1. Majors

The PhD program of SIMIS at Fudan University is designed to train students who are interested in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences. There are currently 6 research groups on Differential Geometry, Algebraic Geometry, String Theory, Mathematical Physics, Informational Geometry and Cognitive Computation, Numerical Algebra and Computational Geometry, and Computational Biology and Computational Medicine.

2. Training Goal

We are committed to cultivate first-class mathematical talents who are interested in academic research and willing to contribute to the science and education of our country. The students will have the ability to carry out scientific research and academic communication independently, and make original work in mathematics and related fields. The most important is that academic norms must be obeyed.

3. Types of Programs

There are two types of PhD programs at SIMIS. The first one is a three-year program designed for students who already have or will have a master’s degree in related majors upon the enrollment. The second one is a five-year program for students having or who will have a bachelor’s degree in related majors upon the enrollment.

4. Training Mode

1. Implement the tutor responsibility system.

2. Establish a standardized academic exchange and academic reporting system, and check the completion of the training process on schedule.

3. Under the guidance of their supervisors, doctoral students should study relevant courses, consult literature, participate in seminar classes and domestic and foreign academic conferences, select important problems in mathematics and related fields as research topics, engage in scientific research independently and achieve innovative results.

5. Course Requirements

5.1. Three-year Program

Typically, a student enrolled in the three-year PhD program is expected to take courses with at least 25 credits, including at least 5 credits from public courses, at least 6 credits from core courses and at least 11 credits from elective courses.

5.2. Five–year Program

Typically, a student enrolled in the five-year PhD program is expected to take courses with at least 45 credits, including at least 9 credits from public courses, at least 21 credits from core courses and at least 11 credits from elective courses.

A student who is enrolled in the five-year PhD program is required to pass the qualifying examination in the first year. Failure to pass the qualifying exam after 2 attempts in the first year will cause a withdrawal from the university or a transfer into a Master program.

6. Key stages and requirements

There are four or five key stages that a PhD student is expected to fulfill before the final PhD defense, depending on which program he or she is enrolled.

6.1. Qualifying Examination (only for five-year PhD program students)

Students who are enrolled in the five-year PhD program are required to pass the qualifying examination in the first year. There are in total two attempts. Otherwise, if the student fails in the qualifying examination, he or she will be withdrawn from the university or transferred into a Master program.

6.2. Preliminary Examination

Under the guidenece of advisor, the PhD student is required to choose a research field of specialization, make a survey of the literature, understand the most current trend of the field and determine the research direction as early as possible. Before the preliminary examination, the student is required to complete a minor dissertation on the selected research topic.

The preliminary examination consists of a presentation of and examination on the background material and preliminary research the student has performed.

6.3. Mid-term Examination

At the middle stage of the PhD dissertation work, a group of defense committee members, consisting of at least three experts (may include the student’s advisor) shall examine all aspects of the completion of the required courses and mandatory parts of the dissertation, as well as the progress of the dissertation writing since the dissertation topic was initiated.

6.4. Academic Activities

Students are required to participate in all kinds of academic activities, including research presentations, academic conferences and various specialized seminars and so on.

6.5. Teaching Activities

Students are required to participate in a semester-long teaching internship, i.e., participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching as a teaching assistant.

7. Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is a concentrated reflection of the quality and academic level of doctoral training, and shall be completed independently by the PhD student under the guidance of his or her advisor.

The dissertation shall be a systematic and complete academic paper, which shall make creative academic achievements, and shall reflect that the doctoral students have mastered the solid background knowledge, and have the ability to engage in teaching or scientific research independently.

The timeline of the dissertation shall be in accordance with the relevant regulations from the Graduate School of Fudan University.  

The dissertation can be written in Chinese or in English, but both Chinese and English abstracts must be provided.

8. Publication Requirements

In addition to completion of all coursework and program examinations, a PhD student must have at least one publication (including acceptance) in Class A or SCI (including SCIE) journals. The publications should be related to the student’s dissertation and the first affiliation of the student should be Fudan University.

9. Financial Support

The possible scholarships or fellowships may come from teaching assistantship, research assistantship and government scholarships and so on.

10. Contact

If you have more questions, please contact Miss Li: simis@fudan.edu.cn