Portland-State-University 2022-2023 Bulletin

Mathematics M.A./M.S.

The Master of Arts/Master of Science in Mathematics program is designed for the student who wishes to prepare for community college teaching, employment in government or industry, 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: Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Introductory Analysis/Advanced Calculus, and Abstract Algebra/Group Theory. These are equivalent to the following PSU courses: Mth 256, Mth 261, Mth 311 and Mth 344.

In addition to program prerequisites, applicants must meet the university's minimum admission requirements including English language proficiency.

This program currently offers rolling admissions. See instructions on how to apply: https://www.pdx.edu/math/graduate-application-instructions

Degree 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: 

  • 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.

Regardless of the option, students interested in pursuing the M.A. 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. All courses counting toward the degree must be letter-graded. The pass/no pass option is not allowed.

Students are responsible for knowing University-level graduate policies and procedures for obtaining the degree. These policies and procedures are in the Graduate School section of the PSU Bulletin. Several of the most frequently asked about University-level graduate policies and procedures can also be found on the Graduate School website.

Approved courses for the degree:

Mth 511Introduction to Real Analysis I

3

Mth 512Introduction to Real Analysis II

3

Mth 513Introduction to Real Analysis III

3

Mth 521Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I

3

Mth 522Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II

3

Mth 523Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations III

3

Mth 524Elementary Differential Geometry I

3

Mth 525Elementary Differential Geometry II

3

Mth 527Partial Differential Equations I

3

Mth 528Partial Differential Equations II

3

Mth 530Topics in Mathematical Modeling

3

Mth 531Topics in Geometry I

3

Mth 532Topics in Geometry II

3

Mth 533Topics in Geometry III

3

Mth 534Set Theory and Topology I

3

Mth 535Set Theory and Topology II

3

Mth 536Set Theory and Topology III

3

Mth 541Introduction to Abstract Algebra I

3

Mth 542Introduction to Abstract Algebra II

3

Mth 543Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

3

Mth 544Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I

3

Mth 545Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra II

3

Mth 549Topics in Advanced Number Theory

3

Mth 551Numerical Calculus I

3

Mth 552Numerical Calculus II

3

Mth 553Numerical Calculus III

3

Mth 556Topics in Combinatorics

3

Mth 557The Mathematical Theory of Games I

3

Mth 558The Mathematical Theory of Games II

3

Mth 561Graph Theory I

3

Mth 562Graph Theory II

3

Mth 564Numerical Optimization I

3

Mth 565Numerical Optimization II

3

Mth 570Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I

3

Mth 571Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems II

3

Mth 572Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems III

3

Mth 577Mathematical Control Theory I

3

Mth 578Mathematical Control Theory II

3

Mth 611Theory of Functions of a Real Variable I

3

Mth 612Theory of Functions of a Real Variable II

3

Mth 613Theory of Functions of a Real Variable III

3

Mth 614Modern Analysis I

3

Mth 615Modern Analysis II

3

Mth 616Modern Analysis III

3

Mth 617Functional Analysis I

3

Mth 618Functional Analysis II

3

Mth 619Functional Analysis III

3

Mth 621Advanced Differential Equations I

3

Mth 622Advanced Differential Equations II

3

Mth 623Advanced Differential Equations III

3

Mth 624Advanced Differential Geometry I

3

Mth 625Advanced Differential Geometry II

3

Mth 626Advanced Differential Geometry III

3

Mth 634Algebraic Topology I

3

Mth 635Algebraic Topology II

3

Mth 636Algebraic Topology III

3

Mth 637Geometric Topology I

3

Mth 638Geometric Topology II

3

Mth 639Geometric Topology III

3

Mth 641Modern Algebra I

3

Mth 642Modern Algebra II

3

Mth 643Modern Algebra III

3

Mth 651Advanced Numerical Analysis I

3

Mth 652Advanced Numerical Analysis II

3

Mth 653Advanced Numerical Analysis III

3

Mth 661Algebraic Graph Theory I

3

Mth 662Algebraic Graph Theory II

3

Mth 663Algebraic Graph Theory III

3

Mth 667Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I

3

Mth 668Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory II

3

Stat 561Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 562Mathematical Statistics II

3

Stat 564Applied Regression Analysis

3

Stat 565Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3

Stat 566Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3

Stat 567Applied Probability I

3

Stat 661Advanced Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 662Advanced Mathematical Statistics II

3

Stat 663Advanced Mathematical Statistics III

3

Stat 664Theory of Linear Models I

3

Stat 665Theory of Linear Models II

3

Stat 666Theory 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 in Mathematics program.

Approved electives for the degree:

Mth 581Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 582Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 583Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 584Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 585Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 586Topics in The History of Mathematics

2-3

Mth 587Topics in Discrete Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers

2-3

Mth 588Topics 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

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. Students must be registered for and complete at least one graduate credit during the term(s) in which they take an exam. For complete details see the full MS Exam Policy (https://www.pdx.edu/math/ms-exam-policy).

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. Requirements for the course are contained in the 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 in 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: https://app.banner.pdx.edu/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 adviser regarding degree requirements and for help with program planning.