Most of the major areas of mathematics are included among the research interests of the faculty of the department, but the areas most heavily represented are applied mathematics, partial differential equations, integral equations, complex function theory, discrete mathematics, topology, and probability.

Each of the graduate programs in the department is relatively small allowing for close contact between graduate students and faculty. Individual attention is common. There are several active seminars on research topics and there is steady additional stimulus from professional visits by scientists from the U.S. and abroad.

Admission to the graduate programs in Applied Mathematics and Mathematics is open to students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in mathematics or related fields, and have a sound preparation in linear algebra and advanced calculus. On a 4.0 system, applicants should have a GPA of at least 2.5 and an average of at least 3.0 in mathematics and related areas. Applicants who have completed an advanced degree must have done so with a GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, applicants must take the ORE Aptitude Test. The advanced test in mathematics is highly recommended.

Students holding assistantships are expected to perform satisfactorily in their assigned duties and to make good progress in their academic work. Renewal of financial aid is not automatic. Due to the size of our program, we can only guarantee financial aid for 10 semesters for students entering with a Bachelor's degree; those entering with a Master's degree can expect to receive financial aid for 8 semesters. The department, however, will make every attempt to provide some form of funding for qualified students.

For continued support beyond the 3rd year, a student entering with a Bachelor's degree must pass the Candidacy Exam by the beginning of his/her 6th semester (in February). A student entering with a Master's degree must pass the Candidacy Exam by the beginning of his/her 4th semester in order to be guaranteed continued support beyond the 2nd year. For a student who does not pass the Candidacy Examination on the first try, there is no guarantee for support for the following academic year. However, a student may make a second and final attempt to pass the Candidacy Examination the following August, and if the attempt is successful, the department will make every effort to secure funding for such a student.

Master's degree students must complete 31 hours of course work beyond the Bachelor's degree. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Core requirements (18 credit hours): MATH 600, MATH 602, MATH 611, MATH 616, MATH 672, and MATH 807.

Electives (6 credit hours): to be approved by the Graduate Committee.

Additional Requirements (6 credits):

For the Applied Mathematics M.S.: MATH 617 and a one semester course in an area of application (ELEG 667, CHEG 830, CIEG 639, MEEG 630 or a course approved by the graduate committee).

For the Mathematics M.S.: MATH 650 and MATH 688.

Teacher Training requirement (1 credit): Students are required to enroll in the 1-credit course MATH 667 Teacher Training (pass/fail) which is designed to prepare new teaching assistants for the classroom and familiarize them with the computers and software used in some of our courses. All electives must be approved by the graduate committee.

Students with no prior graduate course work must complete 55 credit hours of courses, including Teacher Training (MATH 667), plus an additional 9 credits of MATH 969 (Doctoral Dissertation). A maximum of 6 credit hours of research (MATH 868) is allowed to count as an elective in the 55 credit hour requirement. Of the 55 hours, a maximum of 27 credit hours of 600-level courses in the mathematics department is allowed. All electives must be approved by the graduate committee. After completing their course requirements, students are expected to enroll for at least one course each semester (which may be as a listener) in addition to MATH 964 or MATH 969.  A GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. 

Students entering with a Bachelor's degree must pass the Preliminary Exam in order to continue beyond their second year (beyond the first year for those entering with a Master's degree). A second written exam, the Candidacy Exam, must be passed in order for a student to be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. 

Core Requirement (21 credits): All Applied Mathematics and Mathematics students must complete MATH 600, MATH 602, MATH 611, MATH 616, MATH 672, MATH 806, MATH 807.

Teacher Training Requirement (1 credit): MATH 667 Teacher Training

Doctoral Dissertation (9 credits): MATH 969.

Additional requirements (33 credits):

For the Applied Mathematics Ph.D.: MATH 612, MATH 617, MATH 810, and two semesters in areas of application (ELEG 667, CHEG 830, CIEG 639, MEEG 630 or courses approved by the graduate committee) plus 18 credits of electives.

For the Mathematics Ph.D.: MATH 650, MATH 688, MATH 827, and MATH 845 plus 21 credits of electives.

Other Requirements for the Ph.D.:

Preliminary Exam. Offered before the beginning of each semester, this written examination covers material from MATH 600 and MATH 602 (Advanced calculus) and MATH 672 (Linear algebra). Students entering with Bachelor's degrees are required to pass the Preliminary Examination by the beginning of their 4th semester (by the beginning of their 2nd semester for students entering with Master's degrees). Students who do not meet this requirement are recommended for dismissal.

Candidacy Exam. This written examination is administered in February. A student entering with a Bachelor's degree must pass the Candidacy Exam by the beginning of his/her 6th semester of study (by the 4th semester of study for those entering with a Master's degree). A second and final attempt is permitted in the following August. Dismissal will be recommended for a student who does not pass the Candidacy Exam on the second try.

In this examination a student must choose 2 topics from Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics and Discrete Mathematics. The exams are based on MATH 650 and MATH 845 (Algebra), two chosen from MATH 805, MATH 806 and MATH 807 (Analysis), MATH 616, MATH 617 and MATH 810 (Applied Mathematics) and MATH 688 and MATH 689 (Discrete Mathematics). Another subject area may be substituted for one of the above by petition to the graduate committee based on two graduate level courses and supported by a faculty member.

Language Requirement.  The department requires the Ph.D. candidate to have reading knowledge of one of four languages: French, German, Italian or Russian. Substitutions may be allowed upon petition.

Dissertation.  A student must successfully defend his/her dissertation in front of a committee consisting of the dissertation advisor and no less than three additional members, one of whom must be from outside the department.  The dissertation must contain original publishable results.