M.S. in Mathematics with 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:

  1. Applicants must present evidence of the satisfactory completion of at least 27 semester hours of mathematics approved by the department Graduate Committee.
  2. A satisfactory score is required on at least the Quantitative portion of the Graduate Record Examination.
  3. 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, V, and VI 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 in the group V. With the approval of the department Graduate Committee, a 3 credit hour 6000-level course in another department of a theoretical nature or a 3 credit hour 6000-level math finance course may be applied toward the 15 credit hours in the 7000-level courses. Candidates for the degree concentration must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the department Graduate Committee, competence on general knowledge in at least three of six groupings of courses listed below. This may be accomplished by (a) successful performance on a written or oral comprehensive examination or (b) successful completion of courses in these areas.

Group I Applied Mathematics

  • MATH 5165  Numerical Linear Algebra (3)
  • MATH 5171 Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
  • MATH 5172  The Finite Element Method (3)
  • MATH 5173  Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
  • MATH 5174  Partial Differential Equations (3)
  • MATH 5176  Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations (3)
  • MATH 7172  Partial Differential Equations (3)
  • MATH 7176  Advanced Numerical Analysis (3)
  • MATH 7177  Applied Optimal Control (3)
  • MATH 7178  Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics (3)
  • MATH 7273  Advanced Finite Element Analysis (3)

Group II Probability-Statistics

  • STAT 5123  Applied Statistics I (3)
  • STAT 5124  Applied Statistics II (3)
  • STAT 5126  Theory of Statistics I (3)
  • STAT 5127  Theory of Statistics II (3)
  • STAT 7027  Topics in Statistics (3)
  • STAT 7122  Advanced Statistics I (3)
  • STAT 7123  Advanced Statistics II (3)
  • STAT 7127  Linear Statistical Models (3)
  • STAT 7133  Multivariate Analysis (3)
  • MATH 5128  Applied Probability I (3)
  • MATH 5129  Applied Probability II (3)
  • MATH 7120  Probability Theory I (3)
  • MATH 7121  Probability Theory II (3)
  • MATH 7125  Stochastic Processes I (3)

Group III Algebra-Topology

  • MATH 5163  Modern Algebra (3)
  • MATH 5164  Abstract Linear Algebra (3)
  • MATH 5181  Introduction to Topology (3)
  • MATH 7163  Modern Algebra I (3)
  • MATH 7164  Modern Algebra II (3)

Group IV Analysis

  • MATH 5143  Analysis I (3)
  • MATH 5144  Analysis II (3)
  • MATH 7141  Complex Analysis I (3)
  • MATH 7143  Real Analysis I (3)
  • MATH 7144  Real Analysis II (3)

Group V Mathematical Finance

  • MATH 6202 Derivatives II: Partial Differential Equations for Finance (3)
  • MATH 6203 Stochastic Calculus for Finance I (3)
  • MATH 6204 Numerical Methods for Financial Derivatives (3)
  • MATH 6205 Financial Computing (3)
  • MATH 6206 Stochastic Calculus for Finance II (3)

Group VI 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 a written or oral comprehensive examination over his/her program of study.