MATHEMATICS

Chair of the Department: Joseph Rosenblatt

Director of Graduate Studies: Phillip Griffith

Correspondence and Admission Information: Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Mathematics, 257 Altgeld Hall, 1409 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-5749; E-mail: office@math.uiuc.edu

URL: www.math.uiuc.edu

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

The department offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science (or of Arts) in Mathematics, the Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, the Master of Science in Applied Mathematics, and the Master of Science in the Teaching of Mathematics.

ADMISSION

Besides the University requirements for admissio n to the Graduate College, there are a number of requirements that are specific to the Department of Mathematics. Master's degree students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) or greater, and Ph.D. degree students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.25 or greater.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores are required by the Department of Mathematics, both the general test and the subject test in mathematics, for admission from all applicants who live in the United States or Canada. The tests are not required from other applicants, but students' chances of admission and of receiving financial aid will be better if they submit these test scores. GRE scores are also required for all fellowship applications.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and SPEAK or TSE (Test of Spoken English) scores are required of all students whose native language is not English. A paper-based TOEFL score of 550 (213 on the computer-based exam) is required by the Graduate College for admission. Those who have had at least two years of study at a university where English is the language of instruction are not required to submit a TOEFL score for admission, but must do so if they wish financial aid. To be eligible for full graduate standing, a student must have a paper-based TOEFL score of 610 (257 on the computer-

based test) or greater. To be considered for financial assistance by the Department of Mathematics, a student must have a paper-based TOEFL score of 600 (250 on the computer-based test) or greater. Students whose native language is not English must have a SPEAK or TSE score of 50 or greater to be considered for appointment as a teaching assistant in the Department of Mathematics.

To be assured of full consideration for fellowships and assistantships, all admission documents must arrive by January 15. The closing date for fall admission is June 15.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.

MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

The master's degree programs can be completed in a year plus a summer or in one-and-one-half years of full-time study by students entering without deficiencies. Students entering with deficiencies may require two years to complete the degree. There are no thesis or language requirements, and no comprehensive examination is required. These programs may be revised; students are advised to check with the director of graduate studies.

Both the M.S. and M.A. in mathematics require a total of eight units, of which three must be at the 400 level in mathematics. The M.S. in Applied Mathematics requires eight units, of which two must be at the 400 level in mathematics. Specific course and sequence requirements for this degree can be satisfied through study in one of four options: (1) optimization and algorithms, (2) science applications, (3) computation al science and engineering, or (4) actuarial science. An optional master's thesis is allowed in all options.

The M.A. in the Teaching of Mathematics requires eight units, of which four must be in mathematics and two in education. Specific course and sequence requirements must be met.

DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM

Students working toward a Ph.D. degree usually require from four to six years to complete the requirements. Each student must pass the comprehensive examinations (testing the student's knowledge of basic graduate-level mathematics in algebra, analysis, and other areas) and the preliminary examination (testing the student's ability to begin or continue research in a chosen field). Students must also write and defend a research thesis in their field of mathematics. A reading knowledge of two of the following languages (excluding the student's native language) is required: English, French, German, and Russian.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available in the form of teac hing assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. The same application is used for decisions on admission, assistantships, and fellowships. The deadline for equal consideration for fellowships and assistantships is January 15, but later applications for assistantships will be considered if positions are available. Students may be admitted without financial aid until a month before classes start.