Mathematical Sciences

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The Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences program provides advanced preparation for careers in private industry and government or for doctoral study. It is designed to accommodate full-time employees and can be completed in two years by including summer classes. Concentrations are offered in applied mathematics, applied statistics, computational sciences, and interdisciplinary mathematics. Computer labs are available with research-quality mathematical and scientific software.

The program is continually adding to and updating its software and a number of courses in the program require computer use. Applied mathematics is critical to most areas of today’s highly technological workforce, and the master’s program is a passport to this exciting and expanding career field. For more information visit the mathematical sciences program website.

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to the program for regular admission with the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 (4.0 scale) or 3.0 in the last 60 hours.
• Courses with a grade of C or greater in matrix algebra, differential equations, an advanced calculus sequence, statistical methods, and a scientific programming language.
• Six appropriate advanced mathematics hours with grades of C or greater (i.e., Analysis, Topology, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Statistics)
• Official Graduate Record Examination score.
• Letters of recommendation.

Students with an undergraduate cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.69, or a a GPA between 2.7 and 3.0 in their last 60 hours may petition the department for consideration for special conditional admission. Applicants must discuss and provide evidence regarding two or more of the following criteria as part of their petition:

• GPA in previous mathematics/statistics courses
• Amount of time elapsed since the previous degree (5+ years preferred)
• Professional experience in mathematics, statistics, or teaching
• Professional accomplishments that demonstrate the applicant’s abilities with respect to time management or focused, intensive study
• Extraordinary circumstances related to the overall low GPA

Applicants whose petitions are approved by the department must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first 9 hours of coursework in order to remain in the program. Special conditionally admitted students may also be subject to other conditions for enrollment, such as required courses in the first 9 hours of study as specified by the admissions committee. Special conditionally admitted students completing their M.S. coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher after their first 9 credit hours will become regularly admitted.

Applicants lacking prerequisite classes must complete specified preparatory courses. Contact the program coordinator for details.

Early Entry B.S./B.A. to M.S.

The Early Entry B.S./B.A. to M.S. for Mathematics majors interested in pursuing a M.S. in Mathematics after graduation is intended to serve as a fast path for completing the Master’s degree following completion of an undergraduate degree in mathematics.

Admissions

Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the Early Entry program before the end of their junior year to help ensure that they have the full subsequent year to begin taking appropriate courses for graduate credit.

Undergraduate students may apply and be accepted provisionally into the M.S. Mathematics graduate program any time after completing 75 or more hours of undergraduate course work. However, at least 90 hours of undergraduate course work must have been completed by the time the first graduate Mathematics course is taken.

All applicants must have at least a 3.2 overall GPA and at least a 3.5 major GPA to be considered. Students who have transferred to our program can participate provided their relevant transfer course work (i.e. courses taken at other institutions that are being used to meet our B.S./B.A. requirements) also meets the 3.2 minimum GPA criteria and 3.5 minimum major GPA criteria. The GRE requirement is waived for students with an overall 3.5 GPA or higher. Students with an overall GPA between 3.2 and 3.49 must apply using the GRE option.

All applicants must complete an application for and be admitted into the M.S. in Mathematics program and the Graduate School.

All applicants must complete an Early-Entry Program form and be approved for admission by the M.S. Mathematics graduate coordinator. The graduate coordinator’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. The form must be approved by the graduate coordinator before the student begins graduate course work. Failure to obtain prior approval negates the ability to “double count” courses.

If, at the end of the student’s baccalaureate degree, an Early Entry B.S./B.A. to M.S. student has failed to meet the Graduate School admission requirement of 2.7 overall undergraduate GPA, the student will be dismissed from the M.S. Mathematics program.

Once a completed application has been received by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the student will be notified quickly, generally within 30 days, whether they have been accepted into the program.

Acceptance into the Early Entry B.A./B.S. to M.S. program indicates a commitment by the student to pursue the M.S. degree in mathematics after the completion of the baccalaureate degree in mathematics.

A completed application consists of:

• A completed graduate application for for the UA Little Rock Graduate School
• Completed Early-Entry Program form
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an university faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (letters are to be submitted directly by recommenders)
• Portfolio of work in mathematics courses (optional)

Submit your application to the Early Entry B.A./B.S. to M.S. Program Coordinator.

Program Restrictions

To ensure that they follow the proper degree plan, students must meet with the M.S. Mathematics graduate coordinator upon acceptance to the Early Entry B.A./B.S. to M.S. program to map out and approve the graduate courses they will take. Accepted students will have provisional status in the graduate program, pending the award of the baccalaureate degree. Students accepted into the Early Entry B.A./B.S. to M.S. program will be subject to the same policies as traditionally matriculated M.S. Mathematics students.

The Early Entry B.A./B.S. to M.S. program may not be used in conjunction with the credit reservation program; therefore, no graduate courses taken before admission to the program may be applied to the M.S. Mathematics degree.

Program Requirements for M.S.

The mathematical sciences degree requires 33 graduate semester credit hours with a master’s research project or 36 graduate credit hours without the project, including 12 core hours; three research project hours or six alternate hours; nine hours of mathematical emphasis courses; nine hours from specialization; and written and oral comprehensive examination.

The written comprehensive examination covers material from the four core courses – MATH 7323 Advanced Numerical Analysis I , MATH 7350 Mathematical Statistics I , MATH 7311 Advanced Linear Algebra , and MATH 7322 Advanced Differential Equations . The oral comprehensive examination consists of a presentation from the student’s area of specialization and a question and answer session derived from the student’s course work.