Mathematics

http://www.math.ohiou.edu/

The Department of Mathematics offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The principal feature of graduate study in mathematics is the possibility of designing a study plan to meet your individual needs and interests.

Master’s Degree Program

The program can normally be completed in two years or less. Graduate courses totaling at least 55 credit hours are required, with at most 10 credits coming from an optional project or thesis. At least three courses must be taken at the 600-level or above. No grade of CR (credit) other than for practicum, internship, research, and thesis hours will be counted towards satisfaction of program requirements. Within the master’s degree program, a student can select one of four tracks, which have different requirements and separate admission. Each student, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, must develop a study plan by the end of his or her first quarter, and have it approved by the graduate chair. Any changes to this study plan must be approved by the faculty adviser and graduate chair at least one quarter before the student applies for graduation.

Applied Track

The applied track is aimed at students interested in the applications of mathematics to other fields. The candidate for this track should expect to complete the analysis sequence. In addition, linear algebra, numerical analysis, differential equations, statistics, and probability are desirable subjects to pursue. The student is encouraged to take some course work in another department such as courses in biology, economics, engineering, finance, operations research, or physics. See http://www.math.ohiou.edu/math/programs/MSapplied.html for a detailed description.

Pure Track

The pure track is intended primarily for those students who plan to continue their study of mathematics at the Ph.D. level. The student should plan to complete two or more of the sequences offered in algebra, analysis, and topology. Advanced sequences in these three and in other subjects such as complex analysis, differential equations are regularly offered. Applicants should have completed advanced calculus and junior- or senior-level courses in abstract and linear algebra.

Computational Track

The computational track is aimed at students who are interested in both Mathematics and Computer Science. Our graduates often become software engineers, and are distinguished by mathematical skills that make them more valuable than typical programmers. These same skills are useful for graduates seeking careers in any field that requires computational or applied Mathematics. The curriculum provides a foundation in both computer science and mathematics, while allowing enough flexibility so that students can pursue their interests in these two fields. See http://www.math.ohiou.edu/math/programs/MScomputational.html for a detailed description.

Secondary School Teachers Track

The Department of Mathematics, together with the College of Education, offers a joint program in mathematics for secondary school teachers. The M.S. degree may be taken either in the College of Education or in the Department of Mathematics. The student taking this graduate program can expect at least half of his or her credits to be earned in mathematics. The topics studied usually are geometry, algebra, number theory, and analysis. Applicants should have
completed advanced calculus, geometry, and algebra.

Doctoral Degree Program

The department offers a Ph.D. degree with tracks in either pure or applied mathematics. The pure mathematics track is primarily in algebra, analysis, and topology. The applied mathematics track covers a broad spectrum of research areas, including dynamical systems, partial and ordinary differential equations, integral equations, optimal control theory, numerical analysis, computational harmonic analysis, statistics, stochastic processes, coding theory, and mathematical biology.

Recent graduates have written dissertations on the theory of noncommutative rings and modules, linear algebra, group theory, optimization theory, general and set theoretic topology, real analysis, boundary value problems, KdV equations, and nonlinear differential and integral equations, and algebraic coding theory. Each student is encouraged to design a program of study suited to his or her needs, for close association between students and faculty members is a major strength of our department.

No specific courses are required for the Ph.D., but each student must pass a comprehensive examination and write an acceptable dissertation. A student is admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree upon completion of comprehensive examinations and recommendation of his or her adviser. See http://www.math.ohiou.edu/math/programs/PhDcandidacyMathematics.html for further details. The Ph.D. candidate is expected to write a dissertation that is a scholarly work demonstrating the ability to understand, organize, improve, and present mathematical ideas of outstanding importance, depth, or interest. It should include original mathematical research and be worthy of publication.

Students are encouraged to develop the ability to read mathematics in the languages which predominate the literature of the discipline. Students in post-master’s courses are expected to understand mathematics written in one or more of the following languages: French, German, or Russian.

Admission and Financial Support

To be admitted to graduate study, you should have an undergraduate average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

Applicants admitted with deficiencies will be expected to make up the deficiencies during their first year.

Conferral of a graduate degree requires at least a B (3.0) grade-point average (g.p.a.) both in the courses taken towards satisfying the degree requirements as well as in all courses taken at Ohio University. Students whose overall g.p.a. stays below 3.0 in three consecutive quarters will be dropped from the program.

You may apply for admission for any quarter. To apply for financial aid for the following academic year, you should apply by February 1, although late applications will be considered if vacancies exist. Support is available in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TAs), Doctoral Fellowships, and Graduate Recruitment Stipends (GRS). Students in the M.S. program can receive financial support for up to six quarters.

For further information on our graduate program, see http://www.math.ohio.edu/math/programs/graduate.html.