Five major classes of requirements must be fulfilled. Since a number of options are
available, the student will, in consultation with an advisor, submit a plan of study
to the Graduate Committee of the program.
Mathematical Requirement
To be completed by the end of the third year:
(1) one course each in analysis beyond calculus, abstract algebra beyond linear algebra,
and logic; and
(2) two quarters of mathematical statistics, with calculus as a prerequisite and covering
the fundamentals of probability and random variables.
Computer/Language Requirement
All students must be sufficiently familiar with various computer programs and languages
to be able to conduct serious research in their field of interest and must submit
either proposed courses or some demonstration of competency as part of their plan
of study. In addition, students must either
(1) attain proficiency in reading social science technical publications in one foreign
language with a substantial relevant technical literature or
(2) demonstrate proficiency in computer programming considerably beyond that of the
standard computer requirement.
Because of the continually changing nature of computer languages and software, the
conditions for fulfilling this additional computer expertise requirement is left to
the judgment of the faculty subcommittee on computers of the Ph.D. program.
Substantive Minor
Students are expected to develop considerable expertise in some substantive field
of social science and in the application of models to it. This requires the completion
of three courses at the upper-division or graduate level that do not necessarily entail
extensive modeling and three courses or seminars in which the primary thrust is mathematical
modeling.
Research Papers and Colloquia
At the end of the second year, a 10–20-page paper reporting original research or a
penetrating analysis of some subtopic of mathematical behavioral science (or either
social networks, or games, decisions, and dynamical systems with a formal or mathematical
component) is expected. An oral presentation will be given to faculty and graduate
students. Two faculty members are assigned to read and evaluate the paper and talk.
Students are required to take for credit four quarters of the Mathematical Behavioral
Sciences Colloquium, SOC SCI 211A--SOC SCI 211C, during their first three years. Although
not a formal requirement, students are expected to attend the colloquium on a regular
basis whenever in residence.
Dissertation
The dissertation entails two steps:
Advancement to Candidacy
Usually at the end of the third year or the beginning of the fourth, the candidate
submits a prospectus proposal of at least 20 pages. A three-person dissertation committee
is formed to read and comment on the proposal. When it is deemed ready, an oral examination
will conducted by four faculty from the School of social Science and one from elsewhere
in UCI. It will cover not only the prospectus, but also related background material.
Dissertation Defense
After the written dissertation is submitted and evaluated by the dissertation committee
to be eligible for presentation, an oral examination will be held on the dissertation.
For paper application and information contact:
Jennifer Gerson
School of Social Sciences
University of California
Irvine, CA 92697-5100
(949) 824-4074
E-mail: jennifer.gerson@uci.edu