The goal of the Mathematics, MS is to teach students mathematical sophistication and critical thinking skills using abstract mathematical thought. George Mason's Mathematics, MS is a highly flexible degree allowing a variety of pathways. Graduates will gain expertise in key mathematical fields of analysis, algebra, topology, numerical analysis, applied mathematics, and modern mathematics. Many of the program's graduates progress directly into highly rewarding industry careers in STEM fields. Others choose to pursue PhDs in math, applied math, data science, computer science, and many other related STEM fields.
Assistantships
A limited number of merit-based teaching assistantships are available for students taking at least 6 graduate credits each semester. Other sources of support, such as research assistantships, are available as funding permits. Graduate students also have the opportunity to work in the Math Tutoring Center.
Admissions
University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog. International students and students having earned international degrees should also refer to Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
Eligibility
An undergraduate degree in mathematics is recommended. Coursework covering proofs-based introductions to analysis and abstract algebra are encouraged, with a grade of B or better.
Application Requirements
To apply for this program, prospective students should submit the George Mason University Admissions Application and its required supplemental documentation, and three letters of recommendation.
The GRE is not required for admission into this program.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
With the exception of the courses listed below, MATH courses numbered 500 through 614 cannot be counted for credit toward this program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Allowable Courses from MATH 500 through MATH 614 | ||
| MATH 515 | Advanced Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 521 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 531 | Topology | 3 |
| MATH 546 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH 555 | Actuarial Modeling I | 3 |
| MATH 557 | Financial Derivatives | 3 |
Transferring Previous Graduate Credit into this Program
Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select five courses from the following three groupings, at least three of which must be at the 600 level: | 15 | |
| Advanced Knowledge 1 | ||
| Advanced Calculus I | ||
| Abstract Algebra | ||
| Topology | ||
| Numerical Analysis I | ||
| Research Preparation | ||
| Algebra I | ||
| Topology I: Topology of Metric Spaces | ||
| Linear Algebra with Data Applications | ||
| Linear Analysis | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Modern Mathematics | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Students may only apply 6 credits from the "Allowable Courses from MATH 500 through MATH 614" chart under the "Admissions & Policies" tab toward this program.
Additional Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits from the following options: | 9 | |
Internship credits and courses outside the math department which must be approved by the graduate director. 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Selected courses must be listed on the "Allowable Courses from MATH 500 through MATH 614" chart under the "Admissions & Policies" tab. Students may only apply 6 of these credits toward this program.
- 2
A total of 6 combined credits from internship and non-MATH prefixed courses may apply toward this program.
Research and Creative Component
A student may fulfill the research and creative component in one of three ways: Thesis Option, Paper Presentation Option, or Preliminary Exams for the PhD.
Thesis Option
In preparation for this option, the student must form a committee comprising a chair and two other faculty members. The chair and at least one other member must be from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, one member may be from a related field.
The student completes a thesis by taking 6 credits of MATH 798 Directed Reading or Research and MATH 799 MS Thesis under the direction of the committee chair. It is recommended that students complete 3 credits of MATH 798 before completing the required minimum 3 credits of MATH 799.
A thesis proposal and thesis must be submitted in accordance with AP.6 Graduate Policies. The student must give an oral defense of the thesis to the committee and the George Mason University community at large. Students are expected to respond to questions on the thesis and related material. The committee determines whether the defense is satisfactory.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Directed Reading or Research | ||
| MS Thesis (for at least 3 of the 6 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Please note that no more than 6 total credits of MATH 798 and MATH 799 may be applied to this program.
Paper Presentation Option
In preparation for this option, the student must form a committee comprising a chair and two other faculty members. The chair and at least one other member must be from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, one member may be from a related field. The student gives an oral presentation of a paper (or series of papers or book chapter) chosen in consultation with the chair of the committee and approved by the full committee. The chosen material must be distinct from work completed in fulfillment of course requirements. The oral presentation is given to the committee and the Mason community at large. Students are expected to respond to questions on the paper and related material. The committee determines whether the defense is satisfactory.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Directed Reading or Research | ||
Select additional courses off the "Additional Coursework" header above. | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Please note that no more than 6 total credits of MATH 798 and MATH 799 may be applied to this program.
