Introduction The guidebook is intended as a reference for use by Mathematics faculty and graduate students. It contains degree requirements, guidelines for continuation of assistantships, Department and University policies concerning graduate students, and other information about the University of Georgia graduate programs in Mathematics. Student Responsibility It is especially important that all students know that it is their responsibility to make sure they fulfill all the requirements explained in this handbook and meet all the Graduate School deadlines. Each student should meet regularly with their advisor, to keep the advisor informed about the student's progress, and to develop a personal mentoring relationship. Faculty Advisors and Committees All students entering a Mathematics degree program are initially advised by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Until a PhD student is ready to sit for a written qualifying exam, the student will continue to be advised by the DGS. As soon as the student attempts a written qualifying exam, the DGS assigns to the student a Preliminary Advisory Committee (PAC), and the chair of this PAC becomes the official preliminary advisor of the student. The PAC consists of three members, including the advisor, and is tasked with reviewing/checking the grading of the student's qualifying exams, and providing feedback. The PAC preliminary advisor is responsible for signing the student’s advisement form each semester. Once a Ph.D. student has passed at least two written exams, the student will now be actively looking for a suitable dissertation supervisor. Until the graduate student has found a suitable dissertation advisor, it is incumbent to the graduate student, before registering for classes in any given semester, to appraise the DGS of their efforts and progress towards finding a suitable dissertation supervisor. The PAC of a student dissolves after the student passes their written qualifying exams requirements and chooses a dissertation advisor. The dissertation advisor chosen by the student is responsible for forming the PhD committee, which consists of 4 to 5 members including the advisor. In the case of MA/MAMS students the advisor is responsible for forming a Masters Committee consisting of three faculty members including the advisor. A student may change advisors at any time. This change should be discussed with the old advisor, the new advisor, and the Director of Graduate Studies.The Master's or PAC or PhD committee should take an active role in designing the student's course of study, especially in regard to courses outside the department and monitoring the progress towards degree. Last reviewed October 2022
