Applied Mathematics, M.A.

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College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Mathematics and Statistics

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

The M.A. in Applied Mathematics provides the experience and knowledge to understand and appreciate prior accomplishments in the discipline and develops the skills necessary for a meaningful contribution to the intellectual advancement and applications of the discipline. It prepares its graduates to pursue long-term careers in their field by providing solid and cutting edge knowledge, as well as a technical education enabling them to take on leading positions in a modern economy. Examples of careers employing the applied mathematics knowledge include, for example, Data Analyst, Financial Analyst, Cybersecurity Specialist, Software Developers, Economist, Civil Engineer, Actuary, and many others.

Major Research Areas

Algebra & Number Theory, Applied Statistics, Approximation Theory, Bio-Mathematics, Complex & Harmonic Analysis, Cyber-Security & Cryptography, Data Science, Differential Equations, Graph Theory & Combinatorics, Low-Dimensional Topology, Mathematics Education, Mathematical Physics, Operator Theory, Probability, Statistical Learning, Stochastic Processes & Modelling.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.
•   A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in mathematical sciences or related area.
•   At least a 55 percentile Quantitative score on the GRE; Verbal and Analytic Writing scores on the GRE are also considered.
•   At least a 3.00 GPA in undergraduate math courses.
•   Three letters of recommendation (two of which should be from college level mathematics/statistics professors).
•   A completed math department application form, including a statement of goals.
•   A completed departmental graduate teaching assistantship application form (if such a position is desired).

The Graduate Admissions Committee may provisionally admit applicants from other majors to the Master’s Program if they meet the GPA requirement.

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

Total Minimum Hours: 31 credit hours

Shared Core Requirements – 4 hours
Additional Required Courses – 15 hours
Mathematics Knowledge Breadth and Depth Coursework – 6 hours minimum
Thesis – 6 hours minimum

Shared Core Requirements (4 Credit Hours)

MAS 5145 Advanced Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
MAT 5710 Scientific Computation and Writing Credit Hours: 1

Additional Required Courses (15 Credit Hours)

Students must complete the following course. If taken at the undergraduate level (MAA 4212) or its approved analogue is taken, then an approved elective may be taken in place of MAA 5306:

MAA 5306 Introduction to Real Analysis Credit Hours: 3
And students must complete three of the following courses (9 credit hours)
MAA 5405 Applied Complex Analysis Credit Hours: 3
MAD 6406 Numerical Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
MAD 6510 Algorithms in Discrete Structures Credit Hours: 3
MAP 5345 Applied Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
MAP 5407 Methods of Applied Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
MAP 6356 Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
MAT 5932 Selected Topics Credit Hours: 1-4
MAT 6932 Selected Topics Credit Hours: 1-4
Students must also complete one of the following courses (3 Credit Hours minimum):
STA 5326 Mathematical Statistics I Credit Hours: 3
STA 6206 Stochastic Processes Credit Hours: 3
STA 6348 Mathematical Statistics II Credit Hours: 3
STA 6876 Time Series Analysis Credit Hours: 3
STA 5446 Probability Theory I Credit Hours: 3

Mathematics Knowledge Breadth and Depth Courses (6 Credit hours minimum)

The program offers structured coursework to ensure both breadth and depth of disciplinary knowledge. The student must complete one group of courses from the Fundamental Knowledge Categories or from Mathematical Depth categories with at least a 3.00 average. Fundamental categories prepare students for the optional Qualifying Examination. A student who passes the Qualifying Examination at Ph.D. level will be considered to have completed the corresponding Fundamental Knowledge Category. Each course may count towards only one Category.

Fundamental Breadth Knowledge in Algebra, Analysis, or Topology:

Algebra:
MAS 5311 Algebra I Credit Hours: 3
MAS 6312 Algebra II Credit Hours: 3
Analysis:
MAA 5307 Real Analysis I Credit Hours: 3
MAA 6616 Real Analysis II Credit Hours: 3
These two courses are in addition to the required MAA 5306
Topology:
MTG 5316 Topology I Credit Hours: 3
MTG 6317 Topology II Credit Hours: 3

Course Groups Representing Mathematics Depth

Applied Algebra and Number Theory:
MAS 6325 Applied Algebra Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAS 6220 Algebraic Number Theory Credit Hours: 3
Applied Mathematics:

Select one course from two of the following course pairs:
MAP 5407 Methods of Applied Mathematics Credit Hours: 3 OR
MAP 5345 Applied Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
MAA 5405 Applied Complex Analysis Credit Hours: 3 OR
MAD 6406 Numerical Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
MAP 6205 Control Theory and Optimization Credit Hours: 3 OR
MAP 6312 Dynamical Systems I Credit Hours: 3
Combinatorics:
MAD 6206 Combinatorics I Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAD 6207 Combinatorics II Credit Hours: 3
Complex Analysis:
MAA 6406 Complex Analysis I Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAA 6407 Complex Analysis II Credit Hours: 3
Dynamical Systems:
MAP 6312 Dynamical Systems I AND
MAP 6319 Dynamical Systems II Credit Hours: 3
Functional Analysis:
MAA 6506 Functional Analysis I Credit Hours: 3
AND
MAA 6507 Functional Analysis II Credit Hours: 3
Graph Theory:
MAD 6305 Graph Theory I Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAD 6308 Graph Theory II Credit Hours: 3
Nonlinear Analysis:
MAP 5316 Ordinary Differential Equations I Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAP 5317 Ordinary Differential Equations II Credit Hours: 3
Partial Differential Equations:
MAP 5345 Applied Partial Differential Equations AND
MAP 6356 Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
Theory of Computing:
MAD 6616 Algebraic Automata Theory Credit Hours: 3 AND
MAD 6510 Algorithms in Discrete Structures Credit Hours: 3
Statistical Methods:
STA 5166 Statistical Methods I Credit Hours: 3 AND
STA 6167 Statistical Methods II Credit Hours: 3 AND
STA 6208 Linear Statistical Models Credit Hours: 3
Mathematical Statistics:
STA 5326 Mathematical Statistics I Credit Hours: 3 AND
STA 6348 Mathematical Statistics II Credit Hours: 3 AND
Linear Models and Multivariate Analysis
STA 6208 Linear Statistical Models AND
STA 6746 Multivariate Analysis Credit Hours: 3
Probability:
STA 5446 Probability Theory I Credit Hours: 3 AND
STA 6447 Probability Theory II Credit Hours: 3
Stochastic Processes and Time Series Analysis

Select two courses from the following:
STA 6876 Time Series Analysis Credit Hours: 3
STA 6206 Stochastic Processes Credit Hours: 3
MAT 6932 Selected Topics Credit Hours: 1-4 taken as Stochastic Modelling of Dynamical Systems Credit Hours: 3

Comprehensive Exam

Each candidate for the M.A. degree must be examined on a thesis. The Comprehensive Examination takes the form of an oral thesis defense, in which the candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the general subject area of the thesis.

Thesis (6 Credit Hours Minimum)

Students must register for a minimum of six (6) credit hours in MAT 6971, only six (6) hours of which may be applied toward the 30-hour degree requirement. The topic of the thesis is to be related to an application of mathematics in the real world or science.

MAT 6971 Thesis: Master’s Credit Hours: 2-19

Department Handbook

The student is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the additional program requirements and expectations listed in the program handbook, particularly those concerning timely progress.

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