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Master of Science in Mathematics - Applied Track

General Information

The applied track is aimed at students who wish to strengthen their mathematical background and expand their knowledge of applications of mathematics.  Students in this program are often pursuing, or plan to pursue an advanced degree in the sciences or engineering.  Students may choose from a wide variety of courses in subjects such as statistics, numerical analysis, real and complex analysis, Fourier analysis, algebra, linear and nonlinear programming, ordinary and partial differential equations, dynamical systems, coding theory, bioinformatics, or optimization.  Students also take courses outside of the Department of Mathematics in fields where mathematics is applied. The track can normally be completed in two years or less.

Admission Requirements

The office of Graduate Studies provides University-wide information about graduate study, the graduate application, and useful information for international graduate students. The requirements listed here are in addition to the university's requirements.

  • A Bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 grade point average from an accredited undergraduate college.
  • Background in Mathematics including:
    • Calculus (MATH 263A,B,C,D)
    • Differential Equations (MATH 340)
    • Linear Algebra (MATH 211) or Matrix Theory (MATH 410)
    • Theory of Statistics (MATH 450A)

Students who have taken classes with similar content under different names should indicate so in their application. Students who lack the statistics prerequisite will be required to take MATH 550A as part of their study plan. Students whose preparation in matrix theory is not deemed equivalent to either MATH 211 or 410 must take MATH 510 in addition to the required course work. Students who lack other prerequisite courses may be admitted "conditionally". They must take the missing courses during the first year in the program and prior to enrolling in courses for which the missing courses are prerequisites.The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but scores should be sent if they are available.

Degree Requirements

  1. 55 Graduate credit hours in Mathematics and related fields.
    • At the discretion of the graduate committee, a student can transfer credit for up to 3 courses (13 credits from other institutions; 15 credits from other Ohio University programs).
    • A student wishing to write a Master's Thesis may use up to 10 hours of thesis credit.
    • Credit for Math 500 or MATH 510 may not be used toward the 55 hour requirement.
  2. Mathematics course requirements:
    • At least 10 courses in mathematics.
    • At least 3 mathematics courses at the 600 level.
    • Two courses:
      • Linear Algebra (MATH 511)
      • One of the following mathematical computing courses:
        Introduction to Numerical Analysis (MATH 544)
        or Numerical Linear Algebra (MATH 546)
        or Statistical Computing (MATH 552)
    • Concentration requirement:
      At least 3 courses chosen in one of the following areas:
      • Algebra: (MATH 507, 512, 513AB, 610, 611, 613, 614, 615, 620, 623)
      • Analysis: (MATH 540, 548, 560ABC, 570, 660ABC, 670ABC)
      • Differential Equations: (MATH 541, 543*, 549, 645ABC)
      • Information and Coding (MATH 512, 620, 621, 622, 623)
      • Numerical Analysis: (MATH 544, 545, 546, 548, 640ABC)
      • Optimization: (MATH 542, 543*, 642ABC)
      • Statistics: (MATH 550ABC, 551, 651AB, 652)

      * MATH 543 may be taught either from a differential equations perspective or a discrete math perspective. Check with your advisor about using this course for your concentration.

  3. Professional development requirements:
    • One graduate level course in a field where mathematics has significant application, such as biology, computer science, economics, engineering, finance, or physics, etc..
    • A choice of:
      • A second such course
      • Curricular Practical Training (CPT, internship, MATH 598; counts as 1 credit toward the program requirements.)
      • A master's thesis or project in computational mathematics (MATH 695/692; maximum 10 credits.)

  4. 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. The study plan must satisfy the specific course requirements above, and also show a coherent focus on some area of interest to the student. 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.

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.

Remarks:
  • Typical courses are 4 credits and run one 10-week quarter. MATH 6xx courses are 5 credits.
  • See the Classes page for descriptions of the Mathematics courses.
  • Students who started the program before Winter Quarter 2005 may choose to use the requirements that were in effect when they were admitted.