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  4. Sample Master's Degree Programs of Study

Sample Master's Degree Programs of Study

These sample programs are intended to illustrate possible pathways through the master's degree. Course selections may vary based on a student's academic background, interests and recommendations from their advisor. Not all courses shown in the sample programs may apply toward degree requirements. Students should consult their advisor and the Graduate Catalog to determine which courses may be counted toward their degree program.

  • Both MATH 520 and MATH 530 carry graduate credit, but only one of them may be counted toward a graduate degree in mathematics.
  • Computer Science 230 does not count toward the graduate program.
  • Students typically complete the degree by passing a written comprehensive examination (DOCX) in their area of study. With departmental approval, students may have the option to complete a master's thesis in place of the written examination.

M.S. in Mathematics: Applied Mathematics Specialization

Semester Average Background Strong Background
First semester, year one
  • MATH 520 Algebra I
  • MATH 530 Advanced Calculus I
  • Computer Science 230 FORTRAN
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • MATH 662 Numerical Analysis
Second semester, year one
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 531 Advanced Calculus II
  • Elective
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • MATH 642 Partial Differential Equations I
First semester, year two
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • MATH 662 Numerical Analysis
  • MATH 620 Algebraic Structures I
  • MATH 631 Functional Analysis
  • MATH 640 Applied Mathematics
Second semester, year two
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • MATH 642 Partial Differential Equations (or MATH 542)
  • Elective (664, 666, or 684)
 Electives (621, 664, 666, 684, or 700 level)

Year Two: Written comprehensive examination on analysis and differential equations.

M.S. in Mathematics: Computational Mathematics Specialization

Semester Average Background Strong Background
First semester, year one
  • MATH 520 Algebra I
  • MATH 530 Advanced Calculus I
  • MATH 534 Numerical Linear Algebra
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 662 Numerical Analysis
  • MATH 668 Nonlinear Programming
Second semester, year one
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 531 Advanced Calculus II
  • MATH 535 Numerical Analysis
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 664 Numerical Linear Algebra
  • MATH 666 Numerical Differential Equations
First semester, year two
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • MATH 668 Nonlinear Programming
  • MATH 631 Functional Analysis
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • Elective
Second semester, year two
  • MATH 664 Numerical Linear Algebra
  • MATH 666 Numerical Differential Equations
  • Elective
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • Electives

Year Two: Written comprehensive examination on analysis and numerical mathematics.

M.S. in Mathematics: Mathematics Education Specialization

Semester Average Background Strong Background
First semester, year one
  • MATH 520 Algebra I
  • MATH 530 Advanced Calculus I
  • MATH 610 Theoretical Foundations of Mathematics Education
  • MATH 610 Theoretical Foundations of Mathematics Education
  • MATH 613 Teaching of Algebra
  • MATH 620 Algebraic Structures I
Second semester, year one
  • MATH 521 Algebra II
  • MATH 531 Advanced Calculus II
  • MATH 614 Teaching of Geometry
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 531 Advanced Calculus II
  • MATH 614 Teaching of Geometry
First semester, year two
  • MATH 480 Number Theory
  • MATH 613 Teaching of Algebra
  • MATH 620 Algebraic Structures I (or MATH 630 Real Analysis I)
  • Stat 573/573A Statistical Methods and Models I
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology - with consent of the advisor.
Second semester, year two
  • STAT 573/573A Statistical Methods and Models I (or MATH 632 Complex Analysis)
  • MATH 611 Introduction to Mathematics Education Research
  • Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology - with consent of the advisor.
  • MATH 611 Introduction to Mathematics Education Research
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • Graduate course in a related discipline such as education, psychology - with consent of the advisor.

Year Two: Written comprehensive examination on algebra (or analysis) and mathematics education.

M.S. in Mathematics: Pure Mathematics Specialization

Semester Average Background Strong Background
First semester, year one
  • MATH 520 Algebra I
  • MATH 530 Advanced Calculus I
  • MATH 534 Numerical Linear Algebra
  • MATH 620 Algebraic Structures I
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
Second semester, year one
  • MATH 521 Algebra
  • MATH 523 Linear and Multilinear Algebra
  • MATH 531 Advanced Calculus II
  • MATH 621 Algebraic Structures II
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • MATH 650 Topology
First semester, year two
  • MATH 620 Algebraic Structures I
  • MATH 630 Real Analysis I
  • MATH 636 Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • MATH 631 Functional Analysis
  • MATH 662 Numerical Analysis
  • Elective
Second semester, year two
  • MATH 535 Numerical Analysis
  • MATH 632 Complex Analysis
  • MATH 650 Topology or MATH 521 Algebraic Structures II
 Electives

Year Two: Written comprehensive examination on algebra and analysis.

Contact Us

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
DeKalb, IL 60115
Andrew Ledoan, Director
aledoan@niu.edu
815-753-0566

Registration or class questions:

Anders Linner
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
alinner@niu.edu
815-753-6722

Advising