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Department of Mathematics
University of Mississippi

Master’s Degree Program

The University of Mississippi Department of Mathematics Master’s Degree program is designed to meet the needs of four groups of students:

  •  Those attracted to mathematics as a major scholarly pursuit including students who plan eventually to work toward the doctorate in the field
  •  Those preparing for the teaching careers, particularly in high schools and community college
  •  Those preparing for the professions or vocations in which mathematics is important as e.g. actuarial or statistical work
  •  Those who wish to supplement their study in other fields with suitable courses in mathematics

Prerequisites

All entering students are required to have a background preparation equivalent to the undergraduate major in the College of Liberal Arts. Specifically, that means

  •   Courses through calculus supplemented by at least 18 hours of mathematics on the higher level including the advanced calculus sequence.

The four semester sequence of (regular) calculus is a prerequisite to all higher level courses.

Reading knowledge of French or German is desirable but not a formal requirement.

Master of Arts

A candidate must complete 30 graduate hours, with the first course from five of the following sequences being mandatory:

  •  Math 501/502 — Topology
  • Math 564/565 — Dynamical Systems
  •  Math 573/574 — Applied Probability
  •  Math 575/576 — Statistics
  • Math 625/626 — Modern Algebra
  •  Math 753/754 — Theory of Functions of Real Variable
  •  Math 655/656 — Theory of Functions of Complex Variable
  •  Math 781/782 — Graph Theory

The candidate must complete the second course in two of the above sequences.

The 30 semester hours requirement can be satisfied in one of three ways:

  •   30 hours of graduate mathematics
  •   24 hours of graduate mathematics and an approved 6 hours minor
  •   24 hours of graduate mathematics and a master thesis

The program is completed by passing either the M.S. exam, the defense of a Master thesis, or the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations.

Master of Science

A candidate must complete 30 graduate hours, with at least two of the following sequences being mandatory:

  •  Math 625/626 — Modern Algebra
  •  Math 753/754 — Theory of Functions of Real Variable
  •  Math 655/656 — Theory of Functions of Complex Variable

The 30 semester hours requirement can be satisfied in one of three ways:

  •  30 hours of graduate mathematics
  •  24 hours of graduate mathematics and an approved 6 hours minor
  •  24 hours of graduate mathematics and a master thesis

The program is completed by passing either the M.S. exam, the defense of a Master thesis, or the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations.

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