Master Programs

Master of Arts

This degree is designed for students who wish to extend their knowledge of mathematics or prepare for certain careers related to mathematics. In order to be admitted without deficiencies, the student's background include an undergraduate mathematics major or an equivalent preparation such as may be obtained in certain undergraduate programs in engineering or the sciences. In particular, it is highly desirable that the student's preparation include courses in linear algebra and foundations of analysis. A certain degree of familiarity with computer languages may also be required for some areas of study.

Students pursing the Master of Arts degree in Mathematics may choose one of the following areas: general mathematics, analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics, statistics, probability, and computational mathematics. Information concerning the requirements for each area may be obtained from the Department of Mathematics.

Program of Study:

The program of study, including courses in Mathematics and related subjects, is selected with the recommendation of the student's supervisory committee. Ordinarily, a program of study consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours.

Requirements:

Thesis Option

• 24 hours of graduate course work with atleast 12 hours at the 500 level.
• 6 hours of thesis(MAT 599) or 3 hours thesis(MAT 599) and 3 hours research(MAT 592).
• One qualifying exam passed at the masters level or atleast a 3.25 GPA in 4 courses of two qualifying sequences.
• A final oral examination in defense of the thesis.

Non-Thesis Option

• 30 hours of graduate course work with at least 18 hours at the 500 level.
• Two qualifying exams passed at the master's level.

Master of Natural Science

The faculty of the Department of Mathematics participate in programs leading to the Master of Natural Science degree. This degree is intended for the student who is interested in an interdisciplinary program with a major emphasis in mathematics and a minor emphasis in a related subject outside mathematics.

Program of Study:

The program of study, including courses in Mathematics and related subjects, is selected with the recommendation of the student's supervisory committee. This supervisory committee consists of two faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and one faculty member of the department in the related area. The program of study consists of a minimum of 36 semester hours, of which 12 hours represent coordinated study at the graduate level in a department other than Mathematics. At least 18 credit hours must be at the 500 level, which includes at least six hours of the courses completed outside the department.

Required Examinations:A student is required to either pass one qualifying exam (that should be highlighted to take to the qualifying exam structure) or to receive at least a 3.25 GPA in four courses of two qualifying sequences. (qualifying sequences should also be highlighted).Under special circumstances the student may instead pass a written comprehensive exam.

Thesis Requirements: None.

Final Examinations: None.

B.S/M.A. Joint Degree Program

Program description:

The joint bachelor’s and master’s degree program is designed to provide our selected highest quality students with the opportunity to link advanced undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework and degree completion. It shall allow accelerated students to obtain a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree within five years. This shall cut the time to complete the M.A degree by at least one year.

Admission Standards:

Undergraduate students admitted to the B.S. in Mathematics or the B.S. in Computational Mathematical Sciences, who have at least 4 semesters of full-time enrollment, completed 60 credit hours of course work applicable to the B.S. degree in Mathematics or the B.S. in Computational Mathematical Sciences with a GPA of at least 3.25 for all courses and a GPA of at least 3.25 for mathematical courses, have obtained at least B in MAT 342 (or 343) and MAT 371 are eligible for the program.

Applications are normally submitted with three semesters remaining in the B.S. in Mathematics or the B.S. in Computational Mathematical Sciences program of study. Students apply directly to the department's M.A. program but email Debbie Olson (debbie.olson@asu.edu) their intention to enter the B.S./M.A. program.

Applications must be accompanied by an official transcript and three letters of recommendation. At least two letters of recommendation are from departmental faculty members. These two letters shall attest to the applicant’s readiness and probable success in completing the graduate program. GRE scores are not required for this joint degree program. Applications are reviewed and processed by the Graduate director of the department.

Application and admission deadlines:

Applications are reviewed twice each year. Applications for Spring admission are due by September 15 and applications for Fall admission are due by February 15. Acceptance notices are sent by November 15 and April 15 in the semester of application.

Requirements for Each Degree:

The credit hour requirements are 120 for the B.S. and 30 for the M.A. Students must satisfy all existing requirements for B.S. and M.A. This joint degree program does not allow the sharing of credit hours between the B.S. and the M.A. degree.

The M.A. student who does not write a thesis takes 30 hours of graduate course work, at least 18 hours at the 500 level. The M.A. student who writes a thesis takes 24 hours of graduate course work, at least 12 hours at the 500 level. In addition, six hours of thesis (599), or three hours of thesis and three hours of research (592) are taken. A final oral examination (which serves as the culminating experience) in defense of the thesis is required.

A Master's degree student who writes a thesis is required to take only one written qualifying examination. An MA student who does not write a thesis, in addition to the qualifying exam, takes a second exam (which serves as the culminating experience) which is either another qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam or a special master's exam.

Samples of Program of Study (B.S./M.A. without thesis):

The B.S. degree in mathematics requires a minimum of 120 semester hours.  Included in this total are 42 semester hours of course work in mathematics and statistics, and an additional 13 semester hours of course work in related fields.  The M.A. degree requires 30 semester hours of graduate course work.

The B.S. degree in computational mathematical sciences requires a minimum of 32 semester hours of course work in mathematics and statistics, a minimum of 12-14 semester hours in science, 9 hours in computer science and a 3 hour advanced science course or internship/research credit for a minimum of 56-58 semester hours of advanced course work related to the major.

In the sample programs, we list only courses that are required specifically by the B.S. in Mathematics or the B.S. in Computational Mathematical Sciences, and M.A programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. All 200 and 300 level courses are credited toward to the B.S. in Mathematics or the B.S. in Computational Mathematical Sciences. All 500 level courses are credit toward M.A. degree. 400 level courses credited toward M.A. are marked by (gc).

• A Generic Model Program of Study (pdf)
• A Sample Program of Study with General Emphasis (pdf)
• A Sample Program of Study Emphasis in Statistics (pdf)
• A Sample Program of Study for B.S. in General Math with M.A. in Mathematical Biology (pdf)
• A Sample Program of Study for Computational Mathematical Sciences (pdf)

Academic Progress Policy

MA students

1. Non-thesis option
   Year 1: Master's pass on both qualifier sequences by end of semester 2. (MNS students must pass one qualifier sequence by the end of semester 2.)
   Year 2: Finish all coursework by semester 4.


2. Thesis option
   Year 1: Master's pass on qualifier sequence or complete four courses in two qualifying sequences with at least a 3.25 GPA by the end of semester 2.
   Year 2: Finish thesis and all coursework by semester 4.

All students:

• A program of study (POS) must be filed by the end of Semester 3.
• All students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00.
• Exams must be attempted until satisfactorily passed at every opportunity.
• All international students must pass the SPEAK test within their first two semesters at ASU to be considered for TA support.
• An extra PhD year is granted ONLY if the advisor guarantees the student will finish.
• A student entering with an MA degree from a non-mathematics MA or MS degree may follow the guidelines for a PhD entering from a BS degree.
• Part time students are expected to take on average 2/3 of the course load of full time students. Their academic progress timeline will be scaled accordingly. Students interested in part time enrollment should discuss the academic progress timeline with the graduate director upon admission.

These guidelines supercede any previous requirements in the graduate program.