Each graduate student will take a comprehensive examination upon completion of the 12-hour math/stat core coursework.
Content
Below are the key concepts that students should expect on the comprehensive examination. A few notes: These lists are only subsets of the course material that students will be responsible for as part of the course grade, i.e., faculty expectations in each course will include but not be limited to mastery of these concepts. Also, a particular seating for the comprehensive examination might not include every topic listed below.
MAT 5230: Linear Algebra
- Mastery of computational skills from undergraduate linear algebra
- Understanding of theoretical concepts related to real and complex vector spaces and linear transformations
- Understanding of spectral theory and diagonalization
- Understanding of inner product spaces and orthogonality
MAT 5330: Mathematical Modeling
- Knowledge of the cycle and process of modeling
- Ability to create a mathematical formulation of a problem
- Ability to produce, interpret, analyze, and critique a formulation or solution
- Understanding of the roles sensitivity and uncertainty play in the modeling process
MAT 5610: Analysis I
- Understanding of continuity and uniform continuity
- Mastery of limit definitions for differentiation and integration
- Understanding of convergence and divergence of sequences and series
- Understanding of point-wise and uniform convergence and applications to integration
STT 5811: Statistical Concepts and Applications I
- Appropriate use of technology
- Appropriate presentation of graphics and descriptive statistics
- Understanding of probability and sampling distributions
- Understanding of statistical inference, including using correct procedures, and drawing proper conclusions
Timing and Administration
The exam will be offered each April, November, and July at approximately mid-month, and students are expected to take the exam as soon as they have completed the core courses.
The exam will consist of a seated, timed component and a take-home component. The take-home component is designed to be completed in 6-8 hours; however, in order to accommodate students' class and teaching schedules, they will be given 5 days to finish the take-home component.
Study Guide
The faculty have created a document containing advice on preparation for comps in the form of a downloadable PDF file.