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Master of Science in Mathematics

Master of Science in Mathematics

Degree Requirements

The general regulations of the Graduate School, set forth in the University Catalog, apply to the graduate program in mathematics. Any student who has been admitted to graduate study in mathematics but who has not completed the equivalent of MATH 4101 (Advanced Calculus) and 4511 (Linear Algebra) must take 5101 and 5511 as early as possible. (Note: MATH 5101 is required for graduation, but does not contribute towards graduate credit for the MS degree in mathematics. MATH 5511 counts towards graduate credit.)

The student must complete at least 18 hours of 6000-level courses in the Mathematics Department. Up to nine non-math hours can be used toward the degree and these courses must be math-oriented or direct applications of math and must be approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee of the mathematics department.

The student must obtain at least a 3.0 average in all graduate level courses, excluding Thesis Research, whether or not the course is offered for degree requirements. The student is given the choice of whether or not to write a Master’s Degree Thesis. The total number of semester hours required is 36 for non-thesis option and 30 for the thesis option. Students who choose to write a thesis must give an oral presentation of the thesis with satisfactory performance. Students who choose the non-thesis option must give a satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination that covers three math courses given for graduate credit.

The student is allowed to take the comprehensive examination up to two times. This exam is offered in April and November.

Teaching Assistantships

The math department generally employs about 6-10 graduate teaching assistants at any given time. Students holding this position receive a tuition waiver while enrolling full time in the graduate program (registering for 9 or more credit hours, or three courses, per semester). Students holding teaching assistantships also have teaching duties during the term, and are paid a salary for performing these duties. Example duties include: serving as a teaching assistant for a calculus course, tutoring in the math tutor center, serving as lead instructor for an introductory course.

Teaching assistant positions are competitive and all applications for teaching assistant positions are reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee. Teaching assistants in the MS program are expected to graduate within two years. Generally, the teaching assistantship terminates by the end of the second year (four regular semesters) as TA.

For information on how to apply for a teaching assistantship, contact graduate coordinator Linxiong Li.

Accelerated Master's Program (4+1)

The Accelerated Master’s (AM) Degree offers the opportunity for outstanding students to begin earning credit toward a master's degree while still pursuing undergraduate studies. Our accelerated program allows a student to complete a master's in less time and at a lower-than-average cost.

Undergraduate students interested in applying to the accelerated master's program must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2. Students admitted to the program must complete all requirements for the Core Curriculum and a minimum of 90 hours of undergraduate work, including at least 15 hours of upper-level courses, prior to enrolling in graduate courses. Accelerated Master's students may apply a maximum of 12 graduate hours as dual credit counting for the baccalaureate degree. Full details about the Accelerated Master's Program are in the University Catalog.