Mathematics, MS

Entrance Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science program in mathematics must meet the general Graduate College requirements for admission as degree-seeking students. In addition, students must have the following.

Students must have credit for MTH 503 Advanced Calculus; MTH 532 Abstract Algebra; MTH 540 Statistical Theory I, or equivalent courses.
Students must have a GPA, in upper division mathematics courses beyond the first calculus sequence, of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.

Students who do not meet conditions 1 and 2 above may be admitted conditionally. Deficiencies must be made up with B grades or above in courses approved by the mathematics department. Credit in such courses will not count toward the total hours required for the Master of Science in mathematics.

Degree Requirements Credit Hours: 32 Minimum

A Minimum of 18 Semester Hours

of 700 level mathematics courses (except MTH 796 ). At least one of the following four courses must be completed:

Students planning to continue to a PhD degree are strongly advised to take the analysis and algebra sequences.

Mathematics Electives

From 4 to 15 elective hours in mathematics, dependent upon hours of research and other electives.

Related Electives

A maximum of 6 hours of elective courses in fields related to mathematics may be taken with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Research Requirements

1-6 semester hours of course work from MTH 791 , MTH 792 , MTH 798 , or MTH 799 , but a maximum of 6 semester hours may be applied toward the requirement for the MS degree. This requirement will be met in one of the following ways:

Option I: Completion of a satisfactory thesis in the candidate’s discipline. Thesis credit shall be no more than 6 semester hours of the minimum 32 hours required for a master’s degree.
Option II: Completion of a minimum of one seminar paper (MTH 791 ). This requires writing a paper and presenting it to the department.

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.

Accelerated Master’s Option

The Accelerated Master’s Program option in Mathematics provides an opportunity for outstanding undergraduate students to begin their graduate course work during their senior year. To be eligible to apply for admission to this program, the student must have completed at least three of the courses MTH 333, MTH 503, MTH 532, and MTH 540; have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all mathematics courses numbered MTH 261 or higher. An eligible student may apply for admission during the second semester of the junior year.

If accepted into the accelerated program, up to a maximum of 9 hours of 600/700 level mathematics courses taken after admission into the program may be given credit for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The courses MTH 603 , MTH 631 , and MTH 640 will not be given credit in the graduate program.

A student is fully admitted to the Graduate College upon completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. All requirements for the master’s program should be met for graduation from the master’s program.

Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit and to count the course toward the masters degree, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and receive prior approval from the graduate program advisor, department head of the undergraduate program, and the dean of the Graduate college. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.