Admission
Program Prerequisites
Transcript(s) must show satisfactory completion of at least the following undergraduate courses: linear algebra, abstract algebra/group theory, introductory analysis/advanced calculus, and differential equations. (These are equivalent to the following PSU courses: MTH 261, MTH 344, MTH 311 and MTH 256.)
In addition to program prerequisites, applicants must meet the university's minimum admission requirements including English language proficiency.
Application Deadline
This program currently offers rolling admissions for each term (fall, winter, spring, summer). The application closes 2 weeks before the term starts.
Cost and Funding
Refer to the University Student Finance web page for tuition and financial aid information.
The department offers a limited number of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships. Program applicants are able to indicate their interest in an assistantship as part of the online program application.
Degree Requirements
Planning a MA/MS Mathematics Degree Program
The department offers courses in pure and applied mathematics and in statistics. Students may choose an emphasis in one or more of these areas. The Course Projection Guide (CPG) lists the projected future 600-level course offerings. These projections enable students to plan programs that include any necessary 500-level prerequisites. Students also need to plan programs that will prepare them to pass one MA/MS examination or two MA/MS examinations depending on the degree option. New students are urged to meet with the MA/MS Mathematics advisor regarding degree requirements and for help with program planning.
Students interested in pursuing the MA degree must also show proficiency in a second language.
Course Requirements
Candidates must complete an approved 45-credit program that includes at least 30 credits in mathematics or statistics. Students shall select either Option A or Option B.
Option A.
The student must satisfy the following requirements:
-
Complete 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics which include approved courses distributed as follows: two 6-credit sequences at the 600 level, 6 additional credits at the 600 level and a 3-credit Mth 501 course on Mathematical Literature and Problems
-
Pass one written Master’s examination in either Algebra or Analysis.
Option B.
The student must satisfy the following requirements:
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· Complete 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics which include approved courses distributed as follows: two 6-credit sequences at the 600 level, 6 additional credits at the 600 level,
-
· Pass two written Master’s examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis.
Courses counting toward 30 credits in mathematics and statistics.
Each course is 3 credits. Courses also count as electives.
Course Subject Number |
Course Title |
---|
Mth 511, 512, 513 |
Introduction to Real Analysis I, II, III |
Mth 521, 522, 523 |
Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I, II, III |
Mth 524, 525 |
Elementary Differential Geometry I, II |
Mth 527, 528 |
Partial Differential Equations I, II |
Mth 530 |
Topics in Mathematical Modelling |
Mth 531, 532, 533 |
Topics in Geometry I, II, III |
Mth 534, 535, 536 |
Set Theory and Topology I, II, III |
Mth 541, 542, 543 |
Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, II, III |
Mth 544, 545 |
Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I, II |
Mth 549 |
Topics in Advanced Number Theory |
Mth 551, 552, 553 |
Numerical Calculus I, II, III |
Mth 556 |
Topics in Combinatorics |
Mth 557, 558 |
The Mathematical Theory of Games I, II |
Mth 561, 562 |
Graph Theory I, II |
Mth 564, 565 |
Numerical Optimization I, II |
Mth 570, 571, 572 |
Complex Analysis & Boundary Value Problems I, II, III |
Mth 577, 578 |
Mathematical Control Theory I, II |
Mth 611, 612, 613 |
Theory of Functions of a Real Variable I, II, III |
Mth 614, 615, 616 |
Modern Analysis I, II, III |
Mth 617, 618, 619 |
Functional Analysis I, II, III |
Mth 621, 622, 623 |
Advanced Differential Equations I, II, III |
Mth 624, 625, 626 |
Advanced Differential Geometry I, II, III |
Mth 634, 635, 636 |
Algebraic Topology I, II, III |
Mth 637, 638, 639 |
Geometric Topology I, II, III |
Mth 641, 642, 643 |
Modern Algebra I, II, III |
Mth 651, 652, 653 |
Advanced Numerical Analysis I, II, III |
Mth 661, 662, 663 |
Algebraic Graph Theory I, II, III |
Mth 667, 668, 669 |
Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I, II, III |
Stat 561, 562, 563 |
Mathematical Statistics I, II, III |
Stat 564 |
Applied Regression Analysis |
Stat 565, 566 |
Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I, II |
Stat 567, 568 |
Applied Probability I, II |
Stat 661, 662, 663 |
Advanced Mathematical Statistics I, II, III |
Stat 664, 665, 666 |
Theory of Linear Models I, II, III |
Check with the program adviser for additional courses, including omnibus-numbered courses, which also may be approved for MA/MS programs. "Approved" means that it is approved toward fulfilling the 30 mathematics/statistics credit hours for the MA/MS in Mathematics program.
Approved as Electives
Course Subject Number |
Course Title |
---|
Mth 581 |
Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers |
Mth 582 |
Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers |
Mth 583 |
Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers |
Mth 584 |
Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers |
Mth 585 |
Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers |
Mth 586 |
Topics in the History of Mathematics |
Mth 587 |
Topics in Discrete Mathematics for Teachers |
Mth 588 |
Topics in Computing Technology for Mathematics Teachers |
"Approved as elective" means that the course is approved inside the 45 total credit hours but not inside the 30 mathematics/statistics credit hours. Check with the program adviser for additional approved electives.
Master's Exams
Depending on the option chosen, students must pass one or two Master’s exams.
Option A. Student must pass one written examination in either Algebra or Analysis.
Option B. Student must pass two written examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis. Other subject areas include: Geometry, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Methods, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations and Set Theory/Topology.
Exams are offered twice a year, during the week prior to the start of fall term and during the first week of spring term. Students may take a given area examination at most two times. Syllabi and the last six previously given exams for each topic are available. You must be registered for and complete at least one graduate credit during the term(s) in which you take your exams. Refer to the MS Exam Policy for further details.
MTH 501 Mathematical Literature and Problems
In this 3-credit course, a student works under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of mathematics in which the student has acquired the background needed to read current mathematical literature, prepare a research paper, and present this research in a colloquium. You must be registered for at least one graduate credit during the term in which you plan to present your 501 research. Requirements for the course are contained in the Guidelines and Deadlines for Literature and Problems Seminar.
Grades
A student must have a minimum 3.00 GPA on the courses applied to the program of study, as well as a minimum 3.00 GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at PSU. Although grades of C+, C, and C- are below the graduate standard, they may be counted as credit toward a master’s degree with the specific written approval of the department if taken at PSU after the term of formal admission to the graduate program. All courses counting toward the degree must be letter-graded. The pass/no pass option is not allowed.
Graduate Policies & Procedures
Students are responsible for knowing University-level graduate policies and procedures for obtaining the degree. These policies and procedures are in Graduate School section of the University Bulletin.Several of the most frequently asked about University-level graduate policies and procedures can also be found on the Graduate School's website.