Integrated BS/MS in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and/or Statistics
The integrated BS/MS program is intended for highly motivated candidates for the BS in mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics who wish to pursue an advanced degree. Application to the BS/MS program must be made after completion of 75 semester hours of course work and prior to attaining senior status (completion of 90 semester hours). Generally, this means that a student will submit the application during his/her sixth semester of undergraduate course enrollment and will have no fewer than two semesters of remaining BS requirements to complete. Applicants should consult the dean of undergraduate studies.
A student admitted to the program may, in the senior year, take up to nine hours of graduate courses (400 level and above) that will count towards both BS and MS requirements. The courses to be doubled-counted must be specified at the time of application. Any undergraduate course work that is to be applied to the MS must be beyond that used to satisfy BS degree requirements and must conform to university, graduate school, and department rules. Students may petition to transfer graduate course work taken prior to application to the BS/MS program subject to the rules of the graduate school.
Students for whom the master’s project or thesis is a continuation and development of the senior project should register for (or the appropriate project course) during the senior year and are expected to complete all other courses for the BS before enrolling in further MS course work and thesis (continuing the senior project). Students for whom the master’s thesis or project is distinct from the senior project will be expected to complete the BS degree before taking further graduate courses for the master’s degree.
Integrated Bachelors/MS in Statistics
The combined bachelor-master degrees in statistics require a minimum of 21 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree requirements. In total, 42 hours must be in statistics, including an MS thesis or MS research project, with the remainder (either 41 or 26 hours for BS or BA, respectively) in approved coursework in related disciplines and a field of application. In addition to the BS or BA requirements, a combined degree program must include:
- STAT 455 and three semesters of STAT 491;
- STAT 495;
- MS research project (STAT 621) or MS Thesis (STAT 651);
- At least 6 additional hours of courses in statistical theory and methodology (making a total of 21 hours including at least 4 STAT courses numbered 400 or higher) to be chosen from STAT offerings numbered 300 and higher, or approved courses in statistical methodology or probability taught in biostatistics, computer science, economics, mathematics, operations research, systems engineering, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to include advanced expository or technical writing courses in their programs.
Integrated BS/MS in Applied Mathematics and Another Discipline
There is the possibility of an integrated five-year study plan leading to a BS in applied mathematics and an MS in the area of application. In order to complete the requirements for the BS/MS in five years, students must choose an area outside mathematics that integrates well with mathematics, such as computing/information science, operations research, systems engineering, control theory, biology, or cognitive science. The general academic requirements for Integrated BS/MS programs must be followed. (Since the graduate courses required for the MS degree are determined by the respective department, each student in the dual-degree program should have a secondary advisor in that department, starting no later than the junior year, and consult with this advisor concerning requirements for the MS degree.)