Master of Science in Mathematics

Master of Science in Mathematics

Master of Science in Mathematics 

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The M.S. degree program in Mathematics has two general concentrations: Mathematics and Mathematics Education. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants who wish to pursue the master degree in mathematics must meet the following requirements:

For admission to a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics, the applicant must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or at least 30 undergraduate credit hours in mathematics with at least 18 credits of those in upper level mathematics beyond calculus.  

Program Requirements (Master of Science Degree in Mathematics)

The Master of Science in Mathematics has two areas of specialty: Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The Pure Mathematics includes the areas of Algebra, Analysis and Combinatorics. The Applied Mathematics specialty includes the areas of Computational Mathematics and Statistics.

In order to qualify for a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics

  1. The candidate must successfully the following four core courses:
    • MATH 510 Discrete Mathematics
    • MATH 520 Algebra I
    • MATH 530 Real Analysis I
    • MATH 540 Numerical Analysis
  2. The candidates must successfully complete the requirements in either a non-thesis option or thesis option track
    • Non-thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the non-thesis option track must successfully complete six elective courses (see list below) and pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination will be based on the material covered under the four core courses.
    • Thesis option: In addition to the four core courses, candidates in the thesis option track must successfully complete four elective courses (see list below) and must complete two semesters of MATH 599 – Research and Thesis course in accordance with the policy stated in the University’s graduate catalog by writing a master’s thesis on research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s advisor

Mathematics Core Courses

MATH 510 Discrete Mathematics
MATH 520 Algebra I
MATH 530 Real Analysis I
MATH 540 Numerical Analysis

Mathematics Elective Courses

MATH 501 Geometry
MATH 511 Coding Theory
MATH 512 Cryptography and Computer Security
MATH 519 Special Topics in Mathematics
MATH 521 Algebra II
MATH 525 Linear Algebra
MATH 529 Topics in Algebra
MATH 531 Real Analysis II
MATH 532 Complex Analysis
MATH 533 Functional Analysis
MATH 539 Topics in Analysis
MATH 545 General Topology
MATH 546 Difference Equations and Applications
MATH 548 Differential Equations
MATH 549 Topics in Differential Equations
MATH 552 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 554 Mathematical Modeling in Life Sciences
MATH 559 Topics in Geometry
MATH 560 Algebraic and Numerical Computations
MATH 562 Mathematical Statistics
MATH 569 Topics in Graph Theory
MATH 570 Number Theory
MATH 578 Topics in Computational Mathematics
MATH 588 Differential Geometry
MATH 590 Graph Theory
MATH 592 Optimization Theory
MATH 599 - Research and Thesis

Statistics Courses

STAT 510 Statistical Procedures in Education and Psychology
STAT 511 Biometry
STAT 520 Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research
STAT 562 Mathematical Statistics
STAT 565 Nonparametric Statistics II
STAT 568 Design of Experiments
STAT 570 Stochastic Processes
STAT 572 Categorical Data Analysis
STAT 575 Regression Analysis
STAT 578 Multivariate Analysis
STAT 583 Sampling Theory II
STAT 599 Research and Thesis

Mathematics Education

Admission Policy

For admission to the program leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education, Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Mathematics Teachers emphasis, the applicant must have a Virginia teaching license in Secondary (6 –12) Mathematics or be eligible for one. For admission to a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education, Curriculum and Instruction for K–8 Mathematics Specialists emphasis, the applicant must have a Virginia teaching license in the elementary or middle grades in which the teaching of mathematics is a primary responsibility.

Master of Science of Science Degree in Mathematics Education

In order to qualify for the Master of Science Degree in Mathematics Education Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Teachers Concentration:

  1. The candidate must successfully complete at least 33 credit hours of course work

    1. (3) Required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research

    2. (2) Required courses in Mathematics Education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I and MAED 563: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education II.

    3. (2) Required cognate courses in Mathematics: MATH 581: Modern Algebra for Teachers* and MATH 582: Real Analysis for Teachers.

    4. (4) Elective courses in Mathematics or Mathematics education: MAED or MATH 500 and above courses. One course must be from MATH 580: Geometry for Teachers, MATH 584: Calculus for Teachers I, MATH 586: Discrete Mathematics for Teachers or STAT 521: Statistics for Teachers.

    *May be replaced with MATH 520: Algebra I

  2. The candidate must complete MAED 592: Research and Thesis, by writing a thesis on a research topic chosen by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s advisor.

In order to qualify for the Master of Science Degree in Mathematics Education Curriculum and Instruction for K-8 Mathematics Specialists Concentration:

  1. The candidate must successfully complete at least 33 credit hours of course work.

    1. (3) Required core courses in Professional Education: EDUC 501: Foundations of Education, EDUC 513: Educational Research and STAT 520: Advanced Statistical Methods in Educational Research I.

    2. (1) Required courses in Mathematics education: MAED 562: Curriculum, Instruction & Research in Mathematics Education I.

    3. (6) Required cognate courses in Mathematics and Statistics: MATH 505: Number and Number Sense, MATH 506: Geometry & Measurement, MATH 507: Patterns, Functions and Algebraic Reasoning, MATH 508: Rational Numbers & Proportional Reasoning, MATH 579: History of Mathematics and STAT 504: Probability & Statistics.

    4. (1) Required course in Professional Education: EDAS 591: Instructional Leadership.

  2. The candidate must complete MATH 591: Field Project/Internship by completing a project approved by mathematics education faculty prior to registration. Students are encouraged to obtain an internship with an education-based provider (school, district office, state office, etc.).

Algebra Add-on Endorsement Certificate

Admission Policy

The applicant must have a Virginia teaching license in the elementary or middle grades in which the teaching of mathematics is a primary responsibility.

Program Requirements

The candidate must successfully complete at least 18 semester hours of course work in CSED 500 Computer Programming for Teachers, MATH 502 Geometry for Teachers, MATH 583 Problem Solving in Mathematics, MATH 584 Calculus for Teachers I, MATH 586 Discrete Mathematics for Teachers and MAED 578 Statistics for Teachers.

Mathematics Education Courses

MAED 560 TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MAED 561 TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
MAED 562 CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION & RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION I
MAED 563 SEMINAR IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION & RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION II
MAED 565 RESEARCH-BASED FIELD EXPERIENCES IN THE TEACHING OF
MAED 590. INDEPENDENT STUDY
MAED 591 FIELD PROJECT / EXTERNSHIP
MAED 592. RESEARCH AND THESIS

Cognate Courses

MATH 505 NUMBER AND NUMBER SENSE
MATH 506 GEOMETRY & MEASUREMENT
MATH 507 PATTERNS, FUNCTIONS, AND ALGEBRAIC REASONING
MATH 508 RATIONAL NUMBERS & PROPORTIONAL REASONING
MATH 579 HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS
MATH 580 GEOMETRY FOR TEACHERS
MATH 581 MODERN ALGEBRA FOR TEACHERS
MATH 582 REAL ANALYSIS FOR TEACHERS
MATH 583 PROBLEM SOLVING IN MATHEMATICS
MATH 584 Calculus for Teachers I
MATH 585 CALCULUS FOR TEACHERS II
MATH 586 DISCRETE MATHEMATICS FOR TEACHERS
MATH 587 LINEAR ALGEBRA FOR TEACHERS