Mathematics Department
What are the degree requirements?
What follows is the SOU catalog description for the Applied Mathematics Professional Science Master's Degree program. By clicking on the following link [Math Graduate Programs], you can see course descriptions for elective courses. Course descriptions for the mathematics courses are at the bottom of this page.
Professional Science Master's degree in Applied Mathematics
The Professional Science Master's degree in Applied Mathematics prepares students for careers in industry and provides additional expertise for working professionals. The program is designed to meet the objectives of a Professional Science Master's degree program (http://www.sciencemasters.com/). Students pursue advanced theory and techniques in applied mathematics while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. All courses focus on applying mathematics to real-world problems. The degree requires an internship to give students practical experience in applying their knowledge.
Graduate students have opportunities to engage in research and help the department in a variety of ways. Assistantships providing tuition and a stipend are available.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet SOU admission criteria (http://www.sou.edu/admissions/graduate/) and then be approved by the department for admission to the graduate program. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The department evaluates applications based on the following:
- undergraduate GPA in mathematics courses (and see below);
- GRE general test scores;
- three letters of recommendation;
- an essay statement of objectives; and
- an interview
- a resume or vita.
Note: Students for whom English is not their native language will also be required to pass an English proficiency exam (TOEFL) with a sufficiently high score to gain admittance.
Students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines are welcome. The following course work (or its equivalent) with a grade of B or better must be completed in order to gain full admittance to the program:
- Single Variable Calculus (MTH 251, MTH 252, and MTH 253)
- Linear Algebra (MTH 261)
- Multivariable Calculus (MTH 281)
- Differential Equations (MTH 321)
- Calculus-based Probability (MTH 361)
Students without these prerequisites may still apply for graduate admission and can be admitted as a post-baccalaureate student. If accepted, these students are guaranteed full admittance to the graduate program after successful completion of the prerequisites.
Degree Requirements
All students must complete a minimum of 57 credits of approved graduate coursework. These must include the following:
1.
Sixteen (16) credits of MTH 521 Topics in Applied Mathematics:
- Partial Differential Equations
- Numerical Linear Algebra
- Mathematical Modeling
- Optimization
- Applied Complex Analysis
- Adaptive Signal Analysis and Processing
- Topics alternate every other year. Additional topics added periodically. Mth 521 can be repeated for credit, with different topics.
2.
Four (4) credits of MTH 561 Topics in Statistics:
- Regression
- Multivariate Statistical Analysis
- Financial Mathematics
- Actuarial Mathematics
- Topics alternate every other year. Additional topics added periodically. Mth 561 can be repeated for credit, with different topics.
3.
Four (4) credits of additional applied mathematics:
- MTH 521 Topic in Applied Mathematics
- MTH 561 Topic in Statistics
4.
Twelve (12) credits of MTH 571 Applied Mathematics in Practice Seminar:
- Seminar runs every quarter with changing focus.
- Students work in teams and individually to devise solutions for a particular business' problems, and communicate solutions effectively both orally and in writing.
- All applied mathematics PSM students must be enrolled every quarter of program.
5.
Twelve (12) credits in approved support courses, chosen from the following list (or approved by the program coordinator). At least three (3) credits must be from Business.
Computer Science
- CS 511 Data Structures (4 credits)
- CS 526 UNIX System Administration (4 credits)
- CS 532 Client-Server (4 credits)
- CS 533 Corporate Web Development (4 credits)
- CS 536 Networks II (4 credits)
- CS 546 Wireless Networks (4 credits)
- CS 550 Compilers (4 credits)
- CS 556 Security I (4 credits)
- CS 557 Security II (4 credits)
- CS 558 Security III (4 credits)
- CS 559 Operating Systems (4 credits)
- CS 560 Advanced Databases (4 credits)
- CS 562 Database Administration (4 credits)
- CS 567 Secure Programming Practices (4 credits)
Business
- MBA 511 Critical Analytical Thinking and Communication (3 credits)
- MBA 512 Marketing Management and Strategies (3 credits)
- MBA 515 Information Systems (3 credits)
- MBA 516 Managerial Accounting for Decision Making 3 credits (3 credits)
- MBA 570 Financial Markets and Institutions (3 credits)
- MBA 571 Financial Management (3 credits)
- MBA 572 Investments (3 credits)
- MBA 573 International Financial Management (3 credits)
- MBA 575 Advanced Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
- MBA 585 Financial Management Practices (3 credits)
- MBA 588 Fundamentals of Project Management (3 credits)
- MM 512 Budget and Finance (3 credits)
- MM 513 Strategic Management (3 credits)
- MM 515 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
- MM 516 Organizational Leadership and Communication (3 credits)
- MM 518 Marketing for Public and Private Organizations (3 credits)
6.
