The Master of Arts degree in Mathematics covers the basic graduate curriculum in Mathematics, and also allows students to undertake some more specialized training in an area of interest. A typical program of study will include fundamental courses in real analysis and linear algebra, followed by more advanced graduate courses in pure and applied mathematics. With a good educational background, it takes approximately two years to complete the requirements for a Master's degree.
Admissions
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- A resume/CV
- 3 letters of recommendation.
Scores on the general test of the GRE are optional. We encourage applicants to submit GRE scores if they think doing so will boost their chance of getting admitted. However, applications with and without GRE scores will both get full consideration.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
All students are required to take MATH 572 Linear Algebra and MATH 586 Intro Real Analysis I in their first semester, and MATH 510 Numerical Linear Algebra or MATH 570 Prin Modern Algebra I and MATH 587 Intro to Real Analysis II in their second semester. Students should consult the Director of Graduate Programs if they wish to place out of any of the above requirements. The list of requirements is given below.
Course Requirements | Hours | |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 12 | |
Linear Algebra | ||
MATH 510 or | Numerical Linear Algebra | |
Prin Modern Algebra I | ||
Intro Real Analysis I | ||
Intro to Real Analysis II | ||
Select one of the following sequences | 6 | |
Algebra | ||
Prin Modern Algebra II and Abstract Algebra I | ||
Real Analysis | ||
Real Analysis I and Real Analysis II | ||
Topology and Algebraic Topology | ||
Intro General Topology and Intro Algebraic Topology | ||
Numerical Analysis | ||
Numerical Analysis I and Numerical Analysis II | ||
Optimization | ||
Linear Optimization Theory and Non-Linear Optimization Theory | ||
Mathematical Statistics | ||
Math Statistics I and Math Statistics II | ||
Partial Differential Equations | ||
Boundary Value Problems and Partial Differential Equations | ||
Breadth Requirement | 3 | |
One additional 3 hour course from MATH 510, MATH 511, MATH 520, MATH 554, MATH 557, MATH 565, MATH 571, MATH 580, MATH 585, MATH 574, MATH 588, MATH 591, MATH 593 or MATH 674. | ||
Research Requirements | 6 | |
Under Plan I, students will take 6 hours of MATH 599. Under Plan II, students will take one more elective course and 3 hours of MATH 598 | ||
Elective Courses | 3 | |
Elective courses of approved graduate level coursework. Mathematics courses: MATH 510, MATH 511, MATH 520, MATH 554, MATH 557, MATH 565, MATH 571, MATH 580, MATH 585, MATH 574, MATH 588, MATH 591, MATH 593 or MATH 674. Non-Math courses: AEM 520, BER 642, BER 646, EC 570, EC 660, FI 519, ST 531, ST 552 or ST 561. This is not an exhaustive list, merely a representation of options. | ||
Credit Hours Subtotal: | 30 | |
Master's en route to PhD | ||
Students pursuing a PhD degree in Mathematics can be awarded a Master’s degree after passing the PhD Qualifying Exams, completing 30 hours in graduate coursework and fulfilling the core course requirements. |
Transfer Credit
See the Graduate School policy.
Accelerated Master's Program
See the Graduate School link for admission criteria for Accelerated Master's Program.
Plan I Requirements
Plan I requires successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work, and a thesis (6 hours of MATH 599) supervised by a graduate faculty member in Mathematics. A student planning to graduate in the Spring semester ought to start thinking about the thesis topic as early as possible, and no later than in early Fall of the preceding year. The thesis must be defended in front of a committee, and then submitted electronically on line through ProQuest once it has been approved by the committee. See the student guide on preparing electronic theses. Please note that a copy of the thesis or project must be available to each committee member at least two weeks prior to the presentation.
Plan II Requirements
Plan II requires 27 semester hours of courses and 3 hours of work (MATH 598) devoted to a project supervised by a member of the graduate faculty in Mathematics. The project does not have to be based on original work, and can be an extensive literature review of a particular field of Mathematics. The project can be started in the semester that a student plans to graduate. A copy of the project approved by a faculty member must be provided to the main office. the student should also provide a pdf file. The project should be in 12pt font and single-spaced. Students are required to write their theses in LaTeX, which they should have used in many of their courses. A workshop on how to use LaTeX and its derivatives is offered (by the University Library specifically for graduate students in mathematics) at the beginning of each academic year. A skeleton template LaTeX file can be obtained from the UA Box to help students get started.
Comprehensive Exam
See plan II requirements for information on the comprehensive examination.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
See the Graduate School policy.
Student Progress Requirements
Ideally a student successfully complete the core courses in Year 1, and all other requirements in Year 2.
Academic Misconduct Information
See the Graduate School Policy.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
See the Graduate School Policy.
Academic Grievances Information
See the Graduate School Policy.
Scholastic Requirements
See the Graduate School Policy.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
See the Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
See the Graduate School Policy on application for graduation.