Graduate Programs in Mathematics

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Bowling Green State University

Masters of Arts in Mathematics

The M.A. degree program is a flexible program which may be designed to prepare for entry into the job market or for further study in a variety of fields such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, applied mathematics, operations research, economics or finance. Formal programs are offered in mathematics, statistics, and scientific computation. Programs of study are based on a required core area supplemented by a combination of elective course work in mathematics, statistics or computer science.

Program Requirements

  1. Pure Mathematics Track: a two semester sequence in algebra (633-634) a two semester sequence in analysis (665-666)

  2. Completion of at least 30 semester hours of graduate level course work in mathematics and statistics, 18 hours of which must be at the 600-level or higher.

  3. Completion of a master's thesis (counting for up to six credit hour) or successful completion of a written comprehensive examination based on the core course work.

Ph.D. Degree

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate credit including at least 60 hours of course work. A dissertation (minimum of 16 semester credit hours) is required and must be judged to be of publishable quality. The course work includes a cognate program involving at least 8 hours of credit.

A language requirement must be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

A student becomes a doctoral candidate upon passing the Ph.D. preliminary examination. For students in mathematics, this is a written exam in two areas of the student's choice from among real analysis, complex analysis, algebra, and topology. Reading lists for each of these exams are available.

The language requirement must be met before the preliminary exam is taken.

The purpose of the cognate requirement is to provide either a broad background in mathematics and statistics or experience working in an area of mathematical application such as physics, biology, psychology, sociology, computer science, finance and economics. This work is generally completed at the post-master's level. There are two sets of core requirements for Ph.D. students, one for probability and statistics students and the second for all others. The remaining course work is determined in consultation with the graduate advisor so as to achieve a coherent program of study.

The Department

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has thirty-two permanent faculty members. Research interests are varied and include algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, functional analysis, mathematics education, number theory, probability and statistics, and topology. The Department enjoys active and collegial relationships with the other science departments on campus. The student will find a liberal arts atmosphere in a university setting, which is conducive to interdisciplinary education and basic research.

Weekly seminars are held in various areas of mathematics, including algebra, analysis, probability and statistics, scientific computation, and mathematics education.


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