Pure Mathematics - Ph.D.

Program Overview

Kent State's Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics prepares scholars and researchers in various mathematical fields, including functional analysis, representation theory, and approximation theory. Students gain expertise through a qualifying exam, 30 credit hours of dissertation research, and seminar presentations. The program leads to careers in academia, research, and industry, including data science, mathematics teaching, and management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Ph.D. degree in Pure Mathematics is designed for students who aspire to become professional scholars, college and university teachers, or independent researchers in private, industrial, or government research institutions. Kent State's pure mathematics Ph.D. program is one of six in the state public university system and one of only two in Northeast Ohio. The faculty's research areas include functional analysis and operator theory, Lie representation theory, approximation theory, finite groups, character theory, number theory, large-scale systems of equations, numerical and scientific computation, and probability and stochastic processes.

Assessment:

The program includes a departmental qualifying examination at the master's level in algebra and analysis. Upon admission to candidacy, students must register for MATH 87199 for a total of 30 credit hours. A dissertation defense is required, where the candidate presents and defends their research before a dissertation committee.

Careers:

Potential career paths include:

• Data scientists and mathematical science occupations
• Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
• Mathematicians
• Natural sciences managers
• Secondary school teachers
Each doctoral candidate must present at least one seminar during their graduate career.