INTRODUCTION

This handbook is written for all prospective and present graduate students in the Department of Mathematics. It is intended to supplement, but not replace or duplicate, the current Graduate Bulletin published by the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

There are various decisions that every graduate student must make during the course of his or her career as a graduate student, and there are also decisions made about each student by the faculty. This handbook describes the procedures used by the faculty in making decisions, and describes when, how, and by whom, they are made. Students are urged to become familiar with this information so that they can intelligently plan their careers.

This Handbook also contains information about what is expected of you, both as a student and as a graduate trainee, if you are supported by the Department. There is also information about the criteria used to evaluate your work. By reading this, you can learn whom to talk to about each aspect of your work, and when and where you can have input into the decisions that affect you. You are urged to read it, as well as the Graduate Bulletin, carefully, so as to be well informed about a variety of matters that affect you and your graduate career.

Please bear in mind that the Department of Mathematics does not intend this handbook to be a collection of harassing rules and regulations, but rather as a guide to what is expected of our students. Any time you have an alternate proposal, before the fact, for some rule or regulation, you should feel free to talk to the Graduate Studies Director about it. We are always willing to make exceptions for good reasons.