Master of Arts in Mathematics

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
368 Science and Engineering Building (map)
(248) 370-3430 • Fax (248) 370-4184
http://www.oakland.edu/math/

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Graduate Coordinator:
Meir Shillor
554 Science and Engineering Building
(248) 370-3439
shillor@oakland.edu

Program description

The program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in mathematics provides students with a sound theoretical knowledge of modern mathematical sciences and ample opportunity to learn something of the applications of the mathematical sciences, the construction of mathematical models and the art of problem solving. The program is designed to serve those who wish to enter a Ph.D. program in mathematical sciences or to teach at the secondary or community college level. (This program does not provide secondary education certification: contact the School of Education and Human Services for information on certification.) Courses required for the program are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate the part-time student. Teaching assistantships are available to fulltime students on a competitive basis.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

July 15 for fall semester
November 15 for winter semester
March 15 for summer semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning with the dates below.

August 1 for fall semester
December 1 for winter semester
April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following University and Program application documents by the published application deadlines:

University graduate application requirements

Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study
Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
(Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
Proof of English language proficiency
International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

Applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship should also submit a brief (up to 500 words) personal statement describing their goals and any prior teaching experience or other potentially relevant background. This statement should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator no later than the beginning of March in order to be considered for an appointment for the following academic year.
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA
Normally the mathematical preparation requires at least 30 semester credits in undergraduate mathematics including courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations. Students who have not had an undergraduate course in abstract algebra or advanced calculus may be required to complete one or both of these courses as a prerequisite to regular admission.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Degree requirements

To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts in mathematics a student must successfully complete, with at least a 2.5 in each course and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, a 36-credit program as outlined below.

Course requirements

a. Core requirements (at least 28 credits in the mathematical sciences)

At least four courses from the following list must be included. At least one of MTH 551 or MTH 571 must be among the four courses selected. (This list may be expanded in the future. Check with the graduate coordinator for an up-to-date list.) All other course selections must be approved by the student’s adviser.

MTH 551 - Real Analysis (4 credits)
MTH 555 - Complex Analysis (4 credits)
MTH 561 - Topology I (4 credits)
MTH 571 - Algebra I (4 credits)
MTH 590 - Directed Reading and Research (4 credits)
MTH 651 - Functional Analysis (4 credits)
APM 553 - Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations (4 credits)
APM 557 - Advanced Partial Differential Equations (4 credits)
APM 566 - Computational Geometry (4 credits)
APM 569 - Graph Theory and Applications (4 credits)
APM 577 - Computer Algebra (4 credits)
APM 581 - The Theory of Computation (4 credits)
APM 634 - Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations (4 credits)
APM 664 - Combinatorial Optimization (4 credits)
APM 673 - Coding Theory (4 credits)

b. Electives (at most 8 credits)

At most, 8 credits of elective courses outside of the mathematical sciences. Course selections must be approved by the student’s adviser.

c. Comprehensive examination

Each student must pass a comprehensive examination devised by a committee appointed by the Graduate Coordinator. Details on the format of this exam can be obtained from the Graduate Coordinator. A student who fails this exam on the first attempt may make, at most, one additional attempt.

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Department requirements: To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts in mathematics a student must successfully complete, with at least a 2.5 in each course and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, a 36-credit program as outlined above.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.