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Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Mathematical Sciences—MS, PhD

For you, math is not just about numbers. It’s what you can do with them to make the world better. In the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Tech, our faculty are passionate about including students as they expand the boundaries of the subject. Our graduates are ready to put the concepts they learn into practice in everything from industrial research to pure mathematics. Are you ready?

Program Overview

With a master's or doctorate in mathematical science, specialize in computational mathematics and combinatorics. Recent research projects include algorithms for inverse scattering problems; the simulation of drop formation and deformation, chemotaxis, and magnetohydrodynamics; the study of error-correcting codes; and investigations in graph theory and number theory.

Delivery Options
- On-Campus: MS, PhD

Mathematical Sciences Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the mathematical sciences program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Mathematical Sciences is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

PhD Requirements, Mathematical Sciences

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

MS, Mathematical Sciences: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Mathematical Sciences: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Mathematical Sciences Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about mathematical sciences at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Yang Yang

Graduate Assistant

Shanna Reynolds

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your mathematical sciences MS or PhD. Sample areas include:

Applied and Computational Math
Discrete/Pure Math

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
No GRE Required

International Students

TOEFL: Required Score of 79 iBT or higher
IELTS: Required Overall Band Score of 6.5

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Recommended Deadline

Fall Semester: February 15 to improve your chances to receive funding

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

Computational mathematicians do research in numerical methods for eigenvalue problems and inverse problems, develop high-order methods for solving partial differential equations, and develop simulations for numerous physical phenomena. Pure mathematicians work in enumerative combinatorics, coding theory, graph theory, algebra, and number theory. Graduate students benefit from small classes and close personal attention from their advisors.

Where You'll Work

The opportunities for application are endless and more and more companies are recruiting Michigan Tech mathematics graduates because of the quality of our program. Jobs taken by recent graduates include development specialist at Praxair, Inc., data scientist at Starkey Hearing Technologies, and research associates at the Institute for Defense Analysis.

Faculty Spotlight

Cécile Piret

Cécile Piret
Associate Professor, Mathematical Sciences

"Applied mathematics is the common denominator of engineering, physics, and all other scientific fields; when our mathematical models match experimental data, we take a step toward understanding nature a little bit better."

My research interests are in applied and computational mathematics. In particular, I am interested in developing and analyzing high-order methods based on Radial Basis Functions for solving fractional and partial differential equations.

Program Faculty