Sample Master's Degree Programs of Study

The following pages provide examples of programs of study in the 4 specializations for the M.S. in mathematics (10 courses, 30 hours). Many other combinations of courses are possible. Your adviser will have up-to-date information on the semesters when particular courses are normally offered.

See the NIU Graduate Catalog for course descriptions (scroll down to Mathematical Sciences) and detailed information on degree requirements.



I. M.S. in Mathematics: Applied Mathematics Specialization
Average Background Strong Background

Fall 2005 MATH 420* Algebra I Fall 2005 MATH 530 Real Analysis I
MATH 430* Advanced Calculus I MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I
Computer Science 230* FORTRAN MATH 562 Numerical Analysis
Spring 2006 MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra Spring 2006 MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
MATH 431 Advanced Calculus II MATH 532 Complex Analysis
Elective MATH 542 Partial Differential Equations I
Summer 2006 MATH 432 Advanced Calculus III

Fall 2006 MATH 530 Real Analysis I Fall 2006 MATH 520 Algebraic Structures I
MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I MATH 531 Functional Analysis
MATH 562 Numerical Analysis MATH 540 Applied Mathematics
Spring 2007 MATH 532 Complex Analysis Spring 2007 Electives (521, 564, 566, 584, or 600 level)
MATH 542 Partial Differential Equations (or MATH 442 Elements of Partial Differential Equations)
Elective (564, 566, or 584)
June 2006 --- M.S. Written Comprehensive Examination over Analysis and Differential Equations **






II. M.S. in Mathematics: Computational Mathematics Specialization
Average Background Strong Background

Fall 2005 MATH 420* Algebra I Fall 2005 MATH 530 Real Analysis I
MATH 430* Advanced Calculus I MATH 562 Numerical Analysis
MATH 434 Numerical Linear Algebra MATH 568 Nonlinear Programming
Spring 2006 MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra Spring 2006 MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
MATH 431 Advanced Calculus II MATH 564 Numerical Linear Algebra
MATH 435 Numerical Analysis MATH 566 Numerical Differential Equations

Fall 2006 MATH 530 Real Analysis I Fall 2006 MATH 531 Functional Analysis
MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I
MATH 568 Nonlinear Programming Elective
Spring 2007 MATH 564 Numerical Linear Algebra Spring 2007 MATH 532 Complex Analysis
MATH 566 Numerical Differential Equations Elective
Elective Elective June 2006 --- M.S. Written Comprehensive Examination over Analysis and Numerical Mathematics **




III. M.S. in Mathematics: Mathematics Education Specialization   The sequences below are suggested for
full-time graduate students. Part-time graduate students should consult with an adviser for an appropriate schedule.
Average Background Strong Background

Fall 2005 MATH 420* Algebra I Fall 2005 MATH 510 Theoretical Foundations of Mathematics Education
MATH 430* Advanced Calculus I MATH 513 Teaching of Algebra
MATH 510 Theoretical Foundations of Mathematics Education MATH 520 Algebraic Structures I
Spring 2006 MATH 421 Algebra II Spring 2006 MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
MATH 431 Advanced Calculus II MATH 431 Advanced Calculus II
MATH 514 Teaching of Geometry MATH 514 Teaching of Geometry
Summer 2006 MATH 450 Introduction to Topology

Fall 2006 MATH 480 Number Theory Fall 2006 Stat 473/473A Statistical Methods and Models I
MATH 513 Teaching of Algebra MATH 530 Real Analysis I
MATH 520 Algebraic Structures I (or MATH 530 Real Analysis I) Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology ... with consent of the adviser.
Spring 2007 STAT 473/473A Statistical Methods and Models I (or MATH 532 Complex Analysis) Spring 2007 MATH 511 Introduction to Mathematics Education Research
MATH 511 Introduction to Mathematics Education Research (or MATH 515, Using Microcomputers in Teaching Mathematics) MATH 532 Complex Analysis (or MATH 515, Using Microcomputers in Teaching Mathematics)
Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology ... with consent of the adviser. Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology ... with consent of the adviser. June 2006 --- M.S. Written Comprehensive Examination over Algebra (or Analysis) and Mathematics Education **




IV. M.S. in Mathematics: Pure Mathematics Specialization
Average Background Strong Background

Fall 2005 MATH 420* Algebra I Fall 2005 MATH 520 Algebraic Structures I
MATH 430* Advanced Calculus I MATH 530 Real Analysis I
MATH 434 Numerical Linear Algebra MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I
Spring 2006 MATH 421 Algebra Spring 2006 MATH 521 Algebraic Structures II
MATH 423 Linear and Multilinear Algebra MATH 532 Complex Analysis
MATH 431 Advanced Calculus II MATH 550 Topology
Summer 2006 MATH 450 Introduction to Topology

Fall 2006 MATH 520 Algebraic Structures I Fall 2006 MATH 531 Functional Analysis
MATH 530 Real Analysis I MATH 562 Numerical Analysis
MATH 536 Ordinary Differential Equations I Elective
Spring 2007 MATH 435 Numerical Analysis Spring 2007 Elective
MATH 532 Complex Analysis Elective
MATH 550 Topology or MATH 521 Algebraic Structures II Elective
June 2006:   M.S. Written Comprehensive Examination over Algebra and Analysis **




Notes for sample master's programs (Items I--IV): (*) Both MATH 420 and MATH 430 carry graduate credit, but only one of them may be counted toward a graduate degree in mathematics. Also, Computer Science 230 does not count toward the graduate program.

(**) With the consent of the department, master's students have the option of writing a master's thesis, instead of passing a written comprehensive examination. The thesis is prepared under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty, and is defended during an oral comprehensive examination. In most cases the thesis experience leads to three hours of credit in MATH 599, which can be applied to the 30 hours required for the master's degree.


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