Mathematics, PhD
Advance your knowledge of mathematics with a PhD so that you can contribute to the field and develop solutions across industries. Our PhD program ensures you are prepared to lead as an innovative thinker and dedicated scholar. Whether you are mentoring the next generation or solving complex real-world problems, you will leave with the expertise to succeed in your first job and any career pivots that lie ahead.
Program Overview
The Mathematics PhD program prepares students for careers as professors or industry researchers, teaching them skills to conduct thorough, original research.
In our program, you will have the opportunity to choose a research specialization, learning about topics ranging from applied mathematics to data science to differential geometry. You will learn how to design, conduct, and analyze the results of complex research studies, all while contributing to transformative research in the field of math.
Plus, our program also offers a concentration in mathematical biology, allowing you to gain an interdisciplinary edge that will make you highly desirable in the job market.
Concentrations
Our current selection of concentrations includes:
- Mathematics, PhD (general)
- Mathematical Biology concentration
Our program currently offers a general Math PhD where students can choose a research specialization, or students can choose to study the concentration in mathematical biology. If you enjoy applying mathematical tools to scientific fields such as health, the environment, ecology, and more, then this concentration would be a great fit.
Why Study Mathematics?
A math doctorate at UT won’t just prepare you to do research; it will teach you how to collaborate across disciplines and forge unexpected connections with some of the leading minds in the field of math.
You will have opportunities to attend conferences and work closely with faculty in some of their faculty-led labs, giving you individualized mentorship you won’t find anyplace else.
Plus, students will also benefit from receiving graduate research or teaching assistantships, which offer a waiver of tuition, a monthly stipend, and health insurance.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Mathematics After Graduation?
Studying mathematics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville means becoming a part of a dedicated community of students and educators. Faculty is committed to providing students with a rigorous and extensive foundation for a wide variety of professions, as well as equipping them with leadership skills, providing collaboration opportunities, and engaging in high-impact research. Our program will prepare you for careers in social sciences, engineering, business, physical and biological sciences, and more, giving you the ability to become a part of important dialogue in a continuously growing conversation.
Our graduates go on to pursue careers in areas such as data and analytics, working as data scientists, statisticians, or quantitative analysts. In technology, many mathematics graduates become software engineers, algorithm developers, network administrators, or programmers, working with computer service companies, entertainment companies, software publishers, and more. In business, you could work in accounting or finance, sales and marketing, or operations, drawing on your skills in math as well as leadership and collaboration. You could also go into engineering, as a computational scientist or systems engineer, or research, expanding global knowledge of important topics and sciences as an educational researcher, operations research scientist, or theoretical researcher.
Whichever path you decide to take, this program will set you up with skills you can use and experience you need to be successful, competitive, and confident post graduation.
Featured Courses
MATH 531 Ordinary Differential Equations I
This course covers the existence, uniqueness, extendibility, and dependence on parameters for solutions of differential equations. Students will also learn the theory of linear systems of differential equations including boundary value problems and series methods.
MATH 527 Stochastic Modeling
This course will include variable topics in probability applied to real world situations. Topics may include queuing theory, branching processes, Monte Carlo simulation, stochastic finance and other topics as selected by instructor.
MATH 515 Analytical Applied Mathematics I
In this course, students will conduct an analysis of advanced techniques in modern context for applied problems: dimensional analysis and scaling, perturbation theory, variational approaches, transform theory, wave phenomena and conservation laws, stability and bifurcation, distributions, and integral equations.
MATH 561 Topology I
Students will learn about topological spaces and continuous functions, separation axioms, product and quotient topologies, connectedness, compactness, and complete metric spaces.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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