Overview

Theory Track:  Designed for students interested in mathematics as an abstract discipline, particularly those considering a Ph.D.  Core coursework emphasizes advanced theoretical foundations.  Students may take up to two approved courses in related fields such as computer science, engineering, physics, business and finance, or the social sciences.

Industry Track:  Intended for students who plan to apply mathematics in fields such as engineering, computer science, medicine, industry, economics.  Core coursework includes at least two courses in a related field to demonstrate practical applications of advanced mathematics.  Students may take up to two additional approved courses those areas.

Application Requirements

Accelerated MS Application Requirements

Mathematics majors may apply as early as the second semester of sophomore year and no later than the summer before senior year.  Interested students should consult the Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies as soon as possible.

In addition to standard University requirements for admission to the graduate program, undergraduate applicants must: 

• Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA in mathematics courses (or permission of the Department)
• Complete Calculus I and II, and completion or substantial progress in Fundamentals of Advanced  Mathematics (MATH 248)
• Provide at least one letter of recommendation from a mathematics faculty member
• Include a statement of purpose
• Submit a form listing four Departmentally-approved graduate courses*

The application must include a list of a maximum of four courses, approved by the math department, that may be taken for both undergraduate and graduate credit. Any subsequent changes in these designated courses will require departmental approval. In addition, courses for such "double" credit must be so designated before the beginning of the semester in which they are taken.

The application requires approvals from the mathematics department, the associate dean of graduate programs, and the associate dean for undergraduate programs. These approvals are subject to review of academic progress at the end of the junior year.

During the senior year, the student must complete an application for graduate studies. This application process is the same as for regular graduate applicants, with the exception of letters of recommendation (which are waived) and GRE results (which are waived). In the fifth year, the student must be registered as a graduate student in mathematics, indicating the chosen track in either theory or industry.

Requirements and Coursework

The BA or BS in Mathematics requires 40 courses and the MS in Mathematics requires 10 courses. Students in the 4+1 program can take as many as four graduate courses in mathematics (with at most two from a related field) that will count towards both the BA (or BS) and the MS in Mathematics, enabling them to complete both degrees with as few as 46 courses total. Students who successfully complete the requirements of this 4+1 program will receive a BA (or BS) in Mathematics at the end of the fourth year, and an MS in Mathematics at the end of the fifth year.

Students in either the theory track or the industry track will have a thesis option. Specifically, they can complete the requirements of the program between their junior year and their fifth year by taking either 10 courses, or 8 courses plus two semesters of thesis work in their 5th year (under guidance of a math faculty).