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2016-2017 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy)
Columbia Campus
   
2016-2017 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2016-2017 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Mathematics, M.S.



The M.S. is designed primarily for students who seek broad and intensive preparation for teaching in a junior college or working in industry.

Learning Outcomes

  • MM students will demonstrate an understanding of algebra, calculus, statistics and geometry as taught at the secondary level, and the basic elements of group theory, ring theory, and real analysis, that is, the material of core curriculum courses listed above. MS and MA students will master the material of the core curriculum courses listed above, as well as the foundational material of their specialty. The level of problem formulation and solution, and written expository skill, should reach a level adequate for the writing of a thesis.  
  • All students who are GTA’s will demonstrate teaching proficiency in the settings described in the Curriculum above. 

Degree Requirements (30 Hours)

The M.S. degree requires a thesis and 30 approved semester hours of graduate course work, including satisfactory completion of the three-credit thesis course MATH 799 , MATH 703 , and at least one of MATH 701 , MATH 708 , and MATH 709 . The courses in the student’s program should be numbered 700 and higher. However, in special circumstances some 500-level courses, or 7xx-I courses, may be approved for a student’s program if the courses supplement 700-level course work. In general, a student’s M.S. program should be fairly broad in scope and should include courses of both a pure and applied nature.

The thesis for this degree is generally a short monograph (to be bound and delivered to the department), the content of which is drawn from several research papers in an area of interest to the student. The thesis is subject to the approval of the thesis committee, consisting of the major professor and a second reader.

Upon conclusion of the program, each M.S. degree candidate either undergoes an oral examination administered by the thesis committee (the “defense”, which includes an oral presentation of the thesis and also serves as the Masters Comprehensive Exam), or obtains a pass on the Masters Comprehensive Examination (a “master’s pass” on the Admission to Candidacy Examination). Students who follow the second path are invited to present the thesis in a seminar format.