Mathematics, MS
Program Description
Program Mission
The mission of the Graduate Mathematics program is to increase understanding and the ability to apply mathematics and statistics through in-depth study, novel applications, and research. The areas of emphasis are mathematics education and applications of mathematics and statistics. The faculty engages in research and scholarly activities at the forefront of their specialties, with established and developing connections with the mathematics, statistics and education communities at large, and leads students through program research activities and projects or theses. The program prepares students for careers in education, science, and industry and serves the community by providing expertise to local schools, coastal industry, business, and research centers.
Program Tracks
Students pursuing the Master of Science degree with a major in Mathematics will choose between an Applied and Computational Mathematics, a Statistics option, and a Curriculum Content option. The Applied and Computational Mathematics option will especially benefit individuals employed in scientific, technical, or education fields who seek advancement or additional training to enhance their knowledge and skills. The statistics option prepares individuals to work with statistical data analysis in science, industry or business. The Curriculum Content option specifically addresses the needs of in-service teachers wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in learning, teaching and understanding mathematics. In each option, a capstone product allows students to focus their coursework on broad applications. The Applied and Computational Mathematics option requires a thesis; the Statistics and the Curriculum Content option allows for a thesis or project. The thesis option starts with a broad foundation, and then encourages a specialized study culminating in a thesis based upon original research, supported by the mathematical literature. The thesis requirement for the master’s degree will allow a person to pursue advanced graduate study, or to obtain employment in most areas that require a detailed knowledge of a specific aspect of mathematics or statistics. The project allows a student to demonstrate particular ability with some part of the Curriculum Content or Statistics. The project will be an original work supported by a mathematical or statistics literature review. A thesis may be more scholarly oriented, while a project is more suited than a thesis to demonstrate practical experience and it may be broader in scope. The project is recommended for students targeting positions in applied science, industry or business, while the thesis may be more appropriate for students targeting academia and theory.
Fast Track Mathematics BS to Mathematics MS
The university allows the opportunity for high-achieving undergraduate students to count a select number of graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree and thereby obtain a graduate degree at an accelerated pace. Students interested in the Fast Track in Mathematics should see the undergraduate catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate a command of principles of general mathematics at the graduate level.
- Recognize mathematics outside the realm of the classroom, and apply graduate level mathematical content as a matter of professional practice.
- Communicate mathematics effectively at the graduate level, in oral and written form, with appropriate use of technology.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://math.tamucc.edu
Campus Address:
Center for Instruction, Room 301
Phone (361) 825-3754
Mailing Address:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Unit 5825
College of Science and Engineering
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5825
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting all University requirements for admission to graduate study in degree-seeking status, applicants for the MS degree in mathematics must also submit an essay to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions: The essay, 300-500 words in length, should discuss the applicant’s educational and professional goals, pertinent work and undergraduate experience, and other factors relating to the chosen option for graduate study. If the applicant has a GPA below 3.0 in undergraduate mathematics courses, the essay should specifically address any factors that might have hampered the applicant’s undergraduate study. One or more letters of recommendation specifically addressing an applicant’s ability to do graduate level study of mathematics may be submitted to strengthen an application. The letters should be submitted directly to the Math Department at the time of application at:
Center for Instruction Room 301
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5825
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5825
Persons seeking admission to the MS in Mathematics should first contact the program faculty and identify a faculty member willing to serve as the graduate advisor. Applicants will not be admitted to the program without a graduate advisor.
Applicants are expected to enter the program with adequate academic preparation for their chosen option, as detailed in the degree requirements below. If the graduate committee determines that an applicant’s preparation is deficient, the individual will be required to complete course work to remedy these deficiencies. Such course work will be regarded as leveling work, and will not count as credit towards the total required for completion of the MS degree in mathematics.
- Applicants for the Applied and Computational Mathematics option should have the equivalent of an undergraduate mathematics major, or an undergraduate mathematics minor and a minor in science. Specific leveling course work
Course List Code Title Hours MATH 3315 Differential Equations 3 MATH 3311 Linear Algebra 3 MATH 2415 Calculus III 4 MATH 4301 Introduction to Analysis 3 - Applicants for the Statistics option should have the equivalent of an undergraduate mathematics major or statistics major, or an undergraduate mathematics or statistics minor and a minor in science. Specific leveling course work is
Course List Code Title Hours MATH 3311 Linear Algebra 3 MATH 3342 Applied Probability and Statistics 3 or MATH 3345 Statistical Modeling and Data Analysis MATH 2415 Calculus III 4 - Applicants for the Curriculum Content option should have an interest in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Applicants seeking initial certification should consult the SMTE Coordinator or College of Education to make plans for certification. Applicants planning to teach at the post-secondary level should work closely with an advisor to plan electives and additional, appropriate course work. Specific leveling course work within Mathematics is
Course List Code Title Hours MATH 2305 Discrete Mathematics I 3 MATH 2413 Calculus I 4 MATH 3311 Linear Algebra 3
Program Requirements
The course of study for the MS program in mathematics consists of the components listed below. Graduation requirements are slightly different for the Applied and Computational Mathematics and Curriculum Content options.
