Prospective Students
We appreciate your interest in the graduate program in mathematics at the University of Florida in Gainesville. If you have questions after reading the material below, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.
We offer both a PhD in Mathematics allowing study in any area of mathematics (pure and applied), and a PhD in Mathematics with a Comajor in Statistics.
We offer a Master of Science in Mathematics. Options include a thesis degree, an examination degree that is nearly automatic for doctoral students, a flexible degree that the student designs with an advisor and the graduate committee, and a degree emphasizing teaching.
Admission to the graduate program is jointly handled by the Department of Mathematics and the University of Florida Office of Admissions, whose web page for prospective graduate students provides additional practical information for prospective students about qualifying for admission and advice for individuals on applying for graduate admission. While the Graduate School is not directly involved in admissions, their page Applying for Admission has a useful introductory section on How the Application Process Works. The Department of Mathematics accepts applications for Fall semester only.
Departmental support is offered only for PhD applicants, typically in the form of a Graduate Student Teaching Assistantship which comes with a tuition waiver. Students are responsible for various and sundry fees. Support for a doctoral student is customarily continued for four years as long as the student maintains good academic progress and fullfills all teaching responsibilities satisfactorily. For the past several years we have been able to fund an addition year. We expect to continue this policy as long as funds remain available.
Most of our successful applicants have a Bachelor's degree in mathematics or equivalent. We require that transcripts and degree certificates of all post-secondary work be sent directly to UF Office of Admission at the address below, with informal copies emailed to math-gradapps@ufl.edu or sent to the Graduate Selection Committee at the Department of Mathematics address given at the bottom of the page. International students should note that the University requires transcripts both in the original language and in English translation, so a person with a BS and an MS with non-English transcripts and certificates must send 8 documents.
Most of our successful applicants have taken year long sequences in abstract algebra and modern analysis. Of the three letters of recommendation requested, we ask that at least two come from instructors who can speak to your work in rigorous proof-based mathematics.
The general GRE and the Math Subject GRE are required for all degree programs. Successful applicants typically have GRE general test score of 1200+ (Verbal plus Quantitative). The equivalent new score would be approximately 313.
Most international students are required by University rules to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, with a minimum score of 550 on the paper based test (PBT), 213 on the computer based exam, or 80 on the internet based test (iBT). Here is additional information for international applicants about degrees, transcripts, and tests of spoken English.
The application deadline for Fall 2013 is February 1, 2013 (only applications for Fall semester are considered). The GRE tests must be taken no later than December for the scores to be considered by the Graduate Selection Committee. The GRE and TOEFL scores should be sent directly from ETS to the Office of Admissions. The school code for GRE and TOEFL is 5812.
Applying to the graduate program electronically
Online applications for Fall 2013 may be initiated from the follow portal:
Be sure to use the navigation buttons on the electronic application forms. They insure your information is stored in the database. The "forward" and "back" buttons on your web browser should not be used during the electronic application process.
The application fee is
- $30 by check with a cover memorandum attached to the check sent to
UF Office of Admissions
PO Box 114000 (201 Criser Hall)
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
USA - $31.75 if paid online by credit card
A complete application consists of the following materials:
- Application Form (preferably uploaded through the above portal, paper version available at the graduate school's How to Apply page)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts and degree certificates of all post secondary work
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably uploaded, paper version available at the graduate school's How to Apply page).
- General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores
- GRE Math Subject Exam
- TOEFL Score Report (for international applicants from non-English speaking countries)
If Florida residency is being claimed (for tuition purposes), you will need the voter registration, driver license and vehicle registration of the person claiming Florida residency. Non-U.S. citizens will need their resident alien numbers.