Mar 28, 2024  
Catalog 2015-2016 
    
Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics, M.S.


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The College of Arts and Sciences  graduate major in Mathematics prepares students as professional mathematicians with an emphasis on problem solving and mathematical inquiry. Coursework will cover a wide range of mathematics including abstract algebra, probability and statistics, combinatorics, advanced calculus, the history of mathematics, financial mathematics, and mathematical modeling, while emphasizing both the applied and theoretical aspects of these disciplines. The use of the most current mathematics technology will help students analyze and solve problems like experienced mathematicians.

Several processes central to the preparation of outstanding mathematicians will be incorporated into the curriculum and monitored throughout the program. These include the ability to use a broad range of strategies and representations when solving problems and creating models, to use logic and reasoning for the analysis and development of mathematical proof, to identify connections within mathematics and to other disciplines, and to correctly communicate mathematical ideas precisely using the language of mathematics.

Special Admissions Requirement

In addition to the university admissions requirements, students must have:

  1. a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (out of a possible 4.0). Students seeking admission to the GSU Master of Science in Mathematics program with a GPA lower than 2.75 may petition to the graduate program coordinator for admission.
  2. submit a letter of application including a statement of personal interest in pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics,
  3. submit three professional or academic letters of reference

Students may apply for the Master of Science in Mathematics program at Governors State University with a baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited university. An undergraduate major in mathematics, actuarial science, engineering, business, science, or computer science is recommended. Students must have completed, with a grade of “C” or higher, a three-semester sequence in calculus, a course in modern algebra, a course in linear algebra, and a course in analysis. Students may be conditionally admitted if they do not meet the undergraduate prerequisites for the graduate core courses.

Admission to Candidacy

As a benchmark toward graduation, students must apply for and be accepted to candidacy for the Master of Science degree in Mathematics. Mathematics students must apply for candidacy upon completion of 18 credit hours (6 of these credit hours must be in the Required Core Courses). Students applying for candidacy to graduate with the Master of Science degree in Mathematics must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 6 hours in the required core, with a grade of “B” or better in each course;
  2. Completion of a minimum of 12 additional hours of core or electives course work with a grade average of “B” or better, and no more than one course with a grade of “C” will be accepted; and
  3. Establish a Graduate Committee. The Graduate Committee must include a project advisor (must be a tenured/tenure track Mathematics Faculty) and two other graduate faculty (one of which must be a faculty member from a graduate program in a related discipline or graduate program at Governors State University). A Graduate Committee may contain one outside member, who must be a tenured or tenure-track professor from a graduate program at an accredited university. Students apply for candidacy by completing a “Master of Science in Mathematics Program Application for Candidacy” form, including the student’s courses and grades to date, date of intended graduate thesis/project/seminar, and a statement from the student’s advisor regarding the student’s prospects for completion within four years. The Master of Science in Mathematics Program faculty will review the application and vote on whether the student is admitted to candidacy, if additional coursework is required, or if the student will not be admitted to candidacy. Students who are denied admission to candidacy may appeal this decision to the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office.

Minimum Degree Requirements


In addition to the requirements for candidacy outlined above, Master of Science in Mathematics students must complete the following requirement in order to attain the Master’s degree:

  1. the remaining elective courses such that the grade average for all elective courses is a “B” (3.00 of 4.00) or better, no more than one course with a grade of “C” will be accepted, and no grades below a “C” will be accepted; and
  2. the graduate thesis/project (MATH-8900 ) or graduate seminar (MATH-8950 ) and presentation (MATH-8990 ) with a Pass (“P”) grade, which is determined by a vote of the three-member graduate project committee.

Additional Electives


Up to 6 hours of courses from related disciplines may be substituted for the elective courses with approval of the program coordinator including the courses below:

Required graduate thesis/project/seminar (4)


Students must complete a graduate thesis, project or seminar as part of a capstone course and present their work to the mathematics community at Governors State University. Students can select one of the following options:

Master’s Thesis/Project Option


A paper describing and synthesizing material from several papers on a selected topic of interest from mathematics, including, but not limited to, pure or applied mathematics, mathematics education, statistics, history of mathematics, mathematical computing, or financial mathematics. The thesis/project must be approved by three faculty members, one of which is the project director. A tenured/tenure track mathematics faculty member must serve as the director of each thesis/project, and each thesis/project must be reviewed and graded by a committee of three faculty members (one may be from a program other than mathematics). In addition, students will be required to present their work to the mathematics community at GSU.

Master’s Graduate Seminar Option


Students participate in a seminar class, deeply investigating a topic in mathematics, mathematics education, statistics, history of mathematics, mathematical computing, or history of mathematics. The seminar topic will provide evidence of the ability to understand and synthesize the chosen topic. A Student Study Plan must be submitted to a tenured/tenure track faculty member who will serve as the supervisor of the seminar. This Student Study Plan must be reviewed and approved by a committee of three faculty members (one may be from a program other than mathematics). The seminar must be open to the mathematical community at GSU, and seminar documentation must be submitted to the supervisor.

Total graduate coursework with thesis/project/seminar - 34 credits


Master of Science in Mathematics with an Actuarial Science Sequence


The graduate major in Mathematics with an Actuarial Science sequence prepares students for actuarial positions in business, government and industry. Coursework in the sequence provides a foundation for the preparation needed to sit for a series of examinations developed by the professional actuarial societies. In addition to a strong knowledge base in mathematics that includes probability and statistics, coursework includes risk management, finance, economics, and investments. Special admissions requirement includes a 3.00/4.00 overall grade point average.

Degree Requirements


Students must meet all university requirements for a master’s degree.

Students must meet the collegial degree requirements listed at this section.

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