College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
MATHEMATICS MS – PLAN A & PLAN B
The MS program in Mathematics primarily prepares students for doctoral programs in pure and applied mathematics and statistics, and secondarily for careers in college teaching and industrial jobs. MS Math students conduct research in areas including differential geometry, computer-aided algebra and mathematical physics, mathematical ecology, dynamical systems and graph theory.
This degree requires 30 credits of approved coursework at or above the 5000 level. At least 18 of these credits must be at the 6000 level or above, excluding MATH 6990 and 7990 (Continuing Graduate Advisement). Generally, most of the coursework will be in mathematics, but the student’s supervisory committee may approve courses in statistics, physics, engineering, or any other discipline if it seems such coursework is appropriate for the student’s program of study.
MS Mathematics students must obtain a minimum grade of B or better in at least two topic tracks from the 5000-level or the 6000-level topic tracks listed below. MS Mathematics students may substitute one topic track if they can document they have had something equivalent in a previous degree program.
| |
Recommended |
|
| 6000-level Topic Track |
Courses |
|
Pure |
Applied |
Credits |
| Real Analysis |
6210 /6220 |
X |
X |
6 |
| Algebra & Linear Algebra |
6310 /6340 |
X |
|
6 |
| Geometry & Topology |
6110 /6510 |
X |
|
6 |
| Differential Equations |
6410 /6440 /6420 /6450 |
X |
X |
7 |
| Applied Mathematics |
6470 /6810 |
|
X |
5 |
| Numerical Methods |
6610 /6620 |
|
X |
4 |
| 5000-level Topic Track |
Courses |
Credits |
| Advanced Calculus |
|
5210 /5220 |
6 |
| Algebra & Linear Algebra |
5310 /5340 |
6 |
| Geometry and Topology |
5110 /5510 |
6 |
| Differential Equations |
5420 /5470 |
6 |
| Applied Mathematics |
5410 /5420 |
6 |
| Probablility and Stochastic Processes |
5710 /5760 |
6 |
| Computational Mathematics |
5610 /5620 |
4 |
All students in the MS program in Mathematics must pass a written qualifying examination covering the introductory analysis and advanced calculus material presented in MATH 4200 , 5210 , and 5220 . Students may take this exam before beginning formal coursework in the MS program but must take the exam by the end of the first full year of matriculation. The exam is typically given twice a year, in May and once during Fall semester. Matriculated students who fail on their first try must pass the exam at the next scheduled opportunity. A detailed exam syllabus is available through the department’s Graduate Program Coordinator.
Plan A option:
The Plan A option for a master’s degree requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. Students are required to complete 6 semester credits of thesis research (MATH 6970 ). Successful defense and submission of the thesis to the library is required. Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.
Plan B option:
A Plan B option requires the production and defense of a paper or project. Students are required to complete 3 semester credits of thesis research (MATH 6970 ). Successful defense and submission of the paper/project to the library is required. Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies.
There is no Plan C option for this program.
General Graduate Program Requirements:
Degree Verification
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower;
Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
Course Number Acceptability
The Program of Study for a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, if the student has a master’s degree, must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.
Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
Matriculation Start Semester
A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework Validity
Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
USU Residency Requirement
At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
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