MS – Pure Mathematics
MS: Concentration in Pure Mathematics
The Master of Science (MS) in Mathematics degree with concentration in Pure Mathematics is designed for students with a strong mathematical background who have completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. While earning the MS degree, students are encouraged to complete one or more of the basic 500-level course sequences which lead to a written preliminary examination. This program lays the foundation for doctoral work or prepares students to pursue a career in industry.
The student must fulfill the Graduate College requirements specified in the Graduate College Catalog as well as departmental requirements detailed in the MSCS Graduate Handbook, which includes:
Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
Course Work At least 24 hours must be in mathematics courses, of which 12 hours must be at the 500-level. The student must complete a course of study in one of the following concentrations or, in exceptional cases approved by the Graduate Studies Committee, a general program of study without a concentration can be followed.
Core courses (20 credit hours)*
- Math 414 (Analysis II), or Math 533 (Real Analysis I)
- MATH 417 (Complex Analysis with Applications)
- MATH 431 (Abstract Algebra II) or Math 516 (Second Course in Abstract Algebra I)
- Two additional courses selected from: Math 430 (Formal Logic I), Math 435 (Foundations of Number Theory), Math 442 (Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces), Math 445 (Introduction to Topology I), MATH 517 (Second Course in Abstract Algebra II), Math 533 (Real Analysis I)
Departmental 500-level courses completed with an A or B (12 credit hours) selected in consultation with an advisor
- Courses may include independent study.
- Courses CANNOT include MATH 589 (Teaching and Presentation of Mathematics).
Master’s Exam or Master’s Thesis
- Students must pass the master’s exam in Pure Mathematics, or
- Achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the core courses, earn 5 credit hours in master's thesis research (Math 598), write an acceptable thesis, and pass an oral defense.
Satisfy the Graduate College requirement among the 32 credit hours completed toward the degree:
- Complete 9 hours of 500-level courses, NOT including independent study.
*Students who have completed the core courses at another institution must meet with their faculty mentor to identify suitable courses to substitute for those previously taken. Once the course substitutions have been identified, the students must submit a request to the Director of Graduate Studies, signed by the faculty mentor, listing the recommended course substitutions.