IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2010-2012

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Departments & Centers

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

Students entering a graduate program in mathematics should have completed an undergraduate program containing as many courses as possible in abstract algebra, linear algebra, advanced calculus, differential equations, logic and foundations, and probability.

Students entering the graduate program in applied mathematics should have completed an undergraduate program in mathematics or in engineering or physical sciences that was strongly oriented toward mathematics.

Students entering the master’s program in applied statistics must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The minimal mathematics requirement for admission to this program includes an undergraduate sequence in univariate and multivariate calculus (equivalent to MATH 16500, MATH 16600, MATH 26100) and one course in linear algebra (equivalent to MATH 35100 or MATH 51100). Prospective applicants who do not have this background must acquire it prior to admission to the program.

Students entering the graduate program in biostatistics must have a suitable bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution and shows promise for successfully completing all the degree requirements. In addition to satisfying general Indiana University Graduate School requirements for admission, applicants must have at least a B (3.00 GPA) in courses required as prerequisites for the program. The minimal mathematics background consists of an undergaduate course sequence in univariate and multivariate calculus (equivalent to MATH 16500, MATH 16600 and MATH 26100) and a course in linear algebra (equivalent to MATH 35100 or MATH 51100). In addition, applicants should have had a calculus-based undergraduate level course in probability or statistics. Prospective applicants who do not have this background must acquire it prior to admission to the program.

Application for Admission

Students who wish to pursue an advanced degree in the Department of Mathematical Sciences should complete an online application available from the department’s Web site at www.math.iupui.edu. For Ph.D. mathematics applicants, the GRE general and mathematics subject test scores are required. For PhD biostatistics applicants, the GRE general test is required. Students for whom English is not their native language and who have not completed a post-secondary degree program from an English-speaking university within the past two years must submit TOEFL scores. While this application is being processed, the student may enter IUPUI as a graduate nondegree student. No more than 12 hours of credit earned under this classification may be applied toward an advanced degree. Those who do not want to pursue an advanced degree, but who desire to take graduate courses for personal improvement, may also take courses under the graduate nondegree classification.

Transfer Credit

The Department of Mathematical Sciences will accept by transfer a maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit, in excess of undergraduate degree requirements, from approved institutions. Transfer credit must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Assistantships and Fellowships

Financial support is available to qualified students in the form of university fellowships, graduate teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Additional summer appointments may be available for students whose performance in course work and assistantship duties is satisfactory.

English Requirements

All advanced degree candidates are required to demonstrate acceptable proficiency in English composition.

Students for whom English is not their native language and who have not completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree program from an English-speaking university must take the EAP exam administered by the IUPUI English for Academic Purposes program. Students not scoring high enough will be required to take designated courses in English while pursuing their graduate studies.

Master of Science (Pure and Applied Mathematics Concentrations)

A minimum of 30 credit hours of course work is required for an M.S. degree. Course grades must be A or B with the possible exception of at most two grades of C. Neither a thesis nor a comprehensive examination is required. Several core courses are specific to an M.S. plan of study and vary according to the student’s interest in (a) pure mathematics with a Ph.D. objective, (b) pure mathematics without a Ph.D. objective, (c) applied mathematics with a Ph.D. objective, or (d) applied mathematics without a Ph.D. objective. The remaining courses are selected by the student and his or her advisory committee.

Master of Science (Mathematics Education Concentration)

This non-thesis program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and is tailored for secondary school teachers and students who are preparing to become secondary school teachers. Core requirements include a course in geometry, a course in algebra, a course in analysis, a course in modeling/differential equations, and a course in probability. (See the Department of Mathematical Sciences for a more complete description of this program.) Course grades must be A or B with the possible exception of at most two grades of C.

Master of Science (Applied Statistics Concentration)

The Master of Science degree with a concentration in Applied Statistics consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours. Course grades must be A or B with the possible exception of at most two grades of C. Candidates for this degree may choose either the thesis option or the non-thesis option. Both options require 15 credit hours in the core curriculum consisting of STAT 51200, STAT 51400, STAT 51900, STAT 52400, and STAT 52800. All degree candidates must take the two-course sequence in probability and mathematical statistics (STAT 51900, STAT 52800). A combined written and oral final examination is required.

The non-thesis option consists of 15 credit hours beyond the core curriculum, at least 9 of which must be statistics (STAT) courses. The remaining courses may be taken in mathematics or in areas relevant to statistical applications, subject to approval of the academic advisor.

The thesis option requires a thesis worth 6 credit hours on a topic approved by the student’s academic advisor. At least 6 of the remaining 9 credit hours must be taken in statistics or in a subject related to statistical applications that have been approved by the advisor. An oral defense of the thesis is required.

Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics)

By arrangement with Purdue University, West Lafayette, qualified students may pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics, with all requirements completed on the IUPUI campus. To be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must fulfilll the following require-ments and must be accepted by the graduate committee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Requirements

• The student must satisfy, by one of the five options approved by the graduate school, the foreign language requirement in German, Russian, or French.
• The student must pass qualifying examinations in four subject areas: abstract algebra, real analysis, and two additional areas chosen by the student from a list of approved areas. A student may attempt any particular qualifier examination up to three times, but there are time limits imposed by the department for passing all four examinations.
• The student must submit to the graduate school through the department a plan of study including at least 42 credit hours of approved graduate coursework.
• The student must pass an advanced topics examination. This examination may be taken only by students who have already passed the qualifying examinations.

A candidate will be recommended to the faculty to receive the Ph.D. degree after a dissertation, submitted in final form, has been accepted by the advisory committee and successfully defended before an open colloquium or seminar.

The department has set time limits for completion of the Ph.D. degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (Biostatistics)

Together with the Division of Biostatistics in the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Department of Mathematical Sciences offers graduating training leading to a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from Indiana University, with all requirements completed on the IUPUI campus. To be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must fulfill the following requirements.

Requirements

• The student must pass an initial qualifying examination on the five core courses: STAT 51900, STAT 52500, STAT 52800, STAT 53600, and BIOS-S546.
• The student must complete at least 48 credit hours of formal coursework, consisting of 36 credit hours of required courses and additional 12 credit hours in elective statistics/biostatistics courses of which six credit hours must be at the 600 level and above. An additional 42 credit hours are required and will consist of coursework in a minor area (9 to 15 credits), further elective courses, independent studies, and directed Ph.D. dissertation research.
• The student must pass a preliminary examination, which consists of an oral presentation on an advanced research topic.

A candidate will be recommended to the faculty to receive the Ph.D. degree after a dissertation, submitted in final form, has been accepted by the advisory committee and successfully defended before an open colloquium or seminar.

The department has set time limits for the completion of the Ph.D. degree.