Each student must take a qualifying exam for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree. The contents of these exams are detailed in sections 5.2.1, 5.2.2, and 5.2.3. The qualifying exam will be written by an examination committee of graduate faculty consisting of at least two specialists in the appropriate field, at least one Applied Mathematician, at least one Discrete Mathematician, and at least one Statistician. Qualifying examinations are given each winter, with a typical doctoral student taking the exam during his or her second year. Students are allowed two attempts at passing the qualifying examination. Students who do not pass the qualifying exam will be permitted to complete the requirements for a Master's degree.