Masters Degree Programs

The specific requirements for the Master of Arts in Mathematics, and the Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics are listed below. The Department offers two plans for completing these degrees: Plan I, Thesis Option, and Plan II, Examination Option. In both of these programs, the candidate must complete 42 units, 24 of which must be graduate courses in the 200 series offered by the Mathematics Department. The remaining 18 units may be selected from upper division or graduate courses in mathematics, or in appropriate related fields with the approval of the student's advisor. A maximum of 8 units of Math 596 and/or Math 598 may be counted towards the degree. All graduate level courses (200 series) must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum grade point average of B. Other courses may be taken S/U. Normally a student will complete the M.A. degree in four to six quarters.

At the earliest reasonable time, students enrolled in the program for the M.A. in Mathematics, Plan I, or M.A. in Applied Mathematics, Plan I, should choose a faculty member familiar with their work to serve as their Thesis Advisor. Normally this faculty member would be one of the student's instructors.

Graduate students who expect to complete the requirements for the Master's degree, either Plan I or Plan II, by the end of a given quarter, must notify the Staff Graduate Advisor at the beginning of the quarter.

M.A. students can be admitted to the Ph.D. program only by petition to the Graduate Committee. Approval is not automatic and will depend upon the student's academic record. Students interested in continuing on to the Ph.D. normally follow Plan II for the Master's degree. To be invited to continue on to the Ph.D. level, students are expected to complete their coursework and comprehensive examinations at a higher level than is expected of terminal Master's degree candidates, and should be following the schedule described in the Ph.D. program section of this booklet under the heading, 'Normal Progress.'

Masters of Arts in Mathematics

Students who have had some but not all of the requisite material in upper division linear algebra, algebra, real analysis, and complex analysis should complete their work in these areas during their first year by taking the appropriate courses chosen from Math 108 AB, 111 ABC, 118 ABC, and 122 AB. The average quality of work in each of these sequences, together with the balance of coursework taken elsewhere, must be at least B or the equivalent.

The 24 graduate units in mathematics must include at least one full-year course sequence listed as satisfying the coursework component in either the Algebra or the Analysis area requirement descriptions. Approval of the student's advisor is required to utilize Math 260 as part of the 24 units.

Before embarking on a thesis, students should be certain that they have the approval of the faculty member they wish to be their Thesis Advisor. The student and Thesis Advisor must present to the Graduate Committee, for its approval, a coherent coursework and thesis program about one year before expected graduation. The Thesis Committee will be appointed in accordance with general University policies. All Thesis Committees must have a minimum of three regular (not visiting) faculty. One member, at most, may be from outside the Mathematics department.

The final copies of the thesis are to be prepared in accordance with the requirements given in the pamphlet entitled, 'Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Theses and Dissertations' which can be obtained at the UCSB Library.

Students must satisfy the Algebra and Analysis area requirements. A student who wishes to substitute a different area requirement for one of the above areas may petition the Graduate Committee to that effect, and should consult their advisor early in their program.

Masters of Arts in Applied Mathematics

In order to be admitted to this program, the candidate must: (1) fulfill the requirements for graduate study; (2) hold a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a closely related field; (3) have had undergraduate coursework in linear algebra, differential equations, real and complex analysis, numerical analysis, and in some area in which mathematics is applied. Evaluation of the candidate's past work will be made by the Mathematics department and supplemental undergraduate courses will be required when necessary.

The required 24 graduate units must include one full-year course sequence listed as satisfying the course component of the Applied area requirement. The remainder of the required 42 units may be taken in upper division or graduate level courses in mathematics, or, with the approval of the Graduate Committee, up to 9 units may be taken outside the Mathematics department. Approval of the student's advisor is required to utilize Math 260 as part of the 24 graduate units.

Students must demonstrate mastery of linear algebra and applied analysis. This requirement may be fulfilled by passing each of the four sequences Math 104 ABC, 108 AB, 118 ABC, 122 AB and 124 AB with an average grade of at least B in each sequence. (Some of this work will normally have been taken in the student's undergraduate program.)

Equivalent coursework taken outside UCSB will be evaluated by the Graduate Committee. At most 8 of the required 24 graduate units may be in Math 596/598 combined. This implies that the remaining 16 graduate units will be 200 level courses in applied mathematics.

Students must prepare an acceptable thesis under the supervision of a faculty member and defend it before a faculty committee. Before embarking on a thesis, students should be certain that they have the approval of the faculty member that they wish to be their Thesis Advisor. The student and Thesis Advisor must present to the Graduate Committee for its approval a coherent coursework and thesis program about one year before expected graduation. The Thesis Committee will be appointed in accordance with general University policies. All Thesis Committees must have a minimum of three regular (not visiting) faculty. One member, at most, may be from outside the Mathematics department.

Students must satisfy the Analysis and Applied area requirements.

Normal Progress for M.A. Students

The ideal course load for the well prepared first-year M.A. student should consist of three courses per quarter, at least two of which are graduate courses satisfying the course component of two Area Requirements. It is expected that a student will make sufficient progress to finish the Masters degree in no more than six quarters of full-time study.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS
	Application Request		PhD Programs
	General Information		Area Requirements
	The Faculty		2008-2009 Graduate Courses
	Admissions		Graduate Program Handbook [PDF]
	Microsoft Designee Program		Teaching Assistant Handbook [PDF]
	Graduate Financial Support		The Graduate Students
	Undergraduate Preparation		Graduate Program Brochure [PDF]
	Master's Degree Programs