The Department of Mathematics offers two degrees in Mathematics, Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The M.S. degree can be pursued with a concentration in Actuarial Science. The M.S. degree provides general training in mathematics suitable as preparation for a Ph.D. program or for a career in education or industry. The M.S. degree with concentration in Actuarial Science is more narrowly focused to prepare students for careers as practicing actuaries in the insurance, pension, financial or consulting industries. The specific requirements, in addition to the Graduate School requirements, for each degree and concentration are listed below.

Master of Science

Non-thesis students must either pass two written preliminary examinations at the level of a master’s from a list of examination topics approved by the department, or pass an oral examination. Thesis M.S. students may choose the thesis option and write a master’s thesis under the direction of a member of the Graduate Faculty in Mathematics.

Master of Science with concentration in Actuarial Science. Students must pass at least five core courses from among MATH 5620, 5630, 5631, 5637, 5638, 5639, 5640, 5641, 5650, 5660 and 5661. The remaining coursework must come from a list of elective courses approved by the department. In addition, the student must either pass two written preliminary examinations at the level of a master’s from a list of examination topics approved by the department or pass two actuarial examinations given by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. The actuarial examinations may be passed prior to admission.

Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to the Graduate School requirements (including the foreign language or related area requirement), the Ph.D. requires that the student pass three preliminary examinations at the Ph.D. level from a list of examination topics approved by the department. A student typically takes the associated preliminary course before the examination, but this is not required. In addition, the student must pass two core courses with a grade of “B” or better. The chosen core courses must be different from the graduate courses associated with the three preliminary examinations passed by the student. The list of core courses depends on the student’s research focus: for a pure math focus, MATH 5111, 5120, 5160, 5210, 5211, 5260, 5310 and 5360; for an applied math focus MATH 5111, 5120, 5160, 5310, 5410, 5440, 5510 and 5520; for an actuarial science focus, MATH 5111, 5120, 5161, 5210, 5211, 5310, 5360, 5410, 5440, 5510 and 5520. Students do not need to satisfy the Graduate School foreign language/related area requirement.

The programs are offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.