Advice from the Graduate Chair

Associate Professor Martin J. Mohlenkamp.

Gathered here is general advice on how to succeed in our programs and answers to frequently asked questions. These are not official policies, so you may get different advice from others or decide not to follow this advice for one reason or another. For further information, peruse our program desciptions and policies, or contact the graduate chair.   

Goals

Your goal in seeking a graduate degree is to develop skills, obtain knowledge, and build experience that enable you to succeed in you chosen profession. Consequently, you should challenge yourself with advanced classes, research projects, etc., and not just try to fulfill the minimum requirements.

Our goal is for you to thrive in our program and go on to a successful career. If you have difficulties, please talk with your advisor or the graduate chair so that we can help you thrive.

Incoming students

Here is some advice on what to take when you first get here, assuming that is the fall quarter. You should talk with your advisor too.

If you are a teaching assistant, then you should take three course in your first quarter. If you are not, then you may want to take four courses.

If you have already taken an equivalent course at another university, you should skip that course here and start at a higher level.

Master of Science - Applied Track

This advice assumes you do not intend to continue to a PhD in Mathematics. If you do intend to continue, see the Pure Track.

• Take Linear Algebra (MATH 511), which is required and only offered in the fall.
  
• Take Introduction to Numerical Analysis (MATH 544), which fulfills a requirement and is only offered in the fall. 
• If you are interested in statistics, take Theory of Statistics (MATH 550A), which is the prerequisite for all other statistics courses, and also only offered in the fall.
• If you are interested in analysis or differential equations, take Advanced Calculus (MATH 560A) which is the prerequisite for many other courses, and also only offered in the fall.

Master of Science - Computational Track

This advice assumes you do not intend to continue to a PhD in Mathematics.

Start with the suggestions for the applied track, since your initial math requirements are similar. If you still have room in your schedule, take one or more of Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CS 504), Computation Theory (CS 506), and Operating Systems and Computer Architecture I (CS 542), which are also required classes.

Master of Science - Pure Track

This advice assumes you intend to continue to a PhD in Mathematics. Your goal is to both fulfill the requirements for the M.S. and be prepared for comprehensive examinations in  the doctoral program here or at other universities. There is a choice of topics here and a variety of systems at other universities, but I recommend everyone take

• Algebra, which starts with Linear Algebra (MATH 511) and continues to a two-year sequence 511, 513AB, 613, 614, and 615; and
  
• Analysis, which starts with Advanced Calculus (MATH 560A) and continues to a two-year sequence 560ABC and 660ABC.

For the third topic, I suggest

• Differential Equations: Math 541, 549, 645ABC; or
  
• Topology: Math 580AB, 680ABC.

Doctoral Program

If you do not already have a master's degree, start by following the course suggestions for the MS - Pure Track. If you already have a degree, then your goal is to pass the comprehensive examinations as soon as possible so that you can focus on  research. In your first year, you should take whatever 600-level classes you still need so that you can pass all three exams in your first summer.

Continuing Students

Challenge yourself and get the most out of your education!

MS Study Plans

As a masters student, you and your advisor need to create a study plan (form) by the end of your first quarter, and update it whenever something changes. On this form goes a set of courses that would fulfill the requirements of your track and earn you the MS degree in a timely manner. A main purpose of creating this plan is to make sure you understand the requirements and do not "forget" to satisfy something and therefore fail to graduate when you want. When making this plan, keep in mind:

• It can and will be revised several times while you are here.
• You only need to include a minimal set of courses to fulfill the requirements, not all the courses you plan to take.
  

Outgoing Students

Doctoral student seeking jobs in academia

• Read SIAM's guide to Finding an Academic Job.
  
• Visit the AMS's Employment Center.