Department of Mathematics
| Professors |
Kiran R. Bhutani, Chair; Alexander Levin |
| Professors Emeriti |
Victor M. Bogdan; Lawrence Somer |
| Associate Professors |
Sherif El-Helaly; Curtis Holliman; Donald Larson; Guoyang Liu; Farzana A. McRae; Vijay Sookdeo |
| Assistant Professor |
Peter Ulrickson |
| Clinical Associate Professor |
Ravi Kalpathy |
| Clinical Instructors |
Joshua Himmelsbach |
The Department of Mathematics offers the following Graduate Programs in Mathematics:
Master of Science in Mathematics
4+1 Bachelors/MS in Mathematics
4+1 BS/MA in Mathematics/Secondary Education (application for admission is currently suspended)
Master of Science in Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics offers Master of Science in Mathematics with two tracks:
Theory track: This track is oriented towards students who are interested in mathematics as an abstract discipline. These students may be considering a Ph.D. in mathematics or in a related discipline. Core coursework for this track includes fundamental topics in advanced abstract mathematics.
Industry track: This track is designed for students who intend to use mathematics in engineering, computer science, medicine, business, industry, social science, or other fields. Core coursework for this track requires at least two courses from a field related to mathematics, such as computer science or engineering, which will help students see how advanced mathematics is used in practical contexts.
Each of these tracks will include a thesis option.
Degree Requirements and Coursework
The MS degree will require completion of 30 credits of coursework, which is 10 courses for students not taking the thesis option. Students electing the thesis option can complete the requirements of the MS program by taking 8 courses plus two semesters of thesis work (under guidance of a math faculty member). The thesis work will start with their second semester in the graduate program. Exceptions could be made for strong students to begin their thesis work in the first semester of graduate study.
Of the courses required for the MS degree, at least six courses must be from mathematics. The MS program will allow students in the theory track to choose at most two and in the Industry track to choose at most four courses (approved by the graduate committee) from other areas to prepare them for various career paths and opportunities open to them. These include computer science, engineering, business and finance, physics and the social sciences. Incoming students can transfer at most two courses (approved by the graduate committee) towards their master’s degree. These two courses must have been taken at the graduate level when they were pursuing their bachelor degree.
Students in the Theory Track must complete a required core of two graduate courses: a course in topology and a course in advanced algebra.
Students in the Industry track must complete a required core including a graduate level course in statistics and two to four graduate courses from other departments subject to approval by the graduate committee.
The following table outlines the courses making up the core and elective requirements for each track of the MS program (core requirements are underlined).
| Course |
Theory track |
Industry track |
| 1 |
Graduate advanced algebra course |
Graduate statistics course |
| 2 |
Graduate topology course |
Two approved graduate courses in a related field
|
| 3 |
Six Mathematics electives.
Of these, up to two can be approved courses in a related field.
|
| 4 |
Five Mathematics electives.
Of these, up to two can be approved courses in a related field.
|
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 9 |
Thesis or two additional Mathematics electives
|
Thesis or two additional Mathematics electives
|
| 10 |
Application Requirements
Eligibility: The MS program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and also to applicants who have developed a substantial mathematical background with a degree in engineering, computer science, physics, statistics or finance.
- The requisite mathematical proficiency is ordinarily demonstrated through the completion of the following courses: Calculus I, II, and III, a course on proof techniques, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and analysis.
- Students who are eligible for Master’s program should note that standard university guidelines for eligibility will apply, in addition to the following:
- GPA of at least 3.00 in math courses in their undergraduate degree or permission of the Graduate Committee.
- At least one letter of recommendation from a math faculty at their undergraduate institution.
- A statement of purpose.
Application Procedure: Application to the graduate program should be submitted via the Applicant Portal.
4+1 BS/MS or BA/MS Program in Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics offers a combined 4+1 Bachelors/MS program in mathematics that is designed to allowed for strong and motivated undergraduate mathematics students to complete their master’s degree in mathematics and their bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in mathematics in a total of five year: the bachelor's degree will be completed in four years, and the master's degree will be completed in one additional year.
This 4+1 program has two tracks:
Theory track: This track is oriented towards students who are interested in mathematics as an abstract discipline. These students may be considering a Ph.D. in mathematics or in a related discipline. Core coursework for this track includes fundamental topics in advanced abstract mathematics.
Industry track: This track is designed for students who intend to use mathematics in engineering, computer science, medicine, business, industry, social science, or other fields. Core coursework for this track requires at least two courses from a field related to mathematics, such as computer science or engineering, which will help students see how advanced mathematics is used in practical contexts.
Each of these tracks will include a thesis option.
Rationale for the Program
The 4+1 program not only enables students to complete both degrees in five years rather than the usual six, but also prepares them well for further graduate study and/or a wide range of opportunities in industry.
Degree Requirements and Coursework
The 4+1 program is designed to allow students to complete the requirements of both a BA (or BS) in Mathematics and a MS in Mathematics in 5 years, with completion of the BA (or BS) in the first four years and completion of the MS in the fifth year. Students in the 4+1 program will take four graduate courses in their undergraduate years that will count towards both the BA (or BS) and the MS in Mathematics. The course requirements for the MS portion are the same as those listed in the MS Degree Requirements section.
Application Requirements
Eligibility: Standard university guidelines for eligibility will apply, in addition to the following:
- GPA of at least 3.25 in math courses or permission of the Graduate Committee
- Completion of Calculus I, II, III, and solid progress (or completion) in Math 248
- At least one letter of recommendation from a math faculty
- A statement of purpose
Application Procedure: Mathematics majors can apply to the 4+1 program as early as the second semester of sophomore year, but no later than the summer before their senior year. We will advise students about the program as early as their freshman year so they understand the expectations and requirements. The graduate committee will review each application on its own merit.
For coursework and requirement, visit the department website.
4+1 BS/MA in Mathematics/Secondary Education (application for admission is temporarily suspended)