Mathematics (M.S.)

Mathematics (M.S.)

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Why get a master’s degree in pure mathematics?

The Master of Science degree in pure mathematics is an opportunity to advance and solidify an understanding of the mathematical sciences. Study at the master’s level allows the student to focus exclusively on mathematics. Such study can be a point of entry for a career in industry or can lead to doctoral study. Many alumni of the program are currently employed as teachers at local community colleges, while some go on to careers in industry. Many also continue to Ph.D. programs.

Why choose the UNH pure mathematics program?

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UNH is small enough to foster direct and meaningful contact between faculty mentors and student peers. The central areas of study are analysis, algebra and topology. In all these areas, master’s students interact with a group of active, highly respected scholars. Our program allows a student to choose various electives, leading to an overview of statistics, mathematics education and applied mathematics. The culminating experience for the master’s program is an oral exam before a committee nominated by the student with departmental approval.

Potential Careers

  • Academia 
  • Industry

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Curriculum & Requirements

The mission of the Mathematics and Statistics program is twofold: to prepare students for a variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities in business, industry, government and the teaching professions; and to provide deep and significant exposure to the mathematical sciences.

Admission Requirement

Applicants for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees must have completed significant undergraduate coursework in mathematics, preferably in algebra, analysis, and topology.

M.S. Degree Requirements

This program requires 30 credit hours, consisting of at least 10 semester courses approved by the department and chosen from MATH courses numbered MATH 801- MATH #899, MATH 931-MATH 978 and IAM courses IAM 830-IAM 962. The following stipulations apply:

  • At least five of the 10 courses must be chosen from MATH 931-MATH 978 or from 900-level IAM courses.
  • At least three courses must be chosen from MATH 931-MATH 955.
  • Courses in MATH 900 through MATH 929 may not be used to satisfy course requirements.
  • With approval of the graduate committee, two non-MATH graduate-­level courses taken at UNH may be used to satisfy course requirements.

As a concluding experience the student will take a two-hour oral examination in the three areas of analysis, algebra and topology.  The student proposes the membership of the examining committee for the approval of the Graduate Program Committee.

  • Students possess advanced competence in three basic branches of mathematics, topology, algebra and analysis, comprising both content knowledge and the ability to reason with and communicate such knowledge.
  • Students possess significant exposure to graduate level content in the broader mathematical sciences.
  • Students possess significant depth of graduate-level knowledge in some area(s) of mathematics.

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
  • Spring: Dec. 1, Nov. 1 for international students
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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