May 09, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Mathematics Major, MS


Designed to prepare students for industrial employment and for teaching.

No concentrations available for the MS.

Campus Code


Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures


  • Before admission to the Master of Mathematics program, preference will be given to applicants who have either
    • Certification for teaching secondary mathematics in at least one state, or
    • Three years of elementary school, secondary school, or community college teaching experience. In exceptional circumstances, part of this admission requirement might be satisfied concurrently with coursework, or
    • The three years of teaching experiences might be satisfied concurrently with coursework
  • Applicants must have successfully completed one year of calculus (141-142 or equivalent) and a course in matrix algebra (251 or equivalent).

Thesis Option


Credit Hours Required


Minimum 30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses


  • 24 graduate credit hours numbered above 400
  • 6 graduate credit hours may be in areas outside Mathematics (MATH) [e.g., Computer Science (COSC), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Physics (PHYS), Statistics (STAT)]
  • 15 credit hours must be mathematics courses (MATH) numbered above 500
  • All graduate courses must be selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee

Non-Course Requirements


  • Defense of the thesis

Project Option


Credit Hours Required


Minimum 30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses


  • 30 graduate credit hours numbered above 400
  • 21 credit hours must be courses numbered above 500
  • 3 credit hours, a reading course in which a project is required
  • Of the 21 graduate credit hours of Mathematics (MATH) courses, 15 credit hours must be from courses numbered above 500
  • 9 graduate credit hours may be in areas outside Mathematics [e.g., Computer Science (COSC), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Physics (PHYS), Statistics (STAT)]
  • All courses selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee

Non-Course Requirements


  • A written final project and oral presentation to committee are required.

Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam Option


Credit Hours Required


Minimum 30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses


  • 30 graduate credit hours in acceptable courses numbered above 400
  • Of the 21 graduate credit hours of Mathematics (MATH) courses, 15 credit hours must be from courses numbered above 500
  • 9 graduate credit hours may be in areas outside Mathematics (MATH) [e.g., Computer Science (COSC), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Physics (PHYS), Statistics (STAT)]
  • All courses selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee

Non-Course Requirements


  • The student must pass one written examination (from the set of those required for the PhD) with a PhD level passing score.