The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a course of study leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Mathematics. This program offers the utmost in flexibility and allows students to design their own program, selecting courses in mathematics and/or statistics to suit their own individual interests. Typical course offerings include courses in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, and financial mathematics. Completing the M.S. degree in Mathematics can lead to a career in industry, consulting, teaching, or further graduate education, whether in mathematics or another discipline. A mathematics degree is excellent preparation for professional schools of Law, Business, or Medicine, as well as certain graduate school disciplines outside of traditional mathematics, such as Economics, Finance, and Engineering.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The department offers a rigorous course of study to introduce students to new modes of inquiry and to deepen their understanding and awareness of fundamental results and applications of the mathematical sciences. Students admitted to the graduate program with backgrounds other than Mathematics, such as Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or Economics, may be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses before embarking upon graduate studies.

The research interests of the faculty include analysis, functional analysis, partial differential equations, game theory, mathematical logic and complexity theory, abstract algebra, representation theory, quantum groups, combinatorics, cryptography, algebraic coding theory, probability, finance theory, statistics, control theory, and operations research. Faculty members receive recognition for the quality of their research by regularly obtaining competitive grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Security Agency.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Applicants are expected to possess a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited institution and to have earned a minimum of a “B” average in undergraduate course work. In addition, the following courses are minimum requirements for admission to Loyola’s graduate program in Mathematics:

• One year of Calculus equivalent to MATH 161 & MATH 162.
• Multivariable Calculus equivalent to MATH 263.
• Ordinary Differential Equations equivalent to MATH 264.
• Statistics equivalent to STAT 203.
• Linear Algebra equivalent to MATH 212.
• Structured Programming equivalent to MATH 215 or COMP 170.

The following courses are recommended prerequisites for admission to the graduate program in Mathematics; students can be admitted to the graduate program without these prerequisite courses, but such students will be urged to take them during their first semester at Loyola (see Degree Requirements below):

• Abstract Algebra equivalent to MATH 313.
• Introduction to Real Analysis I equivalent to MATH 351.

A student deficient in the above minimum course requirements may be admitted either conditionally or as a non-degree student depending on the deficiencies. Such students will be required to take coursework early in their graduate careers to rectify these deficiencies. These students will then be unconditionally admitted to the degree-seeking status if they demonstrate a consistent pattern of success in their coursework.

The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission.

International applicants are expected to have earned a score of at least 550 on the TOEFL (paper) examination or 79 on the IBT examination or 6.5 on the IELTS examination.

Qualified applicants may wish to apply for financial aid, in the form of Graduate Assistantships. Some Tuition Scholarships may also be available.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Application for graduate study at Loyola University Chicago should be made online at the Graduate School (apply now). The application will be evaluated upon completion. An application is complete upon receipt of the following:

• The Graduate Application Form.
• A one page personal statement of purpose; this is inserted as part of the Graduate Application Form.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Official General Test scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Official TOEFL (paper) or IBT or IELTS scores (for international applicants).
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. An applicant who attended an institution outside the U.S. must submit an ECE transcript evaluation (general evaluation with grade average).

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Course Requirements: Nine courses are required including a minimum of seven 3 credit-hour 400-level graduate courses and at most two approved 3 credit-hour 300-level undergraduate courses. The approved undergraduate courses depend on the interests and background of the student. One or both of the 300-level courses could be used to satisfy missing course requirements or recommended prerequisites listed above. Students are free to design their own course of study individually tailored to their interests. The 400-level courses can be selected from either the mathematics or the statistics courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Grade Requirements: Graduate students are expected to maintain an average of not less than “B” (3.0). No more than two grades of “C” or “C+” and no grades lower than “C” may be counted as fulfilling degree requirements. Such grades, however, will be calculated in the GPA. No student will graduate with less than a 3.00 average for all graduate level courses and undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit. In addition, students who earn multiple grades of “C” are subject to review and possible withdrawal from the program.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you have additional questions about the program, please contact Dr. Cary Huffman, Graduate Program Director for Mathematics.