Graduate Degree Requirements

Masters of Arts and Masters of Science

• 32 semester hours of graduate credit
• After 16 semester hours of graduate credit are completed, student must submit a detailed plan of study for approval by their adviser 

Master of Science: Candidates for the Master of Science degree must write a suitable thesis.

Master of Arts: Candidates for the Master of Arts degree must pass the departmental qualifying examination at the master's level.

Pure Math Concentration

At least two of the following sequences must be completed, and at least one semester of one of the remaining sequences must be taken: 

• MATH 6/71051-6/71052 (Abstract Algebra I, II)
• MATH 6/72051-6/72052 (Functions of a Real Variable I, II)
• MATH 6/72151-6/72152 (Functions of a Complex Variable I, II)
• MATH 6/76051-6/76052 (Introduction to Topology I, II)

With prior permission from the Graduate Studies Committee, up to 6 semester hours of mathematically related coursework from other departments can be applied to meet the 14 semester hour elective requirement. Candidates for the Master of Arts degree must pass the departmental qualifying examination at the master's level in algebra and analysis.

Applied Math Concentration

At least two of the following sequences must be completed:

• MATH 6/72041-6/74042 (Methods of Applied Mathematics I, II)
• MATH 6/70051-6/70052 (Probability I, II)
• MATH 6/72251-6/72252 (Numerical Analysis I, II)
• MATH 6/70061-6/70062 (Mathematical Statistics I, II)

At least 20 semester hours must be in MATH or CS courses at the 60000 level or above. Only 3 of the 6 hours of thesis will be counted toward the 20 semester hours at the 60000 level. The remaining 12 semester hours can be taken from graduate-level coursework in MATH or CS. With permission of the advisor, up to 12 semester hours of 50000-level MATH and/or CS courses may be applied toward the total required for the degree. Candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics should include MATH 52031 and 52045 in their program. Master of Arts degree candidates must pass the departmental qualifying examination at the master's level in numerical analysis, probability or statistics, and one additional area chosen from among the areas listed for master's programs. 

While students entering the master's program in applied mathematics are not required to have an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics, they are expected to have proficiency in numerical analysis and statistics at the level of MATH 40012—Introduction to Statistical Concepts and MATH 42202—Introduction to Numerical Computing II. They are also expected to have taken computer science coursework equivalent to CS 23021—Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming. Those who do not meet these specific requirements may be granted conditional admission by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pure or Applied Math

Students who wish to pursue the Ph.D. must pass the qualifying examination at the Ph.D. level. A minor of up to 10 hours will be counted toward the completion of the degree subject to the approval of the student's advisor and the graduate studies committee.

Candidacy

This examination will be a comprehensive examination in the field of the major subject, and will be a substantially deeper test than the qualifying examination.

Master of Arts Program for Secondary Math Teachers (MST Program)

The students are required to take at least 32 semester hours of graduate credit with at least 16 semester hours at the 60000 level and 22 semester hours in mathematics. The program features new graduate-level courses with advanced content directed at secondary teachers, offered in the evenings and during the summer.  If the student follows the recommended coursework path the degree would be completed in three years. The student's program is designed by an advisory committee, consisting of members of the Department of Mathematical Sciences and TLCS (Education). Through an initial interview, the advisory committee helps the student clarify his or her educational objectives and formulate a graduate program that reflects a balance among professional needs, academic training and related outside interests. At the end of the program students make a presentation based on their Capstone project.

Recommended Coursework

15 hours MATH at 50000 level: Pick five courses from the list below. Other 50000-level classes may also work, subject to your faculty advisor's approval.

• MATH 57091 Advanced Concepts of Algebra (3)
• MATH 57091 Advanced Concepts of Geometry (3)
• MATH 57091 Advanced Concepts of Probability and Statistics (3)
• MATH 51021 Theory of Matrices (3)
• MATH 55022 Linear Geometry (3)
• MATH 55021 Euclidean Geometry (3)
• MATH 57011 Theory of Numbers (3)
• MATH 52021 Graph Theory and Combinatorics (3)

8 hours of MATH courses at 60000 level.

• MATH 64091 Advanced Problem Solving I (3)
• MATH 64091Advanced Problem Solving II (3)
• Capstone Project directed by Math Faculty (2)

9 hours Curriculum and Instruction Courses at 60000 level

• C&I 67225 Research in Mathematics Education (3)
• C&I 67791 Seminar in Mathematics Education (3)
• C&I 67224 Teaching Mathematics Using Computers (3)