PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

MA/MS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must complete an approved 45-credit program which includes at least 30 credits in mathematics or statistics. These 30 credits must include courses distributed as follows: two 9-credit sequences at the 600 level and the 3-credit Mth 501 Mathematical Literature and Problems. In addition, the student must pass written examinations.

COURSES APPROVED FOR MA/MS DEGREES:

For course descriptions see Mathematics and Statistics course listings.

Mth 511,512,513    Introduction to Real Analysis
Mth 520 Introduction to Complexity Theory
Mth 521,522,523 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations
Mth 524,525 Elementary Differential Geometry & Tensor Analysis
Mth 527,528 Partial Differential Equations
Mth 530 Topics in Mathematical Modelling
Mth 531,532,533 Topics in Geometry
Mth 534,535,536 Set Theory and Topology
Mth 540 Boolean Algebra
Mth 541,542,543 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Mth 544,545 Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra
Mth 549 Topics in Advanced Number Theory
Mth 551,552,553 Numerical Calculus
Mth 557,558 The Mathematical Theory of Games
Mth 561,562 Graph Theory
Mth 567,568 Applied Probability
Mth 570,571,572 Complex Analysis & Boundary Value Problems
Mth 580 Systems Analysis: Calculus of Variations
Mth 611,612,613 Theory of Functions of a Real Variable
Mth 614,615,616 Modern Analysis
Mth 617,618,619 Functional Analysis
Mth 621,622,623 Advanced Differential Equations
Mth 624,625,626 Advanced Differential Geometry
Mth 634, 635, 636 Algebraic Topology
Mth 637,638,639 Geometric Topology
Mth 641,642,643 Modern Algebra
Mth 651,652,653 Advanced Numerical Analysis
Mth 661,662,663 Algebraic Graph Theory
Mth 667,668,669 Stochastic Processes and Probability Theory
 
Stat 561,562,563 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Stat 564 Applied Regression Analysis
Stat 565,566 Experimental Design:  Theory and Methods
Stat 661,662,663 Advanced Mathematical Statistics
Stat 664,665,666 Theory of Linear Models

Check with the department for additional courses, including omnibus-numbered courses, which also may be approved for MA/MS programs. "Approved" means that it is approved as inside 30 mathematical credit hours for the MA/MS program.

COURSES APPROVED AS ELECTIVES FOR MA/MS DEGREES:
Mth 581 Probability for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 582 Statistics for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 583 Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 584 Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 585 Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers
Mth 586 Topics in the History of Mathematics
Mth 587 Introduction to Combinatorial Mathematics
Mth 588 Computing Technology for Mathematics Teachers

"Approved as elective" means that it is approved inside 45 credit hours but not inside 30 mathematical credit hours.

MA/MS EXAMINATIONS:

Students must pass two examinations, one of which must be in either Algebra or Analysis. Examinations are given in eight areas and are scheduled twice a year, in the Fall and in the Spring. Students may take a given area examination at most two times. MA/MS Examination Policy as well as syllabi for the six area examinations are available in the department office. Copies of previous MA/MS examinations may be seen by students.

MTH 501 MATHEMATICAL LITERATURE AND PROBLEMS:

In this required course a student works under the supervision of a faculty member in an area of mathematics in which the student has acquired the background needed to read current mathematical literature, prepare a research paper, and present this research in a colloquium. Requirements for the course are contained in Guidelines and Deadlines for Literature and Problems Seminar which is also available in the department office.

PLANNING AN MA/MS DEGREE PROGRAM:

The department offers courses in pure and applied mathematics and in statistics. Students may choose an emphasis in one or more of these areas. The department tries to project its future 600-level offerings. These projections enable students to plan programs that include any necessary 500-level prerequisites. Students also need to plan programs that will prepare them to pass two MA/MS examinations, at least one of which is in Algebra or Analysis. New students are urged to meet with the MA/MS Coordinator regarding degree requirements and for help with program planning.

Admission Information

For program requirements questions call or write John Erdman at (503) 725-3644, email:  erdman@pdx.edu .

For advising call or write Bin Jiang at (503)-725-8294, email: bjiang@pdx.edu

For an application form to the MA/MS program see graduate application form.

 


Last Modified January 7, 2008