Overview

The Department of Mathematics at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) offers a graduate program leading to a PhD degree in Mathematics. Applicants for the PhD program must hold a Master’s degree with a major study in Mathematics or an equivalent qualification. This program is designed to expand and consolidate existing mathematics knowledge, and to develop skills in undertaking research projects in mathematics. It is also pertinent for mathematics graduate students who have worked for a few years and need to improve their skills and knowledge. PhD candidates undertake in-depth courses and research in order to make a novel contribution to the body of knowledge in a selected field of study. This qualification can enhance or lead to, an academic profession and is also highly regarded by public and private employers. The dissertation is undertaken under the direction of a supervisor who will typically be involved in examining the students and guide their writing in a specific area of mathematics with the requirement of obtaining original results. Dissertation gives students the opportunity to develop broader skillset in the processes of organising, communicating and presenting their work and will prepare students well for further research.

• Teach, explain and transmit mathematical skills, knowledge and ideas to academic and non-academic audiences;
• Work individually or within a team and learn the initiative spirit and bear responsibility for different circumstances;
• Exploit reasonable and creative thinking, linking introductions to results and problem explaining which require mathematical methods;
• Apply integrated and advanced understanding of a complex body of knowledge in either pure or applied mathematics; and
• Apply detailed knowledge of examine, research integrity, ethics, intellectual independence, and responsibility for personal outputs.

To become eligible for admission to our PhD in Mathematics, candidates have to fulfill the following conditions:

• Student should hold MSc in Mathematics from a university, college or program recommended by Ministry of Education.
• Student should have obtained an overall Grade C (=good) and at least accumulative Grade B (=very good) in mathematics courses in MSc.
• Information on academic and English language requirements, is available from the DGS.
• In order to aquire the latest PhD entrance exam and references, please click here.

The degree requires satisfactory completion of at least 41 credit hours and not more than 57 credit hours of 700 level courses including the original research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. The credit hours are divided as follows:

Every student registered for PhD degree in mathematics shall have to follow the following plan of studies:

1. Compulsory Courses
   • Successful completion of 18 credit hours of PhD courses sequence as approved by the Department Graduate Committee (DGC). Enrollment in and satisfaction of student’s major branch and two other chosen major branches of the following major branches:

   	Major branches of mathematics	Course Code	Credit Hours				Major branches of mathematics	Course Code	Credit Hours
   			Per Course	Total					Per Course	Total
   1	Ordinary Differential Equations	MATH 701	3	6		6	Applied Mathematics	MATH 731	3	6
   		MATH 702	3					MATH 732	3
   2	Partial Differential Equations	MATH 703	3	6		7	Algebra	MATH 741	3	6
   		MATH 704	3					MATH 742 or MATH 743	3
   3	Functional Analysis	MATH 711	3	6		8	Geometry	MATH 751	3	6
   		MATH 712	3					MATH 752	3
   4	Real Analysis	MATH 713	3	6		9	Topology	MATH 771	3	6
   		MATH 714	3					MATH 772	3
   5	Numerical Analysis	MATH 721	3	6		10	Algebraic Topology	MATH 773	3	6
   		MATH 722	3					MATH 774	3

2. Comprehensive Examination
   • The comprehensive exam is mandatory for all PhD students and the passing grade in the exam is 70%;
   • The Comprehensive Exam must be taken no later than two academic years after registration in the PhD program;
   • A student must inform the DGC with his/her major branch and two other chosen major branches of the Comprehensive Exam with the consulting of Academic Advisor in the end first semester after registration in the PhD program (see DGC1 Form);
   • A student must pass the Comprehensive Exam in three major branches;
   • A student is allowed a second opportunity to retake the Comprehensive Exam in the same major branch;
   • A student who fails the Comprehensive Exam a second time will be required to withdraw from the PhD program;
   • The Comprehensive Exams will be held twice during the academic year (Before and After First term); and
   • Student must understand that the purpose of the comprehensive exam is to demonstrate the ability to assimilate the theories, concepts, and knowledge gained during PhD coursework. Successful completion of PhD coursework does not guarantee automatic passing of the comprehensive examination.
3. Obligatory Proposal Courses
   • PhD students can register MATH 795 and MATH 796 after passing the Comprehensive Exam in student’s major branch.
4. Research proposal
   • Students are also required to write a research proposal of their intended research topic after passing their Comprehensive Exam in three major branches and MATH 795 and MATH 796 in consultation with their Academic Advisors.
5. Obligatory Research Courses
   • PhD students can register MATH 797 and 798 with the Supervisor after passing the Comprehensive Exam in three major branches.
6. Selected Courses
   • 3 credit hours courses may be selected in consultation with the Supervisor.
7. Research Paper
   • Publication/acceptance of at least two research papers in ISI journals from the student dissertation.
8. Dissertation
   • The student must produce a PhD dissertation of high impact original research. Every student is required to earn at least 10 credit hours through a dissertation written on a topic approved by the department and in consultation with the Supervisor.
9. Oral defense of the Dissertation
   • After the dissertation has been completed and two research paper are published/accepted, the supervisor should notify the DGC that the student is ready for the final oral defense. The Department will appoint the Examination committee with the recommendation/consultation with concerned Supervisor who will also Chair the committee.

To download the study plan, please click here