Nov 30, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Science - Mathematical Sciences


Plan Description


The degree is a well-established MS program with concentrations in Applied Math, Pure Math, Applied Statistics, and Math Education to serve students in many different areas of Mathematical Sciences.

The concentrations in Pure Math, Applied Math and Applied Statistics each include a core requirement corresponding to the given area. Additional credits are required so that students can develop knowledge in a field of interest. All three require the student to either defend a thesis or pass a written comprehensive exam corresponding to the core requirements.

The teaching mathematics concentration requires a variety of content courses, as well as, education courses. The degree options for the teaching math concentration include the opportunity to write a professional paper.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

  1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
  2. Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work, and completed at least 18 credits of upper-division mathematics or statistics courses beyond calculus.
  3. Submit application materials to both the Graduate College and the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
    1. Firstly, applicants must submit to the Graduate College the following materials:
      1. A completed online application
      2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
    2. Secondly, applicants must submit to the Department of Mathematical Sciences the following materials:
      1. Copies of all transcripts sent to the Graduate College
      2. At least two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic record and potential for advanced study in mathematical sciences
      3. A statement of purpose describing the aim in applying for graduate study, the particular area of specialization within the mathematical sciences (if known), and any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating the applicant’s preparation and aptitude for graduate study
      4. A completed online Graduate Assistantship application, if interested

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Pure Mathematics - Thesis Track


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements 

Analysis Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I 

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II 

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I 

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II 

MAT 771 - Applied Analysis I 

MAT 772 - Applied Analysis II 

Algebra Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 703 - Abstract Algebra III 

MAT 704 - Abstract Algebra IV 

MAT 753 - Homological Algebra 

MAT 754 - Homological Algebra 

MAT 755 - Topics in Algebra 

Area of Emphasis Courses – Credits: 6

Complete an additional 6 credits of 700-level MAT courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712) in a field of special interest.

Elective Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Thesis – Credits: 6

MAT 791 - Thesis 

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 33 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students who fail to meet the conditions of their probation will be separated.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Pure Mathematics - Comprehensive Exam Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements 

Analysis Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I 

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II 

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I 

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II 

MAT 771 - Applied Analysis I 

MAT 772 - Applied Analysis II 

Algebra Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 703 - Abstract Algebra III 

MAT 704 - Abstract Algebra IV 

MAT 753 - Homological Algebra 

MAT 754 - Homological Algebra 

MAT 755 - Topics in Algebra 

Area of Emphasis Courses – Credits: 6

Complete an additional 6 credits of 700-level MAT courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712) in a field of special interest.

Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 30 required credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must pass a final comprehensive examination.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Applied Mathematics - Thesis Track


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I  

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II  

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I  

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II  

MAT 771 - Applied Analysis I  

MAT 772 - Applied Analysis II  

Numerical Analysis Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 663 - Advanced Matrix Theory and Applications  

MAT 765 - Advanced Numerical Analysis  

MAT 767 - Topics in Numerical Analysis  

Applied and Computational Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of 700-level advisor-approved MAT coursework in applied and computational mathematics.

Elective Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Thesis – Credits: 6

MAT 791 - Thesis  

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 33 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Applied Mathematics - Comprehensive Exam Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I 

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II 

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I 

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II 

MAT 771 - Applied Analysis I 

MAT 772 - Applied Analysis II 

Numerical Analysis Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 663 - Advanced Matrix Theory and Applications 

MAT 765 - Advanced Numerical Analysis 

MAT 767 - Topics in Numerical Analysis 

Applied and Computational Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of 700-level advisor-approved MAT coursework in applied and computational mathematics.

Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 30 required credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must successfully complete a final comprehensive examination.

Subplan 5 Requirements: Applied Statistics - Thesis Track


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

MAT 657 - Introduction to Real Analysis I  

MAT 663 - Advanced Matrix Theory and Applications  

Core Courses – Credits: 12

STA 761 - Regression Analysis I  

STA 762 - Regression Analysis II  

STA 767 - Mathematical Statistics I  

STA 768 - Mathematical Statistics II  

Statistics Courses – Credits: 6

Complete an additional 6 credits of 700-level STA coursework in a field of special interest to the student.

