The written PhD qualifying exam, also called the PhD Comprehensive Examination, is administered twice yearly, during the two weeks just prior to the start of the Spring semester (January exam) and Fall semester (August exam). The qualifying exam is offered in four sections, out of which students need to pass two:
- Differential Geometry & Topology
- Abstract Algebra
- Numerical Analysis
- Real Analysis
The sectional exams are given during the week just before the start of the semester. Each section of the exam begins at 10:00AM and ends at 1:00PM.