Ph.D. Timeline
The following time line is meant to provide general guidance - individual cases may vary.
- All years:
- Attend Research seminars
- Take part in Professional Development activities
- Be aware of Funding sources to enhance your activities
- Take part in activities of Graduate math organizations
- Be aware of policies/opportunities for concurrent Masters and Certificate programs
- Year 1:
- Build depth from advanced courses
- Meet with your Academic Mentor regularly
- Complete the Qualifying Requirements
- The Teacher Training Program
- Year 2:
- Select your research direction
- Choose your PhD Research Advisor from the Math graduate primary/secondary faculty
- Prepare for the Preliminary Exam
- Year 3: Complete Preliminary Exam and begin thesis work
- Year 4: Thesis work
- Year 5:
- Fall: Write thesis and apply for jobs
- Spring: Follow deadlines required to graduate, defend thesis, and interview for jobs
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
- Complete the Qualifying Requirement
- Pass the Preliminary Examination
- Write and defend the Dissertation
- Six semesters (Fall/Spring) of full-time enrollment
Note: Enrollment in CTN 1-01 is necessary for a PhD student to maintain active/full-time status. - Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirements
The Graduate School requires that you complete paper work for both the Preliminary Exam and the Thesis Defense at least ONE MONTH BEFORE the scheduled date. Read the information above carefully, and let the DGSA (dgsa-math@math.duke.edu) know as soon as you are ready to schedule the exam and defense.