Degree Requirements

General M. S. requirements as stated in Boise State University's Graduate Catalog apply. Any transfer credits, whether from another university or from another graduate program at Boise State University, must be approved for application to the degree requirements by the supervisory committee working within constraints developed by the Mathematics Graduate Committee. A 400/500 cross-listed course cannot apply towards the degree if already taken for an undergraduate degree.

Thesis Option. The thesis option is for those students interested in research and who may want to pursue a Ph.D. in the future. It requires 30 graduate credits comprised of at least 24 course credits and 6 credits of thesis work. The thesis must be an original contribution by the student to mathematical knowledge. The student must present and defend the thesis research at a final oral examination.

Project Option. The project option is for those students interested in becoming practicing mathematical scientists in the private sector or in government. It requires 30 graduate credits comprised of at least 24 course credits, a 3 credit internship, and a 3 credit project related to the internship experience. The project must be related to the internship experience and must be presented and discussed at a public oral presentation.

Exam Option. The exam option is for students interested in advanced study of mathematics and who may want to pursue further study or teach in the future. It requires 31 credits comprised of 30 credits of course work and a one credit comprehensive exam. The comprehensive examination consists of two written two-hour tests (one test covering the content of MATH 514 and MATH 515 and one test covering the content of another two related courses) and a one-hour oral test over material drawn from any of the courses completed by the student. These three tests cannot be taken until after the student is admitted to candidacy and must be taken in the same semester.