Oral exams

Oral Examinations in the School of Mathematics

There are four types of graduate oral exams in the School of Mathematics, as described in various places on Georgia Tech websites and in the Catalogue. Here is a synopsis of some key points.

The final part of the Comprehensive Examination for the PhD in Mathematics is oral, as described in the on-line degree description.
It is highly recommended that advisors and students actually read the degree description at some stage! Note that the Oral Comprehensive is absolutely not intended to be a seminar followed by polite questions for a few minutes. It is the only opportunity for the dissertation advisor to assess the advisee's depth of knowledge in the specialties which will be needed for the dissertation. In the degree description it is plainly written that:
That is, a plan of study should be agreed on in advance between the advisor and the student, and a copy filed with the Graduate Coordinator. Typically this would be a list of specific advanced texts, articles, and courses to be mastered, and it can be sent in by e-mail
At the time of the exam, the student may choose to make a presentation of some material, but this should not exceed twenty minutes, unless it is the student's original research. The presentation in no way replaces or constrains the questions, which should constitute the greater part of the event. Afterwards, the Oral Committee reports the result of the exam to the Graduate Coordinator.
Some regulations. Every doctoral student in Mathematics shall pass this exam within 3 years since first enrolling in the doctoral program. [Students in the doctoral program as of May 2006, may elect to follow the old rule requiring them to pass this exam within 18 months of completion of the written portion of the Comprehensive Exams.] The Oral Exam Committee consists of the dissertation advisor and two or more members chosen by student and his or her advisor. An additional member is appointed by the Graduate Coordinator or the Graduate Committee.
Permissions are not needed from the Vice Provost's office. It is common but not necessary for Oral Committee members later to become members of the Dissertation Committee.
When taking this exam, the form must be completed by the Advisor and returned to the Graduate Coordinator.
Final public oral (defense of the dissertation). The final official event in the PhD program is the defense of the thesis. Please refer to www.grad.gatech.edu/thesis for official rules, regulations, and for math the defense takes place in the student's last semester two weeks or more before the dissertation is due (in final form!) in the Graduate Office, and it should be preceded by several officially registered events: Comprehensive Exams, Approval of Minor, and Admission to Candidacy. The Dissertation Committee and the defense should be approved by the Graduate Coordinator and by the Vice Provost two weeks in advance, at which time a copy of the dissertation is placed on public display in the faculty lounge, and the time and place of the defense are announced to the public. The Dissertation Committee consists typically of five members including the dissertation advisor and at least one academic member from outside the School of Mathematics. The Committee is selected by the advisor in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
The student takes responsibility for announcements, room reservations, delivering copies of the dissertation, etc. The student and/or his/her advisor, must make a copy of the theisis available to all members of the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks before the defense date, or as otherwise agreed with the Committee's members.
The final public oral is a public event, and after a presentation of the dissertation the public is invited to ask questions of the candidate. The public is then dismissed and the Committee continues to ask probing questions. Eventually the candidate leaves the room and the Committee deliberates, then announces the decision. The Committee reports the result of the defense to the Graduate Coordinator and to the Vice Provost. The dissertation is archived electronically.
MS in Mathematics, thesis option. If a MS student chooses the thesis option, the oral exam consists of a presentation of the thesis followed by questions related to the thesis. The committee consists of three or more members chosen by the Committee Chair, ordinarily the advisor of the thesis, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Permissions are not needed from the Vice Provost's office. The exam should take place at least two and preferably three weeks before commencement. The student reserves the room for two hours, although the exam is often shorter in duration. The Committee reports the result of the exam to the Graduate Coordinator and to the Vice Provost. The thesis is archived electronically.
When taking this exam, the form must be completed by the Advisor and returned to the Graduate Coordinator.
MS in Mathematics, non-thesis option. If a MS student does not write a thesis, the oral exam consists of questions related to classes the student has taken in the concentration area of the MS degree. A student may choose to make a presentation of some material, but this should not exceed twenty minutes and in no way replaces or constrains the questions, which should constitute the greater part of the event. The committee consists of three or more members chosen by the Committee Chair in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Permissions are not needed from the Vice Provost's office. The exam should take place at least two and preferably three weeks before commencement. The student reserves the room for two hours, although the exam is often shorter in duration. The Committee reports the result of the exam to the Graduate Coordinator.
When taking this exam, the form must be completed by the Advisor and returned to the Graduate Coordinator.

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