M.S. in Mathematical Sciences

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences program offers students an opportunity to advance their understanding of pure and/or applied mathematics at the graduate level, in preparation for a career in industry or a doctoral degree program. The program has three options: coursework (non-thesis), thesis, and project, which are explained in the rubric on Specific Requirements below. Those applicants interested in the thesis and project options should review research interests of our Department’s faculty.  The Department also offers a Master’s degree programs in Statistics and Biostatistics, as well as Accelerated Master’s programs in Mathematics and in Statistics for UVM undergraduate students.

M.S. in Mathematical Sciences (UVM Catalogue)

Why choose UVM?

• Our Department is large enough to offer classes and research experiences in a broad range of mathematical subjects, while small enough to give students ample opportunity to interact with our active research faculty.
• We offer a variety of graduate classes, as well as flexible independent studies. For example, graduate students take classes in:
     o Applied mathematics: complex systems, differential equations, Fourier analysis, mathematical modeling, mathematical biology, numerical analysis,…
     o Pure mathematics: algebra, real/complex analysis, combinatorics, cryptography, geometry, number theory, topology, topological data analysis, …
• We have a regular Department Colloquium and regular seminars, such as the Combinatorics Seminar and the Quebec-Vermont Number Theory Seminar, as well as seminars in related departments, such as complex systems, computer science, engineering, physics and statistics.
• Burlington, Vermont has been ranked as a top college town by the New York Times.

Curriculum

Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Program Course Listings

Coursework-based (non-thesis) option

• A total of at least 30 credit hours in course work;
• Successful completion of two comprehensive examinations.

Thesis option

• A total of at least 24 credit hours in course work;
• Successful completion of one comprehensive examination;
• Writing and defending a thesis.

Project option

• A total of at least 24 credit hours in course work;
• Successful completion of one comprehensive examination;
• Writing a project report. 

Thus, the main difference between the thesis and project options is that the latter has somewhat less emphasis on formal writing, and there is no defense of the report. Another difference is that, as a rule, the student choosing the project option is expected to commence their work with a faculty no later than during the first month of their second semester and have a report ready in about 12 months from then. On the contrary, the thesis needs to be defended no later than in April of the fourth semester for graduation in May.

Mathematics Graduate Handbook (PDF)

University-wide Requirements for the MS degree

• UVM requirements for the Master of Science Degree

Deadlines

Applicants should apply by Jan 15 to be considered for funding.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a major in mathematics or a closely related discipline (e.g., statistics, engineering, or physics, with a substantial mathematics foundation).
• Review the application instructions for graduate admission to UVM from the UVM Gradate College.
• The is no GRE score requirement. However, if you have taken the GRE test(s), we encourage you to submit your official score(s).
• Resume/CV is required.
• No Writing Sample is required.
• Try to contain your Statement of Purpose to about 600 words (approximately one page).
• We encourage you to discuss which of the two options, coursework- or thesis-based, you plan to pursue at the moment, and why. (The project option may be thought of as a variation of the thesis option and can be used as a back-up plan for the latter, so you do not need to include it in your discussion.) You will be able to actually choose a particular option when you join the program; however, your thoughts on this matter will help the Admissions Committee reach a decision about your fit to the program. You may also include any other information about yourself that you consider relevant, such as your teaching and research experience. We encourage you to emphasize specific facts rather than make generic or emotional statements.
• An application fee will be waived by the UVM Graduate Admissions only for applicants from the categories listed under the rubric Application Fee Waiver Requests.
• International students are to satisfy English Proficiency requirements
• Application deadlines (choose Mathematical Sciences).
• While financial support (in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, GTA) for MS degree applicants may be available, strong priority will be given to PhD applicants over MS ones. To be considered for a GTA, an MS applicant must arrange for at least one of the reference letters to address their teaching experience (e.g., as an undergraduate teaching Assistant or a tutor). Also, in addition to a general interview similar to that for PhD applicants, an MS applicant seeking GTA funding will need to pass a separate interview focused on teaching a short topic that will be communicated to them in advance (usually from College Algebra or pre-Calculus). Finally, an MS candidate who is admitted with GTA funding may be required to attend an online training program over a few weeks in the Summer preceding their first semester. (This emphasis on teaching preparedness of MS applicants versus PhD ones is due to the fact that the latter will be mentored by a teaching faculty during their first semester before being assigned to teach their own section, while the admitted MS GTAs will need to teach their own section starting in their first semester.)
• Between MS applicants for GTA funding, some further preference will be given to those who can justify pursuing the thesis option.

Outcomes

Graduating Students from the Mathematics (M.S.) program should:

• Be prepared for entry into a Mathematics Ph. D. program
• Have a solid understanding of graduate-level real and complex analysis
• Be able to write a clear, precise, and logically rigorous multi-step proof
• Demonstrate mastery of the core mathematical concepts in at least one area of specialty such as:
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Algebra

Costs and Funding

Information on tuition and fees

All graduate students are required to pay a Mandatory comprehensive fee, which covers access to the UVM gymnasium and medical and mental health services.

Contact the Mathematics Graduate Director, Prof. Greg Warrington (Gregory.Warrington@uvm.edu), if you have any questions or would like further information.

More

Handbook for Graduate Students in Mathematics (PDF)

This Handbook contains information about the Graduate Program in Mathematics at the University of Vermont. It is useful for potential students, current students, advisors, and professors. Comments or questions may be relayed to Dr. Greg Warrington (Gregory.Warrington@uvm.edu), the Director of the Mathematics Graduate Program.

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405