M.A. Program Requirements

 

The M.A. program is designed to allow a student, in consultation with an academic advisor, to design a personalized program of study which will prepare the student either to proceed to the Ph.D. program, or to prepare for a career in industry, government, or teaching at the community college level.

Each new student will be assigned an academic advisor (usually the Graduate Director), who will work with the student to formulate a course of study. The advisor must approve, in writing, the student's choice of courses each semester.

 

Requirements for the M.A. Degree in Mathematics

There are three options for the M.A.degree:
            I. The Examination Option
            II. The Thesis Option
            III. The Project Option

I. The Examination Option

A student must complete the following requirements:

a. Maintain continuous registration.

b. Complete 30 hours of coursework in Mathematics and related disciplines, at least 24 hours of which must be from the Mathematics Department, with a minimum of a B average. All Mathematics courses numbered 500 and above may be taken for Master's credit, subject to the approval of the academic advisor. All courses outside the Math Department must have approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

c. Fulfill a minimum residency requirement of 24 credit hours. Residency requirements for master's degrees can be satisfied through full-time or part-time registration.

d. File an Application to Candidacy with the Graduate School. The Application to Candidacy must be approved by the divisional or area committee and academic dean by the appropriate dates.

e. Pass the First Qualifying Exam at the Master's level.

II. The Thesis Option

A student must complete the following requirements:
Requirements a., b., c., d., as in Option I.

e. Complete a written Master's Thesis under the supervision of a faculty member who will also serve as chair of the student's Master's Committee. A second member of this Committee will be selected by its chair and the Director of Graduate Studies. The Committee will orally examine the student both on the thesis and on his general mathematical background, which should be comparable to that of students electing to take the Examination Option (I). Copies of the thesis are to be given to members of the Committee and to the Director of Graduate Studies in ample time so that they are able to study the thesis prior to the oral examination. This examination is open to all faculty members.

f. Up to 6 hours of MTH 800 (Thesis Guidance) may be awarded for thesis
work and writing.

III. The Project Option

A student must complete the following requirements:
Requirements a., b., c., d. as in Option I.

e. Complete a written Master’s Project under the supervision of a faculty member who will also serve as chair of the student's Master's Committee. A second member of this Committee will be selected by its chair and the Director of Graduate Studies. The Committee will be responsible for the suitability of the chosen topic and the final approval of the project.

f. Up to 3 hours of MTH 589 (Project Guidance) may be awarded for project
work and writing.