University of Nevada, Las Vegas  
 

Department of Mathematical Sciences
Graduate Student Handbook
M. S. Program

printable version (.doc)

The M.S. program in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Nevada Las Vegas has four areas of concentration:

    1. Pure Mathematics
    2. Applied Mathematics
    3. Applied Statistics
    4. Teaching Mathematics

You will find below a summary of the requirements and procedures of the program.

1. Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Admission to the M.S. Program in Mathematical Sciences requires, in addition to the Graduate College admission requirements, that a student has completed eighteen upper-division credits in the mathematical sciences.

2. Admission Procedure

To apply for admission to the M.S. Program prospective students must submit application material to both the Graduate College and the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Part 1. For details regarding application material for the Graduate College refer to:

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line.

An alternative is to submit via regular mail the following material

    1. A completed application form.
    2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
    3. Recommended: Official scores from the GRE Aptitude and GRE Subject Test in Mathematics.
    4. If interested: A completed application for a Graduate Assistantship.

to the following address:

Graduate College
University of Nevada Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 451017
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017

Application forms can be downloaded from the online site of the Graduate College. International students must additionally submit a completed financial statement and show competency in English (a TOEFL score of 550 or comparable evidence).

Part 2. Please submit the following material

    1. Copies of all transcripts sent to the Graduate College.
    2. At least two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic record and potential for advanced study in the mathematical sciences.
    3. A statement of purpose. Please state your purpose in applying for graduate study, your particular area of specialization within the mathematical sciences (if known), and any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for graduate study at UNLV.
    4. Recommended: Copies of GRE Aptitude and Subject scores.

to the following address

Graduate Coordinator, Department of Mathematical Sciences
University of Nevada Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 454020
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4020

Deadlines. The Graduate College and the Department of Mathematical Sciences must receive all application materials from applicants by February 1 for fall admission, and October 1 for spring admission.

3. Requirements for the M.S. Program

A minimum of 30 credits of graduate work is required for the M.S. in Mathematical Sciences, including at least 27 hours of course work. For the Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Applied Statistics concentrations, at least 18 of the 27 credits must be at the 700 level. For the Teaching Mathematics Concentration, at least 15 of the 27 credits must be at the 700 level. A grade point average of 3.00 is required in all courses that are part of the degree program. The following specific requirements must be met:

Pure Mathematics Concentration

  1. Core Requirement: Six credits of analysis drawn from MAT 707, 708, 709, 710, 771, 772, and three credits of algebra at the 700 level.
  2. Six credits in a field of special interest to the student at the 700 level, exclusive of those used to meet the core requirement.
  3. Six credits for thesis or an additional six credits of MAT courses at the 700 level.
  4. Final Examination: This will be either an examination to defend the thesis or a written comprehensive examination based on requirements 1 and 2.

Applied Mathematics Concentration

  1. Core Requirement: Six credits of analysis drawn from MAT 707, 708, 709, 710, 771, 772 and three credits of numerical analysis drawn from MAT 663, 765, 767.
  2. Six credits of analysis and applied mathematics at the 700 level, exclusive of those used to meet the core requirement.
  3. Six credits of thesis or an additional six credits of MAT or STA courses at the 700 level.
  4. Final Examination: This will be either an examination to defend the thesis or a written comprehensive examination based on requirements 1 and 2.

Applied Statistics Concentration

  1. Core Requirement: Twelve credits consisting of Mat 657, MAT 663, STA 667, STA 767.
  2. Area of Specialization: Six credits in the selected area of specialization as follows:
  3. Applied Statistics: STA 763, 765
  4. Environmental Statistics: STA 751, 769
  5. Six credits for thesis or an additional six credits of STA courses at the 700 level in the appropriate area of specialization.
  6. Final Examination: This will be either an examination to defend the thesis or a written comprehensive examination based on requirements 1 and 2.
  7. Note: STA 713 and STA 715 do not count toward a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences with concentration in pure mathematics, applied mathematics or teaching mathematics.

Teaching Mathematics Concentration

  1. Mathematics Requirement: A total of 18 credits including nine credits from MAT 711, 712, and 714; three credits in algebra selected from 653, 654, 703, 704, 655, 669, 670; three credits in analysis selected from 657, 658, 707, 708, 659, 709, 710, 687, 665; and three credits in foundations selected from 651, 652, 701, 702, 680, 683, 684.
  2. Education Requirement: Six credits in education from CIS 722 or CIS 724 and from CIG 720.
  3. Three credits for a course in MAT, STA, CIS or CIG at the graduate level.
  4. Three credits for an additional three credits of MAT or STA at the graduate level or six credits for thesis.
  5. Final Examination: This will be either an examination to defend the thesis or a professional paper or an oral presentation addressing an appropriate area of specialization in mathematics.
  6. Note: MAT 711 and 712 do not count as credit toward a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences degree with concentration in pure mathematics, applied mathematics or applied statistics.

4. Written Comprehensive Exam Option

For the pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and applied statistics concentrations in the MS Program, an alternative to writing and defending a thesis is to take a written comprehensive examination based on requirements 1 and 2 listed under the respective concentration. (The teaching mathematics concentration does not have this option.)

The written comprehensive examination consists of two exams, each of 2 hours duration, addressing respectively two courses from requirement 1 and two courses from requirement 2 of the pertinent Concentration. The student's advisor must approve the four courses on which the student will be tested. The exams will be designed and graded by the instructors who taught the courses to the student.

The sequence of steps for exercising this option proceeds as follows:

  1. Early in the semester during which the student wishes to take the two exams, the student gives to the Graduate Coordinator a filled-out form, 'Request for an MS Written Exam' (attached), approved and signed by the student's advisor. The form indicates the four courses on which the student will be tested and the instructors who taught the courses to the student.
  2. The Graduate Coordinator informs the instructors of the request. The instructors in turn give to the Graduate Coordinator detailed lists of topics, references, etc. that describe the material on which the student will be tested.
  3. After review by the Graduate Committee, these lists are given to the student.
  4. The Chair of the department announces specific dates for the exams.
  5. The instructors provide copies of the exams to the Graduate Committee prior to the actual written tests.
  6. The exams are graded by the instructors and passed on to the Graduate Committee together with the recommendations of the instructors.
  7. The Chair or the Graduate Coordinator signs off the appropriate form from the Graduate College.

UNLV Department of Mathematical Sciences • Las Vegas, NV