Graduate Programs

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Mathematics

Introduction

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Master of Science degree in mathematics. The graduate program is designed to provide a solid foundation for further professional training or careers in teaching, industry, or government. Degree requirements are flexible, allowing considerable latitude in tailoring the course of study to individual preferences. Two concentrations are available: mathematics and applied mathematics. The mathematics concentration is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in mathematics or the equivalent. The applied mathematics concentration is designed not only for persons with undergraduate training in mathematics, but also for those with degrees in related disciplines, such as engineering and science, who want a solid foundation in mathematics. All required courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening. The department also awards the Master of Science degree in applied statistics (see Statistics) and also supports the Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) degree offered by the College of Science and Mathematics.

Graduate students are assigned an advisor from the graduate faculty on the basis of their proposed area of study. Early consultation with the advisor is recommended since the advisor works closely with the student in every phase of the program.

Admission

Applicants for admission are expected to meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study as established by the School of Graduate Studies. In addition, applicants must present postcalculus courses in mathematics, as well as related course requirements appropriate for the intended program of study. The specific undergraduate preparation required for each of the department’s two degree options forms part of the description of each option. Applicants with insufficient preparation may be admitted on the condition that they complete certain prerequisite work to be specified by the department at the time of admission

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree may be earned by satisfying the requirements of the mathematics or the applied mathematics option. The mathematics option is a flexible program emphasizing advanced mathematical concepts in the core areas of mathematics. Students may either complete a traditional curriculum in mathematics or develop, with a graduate advisor, a plan of study that is tailored to their individual needs. The applied mathematics option is more structured but still allows students considerable latitude in designing a course of study. This option focuses on the computational tools of modern applied mathematics and the mathematical theory underlying these tools. Either option can provide a solid foundation for doctoral study in mathematics or for a career in teaching, industry, or government.

All master’s degree candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination which should be taken at least one quarter before the expected date of graduation.

Mathematics Concentration

This program offers advanced mathematical training in the traditional areas of mathematics, yet is flexible enough to allow students to pursue interests in related areas of mathematics. Students may select courses in algebra, analysis, combinatorics, and geometry, as well as differential equations, graph theory, numerical analysis, probability, and statistical theory. Individual interests and future goals determine the actual course of study, within the guidelines given below.

Applicants for this program should have completed a minimum of 21 quarter hours (14 semester hours) in mathematics beyond calculus. Courses in analysis (advanced calculus), linear algebra, and modern algebra are particularly important. However, courses in other areas of mathematics may also provide the foundation needed for graduate work in mathematics.

In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, the following departmental requirements must be met to earn a degree under this option:

1. The student must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of courses that have prior approval of the department. Departmental approval is normally given by the student’s advisor. At least 24 of these hours must be in mathematics or statistics courses numbered 701 or above and may not include MTH 792 or STT 786.

2. The 24 credit hours at the 700 level must include at least one full-year sequence in mathematics.

The writing of a thesis is optional. Students who elect a thesis may count it for not more than 10 hours of credit. The thesis must be approved by the student’s advisor and must be prepared to conform to the standards established by the School of Graduate Studies. A thesis defense will be required.

Students completing a thesis must pass two 90 minute comprehensive examinations over selected coursework. Students not completing a thesis must pass three 90 minute comprehensive examinations over selected coursework.

Applied Mathematics Concentration

The applied mathematics option provides training in mathematical techniques applicable to a wide range of real-world problems. The objectives of this program are two-fold: to develop the ability to analyze and solve a variety of mathematical problems, and to increase the understanding of specific problems encountered in other fields. To this end, the curriculum includes course sequences in pure and applied mathematics, and advanced courses in related areas such as engineering, computer science, and physics. This option is designed for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or statistics, and who wish to acquire a solid foundation in applied mathematics.

Applicants for this program should have completed undergraduate courses in multivariable calculus, linear or matrix algebra equivalent to MTH 355, and ordinary differential equations. Students should also have knowledge of a high-level programming language. Courses in complex analysis, partial differential equations, and physics are recommended.

In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, the following departmental requirements must be met to earn a degree under this option. Students who have not, prior to admission, completed two quarters or one semester of real variables course work comparable to MTH 431 and 432 are required to take MTH 631 and 632 as program electives. Full-time students normally take two years to complete this program. For more information on the Applied Mathematics program, see
http://www.math.wright.edu/ms/appliedmath/

Faculty

Professors
K. T. Arasu, combinatorics
Joanne M. Dombrowski, functional analysis, operator theory
Anthony B. Evans, finite geometry, graph theory
Weifu Fang (Chair), applied mathematics, partial differential equations, inverse problems
Ann M. Farrell, mathematics education
Chaocheng Huang, partial differential equations
Qingbo Huang, partial differential equations, harmonic analysis
Susann Mathews, mathematics education
David F. Miller, optimization
Steen Pedersen, operator theory
Thomas P. Svobodny, applied mathematics
Larry Turyn, differential equations, applied analysis

Associate Professors
Lop-Fat Ho, optimal control, duality theory
Qingbo Huang, partial differential equations, harmonic analysis
Alexander J. Kaplan, functional analysis
Phan Loi, operator theory
Richard Mercer, operator algebras, mathematical physics
Michelle Reed, mathematics education
Dan Slilaty, graph theory, matroid theory, topology
Emily Tian, applied mathematics
James T. Vance Jr., Fourier analysis

Assistant Professors
Aina Appova, mathematics education
Timothy Boester, mathematics education
Yuqing Chen, discrete mathematics
Xiaoyu Liu, combinatorics
Michelle Reed, mathematics education
Emily Tian, applied mathematics
Xiangqian Zhou, discrete mathematics

Financial Assistance

The department awards a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships annually to qualified applicants. Assistantships may be renewed for a second year; assistants can complete the requirements for a degree in two years. The duties of an assistant normally include classroom teaching, which is a meaningful aspect of the education of graduate students in the mathematical sciences.

Applicants should inquire about the availability of tuition fellowships. (Refer to the Financial Assistance, Fees, and Tuition section).