Applied and Computational Mathematics Option
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 15 | |
Electives from mathematics or closely related field | 12-15 | |
MATH 5994 & MATH 5995 | Proposal Research and Thesis | 6-9 |
Total Hours | 36 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
MATH 5333 | Numerical Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATH 5339 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
MATH 5341 | Statistical Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
MATH 5351 | Real Analysis | 3 |
MATH 5378 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select 12-15 hours from the following or closely related field: 1 | 12-15 | |
Advanced Differential Equations | ||
Theory and Applications of Partial Differential Equations | ||
Linear Statistical Models | ||
Mathematical Theory of Statistics | ||
Computational Methods for Statistics | ||
Optimization | ||
Combinatorics and Graph Theory | ||
Modeling of Natural Systems | ||
Applied Analysis | ||
Literature Review and Research | ||
Spatial Statistics | ||
Data Science and Predictive Analytics | ||
Data Science Computing | ||
Bayesian Interference in Data Science | ||
Applied Differential Equations in Data Science | ||
Dynamical System Analysis for Data Science | ||
Machine Learning in Data Science | ||
Numerical Methods for Data Science | ||
Artificial Intelligence | ||
Data Analytics | ||
Thesis | ||
MATH 5994 | Proposal Research | 3 |
MATH 5995 | Thesis | 3-6 |
Total Hours | 36 |
- 1
With prior approval from the Department Chair, a student may select offerings of MATH 5390 Special Topics (1-3 sch) or MATH 5396 Directed independent Study (3 sch) or graduate courses from outside the Department as electives.
Thesis
Each student in the Applied and Computational Mathematics option is encouraged to participate in the departmental seminar and may simultaneously take MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) for one to three semesters at a rate of 1 to 3 credit hours per semester. A total of three semester hours credit for MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) is required. The final time MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) is taken, the student will prepare a thesis proposal. When a student is within 18 semester hours of graduation, the student may form a graduate committee and defend the proposal for the thesis. (Guidelines for writing the thesis, including the required format and style, are available at the department website.) Immediately upon approval of the thesis proposal, the student registers for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch), Thesis. The student continues to register for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) each successive semester (Fall or Spring required, Summer by choice) until the thesis is completed. A student who does not complete a thesis in the semester for which the student has registered will receive a grade of IP (In Progress). Not completing a thesis in four long semesters, earning a grade of U or failure to register for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) in the next semester after receiving a grade of IP will terminate the thesis and will require that the entire process be repeated starting with the preparation of a new proposal.
Each student in the Applied and Computational Mathematics option must defend their thesis, ordinarily during their final semester. The student’s graduate committee will administer the defense. For more information, see the Department’s Thesis Guidelines.
Statistics Option
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 15 | |
Electives from mathematics or closely related field | 12-15 | |
Select one of the following: | 6-9 | |
Proposal Research and Thesis | ||
Proposal Research and Project | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
MATH 5341 | Statistical Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
MATH 5342 | Linear Statistical Models | 3 |
MATH 5343 | Mathematical Theory of Statistics | 3 |
MATH 5345 | Computational Methods for Statistics | 3 |
MATH 5378 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select 12-15 hours from the following or closely related field: 1 | 12-15 | |
Numerical Linear Algebra | ||
Advanced Differential Equations | ||
Theory and Applications of Partial Differential Equations | ||
Numerical Analysis | ||
Optimization | ||
Real Analysis | ||
Combinatorics and Graph Theory | ||
Modeling of Natural Systems | ||
Applied Analysis | ||
Literature Review and Research | ||
Spatial Statistics | ||
Data Science and Predictive Analytics | ||
Data Science Computing | ||
Bayesian Interference in Data Science | ||
Applied Differential Equations in Data Science | ||
Dynamical System Analysis for Data Science | ||
Machine Learning in Data Science | ||
Numerical Methods for Data Science | ||
Artificial Intelligence | ||
Data Analytics | ||
Thesis or Project | ||
Select one of the following: | 6-9 | |
Proposal Research and Thesis | ||
Proposal Research and Project | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
- 1
With prior approval from the Department Chair, a student may select offerings of MATH 5390 Special Topics (1-3 sch) or MATH 5396 Directed independent Study (3 sch) or graduate courses from outside the Department as electives.
