Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Meet all Graduate School degree admission requirements; and
2. Possess the equivalent of at least a minor in both mathematics and computer science (approximately 20 hours in each subject), although a major in one or the other subject is preferred. A GPA of at least 2.75 is required in both mathematics and computer science course work. Students without such a background may be admitted to the program after meeting requirements specified by the two departments.
   

Degree Requirements

This program is for students with an interest in computer science or applied mathematics. It requires a minimum of 34 graduate hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, distributed with the approval of both departments according to the course requirements below.

The program includes at least 17 graduate hours in mathematics, including 11 at the 500- or 600-level, and at least 15 graduate hours in computer science, including 12 at the 500- or 600-level. In general, only six hours of 400-level course work in mathematics and only three hours of 400-level course work in computer science may be counted toward this degree.

Approval by the student’s adviser of each semester’s courses prior to registration is recommended. Final approval for the degree by the coordinator of advising is required.

Course Requirements

The M.A. in mathematics - computer science requires the completion of 34 hours of course work to be distributed among required courses, restricted elective courses, elective courses in mathematics, computer science courses and general courses as follows:

Mathematics Courses ....... 15 hours

Required Courses 0-9 hours

MATH411 Abstract Algebra (3 hrs) or equivalent MATH416 Linear Algebra (3 hrs) or equivalent
MATH420 Introduction to Analysis (3 hrs) or equivalent

Restricted Electives 5-6 hours

One course from two of the following three groups:

Algebra
MATH511 Linear Algebra (3 hrs)
MATH518 Theory of Groups (3 hrs)
MATH618 Theory of Fields (3 hrs)

Analysis
MATH524 Complex Analysis (3 hrs)
MATH526 Real Analysis (3 hrs)

Probability and Statistics
MATH571 Mathematical Statistics I: Probability Theory (3 hrs) MATH573 Statistical Data Analysis (2 hrs)
MATH671 Mathematical Statistics II: Statistical Inference (3 hrs)

Elective Courses in Mathematics 2-12 hours

At least six of these hours must be at the 500- or 600-level.

Computer Science Courses ....... 15 hours

Required Courses 3 hours

One course from the following:
COSC530 Formal Methods in Software Development (3 hrs)
COSC531 Automata, Computability, Formal Languages (3 hrs)

Restricted Electives 3 hours

One course from the following:

COSC630 Advanced Compiler Construction (3 hrs)
COSC632 Automated Reasoning (3 hrs)
COSC633 Advanced Operating Systems (3 hrs)
COSC635 Real Time Processing (3 hrs)
COSC660 Software Engineering Practicum (3 hrs)

Electives in Computer Science 9 hours

At least six of these hours must be at the 500- or 600-level.

COSC504 Fundamentals of Computer Science I and COSC505 Fundamentals of Computer Science II do not count toward this master’s degree program.

Research Courses ....... 2-3 hours

One course from the following:

MATH691/692 Research Study (2/3 hrs)
COSC691/692 Thesis (2/3 hrs)

Two hours of research study in either mathematics or computer science are required. Students will, with the approval of the coordinators of advising, select a supervisor to direct the research study. A presentation, based on the research study, will be made to at least three departmental faculty members. A typed copy of the study, written in good and acceptable form, will be filed with the Department of Mathematics. Students interested in a thesis option should see the coordinators of advising, and the thesis requirement of the M.A. in mathematics.

PROGRAM TOTAL ...... 34 hours

NOTE: *A total of nine hours of approved 400-level courses taken for graduate credit may be used on a graduate degree program. Students with undergraduate credit in any or all of these courses will substitute approved mathematics electives for these hours