Program of Study
The Department of Mathematics offers graduate work leading to the degrees of Master of Science, Master of Science in Applied Mathematics, Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics, Master of Arts for Teachers, Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics, applied mathematics, and mathematics education. Doctoral candidates may pursue study and research in the areas of algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, dynamical systems, combinatorics, graph theory, geometry, topology, and mathematics education.
Research Facilities
The Department of Mathematics, noted for the high quality of its research and the excellence of its instructional program, is located in Wells Hall. Also located in Wells Hall is the comfortable and extensive Vernon G. Grove Library, which contains over 37,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 336 professional periodicals. Mathematics’ graduate students have daily access to the library. In addition to the university’s computing machinery, the department has several computer rooms for faculty and student research.
Financial Aid
The department awards at least 110 graduate teaching assistantships to new and returning graduate students on the basis of merit. Duties include classroom instruction, paper grading, learning center, and student consultation and normally require no more than twenty hours per week. The assistantships pay at least $1300 per month during the academic year and provide health insurance and nine credit tuition waiver each semester. There are a number of fellowships available for highly qualified graduate students. Some summer support in the form of teaching or research assistantships is available to students in the doctoral program.
International Applicants
Verification of English language proficiency (such as TOEFL) is required of all students whose native language is not English. Currently the TOEFL exam is given in both a paper-based and a computer-based format. To be considered for a teaching assistantship, a minimum score of at least 600 (with no subscore less than 52) for the paper-based exam or a score of at least 250 (with no subscore less than 19) for the computer-based exam is required.
ApplyingApplicants should have at least fifteen quarter or ten semester credits of mathematics beyond calculus, preferably including some linear algebra, abstract algebra, and advanced calculus. Those applying for teaching assistantships must submit scores on the general and advanced mathematics portions of the Graduate Record Exam. For assistantships, beginning in August, all application material should be submitted by December 31st.
Applications and Additional Information
You may request applications and addtional information by filling out an Information Request Form. Please send all requested applications material to:
Barbara S. Miller
A-213 Wells Hall
Department of Mathematics
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1027
Telephone: 517-353-6338
E-mail: grad@math.msu.edu