Thesis or Project
Each student in the Statistics track option is encouraged to participate in the departmental seminar and may simultaneously take MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) for one to three semesters at a rate of 1 to 3 credit hours per semester. A total of three semester hours credit for MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) is required. The final time MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) is taken, the student will prepare a thesis or project proposal. When a student is within 18 semester hours of graduation, the student may form a graduate committee and defend the proposal for the thesis or project. (Guidelines for writing the thesis or project, including the required format and style, are available at the department website.) Immediately upon approval of the thesis or project proposal, the student registers for either MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) or MATH 5997 Project (1-9 sch). The student continues to register for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch), or MATH 5997 Project (1-9 sch) each successive semester (Fall or Spring required, Summer by choice) until the thesis or project is completed. A student who does not complete a thesis or project in the semester for which the student has registered will receive a grade of IP (In Progress). Not completing the thesis or project in four long semesters or failure to register for an incomplete thesis or project in the next long semester will terminate the thesis or project and will require that the entire thesis or project process be repeated starting with the preparation of a new thesis or project proposal.
Each student in the Statistics option must defend their thesis or project, ordinarily during their final semester. The student’s graduate committee will administer the defense. For more information, see the Department’s Project Guidelines.
Curriculum Content Option
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 15 | |
Electives | 12 | |
MATH 5993 & MATH 5994 | Literature Review and Research and Proposal Research | 6 |
MATH 5995 | Thesis | 3 |
or MATH 5997 | Project | |
Total Hours | 36 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
MATH 5325 | Structure of Number Concepts | 3 |
MATH 5326 | Structure of Patterns and Algebra | 3 |
MATH 5327 | Structure of Geometry and Measurement | 3 |
MATH 5341 | Statistical Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
MATH 5378 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select 12 hours, with prior approval of the Department Chair, from the following or any couse with significant and appropriate mathematical content: | 12 | |
Problem Solving and Mathematical Reasoning for Teachers | ||
Mathematics Assessment | ||
Mathematics instruction and Mentoring | ||
Principles of Reforming Mathematics Instruction | ||
Structure of Probability and Statistics | ||
Structure of Modeling with Rates of Change | ||
Evolution of Mathematical Systems | ||
Integrating Technology in Mathematics Education | ||
Modeling of Natural Systems | ||
Capstone Courses | ||
MATH 5993 & MATH 5994 | Literature Review and Research and Proposal Research | 6 |
MATH 5995 | Thesis | 3 |
or MATH 5997 | Project | |
Total Hours | 36 |
Capstone Course
All students in the Curriculum Content option will take MATH 5993 Literature Review and Research (1-9 sch) as an introduction to relevant literature, research methods, followed by MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) to prepare and present a proposal. These courses serves as preparation for either a thesis or project.
- Thesis or Project. A thesis requires a student to articulate a problem in mathematics education related to significant mathematical content, propose a solution, and collect and analyze data in creating a solution of the problem. A project requires a student to demonstrate his or her ability to undertake a significant curriculum development, perform the appropriate research needed to implement the development, and communicate orally and in writing their understanding of that process.
- Students writing a thesis or project will prepare a proposal in MATH 5994 Proposal Research (1-9 sch) based on work done in MATH 5993 Literature Review and Research (1-9 sch). When a student is within 18 semester hours of graduation, the student may form a graduate committee and defend the proposal. Guidelines for writing the thesis or project, including the required format and style, are available on the Mathematics Department website.) Immediately upon approval of the proposal the student registers for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) or MATH 5997 Project (1-9 sch), as appropriate. The student continues to register for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) or MATH 5997 Project (1-9 sch) each successive semester (Fall or Spring required, Summer by choice) until the thesis or project is completed. A student who does not complete a thesis or project in the semester for which the student has registered will receive a grade of IP (In Progress). Not completing a thesis or project in four long semesters, earning a grade of U or failure to register for MATH 5995 Thesis (1-9 sch) or MATH 5997 Project (1-9 sch) in the next semester after receiving a grade of IP will terminate the thesis or project and will require that the entire process be repeated starting with the preparation of a new proposal.
Each student in the Curriculum Content Option must defend their thesis or project, ordinarily during their final semester. The student’s graduate committee will administer the defense.