Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Mathematics, Master of Science (085)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/math/


Program Coordinator

Mikhail Khenner, mikhail.khenner@wku.edu, (270) 745-2797

The M.S. in Mathematics offers three concentrations: general mathematics, computational mathematics, and mathematical economics, but has a core set of courses in applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, and statistics required for all students. The general mathematics concentration is recommended for students who wish to obtain a Ph.D. degree, to teach in a community college, or to seek employment in industry with an emphasis on conceptual foundations. The computational mathematics concentration is designed for students seeking employment in industry with an emphasis on computational mathematics and/or computer science in addition to knowledge in traditional areas.  The mathematical economics concentration is designed for students seeking employment in industry with an emphasis on economics in addition to knowledge in traditional areas.  It is also designed for students who completed an undergraduate degree program in mathematical economics at WKU.

Concentration(s)

  • General Mathematics (MAGN)
  • Computational Mathematics (MACM)
  • Mathematical Economics (MAME)

Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)

This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.

Program Admission

General Mathematics Concentration

  1. One of the following:
    1. A minimum GAP score of 600 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
    2. A GRE score of at least 300;
    3. For students that graduate from WKU with a mathematics major, a GPA of at least 3.3 in their mathematics major.
  2. Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
    1. a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus;
    2. linear algebra;
    3. discrete mathematics;
    4. an applied mathematics course (e.g. differential equations, probability, calculus-based statistics, numerical analysis);
    5. abstract algebra, analysis, advanced calculus, or topology.
  3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
    1. all mathematics courses that are applicable to the undergraduate mathematics major;
    2. courses specified in (b) through (e) of Item 2 above.

Computational Mathematics Concentration

  1. One of the following:
    1. A minimum GAP score of 600 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
    2. A GRE score of at least 300;
    3. For students that graduate from WKU with a mathematics major, a GPA of at least 3.3 in their mathematics major.
  2. Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
    1. one-year calculus sequence;
    2. linear algebra;
    3. discrete  mathematics;
    4. one-year sequence of programming courses;
    5. B.A. degree with a major in either Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Physics.
  3. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
    1. all mathematics and computer science courses that are listed in (a) through (d) of Item 2 above; or
    2. all courses in the major listed in (e) of Item 2 above.  Students cannot enter the program if they have a deficiency in the courses listed in Item 2 above.

Mathematical Economics Concentration

  1. One of the following:
    1. GRE score of at least 300 with a minimum quantitative score of 147
    2. WKU graduates majoring in mathematics, minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major
    3. WKU graduates majoring in mathematical economics, minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major
    4. WKU graduates majoring in economics or business economics, minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major and 3.3 in courses listed below (2.a, b, d, and e).
  2. An undergraduate degree majoring in economics, mathematics, mathematical economics, or other related majors with completion of the following undergraduate courses:
    1. a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus
    2. discrete mathematics
    3. principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics
    4. one semester of junior- or senior-level probability theory
    5. differential equations

Graduate School Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.

Program Requirements (33 hours)

General Mathematics Concentration

Required Courses
MATH 431GIntermediate Analysis I 13
MATH 531Advanced Differential Equations 13
or MATH 535 Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
MATH 541Graph Theory 13
or MATH 542 Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
STAT 549Statistical Methods I 13
MATH 598Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing3
MATH 599Thesis/Research6
Electives
Select 3 hours from the following:3
Readings in Mathematics
Topics from Algebra
Applied Probability
Advanced Differential Equations
Real Analysis
Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
Advanced Applied Mathematics- II
Topology II
Stochastic Processes
Graph Theory
Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
Complex Analysis
Topics in Operations Research
Special Topics in Mathematics
Statistical Methods II
Select 9 additional hours from the following:9
Numerical Analysis I
Numerical Analysis II
Algebra and Number Theory
Algebraic Systems
Geometry II
Partial Differential Equations
Topology I
Complex Variables
Introduction to Operations Research
Readings in Mathematics
Topics from Algebra
Applied Probability
Advanced Differential Equations
Real Analysis
Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
Advanced Applied Mathematics- II
Topology II
Stochastic Processes
Graph Theory
Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
Complex Analysis
Topics in Operations Research
Special Topics in Mathematics 2
Statistical Methods II
Total Hours33

Computational Mathematics Concentration

Students in the computational mathematics concentration must have a working knowledge of a high-level programming language.

Required Courses
MATH 405GNumerical Analysis I 13
MATH 406GNumerical Analysis II 13
MATH 531Advanced Differential Equations 13
or MATH 535 Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
MATH 541Graph Theory 13
or MATH 542 Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
STAT 549Statistical Methods I 13
MATH 598Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing3
MATH 599Thesis/Research6
Electives
Select 6 hours from the following: 16
Analysis of Algorithms
Data Science
Parallel and Distributed Computing
Data Mining Techniques and Tools
Select 3 additional hours from the following: 13
Intermediate Analysis I
Partial Differential Equations
Introduction to Operations Research
Advanced Differential Equations
Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
Advanced Applied Mathematics- II
Stochastic Processes
Graph Theory
Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
Topics in Operations Research
Special Topics in Mathematics 2
Statistical Methods II
Total Hours33

Mathematical Economics Concentration

Required Courses
MATH 431GIntermediate Analysis I 13
or MATH 482G Probability & Statistics II
MATH 531Advanced Differential Equations 13
or MATH 535 Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
MATH 541Graph Theory 13
or MATH 542 Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
STAT 549Statistical Methods I 13
ECON 465GRegression and Econometric Analysis 13
ECON 502Applied Micro Economic Theory 13
MATH 598Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing3
MATH 599Thesis/Research6
Electives
Select 6 hours from the following: 16
Numerical Analysis I
Numerical Analysis II
Intermediate Analysis I
Partial Differential Equations
Introduction to Operations Research
Probability & Statistics II
Applied Probability
Advanced Differential Equations
Real Analysis
Advanced Applied Mathematics- I
Advanced Applied Mathematics- II
Stochastic Processes
Graph Theory
Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics
Topics in Operations Research
Special Topics in Mathematics 2
Statistical Methods II
Total Hours33
1

If classes with similar course content were taken at the undergraduate level, then the student must substitute appropriate graduate courses selected in consultation with a Mathematics Department graduate advisor.

2

With advisor approval.