Master of Science Degree Programs
THE PROGRAMS
The Department of Mathematics together with the Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research offers programs leading to a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences . The Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences offers specializations in applied mathematics, mathematics, statistics, and operations research. A student who has completed the requirements for one of the concentrations may request that the transcript indicate the concentration. A student who has not satisfied requirements for one of these concentrations, but who has otherwise fulfilled all the requirements for a master's degree, will be awarded a degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences without any specialty concentration designation. The programs thus offer maximum flexibility by allowing each student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, to design a course of study which will best develop competence in those areas most relevant to his or her scholarly and professional objectives. Enough freedom is allowed in each degree program for students to take advantage of the diversity of the department and the university. A student may include courses from other areas within the department, or approved courses from the university at large. Thirty semester credits are required for either degree. The student may choose either a thesis or a non-thesis option. The non-thesis option requires a comprehensive examination.
THE FACULTY
The Department faculty together with those in the Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research have interests that include such areas as mathematical biology, numerical analysis, simulation, algebra, statistical computing, analysis, graph theory, combinatorics, functional analysis, topology, integral and differential equations, optimization, applied statistics, and mathematical physics. Despite their diverse interests, the faculty are unified in their commitment to provide a strong education within the department, while fostering healthy and vigorous interrelationships among the various disciplines. A list of faculty members and their divisional affiliations and specializations is shown in the websites of the two departments..
COMPUTING FACILITIES
The University offers a wide range of computing facilities. Three separate clusters of mini- and mainframe computers exist, connected via the VCU Network. The University Computer Center provides access to IBM mainframes running MVS and VM. Academic Campus Computing Services offers access to two DEC computers running UNIX. Health Sciences Computing Services maintains a VAXcluster running VMS. All these computers can be accessed from anywhere on Campus via the VCU Network. This network also provides computer users with access to Internet. The Department of Mathematics has a graduate computer lab that contains networked computers. Students may also use the undergraduate labs that contain over 40 IBM-compatible microcomputers.
FINANCIAL SUPPORTEach year the department has a number of graduate assistantships available for full-time graduate students. These carry a stipend and remission of tuition that are competitive with other institutions of higher education, especially given the relatively low cost of living in Richmond. Assignments may include teaching in the mathematics or computer science laboratories, assisting in the teaching of lower-level mathematics, statistics or computer science courses, or working as an assistant in the graduate engineering program. Students who would like to be considered for financial support should apply as early as possible.
Click here to download a GTA application in pdf
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A student applying for admission to the Masters of Science program is expected to have at least thirty undergraduate semester credits in the mathematical sciences or closely-related fields with at least eighteen of these credits in upper-level (junior-level or higher) courses. Students who need to remove deficiencies in their mathematical sciences education can enroll as special students prior to seeking admission to the graduate program, or may ask to be provisionally admitted to the graduate program pending completion of the appropriate courses. The department makes an effort to structure its offerings so that a student who has majored in one area may do graduate work in another. A student changing areas may be required to take additional appropriate courses. All applicants must submit a report of current scores achieved on the GRE. All international students must take the TOEFL. A minimum score of 550 is required for admission to the program. International students seeking graduate teaching assistantships should score well above 600.
PROGRAM CONCENTRATION AREAS
APPLIED MATHEMATICS
A separate brochure describing the Applied Mathematics program in greater detail is available on request.
The Department of Mathematics offers courses in methods of applied mathematics, including differential equations and dynamical systems, partial differential equations, integral equations, calculus of variations, numerical analysis, complex analysis, vector analysis, and other topics. Emphasis is placed on analytical and numerical techniques for solving mathematical equations that arise in the physical and biological sciences, engineering, and economics. Such techniques include transform methods, Fourier analysis, special functions, orthogonal polynomials, linearization, conformal mappings, and finite element methods. It is recommended that students contemplating study in applied mathematics have undergraduate training in differential equations, linear algebra, and a year of analysis or applied mathematics.
MATHEMATICS
A separate brochure describing the Mathematics program in greater detail is available on request.
The Department of Mathematics offers a wide range of courses in the areas of probability theory, real and complex analysis, topology, linear algebra, number theory, graph theory, combinatorics, and abstract algebra. (For offerings in applied mathematics, see the section of this brochure dedicated to that area.) Students wishing to prepare for a Ph.D. program in mathematics can build a solid foundation through an appropriate selection of courses offered by the department.
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
A separate brochure describing the Operations Research program in greater detail is available on request.
The Department of Mathematics in conjunction with the The Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research offers operations research courses which cover topics such as linear programming, network problems, integer programming, mathematical programming and queueing theory. Emphasis is placed on mathematical techniques as well as practical applications. Depending on their interests, students can take additional courses in mathematics, computer science, statistics, management science, or economics. It is recommended that students contemplating study in operations research have a background that includes multivariate calculus, linear algebra and probability.
STATISTICS
A separate brochure describing the Statistics program in greater detail is available on request.
The Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research offers courses in both statistical theory and methodology. These include mathematical statistics, statistical methods, nonparametric statistics, Bayesian analysis, regression theory and applications, discrete multivariate analysis, sampling and statistical computing. It is recommended that students contemplating study in statistics have a background that includes three semesters of calculus, including multivariate calculus, and courses in linear algebra, probability and statistics.
THE UNIVERSITY
Virginia Commonwealth University is an urban institution of higher education located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. It is comprised of two campuses. The Medical College of Virginia Campus is located near the financial, governmental, and shopping areas of downtown Richmond. The Academic Campus is two miles west in a residential area that dates from the nineteenth century. The University is committed to providing an environment in which students of diverse ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds can thrive.
Today the total University enrollment is approximately 20,000. The University has four teaching hospitals and twelve academic schools and colleges which offer numerous undergraduate, first-professional degree, and graduate programs. VCU has been included for the past several years in the top 100 universities in the U.S. in terms of research funds received from federal agencies.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia, and has a rich historical heritage from the Civil War and Colonial times. Its central location is only two hours south of Washington, D.C., two hours west of Virginia Beach, and two hours east of the Blue Ridge mountains. It features several museums and many galleries, a symphony orchestra, a ballet company, a performing arts center, and other cultural attractions. Richmond is the location of several major corporations such as Philip Morris, Reynolds Metals, and Virginia Power; other companies have large facilities nearby, including Dupont and Allied Chemical.
(rev. 09/01)
Information
Please send inquiries or requests for application materials to:
Professor John F. Berglund
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Mathematics
P. O. Box 2014, 1001 W. Main St. (Oliver Hall)
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2014
Voice: (804) 828-5675
FAX: (804) 828-8785
email: jfberglu@vcu.edu
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