Overview
The Master of Arts in Mathematics at Saint Louis University is a two-year degree with a focus on pure mathematics. Students must take 10 courses and complete at least two courses in two subject areas from algebra, analysis, statistics, and topology. Students have the option of completing a Master's thesis under the direction of a faculty member.
Coursework
The Master of Arts in Mathematics requires ten courses in mathematics at the 5000-level or higher. All master’s students must complete at least two courses in two of the subject areas from algebra, analysis, statistics, and topology. At least two of these four required courses must be from MATH 5110 Algebraic Structures I, MATH 5210 Measure Theory, MATH 5310 Point Set Topology, and STAT 5850 Statistical Inference. The department offers the four core courses on a rotating basis as well as a variety of electives and advanced topics each year. Full time students typically take three courses a semester and complete the degree in two years. If a student has not had courses in algebra or analysis at the undergraduate level, then the student usually takes the 50xx-level algebra and analysis courses. This prepares the master’s students to take the core graduate courses in algebra, analysis and topology their second year. For students who have had substantial coursework in algebra or analysis at the undergraduate level, some of the core graduate courses could be completed in the first year.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the ten courses in mathematics, master’s students must take a comprehensive oral exam in the final semester of their program. This exam is administered by three faculty members. The exam consists of three parts, one for each of three assessment areas. Assessment areas are chosen by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the student. In each part the student gives a ten minute talk on a mathematical topic in that area. Each talk will be followed by a question and answer period. The duration of each of the three parts is about thirty minutes. Master’s students have the option of writing a Master’s thesis. In that case, two of the courses in the second year would be devoted to research for the thesis, and the Master’s oral exam is replaced by an oral defense of the thesis. A master’s student must obtain at least a 3.0 GPA overall. If after the first year the GPA is lower than a 3.0 the teaching assistantship cannot be renewed for the second year. Furthermore a B (or better) must be obtained in each course comprising the four required core courses. (A master’s student who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics should maintain a GPA above a 3.0 and should include some A’s.)
Financial Support
A master’s student may receive up to 2 years of support as a teaching assistant. Students making appropriate progress towards the degree in their first year and with a GPA of at least 3.0 will be renewed for their second year.