Graduate Program in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics Graduate Program is a Masters degree level program; it offers exclusively the degree Master of Arts in Mathematics. With its focus on Masters level education, the program has been very successful both in preparing students for careers in the mathematical sciences at the Masters level and in preparing students for Ph.D. work in mathematical sciences at another strong institution. The program is small, fostering the personal interaction with faculty and other students that leads to significant mathematical growth. It provides a supportive and stimulating environment appropriate for students seeking to enrich their understanding of mathematics before making a career choice or choosing a Ph.D. program. The degree requirements are flexible and permit both thesis and non-thesis programs of study. Courses and thesis projects are available in both pure and applied mathematics. Faculty research interests include algebra, analysis, combinatorics, differential and difference equations, dynamical systems, medical and biological applications, number theory, numerical analysis, operations research, scientific computing and medical applications, statistics, and topology.

Academic Environment

Most of the classes in which graduate students are enrolled are small. This permits a great deal of personal interaction between the faculty and students. The department supports research in many different areas of mathematics both pure and applied.

The department sponsors a chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon (a mathematical honor society), as well as a Mathematics Club. This club sponsors both academic and social activities including colloquia, intramural sports teams and picnics.

Numerous computing facilities are available to graduate students. Many of our graduate teacher assistants receive a laptop computer for their use in supporting our undergraduate courses. The University is highly networked. Each entering student now receives a laptop computer.

The University's library subscribes to numerous journals and has an extensive collection of back holdings. We have access to many journals through electronic collections. The library also has a good monograph collection. Interlibrary loan is available.

Course Offerings

The course offerings of our program are varied. Every year we offer graduate courses in algebra, analysis and topology and advanced courses in applied mathematics, statistics, number theory, discrete mathematics, computational mathematics and mathematical modeling. A complete two-year schedule can be found at http://www.math.wfu.edu/Courses/rotation.html.

Where Do Graduates Go After Wake Forest?

Graduates from our graduate program have a variety of interests and have successfully entered many different professional and academic programs and careers. Some have entered mathematical Ph.D. programs. Others have taken jobs in business (consulting and actuarial), education (both college and secondary education), industry (analysts and various computing activities), or government agencies (National Security Agency). Others have entered professional programs in medicine, business and law or graduate programs in statistics, biostatistics, or operations research.

Degree Requirements

Normally, students devote two years to complete a master's degree although, occasionally, a student will finish in one year and a summer or in three semesters. We believe that most students gain from the experience of investing two full years. The master of arts degree can be obtained in two distinct ways. The traditional program requires the successful completion of eight courses, four of which are 700 level (i.e., advanced MA degree level) and the preparation and writing of a thesis showing the results of an extended mathematical investigation under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The alternative program does not require a thesis but instead requires the successful completion of twelve courses, five of which are 700 level. As students typically take three courses per semester, only the thesis option allows the possibility of finishing in an academic year plus a summer.

Financial Aid

Almost all of the participants in our program receive substantial aid: a teacher assistantship, a fellowship or a scholarship. Scholarships pay the full cost of tuition. Students who receive assistantships or fellowships receive a scholarship plus a living allowance.

Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

Candidates for admissions to the Master of Arts Program in Mathematics should have completed at least thirty three semester hours of mathematics at an accredited college or university. At least fifteen of these hours should require as a prerequisite two semesters of calculus or a semester of linear algebra. Most successful applicants have taken three semesters of calculus (through multivariable calculus), linear algebra, abstract algebra (or modern algebra) and advanced calculus (or other advanced courses in analysis). Applicants who do not have this preparation may be required to take additional preparatory courses.