MS in Mathematics

Admission Requirements

Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field Mathematics or a related field. Applicants must have 20 semester hours of undergraduate work in mathematics beyond calculus. Additional requirements vary by area as noted in each section.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study, and an average of 3.00 in all mathematics courses beyond calculus.
  • Tests Required Neither the GRE General Exam nor the subject exams are required. Applicants may still submit GRE scores; however, an absence of GRE scores will not negatively impact their application.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 100, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (revised Paper-Delivered Test), OR,
    • IELTS 7.0, with subscores of 7.0 for all four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
  • Personal Statement Required.
  • Prerequisites
    • Concentration in Pure Mathematics:
    • Concentration in Applied Mathematics:
    • Concentration in Mathematical Computer Science:
      • Data Structures (MCS 360 or equivalent) or Symbolic Computation (MCS 320 or equivalent)
      • Discrete Mathematics (MCS 361 or equivalent)
      • Linear Algebra (MATH 310 or MATH 320, or equivalent)
      • Experience in programming and computing: the successful applicant will show proficiency in all requirements above, either through course work or relevant work experience.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
  • Course Work At least 24 hours must be in mathematics courses, of which 12 hours must be at the 500-level. The student must complete a course of study in one of the following concentrations or, in exceptional cases approved by the Graduate Studies Committee, a general program of study without a concentration can be followed.

Concentration in Pure Mathematics

Concentration Requirements
Analysis II
Real Analysis I
Complex Analysis with Applications
Abstract Algebra II
Second Course in Abstract Algebra I
Select at least two additional courses from:
Formal Logic I
Foundations of Number Theory
Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces
Introduction to Topology I
Second Course in Abstract Algebra II
Real Analysis I
Remaining courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor. Other courses may be substituted with the permission of the director of graduate studies.
Students must do one of the following: Pass a written comprehensive examination in pure mathematics or write a thesis and pass an oral defense.

Concentration in Applied Mathematics

Concentration Requirements
Complex Analysis with Applications
Numerical Analysis
Applied Partial Differential Equations
Select at least one course from:
Analysis II
Applied Differential Equations
Functional Analysis I
Classical Methods of Partial Differential Equations
Ordinary Differential Equations
Numerical Analysis of Partial Differential Equations
Remaining courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor. Other courses may be substituted with the permission of the director of graduate studies.
Students must do one of the following: Pass a written comprehensive examination in applied mathematics or write a thesis and pass an oral defense.

Concentration in Mathematical Computer Science

Concentration Requirements
Computer Algorithms I
Theory of Computation I
Combinatorics
Graph Theory
Numerical Analysis
Computational Geometry
Remaining courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor. Other courses may be substituted with permission of the director of graduate studies.
Students must do one of the following: Pass a written comprehensive examination in mathematical computer science or write a thesis and pass an oral defense.

Other Requirements 

  • Comprehensive Examination Optional. Students who do not pass a written comprehensive examination must complete a thesis.
  • Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis or course work only (with written comprehensive examination). No other options are available.