Graduate School Bulletin

Requirements of the MA Degree in Mathematics

The M.A. degree in the Department of Mathematics requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits in letter-graded (A, B, C, F) graduate courses. All credits in satisfaction of the degree must be at the graduate level. In addition, the cumulative grade point average for all courses taken must be 3.0 or higher. Students may select from the M.A. Professional option or the M.A. Secondary Teacher option. The M.A. Secondary Teacher option is designed for provisionally certified teachers of mathematics in grades 7-12. Students who are not currently certified teachers of mathematics should consult the M.A.T. program through the School of Professional Development.

Core Requirements for the M.A. Degree Professional Option

1. Satisfactory completion of four of the following courses (12 credits).

• MAT 530 Topology, Geometry I* or MAT 540 Advanced Topology, Geometry I/MAT 531 Topology, Geometry II*
• MAT 532 Real Analysis I*/MAT 533 Real Analysis II*
• MAT 534 Algebra I*/MAT 535 Algebra II*
• MAT 536 Complex Analysis I*

Note: Courses listed next to each other should be viewed as a sequence, and students should complete at least one of the sequences. Each course is 3 credits.

2. Master’s Thesis or Comprehensive Examination: Up to six credits of Master’s Thesis (enrollment in MAT 599). Students will work with an advisor to write a paper on a significant topic of mathematics. It need not be original research.

Alternatively, students may choose to pass either the PhD comprehensive examination, or the separate MA comprehensive exam. The MA comprehensive exam consists of the final examinations in MAT 530/540 , MAT 531 , MAT 532 , MAT 533 , MAT 534 , MAT 535 , and MAT 536 , or the equivalent. If students choose the comprehensive examination option, they will enroll in an additional 6 credits of coursework (see below) for a total of at least 30 credits for degree completion. 

3. 12-18 credits of additional coursework (for a total of 30 credits for completion of the degree program): To complete the 30 credits, students may enroll in any MAT course in the Mathematics department numbered 500 or above except MAT 598. With the permission of the Director of the Program, students may substitute courses related to mathematics from AMS, PHY, or other departments.

Core Requirements for the M.A. Degree Secondary Teacher Option

1. Satisfactory completion of the following nine courses (27 credits):

• MAT 511 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
• MAT 512 Algebra for Teachers
• MAT 513 Analysis for Teachers I
• MAT 514 Analysis for Teachers II
• MAT 515 Geometry for Teachers
• MAT 516 Probability and Statistics for Teachers
• MAT 517 Calculators and Computers for Teachers
• MAT 519 Seminar in Mathematics Teaching
• MAT 520 Geometry for Teachers II

2. Elective Course (3-4 credits). One course selected from the following (other courses may be substituted with permission of the Director of the Program): 

• AMS 593 Mathematical Theory of Interest
• BEE 552 Biometrics
• CEB 555 History of Science Education
• CEI 589 Technology and the Classroom
• CEM 570 Manipulatives and Mathematics
• EST 563 Computational Literacy
• EST 565 Instructional Technologies
• MBA 504 Financial Accounting
• PHY 570 Introduction to Physics for Teachers
• PHY 576 Thermodynamics for Teachers
• PHY 578 Quantum Physics for Teachers

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

A. Passing the doctoral comprehensive examination.

B. Passing the doctoral preliminary examination.

C. Demonstrating proficiency in reading mathematics in two relevant foreign languages, usually French, German or Russian. Non-English-speaking international students can demonstrate their proficiency in one of these languages, in addition to their native language.

D. Advancement to candidacy.

E. Writing an acceptable dissertation.

F. Two consecutive semesters of full-time study.

Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
This examination, which is offered twice a year (just before the start of each semester), is designed to test mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics. This exam is based on the syllabi of the core courses; MAT 530, MAT 531, MAT 532, MAT 533, MAT 534, MAT 535, MAT 536. Students who transfer from graduate programs at other universities may, in some cases, be granted exemption from this requirement.

Doctoral Preliminary Examination
This examination is oral. Each student must take this examination no later than 1 ½ years after passing the comprehensive examination or receiving an exemption therefrom. The chairperson and one additional member of the examining committee are chosen by the student; one additional member is chosen by the program.

Professional Academic Training Program
All full-time graduate students are required to participate in this program, consisting of supervised teaching/tutoring at the lower undergraduate levels.