Mathematics, MA

Program Overview

---

Mathematics, MA

Degrees Awarded

• Master of Arts in Mathematics

Chairperson

• Scott Sutherland, Mathematics Building 5-116

Assistant to the Chair

• Lynne Barnett

MA Masters Program Director

• Marco Martens, Mathematics Building Room 4-1

Mathematics Education Program Director

• Lisa Berger, Mathematics Building 4-100A

Graduate Administrator

• Christine Gathman, Mathematics Building P-1

Department Website

The Department of Mathematics, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers degree programs leading to the M.A. in Mathematics (Secondary Teacher Option), the M.A. in Mathematics, and the Ph.D. in Mathematics. The mathematics graduate program is currently ranked 16th in the world by Shanghai Rankings, ranked 26th in the US by the U.S. News, while U.S. News ranks the department 10th in the US in Topology and 5th in the US in Geometry.

The Department’s research and educational missions are considerably enhanced by its close collaboration with the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics and the Institute for Mathematical Sciences. While these two research institutes function as independent entities, their faculty members may, when appropriate, teach courses or supervise students under the department’s auspices.

The MA Program: Secondary Teacher Option

The Secondary Teacher Option is a 30 credit two-year, part-time program designed for secondary school mathematics teachers who are seeking permanent certification. The nine required courses in the program are given in the evenings and in the summer on a rotating basis; each required course is offered at least once every two and a half years.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements of the Mathematics Department of the Ph.D. Program (with Professional-Option MA Track)

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in mathematics, or the equivalent.
• Evidence that the student is likely to succeed. This must include three letters of recommendation from mathematicians (usually from present or former teachers). The breadth and depth of mathematics courses taken, and performance, in these courses will also be carefully considered.
• Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate an adequate command of the English language, as evidenced by an acceptable score on the TOEFL examination. A paper-based score of 550, computer-based score of 213, or an iBT-based score of 90 would be considered minimally satisfactory for this purpose. The TOEFL exam will be waived only for native speakers of English or, in rare cases, for students whose previous education was conducted almost entirely in English.
• Acceptance by both the Department of Mathematics and the Graduate School.

Admission Requirements of the MA Program: Secondary Teaching Option

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Two years of college-level mathematics, including one year of single variable calculus, one semester of linear algebra, and one additional semester of mathematics beyond single variable calculus.
• Provisional New York State Certification for Teaching Mathematics, Grades 7-12.
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 in all calculus and post-calculus mathematics courses.
• Evidence that the student is likely to succeed: this usually consists of three letters of recommendation from former teachers or supervisors.
• Acceptance by both the Department of Mathematics and the Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. degree in the Department of Mathematics requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits in letter-graded (A,B, C, F) graduate courses. All credits in satisfaction of the degree must be at the graduate level. In addition, the cumulative grade point average for all courses taken must be 3.0 or higher. Students may select from the M.A. Professional option or the M.A. Secondary Teacher option. The M.A. Secondary Teacher option is designed for provisionally certified teachers of mathematics in grades 7-12. Students who are not currently certified teachers of mathematics should consult the M.A.T. program through the School of Professional Development.

Core Requirements: MA Degree Professional Option

Satisfactory completion of four of the following courses (12 credits)

• MAT 528 - Foundations of Topology (3 credits)
• OR
• MAT 548 - Geometry and Topology I (3 credits) AND
• MAT 549 - Geometry and Topology II (3 credits)
• MAT 532 - Real Analysis I (3 credits)
• MAT 533 - Real Analysis II (3 credits)
• MAT 534 - Algebra I (3 credits)
• MAT 535 - Algebra II (3 credits)
• MAT 536 - Complex Analysis I (3 credits)

Master’s Thesis or Comprehensive Examination

• Up to six credits of Master’s Thesis (enrollment in MAT 599). Students will work with an advisor to write a paper on a significant topic of mathematics. It need not be original research. Alternatively, students may choose to pass either the PhD comprehensive examination, or the separate MA comprehensive exam. The MA comprehensive exam consists of the final examinations in or the equivalent:
  • MAT 528 - Foundations of Topology (3 credits)
  • MAT 548 - Geometry and Topology I (3 credits)
  • MAT 549 - Geometry and Topology II (3 credits)
  • MAT 532 - Real Analysis I (3 credits)
  • MAT 533 - Real Analysis II (3 credits)
  • MAT 534 - Algebra I (3 credits)
  • MAT 535 - Algebra II (3 credits)
  • MAT 536 - Complex Analysis I (3 credits)

12-18 credits of additional coursework

(for a total of 30 credits for completion of the degree program): To complete the 30 credits, students may enroll in any MAT course in the Mathematics department numbered 500 or above except MAT 598. With the permission of the Director of the Program, students may substitute courses related to mathematics from AMS, PHY, or other departments.

Core Requirements: MA Degree Secondary Teacher Option

Satisfactory completion of the following nine courses (27 credits)

• MAT 511 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics (3 credits)
• MAT 512 - Algebra for Teachers (3 credits)
• MAT 513 - Analysis for Teachers I (3 credits)
• MAT 514 - Analysis for Teachers II (3 credits)
• MAT 515 - Geometry for Teachers (3 credits)
• MAT 516 - Probability and Statistics for Teachers (3 credits)
• MAT 517 - Calculators and Computers for Teachers (3 credits)
• MAT 519 - Seminar in Mathematics in Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
• MAT 520 - Geometry for Teachers II (3 credits)

Elective Course (3-4 credits)

• AMS 593 - Interest Rate and Credit Modeling (3 credits)
• BEE 552 - Biometry (4 credits)
• CEI 589 - Technology and the Classroom
• CEM 570 - Manipulatives and Mathematics
• EST 563 - Computer Literacy for Educators (3 credits)
• EST 565 - Foundations of Technology in Education (3 credits)
• MBA 504 - Financial Accounting (3 credits)
• PHY 570 - Introductory Physics Revisited for Teachers (3 credits)
• PHY 576 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics for Teachers (3 credits)
• PHY 578 - Quantum Physics for Teachers (3 credits)
• Another course relevant to mathematics or teaching with prior approval from program director