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
- One of the following:
- A minimum GAP score of 575 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
- A 2.75 cumulative GPA.
- Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
- a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus;
- linear algebra;
- discrete mathematics;
- an applied mathematics course (e.g. differential equations, probability, calculus-based statistics, numerical analysis);
- abstract algebra, analysis, advanced calculus, or topology.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
- all mathematics and statistics courses that are applicable to the undergraduate mathematics major;
- courses specified in (b) through (e) of Item 2 above.
Computational Mathematics Concentration
- One of the following:
- A minimum GAP score of 575 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
- A 2.75 cumulative GPA.
- Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
- two-semester single-variable calculus sequence;
- linear algebra;
- discrete mathematics;
- one-year sequence of programming courses;
- B.A. degree with a major in either Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Physics.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
- all mathematics and computer science courses that are listed in (a) through (d) of Item 2 above; or
- 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
- One of the following:
- A minimum GAP score of 600 [GAP = (GRE-V+GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
- A 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- An undergraduate degree majoring in economics, mathematics, mathematical economics, or other related majors with completion of the following undergraduate courses:
- a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus
- discrete mathematics
- principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics
- one semester of junior- or senior-level probability theory
- differential equations
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (33 hours)
General Mathematics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 431G | Intermediate Analysis I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 531 | Advanced Differential Equations 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 535 | Advanced Applied Mathematics- I | |
| MATH 541 | Graph Theory 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 542 | Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics | |
| STAT 549 | Statistical Methods I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 598 | Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 599 | Thesis/Research | 6 |
| 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 | ||
| 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 Hours | 33 | |
Computational Mathematics Concentration
Students in the computational mathematics concentration must have a working knowledge of a high-level programming language.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 405G | Numerical Analysis I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 406G | Numerical Analysis II 1 | 3 |
| MATH 531 | Advanced Differential Equations 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 535 | Advanced Applied Mathematics- I | |
| MATH 541 | Graph Theory 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 542 | Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics | |
| STAT 549 | Statistical Methods I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 598 | Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 599 | Thesis/Research | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Data Science | ||
| Parallel and Distributed Computing | ||
| Data Mining Techniques and Tools | ||
| Select 3 additional hours from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| 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 Hours | 33 | |
Mathematical Economics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 431G | Intermediate Analysis I 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 482G | Probability & Statistics II | |
| MATH 531 | Advanced Differential Equations 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 535 | Advanced Applied Mathematics- I | |
| MATH 541 | Graph Theory 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 542 | Advanced Topics in Discrete Mathematics | |
| STAT 549 | Statistical Methods I 1 | 3 |
| ECON 465G | Regression and Econometric Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ECON 502 | Applied Micro Economic Theory 1 | 3 |
| MATH 598 | Graduate Seminar: Communicating Mathematics and Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 599 | Thesis/Research | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| 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 Hours | 33 | |
- 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.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) in Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate Master of Science degree in an accelerated timeframe. The MS in Mathematics prepares students to be competitive applicants for admission into a Ph.D. program and/or for positions where strong research skills are needed. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information, see https://catalog.wku.edu/graduate/science-engineering/mathematics/mathematics-ms/
This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Economics (Ref: 085) while completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Ref: 528 and 728) or a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Economics (Ref: 731). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. For more information, see https://www.wku.edu/math/.
To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BA in Mathematics (or a BS in Mathematical Economics) and a MS in Mathematics in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements:
Be a Mathematics or a Mathematical Economics major (includes programs with reference numbers 528, 728, and 731);
Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU;
Have at least 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree;
Have completed or be enrolled in 15 credit hours in Mathematics;
Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25;
Have one of the following:
3.25 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least one of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439;
3.0 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least two of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439.