All our professors are active in research, which provides many choices of research areas for our doctoral students. The department has numerous research clusters constituting particular areas of strength, including:

Algebra, Representation Theory, Algebraic Geometry
Analysis and PDEs
Computational and Applied Mathematics
Dynamical Systems
Geometric Group Theory and Topology
Probability

At the same time, our faculty is devoted to teaching and mentoring of students. Our graduate courses and research seminars provide a great atmosphere for collaborative learning and research.

Program Outcomes

Our PhD in Mathematics consists of preliminary coursework and study, qualifying exams, a candidacy exam with an advisor, and creative research culminating in a written dissertation and defense. All doctoral students must also do some teaching on the way to the PhD.

Upon graduation, you will have an in-depth understanding and mastery of the literature in at least one particular subfield of mathematics (and applied mathematicians will also demonstrate mastery of their area of application). You will also have the skills to develop research proposals, carry out independent research and present and defend your research work in oral, written and graphic forms. Our students also gain valuable teaching experience and learn how to conduct a classroom and grade undergraduate work. Perhaps most importantly, you will develop an understanding of your professional and ethical responsibilities as well as an appreciation of the impact of mathematics in the social context.

Graduates of the PhD Program have gone on to work in the following positions: staff scientist, senior software engineer, technical writer, and research engineer. Others have gone on to academic positions such as postdocs and tenure-track professor positions.

Application Requirements

Application fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement (750 words or less): This statement should include your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study at Tufts and within the Department of Mathematics. Discuss what makes mathematics exciting to you. In addition, please include a description of a math problem or topic that challenged you early in your undergraduate experience. Discuss how you, perhaps with the help of others, overcame those difficulties to understand the problem better and how you presently understand it. Do not be afraid to choose something from a "basic" class like calculus. Your application materials already speak to your achievements; here instead we are interested in hearing about how you have developed your interest in mathematics. Please limit your statement to 750 words or fewer.
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable
Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation

Please note that our department alternates recruiting in-coming classes that are focused on either applied or pure mathematics. For the Fall 2023 admissions (matriculation in September 2023), we are focusing on students interested in areas of pure mathematics.

Tuition and Financial Aid

See Tuition and Financial Aid information for GSAS Programs.

Faculty

Student Spotlight

A Different Kind of Mathematical Mind

Brian Parkes, PhD student in Mathematics and alum of the VERSE program, is getting a preview of what could lie ahead professionally as he pursues his dream of becoming a mathematics professor.