The faculty in the Department of Mathematics offer graduate programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics.
The faculty also participate in the program leading to the Master of Natural Science degree when one of the concentrations is mathematics.
In addition, the faculty participate in the interdisciplinary program leading to the M.S. degree in Statistics.
It is recommended but not required that students applying to one of these programs submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
Students in the College of Education admitted to the Master of Education or Doctor of Education degree program in Secondary Education may elect mathematics as the subject matter field. These programs are offered and administered through the College of Education. See “Master of Education” for information on the M.Ed. degree. See “Doctor of Education” for information on the Ed.D. degree.
MASTER OF ARTS
This degree is designed for students who wish to extend their knowledge of mathematics or prepare for certain careers related to mathematics. In order to be admitted without deficiencies, the student’s background should include an undergraduate mathematics major or an equivalent preparation such as may be obtained in certain undergraduate programs in engineering or the sciences. In particular, it is required that the student’s preparation include courses in linear algebra and foundations of analysis. A certain degree of familiarity with computer languages may also be required for some areas of study.
Students pursuing the M.A. degree in Mathematics may choose one of the following areas: general mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics and probability, and computational mathematics. Information concerning the requirements for each area may be obtained from the Department of Mathematics.
See “Master’s Degrees” for information on the M.A. degree.
Program of Study. The program of study, including courses in mathematics and related subjects, is selected with the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee. Ordinarily, a program of study consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Comprehensive Examinations. A written comprehensive examination is required. For details inquire in the Department of Mathematics.
Thesis Requirements. A thesis is required.
Final Examinations. A final oral examination in defense of the thesis is required.
MASTER OF NATURAL SCIENCE
The faculty of the Department of Mathematics participate in programs leading to the Master of Natural Science degree (see “Master of Natural Science” for information on the M.N.S. degree). This degree is intended for the student who is interested in an interdisciplinary program with a major emphasis in mathematics and a minor emphasis in a related subject outside mathematics. The student’s supervisory committee consists of two faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and one faculty member of the department in the related area. The supervisory committee designs a program of study of at least 36 semester hours that is appropriate for the type of interdisciplinary work the student wishes to pursue. For more information contact the Department of Mathematics.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
This degree is intended for the student with superior mathematical ability, mphasizing the development of creative scholarship and breadth and depth in background knowledge. Admission to the Ph.D. degree program is normally granted after completion of the master’s degree.
See “Doctor of Philosophy” for general requirements.
Program of Study. The program of study is selected with the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee.
Qualifying Examinations
Qualifying examinations are required. They test a student’s mastery of basic material in two of the following five areas: algebra, differential equations, mathematical statistics, numerical methods, and real analysis. Normally, students entering the graduate program with a bachelor’s degree take these qualifying examinations at the beginning of the third semester, and those entering with a master’s degree at the beginning of the second semester. These examinations are given once each semester.
Foreign Language Requirements. A student is required to have a reading knowledge of a language other than English in which mathematics research is published.
Comprehensive Examinations. Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required.
Dissertation Requirements. A dissertation reporting significant, original research suitable for publication in a professional research journal is required. (See “Research and Dissertation Requirements.”)
Final Examinations. A final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Department members are actively engaged in research in the following areas: applied mathematics; mathematical physics; mathematical modeling; mathematical biology; mathematical neurobiology; bifurcation analysis; dynamical systems; control theory; nonlinear analysis; ordinary and partial differential equations; integral equations; computational mathematics; real, complex, and functional analysis; operator algebras; operator theory; algebra; number theory; topology; discrete mathematics; probability; theoretical and applied statistics; mathematical education.
The department has several clusters of high-end UNIX workstations both for number-crunching and for graphics. Most students will do both class projects and their research computing on these computers. A number of PC and Macintosh computers are also available to students. In addition, all students have access to central computing facilities, which include IBM mainframes, UNIX clusters, and multiprocessor computers.
Omnibus Graduate Courses: See omnibus graduate courses that may be offered.
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