Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CSUL B

Master of Science in Mathematics

Major Code: MATHMS01

Prerequisites For the Master of Science in Mathematics

1. A bachelor's degree in mathematics or a bachelor's degree with at least 24 upper division units in mathematics from an accredited college or university.
2. Courses must include the following:

MATH 247 Introduction to Linear Algebra

MATH 361A Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I

MATH 361B Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II

MATH 364A Ordinary Differential Equations I

MATH 444 Introduction to Abstract Algebra

Deficiencies will be determined by the graduate advisor after consultation with the student and study of transcript records.

Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Mathematics (Major Code MATHMS01)

1. A minimum of 30 graduate and approved (those marked by * in the CSULB Catolog) upper division units, including:
   1. Three of the following courses: MATH 540A Abstract Algebra I, MATH 550A Topology I, MATH 561A Real Analysis I, or MATH 562A Complex Analysis I.
   2. Two additional courses selected from the following courses: MATH 540B Abstract Algebra II, MATH 550B Topology II, MATH 561B Real Analysis II, or MATH 562B Complex Analysis II.
   3. Additional 3 units of 500 level mathematics courses.
2. Complete one of the following:
   1. Pass a comprehensive written examination in two areas of mathematics;
   2. Subject to the approval of the Graduate Committee of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, write a thesis in mathematics and defend it orally.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy is a step every graduate student at CSULB must take on the way to a Master's degree. It signifies the approval by the Department and the College of a plan of study. Students should consult with the graduate advisor during their first semester regarding the requirements for advancement. Normally, these requirements are:

1. Classified status (satisfactory removal of deficiencies).
2. Satisfactory completion of the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE). [Consult the Testing Office, room SSA-216, phone (562) 9854006 for information regarding this examination.]
3. A minimum 3.0 overall GPA and a GPA of at least 3.0 in all units - at least 6 - undertaken for that student's program.
4. Enrollment in a regular (fall or spring) session.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics requires students to file for advancement to candidacy after they have satisfactorily completed 6 units of the program. The graduate advisor will assist students in this filing. Students cannot take the Masters comprehensive exams and cannot file the Request to Graduate unless they have been or are being advanced to candidacy.

When filing for advancement to candidacy, each student, in consultation with the graduate advisor, must prepare an Approved Program of Study consisting of a minimum of 30 units of courses which satisfy the degree requirements. Students must satisfactorily complete these courses as part of their degree requirements. If a student cannot complete a course listed on his or her approved program, and wishes to take a different course, then he or she must file a Change of Approved Program form. Again, the student must consult with and have the approval of the graduate advisor regarding this change.

Comprehensive Examinations

A student who elects to take two comprehensive examinations (rather than write a thesis) must observe the following rules:

1. The student must sign up for and take both comprehensive examinations in the same semester. The examinations are administered during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of each semester.
2. The areas of examination for the Masters in Mathematics are Algebra, Topology, Complex Analysis, Real Analysis, and Functional Analysis.
3. A student who fails one or both of the examinations on the first attempt may take the examinations a second time. A grade of C or higher in one of the two examinations will suffice to pass that examination, although a failed examination must still be repeated.

Thesis:

If a student wishes to write a thesis, it is that student's responsibility to seek out a thesis advisor. A thesis is then written in consultation with the faculty advisor who will guide the student in choosing a thesis topic and supervise the process of writing the thesis. After a thesis topic is chosen, it must be approved by the Graduate Committee, and, in the case of a thesis in Applied Mathematics, also by the Applied Math Committee. A thesis committee of three faculty members, including the thesis advisor, is then chosen to approve the final work. During the writing of the thesis, the student enrolls in MATH 698 for a maximum of six units.

List of advisors