Applied Mathematics, M.S.

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Major Code: 8073	Degree Awarded: Master of Science
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom	Admission Status: Graduate
Admission Materials: letters of recommendation, résumé, statement of objectives, transcripts	Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne

The master’s degree program in mathematics is designed to produce mathematicians with competence in analysis, differential equations, and computational mathematics who have breadth and versatility in mathematics and its applications in related fields. The master’s program is organized so that students will have the freedom to select their mathematics electives to achieve more knowledge in a particular area in which they may wish to develop expertise. The program also allows students to obtain an appropriate background for industrial employment or to pursue further graduate studies toward the doctoral degree in mathematics or a related area.

Students are encouraged to consider which combination of elective mathematics courses are appropriate for their choice of specialization and to discuss the program with their advisers as soon as graduate study begins.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in mathematics or a related area and must have completed undergraduate courses in differential equations, linear algebra, analysis, probability, and statistics. Courses taken to satisfy admission prerequisites cannot be counted toward the degree requirements.

General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented under Graduate Academic Information .

Degree Requirements

The master of science degree in mathematics can be pursued with either a thesis or nonthesis option; each requires 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Under the thesis option, an oral defense is required and up to six credit hours of the thesis research are used in place of electives. Theses that combine mathematics with its applications in science or engineering are encouraged. Nonthesis option candidates may take up to 6 credits of graduate courses outside of the mathematics program, subject to the approval of the department head. Nonthesis option candidates must successfully complete a written final program examination in the areas of analysis, differential equations and computational mathematics.

Curriculum

The program’s curriculum is designed to provide breadth with some flexibility to accommodate the diversity of backgrounds typically found in an applied mathematics program. Greater flexibility is provided for the elective courses beyond the core. A student has the choice of developing greater depth in one area of specialization, aiming at research in that area or continuing to develop breadth across more than one area.

Each student will complete a program plan that satisfies the requirements listed below, subject to the approval of the department head.

Core Areas (18 credit hours)

MTH 5110 Real Analysis 1
MTH 5115 Functional Analysis
MTH 5301 Numerical Analysis
MTH 5102 Linear Algebra
MTH 5230 Partial Differential Equations
5000-level Probability and Statistics course (3 credits)

Restricted Electives (6 credit hours)

Choose two courses from the following:

Nonthesis Option (6 credit hours)

Two 5000 or higher-level courses in mathematics, operations research, science, or engineering disciplines. The selection of courses outside of the mathematics program must have the approval of the department head.

Thesis Option (6 credit hours)

Six credit hours of MTH 5999 Thesis are required to complete the thesis in two terms. The master’s thesis in mathematics is expected to be a thorough investigation of a well-defined problem, subject to the approval of the thesis committee. Thesis students are encouraged to submit one manuscript to peer-reviewed journals prior to thesis defense.