THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM

To obtain a Master of Science degree in mathematics, a student must earn a minimum of thirty credit hours or thirty-six credit hours depending upon whether or not the student elects to write a thesis.

M.S. Degree (Thesis Option) Requirements

A student

1. must take a year sequence in graduate algebra, or graduate analysis; (Six (6) credit hours)
2. will take at least six additional courses of which two may be approved courses given outside the mathematics department; [Advanced approval must be obtained for courses taken outside the department. No more than two courses with course numbers less than 200 will count in this category] (Eighteen (18) credit hours)
3. will write a thesis. (Six (6) credit hours)

M.S. Degree (No Thesis Option) Requirements

A student

1. must take a year sequence in graduate algebra, or graduate analysis; (Six (6) credit hours)
2. will take at least ten additional courses of which three may be approved courses given outside the mathematics department. [Advanced approval must be obtained for courses taken outside the department. No more than two courses with course numbers less than 200 will count in this category.] (Thirty (30) credit hours)

Examinations

Oral Examination

A student writing a thesis must defend it successfully during an oral examination.

No Thesis Option Examination

A student in the M.S. program not writing a thesis must pass at least one of the three Ph.D. qualifying examinations in addition to passing the screening examination.

Screening Examination

This examination which must be passed with distinction, consists of two parts, namely, an Introduction to Analysis and an Introduction to Modern Algebra. The examination may be administered at the beginning of each year or within the first year to all new entrants not exempted from that examination by the faculty.

The Expository Writing Examination

This examination is required and administered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Residence Requirements

At least two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent, shall be undertaken in the Department of Mathematics within the Graduate School of Arts and Science.

Other Requirements

Graduate students shall regularly attend seminars, lecture series, and colloquia sponsored by the Department of Mathematics.