AIM Preliminary Examinations Because AIM attracts students with diverse backgrounds, one of the initial requirements is for all students to exhibit a sufficiently strong command of advanced undergraduate level mathematics to be ready to take appropriate graduate level mathematics courses. This is the goal of the written AIM Preliminary Examinations. Students may choose to pass any two three-hour exams offered in the following three areas: Advanced Calculus & Complex Variables Differential Equations & Linear Algebra Probability & Discrete Mathematics Incoming students must sign up to take two exams prior to beginning their coursework. Students not passing the exams on the first attempt will receive counseling regarding options (for example, remedial coursework) for enabling future success. The AIM Preliminary Examinations are offered twice each school year, once prior to the start of classes in the Fall semester and again prior to the start of classes in the Winter semester. Successful AIM Ph.D. students will pass two exams within three attempts, that is, by the beginning of the second year of study. Unsuccessful students may continue in the program for one further year to complete an AIM Masters degree. About the AIM Preliminary Exams Examination Schedule The 2013 AIM Preliminary Exam Schedule is as follows: Winter 2013: Monday and Tuesday, January 7-8. Advanced Calculus & Complex Variables: Monday, January 7th, 9AM-noon. Differential Equations & Linear Algebra: Monday, January 7th, 2PM-5PM. Probability & Discrete Mathematics: Tuesday, January 8th, 9AM-noon. Fall 2013: Saturday and Sunday, August 31-September 1. Advanced Calculus & Complex Variables: Saturday, August 31st, 9AM-noon. Differential Equations & Linear Algebra: Saturday, August 31st, 2PM-5PM. Probability & Discrete Mathematics: Sunday, September 1st, 9AM-noon. The AIM Preliminary Examination in Advanced Calculus & Complex Variables We recommend the following references for students preparing for this examination: J. Stewart, Multivariable Calculus. K. Ross, Elementary Analysis: The Theory of Calculus. J. W. Brown and R. V. Churchill, Complex Variables and Applications. Download a detailed syllabus. Some of the recent AIM Preliminary Examinations in Advanced Calculus & Complex Variables are available for study: Winter 2013 Fall 2012 Winter 2012 Fall 2011 Winter 2011 Fall 2010 The AIM Preliminary Examination in Differential Equations & Linear Algebra We recommend the following references for students preparing for this examination: W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations. R. Haberman, Applied Partial Differential Equations with Fourier Series and Boundary-Value Problems (Chapters 1-4). G. Strang, Linear Algebra and its Applications. Download a detailed syllabus. Some of the recent AIM Preliminary Examinations in Differential Equations & Linear Algebra are available for study: Winter 2013 Fall 2012 Winter 2012 Fall 2011 Winter 2011 Fall 2010 The AIM Preliminary Examination in Probability & Discrete Mathematics We recommend the following references for students preparing for this examination: S. Ross, A First Course in Probability. R. A. Brualdi, Introductory Combinatorics. J. Kleinberg and É. Tardos, Algorithm Design. Download a detailed syllabus. Some of the recent AIM Preliminary Examinations in Probability & Discrete Mathematics are available for study: Winter 2013 Fall 2012 Winter 2012 Fall 2011 Winter 2011 Fall 2010