Welcome to the Fall 2009 Entering Ph.D. Students

Information about selecting your first semester courses.

A summary and study guide for background material for the basic introductory graduate courses.

The written qualifying exam is required of all Ph.D. students. Students are normally allowed two attempts, and most students make their first attempt at the beginning of their second year in the program. However, entering students who believe they may be prepared for the exam, may take the exam at the beginning of the semester they arrive. This attempt does not count towards the two attempts otherwise allowed.
The exam will be held Thursday August 27 and Friday August 28 from 9 AM to 12 PM in Hill 423. If you intend to take the exam, you should register by email with Demetria Carpenter (grad-sec@math.rutgers.edu).

Each entering student will be assigned a faculty mentor sometime during the summer, who will serve as your advisor until you select a research advisor (usually during your second or third year).

Here is the link to university information for new international students.

• Here are various Administrative chores that you'll need to do when you arrive.
• University-wide orientation for new graduate students: This is a two hour program which will be held at two different times. All students should attend one of these two sessions. Further information will be sent to students by the graduate school.
• University-wide Orientation for new international Teaching Assistants: Wednesday August 26 All entering students from abroad who have a Teaching Assistantship should attend. Further information will be sent to students by the graduate school.
• University-wide Teaching Assistant Orientation: Thursday, August 27, 2009. All students who have appointments as a teaching assistant for 2009-2010 should attend. However, if you decide to take the Mathematics written qualifying exam (see below) then you will not attend the orientation this year but should attend it next year. For more details, read this page.
• Mathematics Written qualifying exam: Thursday, August 28, 9AM-12PM and Friday, August 29, 9AM-12PM. (Optional for new students--see above.)
• Mathematics Department orientation and mini-conference: Introduction to Mathematics at Rutgers (IMR): Friday, August 28 12:30 PM through Monday afternoon, August 31.

  This is a 4 day event which will include:

  orientation information for the program,

  Introductory mathematics lectures by faculty

  Expository lectures by advanced graduate students about their dissertation research

  free food, and (4) social events and other activities. All entering math Ph.D. students should plan to attend.