At least six (6) credits of internship or independent research (MTH 509).
- Includes a minimum of 180 hours working with a business, industry, nonprofit organization or local, state, or national government agency utilizing applied mathematics.
- Internship must be approved by program coordinator.
7.
Three (3) credits of final project (MTH 503).
- Includes a written report and oral presentation to the faculty.
Mth 521/561 Course Descriptions
MTH 521 - Topics in Applied Mathematics
4 credits each
Topics are offered as needed. Prerequisites vary. Repeat credit is offered for distinct topics. Topics offered regularly are distinguished with an alpha character:
- Applied Complex Variables (MTH 521A)
- Optimization (MTH 521B)
- Partial Differential Equations (MTH 521C)
- Mathematical Modeling (MTH 521D)
- Numerical Linear Algebra (MTH 521E)
- Adaptive Signal Analysis and Processing (MTH 521F)
MTH 521A - Applied Complex Variables
4 credits
Studies the algebra of complex numbers; analytic and harmonic functions; complex integration, including Cauchy's Integral Formula; Taylor and Laurent series; Residue theory; and Möbius transformations. Prerequisite(s): MTH 281.
MTH 521B - Optimization
4 credits
Introduces linear programming and nonlinear optimization. Recommended courses prior to MTH 521B: CS 200 and CS 257. Prerequisite(s): MTH 261.
MTH 521C - Partial Differential Equations
4 credits
Introduces diffusion, wave, and Laplace equations; separation of variables; and Fourier series. Prerequisite(s): MTH 281 and MTH 321.
MTH 521D - Mathematical Modeling
4 credits
Applies a variety of continuous and discrete modeling techniques to real-world phenomena. Includes dimensional analysis, parameter estimation, model fitting and testing, and simulation. Prerequisite(s): MTH 261 and MTH 321.
MTH 521E - Numerical Linear Algebra
4 credits
Develops computational methods in linear algebra. Topics include direct solution methods for linear systems, matrix decompositions (Cholesky, LU,QR, Schur, singular value), least-squares problems, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and sensitivity. Other topics might include: special linear systems and iterative methods. Prerequisite(s): MTH 261
MTH 521F - Adaptive Signal Analysis and Processing
4 credits
Investigates the mathematics of signal processing. Topics include Fourier Transforms of both discrete and continuous domains, filters, frequency responses, sampling, compression, and modulation. Prerequisites: MTH 261 and MTH 321.
MTH 561 - Topics in Probability and Statistics
4 credits each
Topics are offered as needed. Prerequisites vary. Repeat credit is offered for distinct topics. Topics offered regularly are distinguished with an alpha character:
- Multivariate Statistical Analysis (MTH 561A)
- Regression Analysis (MTH 561B)
- Financial Mathematics (MTH 561C)
- Actuarial Mathematics (MTH 561D)
MTH 561A - Multivariate Statistical Analysis
4 credits
Explores probability distribution of random vectors, covariance matrix, multivariate normal distributions, inferences about a mean vector and several multivariate mean vectors, principal component analysis, and discriminant analysis. Prerequisite(s): MTH 361.
MTH 561B - Regression Analysis
4 credits
Explores linear and nonlinear regression, multiple regression, model diagnostics, variable selection procedures, logistic regression, and applications to biostatistics. Prerequisite(s): MTH 361.
MTH 561C - Financial Mathematics
4credits
Studies the theory, computational methods, and practical applications of financial models. Topics include derivatives pricing and theory of portfolio management. Pre-requisite: MTH 253, MTH 321, and MTH 361 are required. MTH 281 is recommended.
MTH 561D - Actuarial Mathematics
4 credits
Studies the construction and analysis of actuarial models that describe the process by which funds flow into and out of an insurance system. Includes moments, quantiles, measures of risk, continuous and discrete actuarial models, and aggregate loss models. Pre-requisite: MTH 361. MTH 281 and MTH 321 recommended.
Mth 571 - Applied Mathematics in Practice Seminar
2 credits
Applied Mathematics in Practice Seminar. Focused on practical problem solving, appropriate blending of software and analysis, cultivation of teamwork skills, and effective written and oral business communication. Business partners provide specific real-world problems faced by their business or agency that require mathematical expertise. The business partner for any given term will participate in the seminar, which will typically be team-taught by SOU faculty member and a business representative. May be repeated for credit.