Preliminary Exams for the PhD
The research and creative component can also be fulfilled by passing three preliminary written examinations, as required for the Mathematics, PhD degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Directed Reading or Research | ||
Select additional courses off the "Additional Coursework" header above. 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Mathematics and Statistical Science Dual-Degree MS
This program allows students to earn an MS in Mathematics and an MS in Statistical Science by completing 48 credits of coursework in both areas instead of the 60 that would be required if the degrees were sought independently.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy admission requirements for both the MS in Mathematics and the MS in Statistical Science programs. A joint faculty committee from the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the Department of Statistics make final admission decisions into the dual-degree program.
MS-MATH/STAT Dual Degree Requirements
Total credits: 48
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 621 | Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH 675 | Linear Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 677 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 678 | Partial Differential Equations | |
| MATH 685 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 544 | Applied Probability | 3 |
| STAT 554 | Applied Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT 634 | Case Studies in Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 652 | Statistical Inference | 3 |
| STAT 654 | Applied Statistics II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 elective credits in MATH courses numbered 615 or higher 1 | 12 | |
| Select any STAT courses numbered 540-778 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
- 1
Excluding MATH 653 Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models I, MATH 654 Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models II, MATH 655 Pension Valuation, and MATH 799 MS Thesis
Notes:
- Students in either the BS/Accelerated MS in Mathematics program or the BS(selected)/Accelerated MS in Statistical Science program cannot get a reduction of 6 credits toward this dual degree. Students who want to proceed to a PhD degree will only be able to waive the number of credits specified in the associated PhD degree requirements, even though they will have 48 credits at the MS level.
- If a student decides not to complete the required 48 credits, a single MS degree will not be granted unless the student fulfills the requirements for either the MS in Mathematics or the MS in Statistical Science.
- Once a student receives one of the MS degrees from either department, the student will no longer be eligible for the reduction in credit (i.e., will need to complete 30 credits) if the student later decides to earn the other MS degree.
Mathematics, BA or BS/Mathematics, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the combined bachelor's and accelerated master's degree pathway program (accelerated master’s or BAM) and obtain a BA or BS in Mathematics and an MS in Mathematics through the Mathematics, BA or BS/Mathematics, Accelerated MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated master’s degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies and accelerated master's degree policies.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Additionally, students are encouraged to have completed a selection of the courses listed below with a grade of B or better:
Undergraduate Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 315 | Advanced Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 321 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 322 | Advanced Linear Algebra | 3 |
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate-level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students already admitted to the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the intended master’s program, if they have met the following criteria that
will be verified:
- Submission of BAM Transition Form by the deadline stated on the form.
- Sufficient minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for conferred undergraduate degree (which does not include any earned reserve graduate credits).
- Completion of approved advanced standing courses and any reserve graduate courses that have met the minimum grade requirement (please refer to AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees).
- Successful completion of required minimum of 120 credits needed for undergraduate degree conferral (after exclusion of any satisfactory reserve graduate credits earned).
- Successfully meeting George Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and timely submission of the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing Courses
Students must complete at least 3 credits from the following list of graduate-level courses, while in undergraduate status, up to a maximum of 12:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 621 | Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH 631 | Topology I: Topology of Metric Spaces | 3 |
| MATH 664 | Linear Algebra with Data Applications | 3 |
| MATH 675 | Linear Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 677 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 685 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
Reserve Graduate Credits
While in undergraduate student status, students may complete up to 6 credits of graduate-level coursework that will only count toward the graduate degree program. Reserve credits must be selected from the curated list of courses above.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree and AP.1.4.4 Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.