Graduate Programmes » PhD in Mathematics » Current PhD Students
Graduation Requirement for PhD students
Students admitted up until AY2022/23: Click here
Students admitted from AY2023/24 onwards: Click here
Continuation Requirement (PhD)
Objective
The QE serves to ensure that a PhD candidate has sufficient background and breadth in mathematics for him/her to embark on his/her research. New graduate students are admitted to the Graduate Programme (by default). Students who are interested in the PhD degree must pass the QE by the end of their 24th month candidature before they are allowed to convert or upgrade from Graduate Programme to PhD programme.
Graduate students who fail the QE or students who choose not to sit for the QE will complete the requirements for an MSc (by Research) degree.
Important Dates
To sit for exam in | Submit application by | |
Semester 1, 2025/26 | 15 Jun 2025 | |
Semester 2, 2024/25 | 15 Nov 2024 |
Exam | Exam date in Semester 1 | Exam date in Semester 2 |
Paper 1 | 5 Aug 2024 | 6 Jan 2025 |
Paper 2 | 7 Aug 2024 | 8 Jan 2025 |
Paper 3 | 7 Aug 2024 | 12 Jan 2025 |
Paper 4 | 6 Aug 2024 | 10 Jan 2025 |
Papers 1, 4, 2 and 3 are always held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday respectively, in the week before week 1 of a semester. Examination will be rescheduled if it falls on a public holiday.
Format
There are two components:
Student must pass both components in order to be converted/upgraded to read the PhD programme.
Registration
Registration is done online through a survey form, which will be sent out via email, at least one month before the closing date of respective semester.
Syllabus
Suitable textbooks
Suitable reference books
AY2023/2024:
Student who scores A in both MA5203 Graduate Algebra I and MA5204 Commutative Algebra or MA5218 Representation Theory shall be deemed to have passed paper 1.
Student who scores A in both MA5204 Commutative and Homological Algebra and MA5218 Representation Theory shall be deemed to have passed paper 1.
From AY2024/2025 onwards:
Student who scores A in both MA5204 Commutative and Homological Algebra and MA5218 Representation Theory shall be deemed to have passed paper 1.
Syllabus
Part I: Advanced Calculus
Part II: Real Analysis
Part III: Complex Variables
Part IV: Functional Analysis
Remarks
The paper will test more on content instead of tricks. Students are usually expected to score at least 60% of the total mark in order to pass the paper.
Recommended textbooks
*From January 2025 onwards.
Student who scores A in both MA5205 Graduate Analysis I and MA5206 Graduate Analysis II or MA5213 Advanced Partial Differential Equations shall be deemed to have passed paper 2.
Syllabus
Recommended textbooks
Student who scores A in both MA5233 Computational Mathematics and MA5243 Advanced Mathematical Programming shall be deemed to have passed paper 3.
Syllabus
Recommended textbooks
Remarks
AY21/22-semester 1
AY21/22-semester 2
AY22/23-semester 1
AY22/23-semester 2
AY23/24-semester 1
AY23/24-semester 2
Students can raise for PhD QE Exemption, if they meet the requirements for exemption stated under “Topics for Comprehensive Exam”.
Please submit your request and your unofficial transcript in the e-form.
Administrators will notify you on the status of your exemption request within 2 working weeks.
Courses Offered
Subject to departmental approval, students are allowed to substitute up to two MA-courses with approved level 5000 courses offered by other departments to fulfill the graduation requirements.
Important Notes:
Procedure:
Supervision
Thesis Matters
Leave Application
Students who met their graduation requirements are not required to file for graduation as Department will do this for you. Please click the respective link below to find out information about:
2) Conversion of candidature (full-time to part-time or to PhD to MSc)
3) Change Thesis Title
4) Change Thesis Advisor
Please submit an e-form on Edurec.
Steps and Guide to submit an e-form for conversion of candidature.
Steps and Guide to submit an e-form for extension of candidature.
Steps and Guide to submit an e-form for Change of Thesis Title.
Steps and Guide to submit an e-form for Change of Thesis Advisor.