Graduate Program
Graduate Program and Assistantships

The Department of Mathematics offers a flexible program of study leading to a master of science (M.S.) degree in mathematical sciences. After completing a core program of 12 hours, the student may select course work from a curriculum designed to emphasize classical mathematics, applied mathematics, applied statistics, actuarial mathematics, or mathematics education.

A student may pursue a program of study to include course work in other mathematically oriented disciplines. For example, under the supervision of a graduate advisor, the student may design a program in which as much as half of the student's course work is taken at the graduate level in a discipline such as computer science, management science, physics, technology, or some other mathematically oriented area.

Depending on the design of the program, opportunities for the student who successfully completes the M.S. degree are numerous. These programs may lead to careers in business, industry, government, or advanced teaching positions in secondary or higher education.


Admission to the School of Graduate Studies

The following materials must be submitted before an applicant will be considered for admission:
  1. Payment of required nonrefundable application fee.
  2. A completed application form.
  3. An official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
  4. A completed personal vita form and essay.
When all required material is received, the Graduate School will forward the applicant's material to the Graduate Coordinator in the Mathematics Department for approval of admission. The final decision to admit or reject an applicant rests with the university through the dean of Graduate Studies. For additional information, check out the School of Graduate Studies webpage.

Mathematics Program Admission Requirements

For admission to the program, a student must:
  1. have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in mathematics or in a related area.
  2. submit general GRE scores,
  3. submit three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic performance and likelihood of success in graduate school, and
  4. completed all of the admission requirements of the graduate school.
Incoming students lacking certain prerequisites may be required to make up these deficiencies. However, graduate credit will not be given for this course work.

Comprehensive Exams

Each student is required to take a comprehensive examination in Calculus I-II and Linear Algebra. These exams are to be taken during the first semester of enrollment. In the event that a student does not achieve a grade of "B" or better on the exam, the student must make arrangements to do remidial work and retake the exam at the next scheduled time. The student may not register for MATH 5960 - Thesis until both exams have been passed by achieving a grade of B or better. For more details, see the ETSU Math Graduate Program Comprehensive Exams webpage.

Thesis

The chair of the student's committee will ordinarily direct the research and preparation of the thesis. After selecting a topic, the student, in consultation with the student's committee, must prepare a tentative outline. This outline must be kept current during the preparation of the thesis and contained in the student's graduate folder.

Core Requirements

Every candidate must complete 5210 Real Analysis I and 5410 Modern Algebra I, plus at least two of the following: 5510 Complex Analysis I, 5610 Applied Mathematics I, 5710 Statistical Methods I, 5340 Graph Theory, 5350 Topology, 5850 Numerical Analysis. The student's program of study must contain at least one two-course sequence. The two-course sequence may contain a course from the above requirements. Examples of two-course sequences include:

Senior/Graduate Courses Offered

ETSU offers several classes cross-listed as both undergraduate and graduate level. Undergraduates and graduates share the same classroom, but the graduate students are required to do additional or alternative work (at a higher conceptual level) beyond that of the undergraduates. Up to 30% of a student's credit hours may be in these cross-listed classes. Those with an insufficient undergraduate background in mathematics may be required to take certain of these classes (in particular, Introduction to Modern Algebra I and Analysis I). These courses are usually offered yearly and include: Mathematical Statistics I & II, Introduction to Modern Algebra (a prerequisite for a required core class), Introduction to Modern Geometry, Analysis I (a prerequisite for a required core class), Analysis II, Numerical Analysis, Numerical Linear Algebra, Applications of Statistics, Sampling and Survey Techniques, Complex Variables, Topics in Mathematics.

Graduate-Credit-Only Courses Offered

At least 70% of a students credit hours must be in "graduate only" courses. These courses are usually offered every other year and include: Theory of Numbers, Theory of Matrices, Real Analysis I & II, Differential Geometry, Axiomatic and Transformational Geometry, Graph Theory and its Applications, Topology, Modern Algebra I & II, Complex Analysis I & II, Applied Mathematics I & II, Statistical Methods I & II, Operations Research I & II, Numerical Analysis I & II, Topics in Combinatorics, Independent Study, Readings and Research, Thesis.

Assistantships

The Department of Mathematics currently has a total of 12 Graduate Assistantships and 4 additonal tuition waivers.  Graduate Assistant stipends range from $7,200 - $8,200 for 9 month contracts and $12,500 for a 12 month contract. The first year GTA is paid $7,200 and is responsible for 20 hours/week of work, usually in the form of grading and assistance for a professor. The second year GTA may be put in charge of teaching 1 auditorium section or 2 smaller sections of three-semester-hour freshman (service) classes. The stipend for teaching assistants is $8,200. The department also offers assistantships in the Mathematics Laboratory at a level of $10,250 per calender year, plus a tuition waiver for Fall and Spring semesters (students in these positions MUST pay summer tuition). These GTAs are responsible for 20 hours/week in the Math Lab with duties which include tutoring in freshman and sophomore level classes, the administering of all tests in the College Algebra classes, and preparation of statistical reports on these test results. A tuition waiver may be awarded to a graduate students admitted to the program for the first time. The work assignments for the waiver will be equivalent to 8 hours per week and may be in instruction, research and/or service. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Aid and Assistantships webpage.

Amy Weems Memorial Math Graduate Student Fund

A special fund has been established for the purpose of supporting math graduate student professional travel and other expenses deemed suitable by the Math Department graduate coordinator. Click HERE for more details.

Tuition and Fees

Student's with an Assistantship will receive a tuition waiver. Others will be charged $181 per semester hour, not to exceed $1716 (except summer term) per semester, in-state tution. The out-of-state tuition charges are $270 per semester hour above the undergraduate and graduate tuition, not to exceed $3236 (except summer term) per semester.

Single student residency halls are available for $865-$1020 per semester (double/triple occupancy, including telephone and cable TV hookup) and family and graduate housing is available for $295-$335 per month (including water, telephone and cable TV hookup). All fees are based on academic 2002-03 prices and are subject to change annually. For additional information, see the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

Additional Information

We in the Department of Mathematics at ETSU are eager to recruit talented masters level students. We hope that we can help you enhance your academic and professional portfolio. If you are interested in more information on our Master of Science degree in mathematics or on Graduate Teaching Assistantships, then please contact:

Dr. Robert Gardner, Graduate Coordinator
Department of Mathematics
East Tennessee State University
Box 70663
Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
(423) 439-6977
E-mail: gardnerr@etsu.edu

For information on graduate studies in general at ETSU (including a graduate catalog, application form, and graduate assistant application) please contact:

Dr. Wes Brown
School of Graduate Studies
East Tennessee State University
Box 70720
Johnson City, Tennessee 37604.
(423) 439-4221

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