Degree requirements

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	Graduate studies
	Description
	Requirements
	Ph.D requirements
	Preliminary exams
	Qualifying exams

Read below for specific requirements for the:

• Ph.D in Mathematics
• M.S. in Mathematics
• M.S. in Applied Mathematics
• M.S. in Statistics

Ph.D. requirements (see a more detailed description of requirements)

M.S. in Mathematics requirements

This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of core areas of mathematics. The course work is designed to provide both breadth of knowledge and depth in an area of interest to the student. This experience will prepare the student for further studies leading to a Ph.D. degree in mathematics. Partial tuition waivers may be available to qualified students.

Math 798 (required for non-thesis option, see below) consists of a semester-long project under the supervision of a faculty member from the Mathematics Department.

1.

Non-thesis option: Ten courses (30 credits) at the 600/700 level. - All five courses from the required list plus five additional courses from the optional list. - Other courses not listed may be substituted with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Up to six credits may be transferred from other departments or institutions with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. A four-hour written examination to be taken upon completion of the course work, with topics drawn from basic material in algebra, topology and analysis taught in the first-year graduate courses. The student is given two chances to pass this exam. One of the Ph.D. Qualifying examinations may be substituted for the Masters exam.

2.

Thesis option: Eight courses (24 credits) at the 600/700 level. - The first four courses from the required list plus four additional courses from the optional list. - Other courses not listed may be substituted with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Up to six credits may be transferred from other departments or institutions with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. A thesis approved by the thesis committee consisting of a faculty member acting as advisor and two additional faculty. The thesis is typically much more substantial than the Math 798 project.

M.S. in Applied Mathematics requirements

This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of mathematics with an emphasis on those areas that have been most important in science and engineering. The student will also examine, through seminars and case studies, examples of significant applications of mathematics to other areas. This expanded base of knowledge, together with extensive experience in problem solving should prepare the student for further studies leading to the Ph.D. degree or for immediate employment in many areas of industry and government.

To enter the program the student should have a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, or a related field, and have completed undergraduate courses in Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. Students without these prerequisites may take them without credit toward the M.S. degree. Partial tuition waivers may be available to qualified students.

Math 798 consists of a semester-long project in differential equations, scientific computation, optimization, analytical methods, engineering or other topics in applied mathematics. The project must be under the supervision of a faculty member from the Mathematics Department.

1.

Non-thesis option: Ten courses (30 credits) at the 600/700 level. - All six courses from the required list plus four additional courses from the optional list. - Other courses not listed may be substituted with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Up to six credits may be transferred from other departments or institutions with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. A four-hour written examination to be taken upon completion of the course work, with topics drawn from differential equations, and scientific computation. The student is given two chances to pass this exam. The Ph.D. Qualifying examination in Applied Mathematics or Scientific Computation can be substituted for the Masters exam. A programming project designed to demonstrate proficiency in one of MATLAB, Fortran, C, or C++.

2.

Thesis option: Eight courses (24 credits) at the 600/700 level. - The first five courses from the required list plus three additional courses from the optional list. - Other courses not listed may be substituted with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Up to six credits may be transferred from other departments or institutions with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. A thesis approved by the thesis committee consisting of a faculty member acting as advisor and two additional faculty. The thesis is typically much more substantial than the Math 798 project. A programming project designed to demonstrate proficiency in one of MATLAB, Fortran, C, or C++.

M.S. in Statistics requirements

The Master of Science degree in Statistics combines theory and application. Students in statistics will be trained in data collection, the editing and presentation of large data sets, the analyses of these sets and the mathematical foundations upon which all of these areas are based. The training has the two-fold purpose of preparing the student to enter commercial, governmental and other work areas which extensively rely on statistical information and to prepare the student to continue in pursuit of a more advanced degree. Students with appropriate background (three semesters of Calculus and some knowledge of elementary statistics) usually complete the program in one or two academic years. Partial tuition waivers may be available to qualified students.

Course prerequisites include the equivalent of Math 601: Probability and Statistics and Math 609: Linear Algebra. Students without these prerequisites may take them without credit toward the M.S. degree.

Math 798 consists of a semester-long project in statistical data analysis, biostatistics, economics, environmental science, engineering, geology, or psychology. The project must be under the supervision of a faculty member from the Mathematics Department and must be approved by the student's advisor.

1.

Non-thesis option: Ten courses (30 credits) at the 600/700 level. - All six courses from the required list plus four additional courses from the optional list. - The student must have an advisor from the Prob/Stat group. Other courses not listed may be substituted with the approval of the student advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. Up to six credits may be transferred from other departments or institutions with the approval of the student advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. A four-hour written examination to be taken upon completion of the course work, with topics drawn from probability, stochastic processes, and statistics. The student is given two chances to pass this exam. The Ph.D. Qualifying examination in Statistics can be substituted for the Masters exam.

2.

Thesis option: There is no thesis option for the M.S. in Statistics.

4 + 1 M.S. program in Statistics

This program enables students to obtain a B.S. in mathematics in 4 years, and in one additional year, to obtain an M.S. in statistics.  Students may present up to four of the following core courses for both their B.S. in mathematics and their M.S. in statistics, provided they obrtain a grade of B or better in each.

At the discretion of the Statistics Coordinator and the Student's advisor, other similar courses may be subsituted for courses on this list.  Students should normally apply in their third year at Tulane, should have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in major courses, and obtain a positive recommendation from two Mathematics faculty.  The GRE is not required.

Note: Any student planning to receive more than one M.S. degree must satisfy all requirements of each degree with no more than two cross-listed courses.

Please contact the Graduate Coordinator if you have additional questions:

Steven Rosencrans, Phone: (504) 862-3447, Office: Gibson 427

Mathematics Department Tulane University 6823 St. Charles Ave New Orleans, LA 70118 phone: (504) 865-5727 fax: (504) 865-5063

Last Updated: September 26, 2007