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Graduate Catalog | 2015-2016 Previous Edition
Mathematics, M.S.
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 Return to: Academic Programs (by level)
The Master of Science Degree in Mathematics is organized into three concentrations:
- Concentration in General Mathematics
- Concentration in Applied Mathematics
- Concentration in Applied Statistics
The Concentration in General Mathematics is a robust but flexible program that allows a student to develop a broad background in Mathematics ranging over a variety of courses chosen from both pure and applied areas, or to tailor a program toward a particular focus that may not be as closely covered by the department’s other degree concentrations (e.g., one that is interdisciplinary in nature).
The Concentration in Applied Mathematics develops analytical and computational skills focused toward applications of mathematics in the physical sciences as encountered in industry, government, and academia.
The Concentration in Applied Statistics provides theoretical understanding of, and training in, statistical methods applicable to particular areas of business, industry, government, and academia.
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Degree Requirements
All candidates, regardless of which concentration is chosen, are required to take the following courses and a comprehensive exam. Students may also choose a thesis option for 3-6 credit hours towards the required credit hour total.
Concentration In General Mathematics
The Master of Science degree concentration in General Mathematics is designed both to provide advanced skills and knowledge for persons seeking positions in industry, government, or teaching at the community college level, and to provide professional development to persons currently in such positions. Qualified graduates are also prepared to enter directly into at least the second year of a Ph.D. program in mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics, depending on the particular course of study.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for the concentration in General Mathematics:
- Applicants must present evidence of the satisfactory completion of at least 27 credit hours of mathematics approved by the department Graduate Committee.
- A satisfactory score is required on at least the Quantitative portion of the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- It is recommended that the student have a basic knowledge of at least two of the areas of algebra, real analysis, and topology.
Concentration Requirements
The Master of Science degree concentration in General Mathematics requires successful completion of at least 30 credit hours of graduate work approved by the department Graduate Committee, including: MATH 5143 and MATH 5144 or their equivalents; at least one course each from two of the groups I, II, III, and V below; and at least 15 credit hours in 7000-level courses. No credit shall be given for 6000-level math courses other than math finance courses. With the approval of the department Graduate Committee, a 3 credit hour 6000-level course in another department of a theoretical nature may be applied toward the 15 credit hours. Candidates for the degree concentration must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the department Graduate Committee, competence on general knowledge in at least three of five groupings of courses listed below. This may be accomplished by (a) successful performance on a written comprehensive examination or (b) successful completion of courses in these areas.
Group I Applied Mathematics
Group II Probability-Statistics
Group III Algebra-Topology
Group V Computer Science
All 5000- and 6000-level Computer Science courses
Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships are available each year (with nationally-competitive stipends) for qualified applicants. A limited number of fellowship awards can be applied to supplement these stipends for especially qualified students.
Thesis
Completion of a thesis is optional. With the approval of the department Graduate Committee, a candidate may receive up to six of the 15 hours required at the 7000 level for the writing of a master’s thesis on an approved topic. This thesis may be original work, work of an expository nature, or the mathematical formulation and solution of a particular industrial or business problem suggested by the career interests of the student. A candidate may receive no more than six of the hours required at the 7000 level for course and thesis work in another department. If the thesis option is selected, the candidate will be required to defend his/her thesis in an oral examination.
Comprehensive Examination
A candidate must perform satisfactorily on an oral comprehensive examination over his/her program of study.
Concentration in Applied Mathematics
The Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Mathematics is designed to develop critical thinking, intuition, and advanced experience in the techniques of mathematical analysis and their application to the problems of industry and technology. Skills are developed to deal with technical problems encountered in industry, business, and government and to hold leadership positions therein; to teach Applied Mathematics at the undergraduate or community college level; and to potentially study Applied Mathematics leading to the Ph.D. degree.
Concentration Requirements
A candidate for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Mathematics must complete at least 30 credit hours of graduate work approved by the department Graduate Committee to include:
Core Courses (21 credit hours)
Numerical Analysis Courses
Select one of the following:
Advanced Analysis Courses
Select one of the following:
Advanced Applied Mathematics Courses
Select two of the following:
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
Advanced Elective Courses
Select one of the following:
Mathematics or Application Elective Courses
Select one Mathematics or suitable area of application course with the approval of the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include:
Research Seminar (3 credit hours)
All candidates for the degree concentration must complete three hours of a Research Seminar course in which they carry out an independent project under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. The project could involve a specific application to a concrete problem of techniques identified in the literature or studied in other courses. All projects are subject to prior approval of the department Graduate Committee and must be successfully defended before a committee of three graduate faculty members appointed by the department Graduate Committee.
Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships are available each year (with nationally-competitive stipends) for qualified applicants. A limited number of fellowship awards can be applied to supplement these stipends for especially qualified students.
Thesis
A student may choose to expand the work begun in MATH 7691 into a master’s thesis by registering for three hours of MATH 7893 to fulfill the 15 credit hour 7000-level course requirement described above. This thesis option affords the student the opportunity to do professional/scholarly work demonstrating proficiency in the area of Applied Mathematics.
Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate for the degree concentration in Applied Mathematics must perform satisfactorily on a final comprehensive examination. This examination will be set and administered by a committee appointed by the department Graduate Committee. It may be in either written or oral form, and it will cover those areas of study and/or research deemed appropriate by the committee.
Concentration in Applied Statistics
The Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics is designed to provide advanced skills and knowledge in the planning, design, testing, and implementation of statistical methods. Skills are developed to deal with problems encountered in statistical applications in business, industry, and government; to hold administrative positions requiring planning and implementation of statistical analysis; to teach statistics at the undergraduate or community college level; and to potentially study statistics leading to the Ph.D. degree.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for the concentration in Applied Statistics:
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0 on all previous college work including a GPA of at least 3.0 in courses prerequisite to the area of applied statistics.
- Evidence of undergraduate preparation in mathematics and computer science including: 12 credit hours of calculus at the level of MATH 1241, MATH 1242, MATH 2241, and MATH 2242; 3 credit hours of linear algebra at the level of MATH 2164; 3 credit hours of differential equations at the level of MATH 2171; 6 credit hours of probability and statistics at the level of MATH 3122 and MATH 3123; and 3 credit hours of computer programming at the level of ITCS 1214.
Degree Requirements
A candidate for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate work approved by the department Graduate Committee, including:
Core Courses (24 credit hours)
Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
MATH/STAT or Applied Elective Courses
Select two courses from an approved list. Examples include:
MATH, STAT, or OPRS Elective Course
Select any MATH, STAT, or OPRS course at the 7000-level.
Note:
Students who, because of their undergraduate work or other experience, can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the material in one or more of the core courses may be exempted from taking the course or courses. Exemption from a course carries no credit towards the degree concentration.
Research Seminar and Thesis Option (3 credit hours)
All candidates for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics are required to complete 3 credit hours of a Research Seminar in which they carry out an independent project under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. The project could involve a specific application of techniques identified in the literature or studied in other courses. All projects are subject to the prior approval of the department Graduate Committee and must be successfully defended before a committee of three graduate faculty members appointed by the department Graduate Committee.
Note:
A student may choose to expand the work begun in MATH 7691 into a master’s thesis by registering for 3 hours of MATH 7893 to fulfill the elective course requirement above. This thesis option affords the student the opportunity to do professional and scholarly work demonstrating proficiency in the area of applied statistics.
Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships are available each year (with nationally-competitive stipends) for qualified applicants. A limited number of fellowship awards can be applied to supplement these stipends for especially qualified students.
Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics must perform satisfactorily on an oral comprehensive examination over the candidate’s program of study.
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