Josie Hamer, Graduate Co-Coordinator            Phone: (203) 837-9347, hamerj@wcsu.edu

Xiaodi Wang, Graduate Co-Coordinator           Phone: (203) 837-9355, wangx@wcsu.edu                      

Dept. Secretary                                                           Phone: (203) 837-9345

                                                                                          Fax: (203) 837-8527

Mathematics Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Mathematics degree program provides students with an avenue for further in-depth study in theoretical or applied mathematics. Students may use this program as a first step towards a Ph.D. in Mathematics, as a means of increasing their knowledge of mathematics to support their teaching, or as a tool to enhance their skills and knowledge for careers in such diverse fields as actuarial science, statistics, cryptography, engineering and computer science.

Program Mission, Goals and Objectives

The mission of the M.A. in Mathematics program is to extend the knowledge of beginning mathematicians with depth and breadth in mathematics content, research and applications. The goals of the program are to increase:

• depth and breadth in mathematics content;

• independence as a learner of mathematics;

• mathematical problem-solving ability; and

• communication skills in a mathematical context.

Admission Requirements

A student who wishes to earn the degree must have received the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in mathematics or a related field, and have demonstrated competence in undergraduate mathematics.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the degree of M.A. in Mathematics include:

1.  A minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework as described below, and

2.  A culminating experience, which may be a thesis or a comprehensive examination.

Master of Arts in Mathematics

The M.A. in Mathematics requires a minimum of 9 SH credits from Group I; an additional 15 credits from Groups I and II; and an additional six credits from Groups I, II or III. The degree reequires a minimum of 30 credits. Group X items may be used for any of Group I, II or III, with permission of the graduate coordinator. Courses are offered in 3-year rotation.

Group I Courses

MAT 505 Logic                                                                                                                   3 SH

MAT 507 Applied Statistics I                                                                       3 SH

MAT 526 Numerical Analysis I                                                                    3 SH

MAT 529 Historical Development of Mathematics                                 3 SH

MAT 704 Matrix Theory and Methods                                                       3 SH

Group II Courses

MAT 508  Applied Statistics II                                                                       3 SH

MAT 512-513 Modern Algebra I, II                                                             6 SH

MAT 514-515 Real Analysis I, II                                                                  6 SH

MAT 522 Topics in Advanced Geometry                                                  3 SH

MAT 527 Numerical Analysis II                                                                   3 SH

MAT 528 Number Theory                                                                                               3 SH

MAT 540 Topics in Mathematics                                                                 3 SH

MAT 708 Applied Mathematics                                                                    3 SH

Group III Courses

MAD 511 Topics in Elementary School Mathematics Education        3 SH

MAD 512 Topics in Middle School Mathematics Education                3 SH

MAD 513 Topics in Secondary School Mathematics Education         3 SH

Group X Courses

MAT 400-level senior mathematics course                                              0-6 SH

MAT 592 Thesis Research                                                                                               0-6 SH

Thesis Option:

MAT 592 Independent Thesis Research in Mathematics                      0-6 SH

400-Level Courses

With the approval of the graduate coordinator, students may use a maximum of six (6) semester hours of 400-level courses in mathematics in their program.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is a three-hour examination on the courses in the program completed by the student as follows:

1.  One hour on each of two one-year, six-credit MAT courses;

2.  A third hour on any other one-year, six-credit MAT course, or two half-hours, each on one-semester  courses in the student’s program.

All coursework must be completed prior to the semester in which students take the comprehensive examination. The total grade point average must be 3.0 or better. Credit is not awarded for the comprehensive examination.

The written examination is given twice a year: the first Saturday in December and the first Saturday in May. It is the responsibility of students choosing to take the examination to notify their adviser by November 1st for the December examination and by April 1st for the May examination. Successful fulfillment of the examination requirement necessitates a passing mark on each section of the examination. In the event the student fails to pass one section of the examination, the student may:

1.  repeat that particular section of the examination on the next examination date; or,

2.  choose another option with the approval of the department graduate committee.

Thesis

The thesis is completed through MAT 592, Independent Thesis Research in Mathematics (0 to 6 semester hours, as agreed to by the student, the thesis adviser and mathematics department chair). The thesis is a scholarly work researched and solely written by the student under the guidance of a thesis adviser and thesis committee. The thesis proposal must be approved by the thesis committee and graduate school before registering for MAT 592. The thesis credits must be approved by the mathematics department.

The Master of Arts in Mathematics degree program, including the thesis and the comprehensive examination approach, must be planned and agreed upon by the student and the graduate adviser.