怀俄明大学

The math department maintains 4 tracks by which students may obtain a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree in mathematics.

The following requirements are common to all four tracks:

• The student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• The student must complete 30 hours of formal mathematics coursework at the 5000 level.
• As part of the 30 hours of formal 5000-level mathematics courses, the student must complete the following courses with a grade of B or better:

Track #1: Master's Thesis (Plan A)

Within the 30 hours of 5000-level courses, the Plan A student must complete 4 hours of MATH 5960: Thesis Research. At least 26 hours of 5000-level coursework must be math-content courses (not thesis research).

The student must prepare a master’s thesis (Plan A) and give an oral defense of the thesis. In the mathematics program, a Plan A thesis reports on the result(s) of independent and original research completed by the student under the direction of a faculty member. The thesis should describe the research and its results and be written to the standards of the appropriate area of mathematics.

Track #2: Master's Paper (Plan B)

The student must prepare a master’s paper (Plan B) and give an oral defense.

To write a Plan B paper, the student must present an expository paper on a designated mathematical subject. Students are guided by their advisor in the subject matter and in the preparation of the paper. A successful paper and defense demonstrates that the student has mastered a substantial mathematical topic that is beyond those covered in formal foundational coursework.

Track #3: Coursework/Project (Plan B)

A second M.A. or M.S. option exists for the Plan B student. In lieu of writing a paper, the student takes a sequence of three 5000-level courses that all address a common mathematical theme. The sequence must be approved by the student’s advisor and the mathematics graduate committee. Two of the courses must be mathematics-department offerings, and the third may be either a mathematics course (including reading/topics courses) or a course from another department in a related field.

Track #4: Qualifying Exam (Plan B)

A third M.A. or M.S. option exists for the Plan B student. In lieu of writing a paper or taking additional coursework, the student must take and pass the department’s PhD Qualifying Examination in one of the three areas: Analysis, Algebra, or Applied Mathematics. These examinations focus on the material in the required courses.