The Master's Program in Mathematics at Kansas State University

The Department of Mathematics, through the Graduate School, offers the Master of Science Degree.

I. Admission

In most cases an applicant to the Master's program should have completed work in mathematics equivalent to that required for a Bachelor's Degree at Kansas State University.

An application file should be completed at least three months before the time of enrollment, although in certain exceptional cases, later applications can be considered. Admission is granted upon approval by the Graduate Advisory Committee, the Department Head, and the Graduate School. Students pursuing graduate studies are enrolled in the Graduate School and are subject to the policies of the University's graduate faculty as well as the regulations of the Mathematics Department.

II. The Counseling Examination

All students must take a Counseling Examination before entering graduate study at Kansas State University. The purpose of the examination is to determine the student's level of mathematical background and maturity and to enable the Graduate Advisory Committee to advise the student accordingly. The examination tests for a basic knowledge of undergraduate mathematics (especially in the areas of modern algebra and elementary analysis) and for the ability to construct and elucidate a proof.

The Counseling Examination is also given during each spring semester. A first year GTA or GRA wishing to have his/her support continued into the second year is expected to pass the counseling examination during the first year, as well as to capably discharge the various responsibilites of a GTA or GRA. Subsequent appointments as a GTA or GRA will always be conditioned on adequate academic progress in the degree program as well as on satisfactorily carrying out the duties of the appointment.

III. Major Professor, the Supervisory Committee, and the Program of Study

At least one year before the expected date of graduation, the student should select a major professor and a Supervisory Committee. This committee will advise the student throughout the remaining period of study. At the same time, the student must file a Program of Study with the Graduate School.

The Program of Study must be approved by the student's Supervisory Committee, the Department Head, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The student must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate credit (courses numbered at the 700 level or above). The student must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in the courses listed on the Program of Study. Furthermore, the student must make a grade of A or B in three-fourths of these courses, with no worse than a C grade in the remaining courses.

IV. Master's Final Examination

The master's student, in his/her final semester of study, will schedule a master's final examination through the Graduate School. The format of this exam shall be decided upon in consultation with the student's Supervisory Committee, according to one of the three options below:

• Pass the Ph.D. qualifying examination. (This track is primarily intended for students whose ultimate goal is the Ph.D. degree.)
• Write a thesis and defend it before the Mathematics Department faculty. (This track is primarily intended for students pursuing the M.S. as a terminal degree and wishing to write an expository thesis.)
• Pass a final examination given by the student's Supervisory Committee. This examination covers the student's Program of Study and may be either oral or written or both. (This track is intended primarily for students pursuing the M.S. as a terminal degree and wishing to concentrate on Master's level course work.)

Students are expected to complete the M.S. Degree Program within four years. A student in the program should not anticipate receiving financial support (such as Teaching or Research Assistantships) from the Department for more than four years.

Any questions concerning the above requirements can be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. David B. Surowski.,

Back to the Graduate Program Home Page