As a graduate student in the FSU mathematics department, regardless of your area (Pure, etc.), you must pass Qualifying exams as a first step toward your Ph.D. candidacy. The conditions of these Qualifiers depend on your area, and are outlined below:
Where the terms used are:
Double-Semester Qualifier: A 4-hour exam covering 2 classes’ material. The classes may be from the same sequence (Measure I and Measure II, etc.), but this is not necessarily the case.
Single-Semester Qualifier: A 2-hour exam covering 1 class’s material.
Exemptions: Provided a student earns an exceedingly high grade (A- or A) in a class, and the instructor approves, a student may be exempted from taking the Qualifier.
2-Attempt Policy: If a Qualifier covering a class’s material is failed twice, it can not be reattempted. Another Qualifier for another class must take its place, if possible.
Qualifier Choices: There is an open selection of classes from which to choose qualifiers, based on student preference. The amount of choice varies from area to area.
How do I know what’s on the Qualifier? The instructor who is currently teaching the class will write the Qualifier, so they are the primary source of information for a given semester’s Qualifier. On the FSU website, there will sometimes be sample qualifiers for some areas (mostly Pure). These are helpful, especially if the test writer is the current instructor. What is the 0th attempt? As a new graduate student arrives at FSU, they may take their area Qualifiers as soon as they arrive. If they fail these Qualifiers, this does not count against their 2 attempts. If they pass some of these Qualifiers, they may be placed into advanced classes; if they pass all Qualifiers, they can immediately begin preparing for their ATE after finding an advisor. This is rare for new graduate students. Where and when are the Qualifiers? You will receive emails about signing up for Qualifiers far in advance. They are scheduled around the first weekends of the semester. All Qualifiers are held in the same room, LOV 101, on a given day. When do I get my Qualifier result? Often grading will be done in the first few weeks of the semester, although it depends on the instructor. It may be quite a while longer. What can I take with me to a Qualifier? Inside the test room, you must have your notes put away. You can use a calculator if it applies to the class. You can also bring snacks and drinks for your exams.
What do I do if I’ve failed a Qualifier once?
Devote yourself to studying that course in the following semester if you need that Qualifier. Passing your Qualifying exams takes top priority.
What do I do if I’ve failed the same Qualifier twice?
If you have other qualifiers to take, prepare for them. If you are left with no other qualifiers available, you can work with the department to change areas as a last resort.
What’s the time limit?
The timely progress of a department-funded graduate student requires Qualifiers be finished no later than the beginning of the fourth semester of graduate study. This means you have before the third semester and before the fourth semester (2 rounds of Qualifiers) to pass your Qualifiers.
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