Computational and Applied Mathematics

The Master of Science Degree in Computational and Applied Mathematics requires that the student demonstrate knowledge in certain core areas.

Core Course Requirements

All candidates for the M.S. Degree in Computational and Applied Mathematics must earn a grade of A or B in a prescribed 18 hours from the following list of core courses.

1. Basic Mathematics (3 hours): One of Math 4143 (Advanced Calculus, I) or Math 5023 (Advanced Linear Algebra).

 

2. Numerical Analysis (3 hours): One of Math 5543 (Numerical Analysis for DE) or Math 5553 (Numerical Analysis for Linear Algebra).

 

3. Applied Analysis (12 hours): Four from Math 4233 (Intermediate Differential Equations), Math 4283 (Complex Variable), Math 4513 (Numerical Analysis), Math 4553 (Linear and Nonlinear Programming), Math 5213 (Fourier Analysis), Math 5233 (PDE), Math 5243 (ODE I), Math 5253 (ODE II), Math 5523 (Calculus of Variation and Optimal Control), Math 5543 (Numerical Analysis for DE), Math 5553 (Numerical Analysis for Linear Algebra), Math 5580 (Case Studies), Math 5593 (Methods in Applied Mathematics).

 

4. Industrial Experience: Three hours credit under Requirement 3. for Math 5580 or an industrial experience, such as a summer internship or employed full-time for one-half year or more in industry or business in a mathematical context.

 

Alternative Course Selection

a. Any of these 18 hours of core courses may be replaced by a higher level course for which it is a prerequisite, e.g., Math 4143 (Advanced Calculus,I) may be replaced by Math 5153 (Real Analysis).

b. A requirement may be fulfilled by another course, such as a Topics Course or a graduate-level course in engineering or another applied science, with the advanced consent from the student's advisor and the Graduate Committee.

c. A course chosen to satisfy one of the requirements 1 through 4 may not be used to satisfy another core requirement, except Math 5580 (3 hours) may be used to satisfy both Requirements 3 and 4.

d. Courses taken as an undergraduate can be used to satisfy the above requirements, as long as they are consistent with the Graduate College requirements.

Courses outside the Mathematics Department must be approved by the student's advisory committee. Computer Science courses must be beyond programming courses (COMSC 4113 is considered a programming course).

Sample Plans of Study are provided.

Courses Taken in Graduate School

The courses taken in graduate school must total at least 32 hours which may include two hours credit for a Master's report. If a student elects to write a thesis, the minimum number of hours is reduced to 30 of which 6 are thesis credit. The courses taken on the Master's degree program must include at least 21 hours of courses numbered 5000 or above of which 20 hours must be mathematics, statistics, or computer science courses. (Math 4613, 4143 and 4153 are considered 5000 level courses for this purpose.) No more than 6 hours outside the mathematical sciences will count towards the Master's degree. An advanced letter of consent from the Graduate Committee, upon the recommendation by the student's advisor, may waive this last requirement; but in no case may there be more than 9 hours outside the mathematical sciences counted toward the Master's degree. All the courses on the Master's degree program must constitute a coherent whole and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Creative Component, Report, or Thesis

Each student must complete either a creative component, report, or thesis. Under any of these three options, a written document and a public presentation based on this individually directed project is required.

Other Requirements

The University Catalog contains detailed procedures applicable to all Master's degrees.