Elective Courses – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Thesis – Credits: 6

STA 791 - Thesis  

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 33 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 6 Requirements: Applied Statistics - Comprehensive Exam Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 6

MAT 657 - Introduction to Real Analysis I 

MAT 663 - Advanced Matrix Theory and Applications 

Core Courses – Credits: 12

STA 761 - Regression Analysis I 

STA 762 - Regression Analysis II 

STA 767 - Mathematical Statistics I 

STA 768 - Mathematical Statistics II 

Statistics Courses – Credits: 6

Complete an additional 6 credits of 700-level STA coursework in a field of special interest to the student.

Elective Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses (excluding MAT 711 & 712), or other advisor-approved courses.

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 30 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 18 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must pass a final comprehensive examination.

Subplan 7 Requirements: Teaching Mathematics - Professional Paper Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 9

MAT 711 - Survey of Mathematical Problems I 

MAT 712 - Survey of Mathematical Problems II 

MAT 714 - History of Mathematics 

Algebra Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 653 - Abstract Algebra I 

MAT 654 - Abstract Algebra II 

MAT 703 - Abstract Algebra III 

MAT 704 - Abstract Algebra IV 

MAT 655 - Elementary Theory of Numbers I 

MAT 669 - Combinatorics I 

MAT 670 - Combinatorics II 

Analysis Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 657 - Introduction to Real Analysis I 

MAT 658 - Introduction to Real Analysis II 

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I 

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II 

MAT 659 - Elementary Complex Analysis 

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I 

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II 

MAT 687 - Introduction to Partial Differential Equations 

Foundations Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 651 - Foundations of Mathematics I 

MAT 652 - Foundations of Mathematics II 

MAT 701 - Foundations of Mathematics III 

MAT 702 - Foundations of Mathematics IV 

MAT 680 - College Geometry 

MAT 683 - General Topology I 

MAT 684 - General Topology II 

Education Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

CIS 622 - Instructional Middle School Mathematics Education 

CIS 624 - Instruction Secondary Mathematics Education 

CIG 620 - Principles of Learning Mathematics 

Elective Courses – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Professional Paper – Credits: 3

MAT 793 - Teaching Concentration Professional Paper Research 

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 30 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 15 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must successfully complete and defend a professional paper.

Subplan 8 Requirements: Teaching Mathematics - Comprehensive Exam Track


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 9

MAT 711 - Survey of Mathematical Problems I 

MAT 712 - Survey of Mathematical Problems II 

MAT 714 - History of Mathematics 

Algebra Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 653 - Abstract Algebra I 

MAT 654 - Abstract Algebra II 

MAT 703 - Abstract Algebra III 

MAT 704 - Abstract Algebra IV 

MAT 655 - Elementary Theory of Numbers I 

MAT 669 - Combinatorics I 

MAT 670 - Combinatorics II 

Analysis Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 657 - Introduction to Real Analysis I 

MAT 658 - Introduction to Real Analysis II 

MAT 707 - Real Analysis I 

MAT 708 - Real Analysis II 

MAT 659 - Elementary Complex Analysis 

MAT 709 - Complex Function Theory I 

MAT 710 - Complex Function Theory II 

MAT 687 - Introduction to Partial Differential Equations 

Foundations Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

MAT 651 - Foundations of Mathematics I 

MAT 652 - Foundations of Mathematics II 

MAT 701 - Foundations of Mathematics III 

MAT 702 - Foundations of Mathematics IV 

MAT 680 - College Geometry 

MAT 683 - General Topology I 

MAT 684 - General Topology II 

Education Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

CIS 622 - Instructional Middle School Mathematics Education 

CIS 624 - Instruction Secondary Mathematics Education 

CIG 620 - Principles of Learning Mathematics 

Elective Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of 600- or 700-level MAT or STA courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Degree Requirements  

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Of the 30 required credits, 27 must be coursework. Of those 27 coursework credits, at least 15 must be 700-level.
  3. A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 3.00 GPA is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program. A grade of C or less in one graduate-level course will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and will elicit a critical review of the student’s program by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must pass a final comprehensive examination.