Program Details | Mathematics MA/MS

The Mathematics MA/MS program is designed for the student who wishes to prepare for community college teaching, employment in government or industry, or further advanced work toward a Ph.D. in mathematics.

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Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete an approved 45-credit program that includes at least 30 credits in mathematics or statistics. Students shall select either Option A or Option B. Regardless of the option, students interested in pursuing the M.A. degree must also show proficiency in a second language.

A student must have a minimum 3.00 GPA on the courses applied to the program of study, as well as a minimum 3.00 GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at PSU. Although grades of C+, C, and C- are below the graduate standard, they may be counted as credit toward a master’s degree with the specific written approval of the department if taken at PSU after the term of formal admission to the graduate program. All courses counting toward the degree must be letter-graded. The pass/no pass option is not allowed.

Option A

The student must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics which include approved courses distributed as follows:
- two 6-credit sequences at the 600 level
- 6 additional credits at the 600-level
- 3-credit Mth 501 course on Mathematical Literature and Problems
Pass one written Master's examination in either Algebra or Analysis

Option B

The student must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics which include approved courses distributed as follows:
- two 6-credit sequences at the 600 level
- 6 additional credits at the 600-level
Pass two written Master's examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis

Approved Courses for the Degree

Mth 511 Introduction to Real Analysis I
Mth 512 Introduction to Real Analysis II
Mth 513 Introduction to Real Analysis III
Mth 521 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I
Mth 522 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II
Mth 523 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations III
Mth 524 Elementary Differential Geometry I
Mth 525 Elementary Differential Geometry II
Mth 527 Partial Differential Equations I
Mth 528 Partial Differential Equations II
Mth 530 Topics in Mathematical Modeling
Mth 531 Topics in Geometry I
Mth 532 Topics in Geometry II
Mth 533 Topics in Geometry III
Mth 534 Set Theory and Topology I
Mth 535 Set Theory and Topology II
Mth 536 Set Theory and Topology III
Mth 541 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
Mth 542 Introduction to Abstract Algebra II
Mth 543 Introduction to Abstract Algebra III
Mth 544 Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I
Mth 545 Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra II
Mth 549 Topics in Advanced Number Theory
Mth 551 Numerical Calculus I
Mth 552 Numerical Calculus II
Mth 553 Numerical Calculus III
Mth 556 Topics in Combinatorics
Mth 557 The Mathematical Theory of Games I
Mth 558 The Mathematical Theory of Games II
Mth 561 Graph Theory I
Mth 562 Graph Theory II
Mth 564 Numerical Optimization I
Mth 565 Numerical Optimization II
Mth 570 Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I
Mth 571 Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems II
Mth 572 Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems III
Mth 577 Mathematical Control Theory I
Mth 578 Mathematical Control Theory II
Mth 611 Theory of Functions of a Real Variable I
Mth 612 Theory of Functions of a Real Variable II
Mth 613 Theory of Functions of a Real Variable III

Mth 614 Modern Analysis I
Mth 615 Modern Analysis II
Mth 616 Modern Analysis III
Mth 617 Functional Analysis I
Mth 618 Functional Analysis II
Mth 619 Functional Analysis III
Mth 621 Advanced Differential Equations I
Mth 622 Advanced Differential Equations II
Mth 623 Advanced Differential Equations III
Mth 624 Advanced Differential Geometry I
Mth 625 Advanced Differential Geometry II
Mth 626 Advanced Differential Geometry III
Mth 634 Algebraic Topology I
Mth 635 Algebraic Topology II
Mth 636 Algebraic Topology III
Mth 637 Geometric Topology I
Mth 638 Geometric Topology II
Mth 639 Geometric Topology III
Mth 641 Modern Algebra I
Mth 642 Modern Algebra II
Mth 643 Modern Algebra III
Mth 651 Advanced Numerical Analysis I
Mth 652 Advanced Numerical Analysis II
Mth 653 Advanced Numerical Analysis III
Mth 661 Algebraic Graph Theory I
Mth 662 Algebraic Graph Theory II
Mth 663 Algebraic Graph Theory III
Mth 667 Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory I
Mth 668 Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory II
Stat 561 Mathematical Statistics I
Stat 562 Mathematical Statistics II
Stat 564 Applied Regression Analysis
Stat 565 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I
Stat 566 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II
Stat 567 Applied Probability I
Stat 661 Advanced Mathematical Statistics I
Stat 662 Advanced Mathematical Statistics II
Stat 663 Advanced Mathematical Statistics III
Stat 664 Theory of Linear Models I
Stat 665 Theory of Linear Models II
Stat 666 Theory of Linear Models III

Approved Electives for the Degree

Mth 581 Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 582 Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 583 Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 584 Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 585 Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 586 Topics in The History of Mathematics
Mth 587 Topics in Discrete Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 588 Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers

"Approved as elective" means that it is approved inside the 45 total credit hours but not inside the 30 mathematics/statistics credit hours. Check with the program adviser for additional approved electives.

Course Projection Guide

MTH 501 Mathematical Literature and Problems

Three credits of MTH 501 are required for Option A of the Mathematics MA/MS degree. In this 3-credit course, a student works under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of mathematics in which the student has acquired the background needed to read current mathematical literature, prepare a research paper, and present this research in a colloquium. You must be registered for at least one graduate credit during the term in which you plan to present your 501 research.

501 Deadlines & Guidelines

Master’s Exams

Depending on the option chosen, students must pass one or two Master’s exams.

Option A: Student must pass one written examination in either Algebra or Analysis.
Option B: Student must pass two written examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis. Other subject areas include: Geometry, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Methods, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations and Set Theory/Topology.

Exams are offered twice a year, during the week prior to the start of fall term and during the first week of spring term. Students may take a given area examination at most two times. Syllabi and the last six previously given exams for each topic are available. You must be registered for and complete at least one graduate credit during the term(s) in which you take your exams.

MS Exam Policy