What are the prerequisites for admission
to the MS program?
The minimum mathematical background required for admission into
the Mathematics MS program is completion of the following GMU Mathematics
courses or their equivalent. Descriptions of these courses and their
prerequisites can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
- MATH 113 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry I)
- MATH 114 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry II)
- MATH 213 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry III)
- MATH 214 (Ordinary Differential Equations)
- MATH 290 (Foundations of Mathematics)
- MATH 315 (Advanced Calculus)
- MATH 322 (Linear Algebra)
Usually, but not always, a student with a Bachelor's degree in
Mathematics will have had all of these courses. Note that no course
should be taken without the proper prerequisites.
If you are not sure whether or not courses you have taken as an
undergraduate are sufficient, contact the graduate coordinator.
What if I don't meet all of the prerequisites?
Many of our applicants either do not have an undergraduate degree
in mathematics or have not taken a mathematics course for some years.
In this case, we recommend that you take the appropriate undergraduate
courses under the
Extended Studies Program. To determine exactly
which courses you should take, contact the graduate coordinator.
Can I take some courses without being admitted
to the program?
The Extended Studies
Program allows students to take a course for
which they have the necessary prerequisites without being admitted
to a degree program. If a student subsequently is admitted to a
degree program, any course taken under the
Extended Studies Program
is treated as transfer credit, and is subject to all applicable
restrictions (indicated here in the CAS
Policies for Graduate Students webpage). However,
if a student registers for a course under the
Extended Studies Program
and then at some point during that semester is admitted to a degree
program, the course automatically counts toward the degree and is
not treated as transfer credit.
How do I apply for admission to the MS program?
The online application process can be started
here. Paper
application forms and other information is available
here. A
completed application packet consists of: (1) the application form,
(2) your undergraduate transcripts, (3) three letters of
recommendation, and (4) a goals statement. International students
are no longer required to get an international transcript
evaluation. These are now done by CAS. Completed applications are forwarded to
the Mathematics Department and are acted on by the Graduate Committee
within a short time.
What if I am already in another degree
program at GMU?
If you are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. or Doctoral degree program,
you can apply to the MS program using a Secondary
Degree Application form. In some cases, credits earned toward
your Ph.D. or Doctoral degree can also be applied to the MS degree.
If you are currently enrolled in a Masters degree
program at GMU, you will need to apply to the MS program as a new
student. Please note that you cannot count the same courses
for two different Masters degrees.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are processed in the Mathematics Department on a
rolling basis, which means that applications are acted on shortly
after they are complete and after the application materials have
been forwarded to the department by the CAS Graduate Admissions
office. However, in order to ensure that your application
materials are forwarded in a timely fashion, the following deadlines
are recommended: For admission for the Fall semester, March
15; for admission for the Spring semester, October 1; and for
admission for the Summer semester, Febraury 1. An application deadline is imposed
by the College of Arts and Sciences on international students. See
this document
for further information.
Is it possible to waive the application
fee?
No. It is the policy of the College of Arts and Sciences not to
waive the application fee under any circumstances.
Is the GRE required?
The GRE is not required for admission to the MS program in Mathematics.
Is there any financial aid available?
The only financial aid offered by the Mathematics Department is
in the form of a limited number of teaching assistantships. Priority
is given to students in the Mathematics PhD Program, the Mathematics MS Program, or in the PhD
program in Computational Sciences (Mathematics Track). Eligibility
requirements and pay scales for Graduate Teaching Assistants can
be found here.
Other part-time job opportunities not originating with the Mathematics
Department are brought to our attention from time to time. Information
on such positions will be posted under
News
for Graduate Students.
I am an international student. Is
there anything special I should know?
International students who wish to apply to the graduate program
are subject to certain policies. For example, they are subject to
application deadlines imposed by the College of Arts and Sciences,
they must take the TOEFL exam. Students no longer need to supply
their own International Transcript Evaluation. This is now
done by CAS. Information on deadlines and required TOEFL
scores can be
found on this
form. Students may obtain more information from
the Office of International
Programs and Services (OIPS).
Are graduate courses offered at night?
All graduate courses are held at night, starting at 4:30pm or later.
Are graduate courses offered in the summer?
The only graduate courses that regularly run in the summer are
some of the 500-level actuarial courses. Typically no 600-level
or higher graduate courses run in the summer. Such courses have been held
during one of the summer sessions in the past when there is student
demand and when a professor is available to teach it. It is also possible
to arrange with an individual faculty member to take a reading course
(MATH 697) in the summer.
How can I find out when a particular graduate course will be offered?
The graduate
course frequency chart indicates when courses are typically
offered. Also on this page is a listing of the graduate course offerings
for the past several years. The student should understand that this
is a planning document and not a guarantee that these courses will
be offered in the semester indicated.
Is an undergraduate allowed to take graduate
courses?
Qualified undergraduates may take graduate courses. Details and
links to the necessary forms can be found at the CAS
Policies for Graduate Students webpage.
I intend to graduate this semester. What do I do?
Everything you need to know and do, together with all relevant
deadlines, can be found here.
How can I get more information?
The College of Arts and Sciences
(CAS) maintains a very informative website. Click here for
the CAS
Policies for Graduate Students webpage.
GMU | Mathematics | Contact Us
Last Modified:
Thu, 10 Jul 2003 14:26:57 GMT
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