Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
Mathematical Sciences
Master of Science in Applied Mathematics Degree Program
The master's degree program in mathematics is designed to produce mathematicians with competence in analysis who have breadth and versatility in mathematics and its applications in related fields. To this end, students entering the master's program in mathematics are required to select an applied field in which they wish to develop some expertise and to complete six credits toward the degree from approved courses outside the math curriculum. In addition, the master's program is organized so that students will have the freedom to select some of their mathematics electives to develop their own special interests and to complement their choice of applied field. The flexibility in the elective part of the curriculum allows some students the opportunity to achieve a breadth of experience in mathematics and its uses in physical and engineering sciences, computer science or operations research. At the same time, it will allow other students to achieve more knowledge in a particular area in which they may wish to develop expertise. In either case, the program is organized to help students obtain an appropriate background for industrial employment or to pursue further graduate studies toward the doctoral degree. In either case, students will benefit from the range of options that are available in the mathematics master's program.
Students are encouraged to consider which combinations of elective mathematics courses are appropriate for their choice of applied specialization and to discuss the program with their advisors as soon as graduate study begins.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in mathematics and must have completed undergraduate courses in differential equations and statistics, and have proficiency in FORTRAN or C. (Programming languages are noncredit courses for graduate mathematics students.)
Applications from graduates with undergraduate majors in the physical sciences or graduate students seeking a second master's degree are welcome. In such cases, however, it may be necessary for applicants to take courses in addition to the 36-credit degree requirement in those subjects where their backgrounds are deficient.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree in mathematics requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of work beyond the bachelor's degree. For the thesis option, six hours of thesis are required. The thesis should demonstrate the candidate's abilities in the areas of reading and understanding mathematical literature, independent learning and written expression. Theses that combine mathematics with its applications in a related field are encouraged. A Nonthesis Option candidate must successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination.
Curriculum
| Core Areas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| Real Analysis | 3 | |
| Complex Analysis | 3 | |
| Numerical and Computational Mathematics | 3 | |
| Probability and Statistics | 3 | |
| Differential Equations | 3 | |
Elective Courses
Twelve credit hours are to be devoted to elective courses in mathematics or in other scientific or engineering courses with a high degree of mathematical content. Six credit hours of electives can be devoted to writing a thesis. The selection of elective courses must have the faculty advisor's approval.
Applied Field
Six credit hours are to be devoted to the applied field requirement. This requirement consists of courses outside the mathematics program. The applied field courses must be at the 5000-level or above. The selection of applied field courses must have the faculty advisor's approval. Normally, only those subjects involving an appropriate degree of mathematical content are approved as applied field courses in a mathematics program.
Master's Thesis
Six credit hours of electives may be devoted to writing a thesis. The thesis is expected to be completed in two terms. The master's thesis in mathematics is expected to be a thorough investigation of a well-defined problem.