The Master of Arts/Master of Science in Mathematics program is designed for the student who wishes to prepare for community college teaching, industrial work in mathematics, or further advanced work toward a Ph.D. in mathematics.
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.
Degree Requirements
Candidates must complete an approved 45-credit program that includes at least 30 credits in mathematics or statistics. These 30 credits must include approved courses distributed as follows: two 6-credit sequences at the 600 level, 6 additional credits at the 600 level, and the 3-credit Mth 501 Mathematical Literature and Problems. In addition, the student must pass two written Master's examinations. Students interested in pursuing the MA degree must also show proficiency in a second language.
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.
Students are responsible for knowing University-level graduate policies and procedures for obtaining the degree. These policies and procedures are in Graduate Studies section of the PSU Bulletin. Several of the most frequently asked about University-level graduate policies and procedures can also be found on the Office of Graduate Studies website.
Approved courses for the degree:
| Mth 511 | Introduction to Real Analysis I | 3 |
| Mth 512 | Introduction to Real Analysis II | 3 |
| Mth 513 | Introduction to Real Analysis III | 3 |
| Mth 520 | Introduction to Complexity Theory | 3 |
| Mth 521 | Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I | 3 |
| Mth 522 | Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II | 3 |
| Mth 523 | Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations III | 3 |
| Mth 524 | Elementary Differential Geometry I | 3 |
| Mth 525 | Elementary Differential Geometry II | 3 |
| Mth 527 | Partial Differential Equations I | 3 |
| Mth 528 | Partial Differential Equations II | 3 |
| Mth 530 | Topics in Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| Mth 531 | Topics in Geometry I | 3 |
| Mth 532 | Topics in Geometry II | 3 |
| Mth 533 | Topics in Geometry III | 3 |
| Mth 534 | Set Theory and Topology I | 3 |
| Mth 535 | Set Theory and Topology II | 3 |
| Mth 536 | Set Theory and Topology III | 3 |
| Mth 540 | Boolean Algebra | 4 |
| Mth 541 | Introduction to Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| Mth 542 | Introduction to Abstract Algebra II | 3 |
| Mth 543 | Introduction to Abstract Algebra III | 3 |
| Mth 544 | Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I | 3 |
| Mth 545 | Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra II | 3 |
| Mth 549 | Topics in Advanced Number Theory | 3 |
| Mth 551 | Numerical Calculus I | 3 |
| Mth 552 | Numerical Calculus II | 3 |
| Mth 553 | Numerical Calculus III | 3 |
| Mth 556 | Topics in Combinatorics | 3 |
| Mth 557 | The Mathematical Theory of Games I | 3 |
| Mth 558 | The Mathematical Theory of Games II | 3 |
| Mth 561 | Graph Theory I | 3 |
| Mth 562 | Graph Theory II | 3 |
| Mth 570 | Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I | 3 |
| Mth 571 | Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems II | 3 |
| Mth 572 | Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems III | 3 |
| Mth 577 | Mathematical Control Theory I | 3 |
| Mth 578 | Mathematical Control Theory II | 3 |
| Mth 580 | Systems Analysis: Calculus of Variations | 3 |
| Mth 611 | Theory of Functions of a Real Variable I | 3 |
| Mth 612 | Theory of Functions of a Real Variable II | 3 |
| Mth 613 | Theory of Functions of a Real Variable III | 3 |
| Mth 614 | Modern Analysis I | 3 |
| Mth 615 | Modern Analysis II | 3 |
| Mth 616 | Modern Analysis III | 3 |
| Mth 617 | Functional Analysis I | 3 |
| Mth 618 | Functional Analysis II | 3 |
| Mth 619 | Functional Analysis III | 3 |
| Mth 621 | Advanced Differential Equations I | 3 |
| Mth 622 | Advanced Differential Equations II | 3 |
| Mth 623 | Advanced Differential Equations III | 3 |
| Mth 624 | Advanced Differential Geometry I | 3 |
| Mth 625 | Advanced Differential Geometry II | 3 |
| Mth 626 | Advanced Differential Geometry III | 3 |
| Mth 634 | Algebraic Topology I | 3 |
| Mth 635 | Algebraic Topology II | 3 |
| Mth 636 | Algebraic Topology III | 3 |
| Mth 637 | Geometric Topology I | 3 |
| Mth 638 | Geometric Topology II | 3 |
| Mth 639 | Geometric Topology III | 3 |
| Mth 641 | Modern Algebra I | 3 |
| Mth 642 | Modern Algebra II | 3 |
| Mth 643 | Modern Algebra III | 3 |
| Mth 651 | Advanced Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| Mth 652 | Advanced Numerical Analysis II | 3 |
| Mth 653 | Advanced Numerical Analysis III | 3 |
| Mth 661 | Algebraic Graph Theory I | 3 |
| Mth 662 | Algebraic Graph Theory II | 3 |
| Mth 663 | Algebraic Graph Theory III | 3 |
| Mth 667 | Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I | 3 |
| Mth 668 | Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory II | 3 |
| Stat 561 | Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Stat 562 | Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| Stat 564 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
| Stat 565 | Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I | 3 |
| Stat 566 | Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II | 3 |
| Stat 567 | Applied Probability I | 3 |
| Stat 661 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Stat 662 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| Stat 663 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics III | 3 |
| Stat 664 | Theory of Linear Models I | 3 |
| Stat 665 | Theory of Linear Models II | 3 |
| Stat 666 | Theory of Linear Models III | 3 |
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 Math program.
Approved electives for the degree:
| Mth 581 | Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers | 2-3 |
| Mth 582 | Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers | 2-3 |
| Mth 583 | Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers | 2-3 |
| Mth 585 | Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers | 2-3 |
| Mth 586 | Topics in The History of Mathematics | 2-3 |
| Mth 587 | Topics in Discrete Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers | 2-3 |
| Mth 588 | Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers | 1-3 |
"Approved as elective" means that it 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.
MA/MS Examinations
Students must pass two written examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis. Other subject areas include: Discrete Math, 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. The
MA/MS Examination Policy as well as syllabi for the exams can be emailed upon request. Students may also request copies of the last three years of master’s examinations. Please note that you must be registered for and complete at least one graduate credit during the term(s) in which you take your exams.
MTH 501 Mathematical Literature and Problems
In this required 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. Requirements for the course are contained in
Guidelines and Deadlines for Literature and Problems Seminar which is also available in the department office. Please note that you must be registered for at least one graduate credit during the term in which you plan to present your 501 research.
Planning an 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 department tries to project its future 600-level 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 two MA/MS examinations, at least one of which is in Algebra or Analysis. New students are urged to meet with the MA/MS Coordinator regarding degree requirements and for help with program planning.