Welcome to the Mathematics & Decision Graduate Program at UM6P. Our program is designed to equip national and international students with advanced mathematical skills and decision-making capabilities essential for addressing complex problems in various industries and research fields.

Our interdisciplinary curriculum bridges theoretical mathematics and practical decision sciences, preparing graduates to apply mathematical models and analytical techniques to real-world scenarios.

The primary objectives of the Mathematics & Decision Graduate Program are to:

• Develop a deep understanding of advanced mathematical concepts and their applications.
• Enhance analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Equip students with the ability to formulate and solve complex decision-making problems.
• Prepare graduates for careers in academia, industry, and government sectors.

Graduates of our program are well-prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

• Academia: Academic positions in mathematics, statistics, and related fields.
• Industry: Working as data scientists, operations researchers, analysts, and consultants in sectors such as finance, technology, healthcare, energy, and logistics.
• Government and Public Policy: Contributing to policy-making and public administration through analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.

• Competitive scholarships and funding opportunities.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.
• Collaboration with leading experts and industry partners.
• A stimulating and supportive academic environment within a dynamic and growing research community.
• Research stays opportunities abroad, fostering practical exposure in academia or industry.

Applicants should have a strong academic background (master's degree, Engineering School or equivalent) in related fields such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, or physics. Previous research experience and a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration are highly desirable.

You can apply via UM6P website following the link.

Our PhD program is divided into two parts; at the beginning, applicants enroll as PhD Students (Predoc), then become PhD Candidates later.

- PhD Student: Still completing coursework and qualifying exams, not yet focused exclusively on dissertation research. Depending on the applicant's background, and upon validation by the Doctoral Committee, the Predoc stage can be reduced to 1 year.

- PhD Candidate: Has completed coursework and exams, focusing on dissertation research and writing.

Coursework

PhD students must take courses within our Graduate program, which are divided into:

• Basic Courses
• Fundamental Courses
• Advanced Courses
• Specialized Courses

Qualifying Exam

All students must undergo the qualifying exam before the end of the second year.

Each student is required to complete

• 4 basic courses,
• 4 fundamental courses,
• 1 advanced courses,

The written qualifying examination will be conducted in two sessions every year. The qualifying exam is designed to test a student's comprehensive knowledge in their field of study and readiness to undertake independent research.

Directed Research

Directed Research gives students an opportunity to engage in substantial research activities under a faculty advisor's supervision. It helps students develop their research skills, gain experience in their field, and start working on potential dissertation topics. This research is usually undertaken after the completion of initial coursework and before the student is ready to defend their research proposal and pass the qualifying exams. Students may start Directed Research around March of the first year.

Coursework

• Basic Courses (at least 4)
• Fundamental Courses (at least 4)
• Advanced Courses (at least 3)
• Specialized Courses (at least 4)

Research Credits

• Research Seminars/Colloquia
• Directed Research
• Doctoral Thesis

Soft Skills & Professional Development

• Soft Skills
• Professional Development or Teaching

Majors

• Biological Systems
• Digital Twin & Operational Technology
• Energy & Material Science
• Data-Science & Operations Research
• Mathematical Modeling & Simulation

Program Courses

To ensure that all our PhD candidates can successfully engage with the academic content and participate fully in our research community, proficiency in English is essential. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through standardized tests.

We require that all our PhD candidates be proficient in English, which is not the case for PhD Students. Hence, during the predoc, students must take English courses and ensure to achieve the required scores by the end of their predoc.

We accept a minimum score of 90 on the TOEFL iBT, or equivalent.

Waivers and Exemptions

PhD Students may be exempt from passing the TOEFL exam, if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Native English Speakers.
• Previous Education in English.

PhD Students who have demonstrated exceptional performance in their qualifying exams, may benefit from a conditional English waiver if their TOEFL score is less than 90 (but higher than 80). In which case, they must take English courses during their candidacy and retake the TOEFL exam within the first year of their candidacy.