories, as well as in academia.

Financial aid is available for Ph.D. students in the form of teaching assistantships, which include the waiver of tuition and fees.

Degree Requirements


Course requirements for the Ph.D. include 33 credit hours as required for the M.S. in computational and applied mathematics  plus an additional 18 credit hours (totaling 51 credit hours of approved graduate coursework), as well as 6 hours of dissertation credit. One year in full-time residence on the SMU campus or at a research facility approved by the departmental faculty and the dean of graduate studies is also required.

Students will be awarded the M.S. degree en route to the Ph.D. after having completed all requirements for the M.S. in computational and applied mathematics. Students advance to candidacy upon successfully completing all coursework and the Ph.D. qualifying examination—a written examination and oral presentation of a paper based on individualized concentration courses in computational and applied mathematics. Students must prepare a dissertation proposal, to be approved by a faculty committee, prior to beginning work on the dissertation. Successful oral defense of the dissertation before a faculty committee is required for completion of the Ph.D.

Candidates must complete the following:

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours)


Computational Mathematics (6 Credit Hours)


Differential Equations and Their Applications (6 Credit Hours)


Elective Courses (39 Credit Hours)


Thirteen courses chosen in consultation with the graduate adviser. A maximum of two approved courses can be taken from outside the mathematics department; these courses must have a strong mathematical component.

M.S. Oral Examination


An oral examination is required to receive the M.S. degree en route to the Ph.D.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination


A written examination and oral presentation of a paper based on individualized concentration courses in computational and applied mathematics are required to advance to candidacy.

Dissertation (6 Credit Hours)


Total: 57 Credit Hours