Sep 17, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Mathematics Major, MS


With an MS degree from The University of Tennessee Department of Mathematics, students are well prepared for a variety of positions in teaching, industry, or government employment. Once enrolled in the MS program, a student that excels may choose to continue towards a PhD. Students interested in both the MS and PhD should apply for the PhD program and will have the opportunity to earn a concurrent MS degree.   

Concentration available.

Concentration


Industrial Mathematics (Project option only)

Campus Code


Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures


Students applying for the MS program should have earned a bachelor’s degree with a strong mathematical background.  A GPA of 3.0 or above in math coursework is recommended.

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.

Industrial Mathematics Concentration Requirements


The concentration is primarily aimed at students seeking a terminal degree with the goal of securing employment outside of academia, while allowing for the possibility that some students could transition into the PhD.

Requirements


30 graduate credit hours numbered above 400. 

At least 21 credit hours must be courses numbered above 500. 

A 3 credit hour reading course in which a project is required (MATH 598). 

Up to 9 graduate credit hours may be in areas outside Mathematics; this includes, but is not limited to: Computer Science (COSC), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Physics (PHYS), Statistics (STAT). 

Of the minimum 21 graduate credit hours of Mathematics (MATH) courses, 15 credit hours must be from courses numbered above 500. 

All courses must be selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee.

Electives


  •  Elective graduate courses are to be selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee.
  •  MATH 520: Internship (3 credit hours) is strongly encouraged. 
  • Students wishing to transition into the PhD program should consider taking 1 or 2 prelim sequences in consultation with the major professor and/or committee.