Math PhD Program Mission
The Cornell Mathematics PhD program trains talented students from around the world to conduct top notch mathematics research and prepare for careers in academia and beyond. Cornell Math Graduate students contribute significantly to our teaching and training mission. They are regularly recognized with national and international research prizes and fellowships, as well as Arts & Sciences (A&S) and University teaching and advising awards.
Program Description
The graduate program in the field of mathematics at Cornell leads to the Ph.D. degree, with an expected time to degree of 5 years. One feature that makes the program at Cornell particularly attractive is the broad range of interests of the faculty. The department has outstanding groups in the areas of algebra, algebraic geometry, analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics, dynamical systems, geometry, logic, Lie groups, number theory, probability, and topology. The field also maintains close ties with distinguished graduate programs in the fields of applied mathematics, computer science, operations research, and statistics.
Special Requests
Students who have special requests should first discuss them with their PhD advisor (or with their assigned advising committee member, if they don't have an advisor yet). If the advisor supports the request, then it should be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
Accountability & Due Process
All field policies will be enforced consistently across students and timeframes. A doctoral student is expected to design, execute, and manage an independent research agenda and meet their academic milestones in a timely manner. If a student is not meeting expectations, their special committee chair or advisor and the director of graduate studies (DGS) will provide timely written notice (as soon as concerns become evident) outlining the issues, outcomes, or potential consequences, including:
Written notice of a lack of academic progress or loss of academic standing (separate, and in addition to, the SPR).
A clear explanation of the concerns and specific expectations for improvement.
A reasonable timeline and opportunity to meet expectations before any adverse action (e.g., changes in funding status or withdrawal recommendations).
Further, all students should be provided with an opportunity to meet with the DGS to discuss the concern and plan for improvement.
If a student fails to meet the conditions of that plan, the special committee in collaboration with the field DGS will consult with the Graduate School to review the case and determine next steps. This can include academic withdrawal from their degree program and the Graduate School accompanied by documentation showing that the process above was followed, and in accordance with Graduate School policy and the terms of the CGSU-UE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Graduate students will be given an opportunity to respond or appeal as outlined by the Graduate School and CGSU UE policies. Final decisions will be documented and archived by the DGS and GFA and the Graduate School.