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    Mar 28, 2024  
American University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
American University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics (MA)


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Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for admission, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or a related field. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Students entering the MA program without the appropriate background are expected to take certain undergraduate courses as prerequisite work.

The Information and Security track is designed for students with a technical background to get both theoretical and practical training to work with complex data – how to directly manipulate data and understand the underlying theory of data analysis. Formal admission to the program requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the prerequisite classes and departmental approval.

Prerequisites


Note: Prerequisites may be waived for qualified persons with comparable prior education or experience.

Degree Requirements


  • 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework including thesis or nonthesis option requirements
  • General Track
    • Tool of research: proficiency in Russian, German, French, or an approved computer language
    • Written comprehensive examination in mathematics
    • Capstone Experience:
      • Thesis Option: MATH-797 Master’s Thesis Research (1-6)  (6 credit hours required) and an oral defense of thesis.
      • Nonthesis Option: MATH-690 Independent Study Project in Mathematics (1-6)  (3 credit hours required) on topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member, requiring an oral and written presentation of the research work, and 3 credit hours in approved graduate-level independent research, seminar, or research course, with all coursework completed with grades of B or better
  • Information and Security Track
    • Capstone Experience:
      • Thesis Option: MATH-797 Master’s Thesis Research (1-6)  (6 credit hours required) and an oral defense of thesis, and 6 credit hours of electives, with all coursework completed with grades of B or better
      • Nonthesis Option: MATH-690 Independent Study Project in Mathematics (1-6)  (3 credit hours required) on topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member, requiring an oral and written presentation of the research, and 9 credit hours of electives, with all coursework completed with grades of B or better

Course Requirements


Complete one of the following tracks:

General Track


Capstone Experience (6 credit hours)


Complete one of the following options:

Thesis Option

Nonthesis Option

Electives (12 credit hours)


  • 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level coursework

Information and Security Track


Capstone Experience (9 credit hours)


Complete one of the following options:

Thesis Option

Required

Electives

Complete 3 credit hours with grade of B or better from the following or other graduate statistics course approved by program director:

Nonthesis Option

Required

Electives

Complete 6 credit hours with grades of B or better from the following or other graduate statistics courses approved by program director:

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