The Mathematical Sciences Department at The University of Texas at Dallas offers graduate study in five majors: applied mathematics, engineering mathematics, mathematics, statistics, and an interdisplanary degree in Bioinformatics and Computational biology. The degree programs offer students the opportunity to prepare for careers in these disciplines themselves or in any of the many other fields for which these disciplines are such indispensable tools. As other sciences develop, problems which require the use of these tools are numerous and pressing.
In addition to a wide range of courses in mathematics and statistics, the Mathematical Sciences Department offers a unique selection of courses that consider mathematical and computational aspects of engineering, biology and other scientific problems.
The Master of Science degree programs are designed for persons seeking specializations in applied mathematics, engineering mathematics, mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics and computational biology.
The Master of Science degree is available also for those who plan to teach mathematical sciences above the remedial level at a community college or at a college or university. The Master of Science degree is recommended as a minimum, since an earned doctorate is sometimes required.
For information concerning the Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics Education, designed for persons who are teaching in grades 6-12, see the Science and Mathematics Education section.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree programs cover two basic areas of concentration: statistics and applied mathematics. They are designed for those who plan to pursue academic, financial or industrial careers.
Faculty and students in Mathematical Sciences have access to state-of-the-art scientific workstations and computers. Faculty and staff offices in Mathematical Sciences are equipped with Pentium II or III workstations, and all Teaching Assistant offices are equipped with Pentium III workstations running current versions of Linux. These machines are connected via ethernet to the campus network, giving faculty and students access to all of the software tools and machines on campus for research and educational use.
The University�s general admission requirements are discussed here.
Specific additional admission requirements for students in Mathematical Sciences follow. Students lacking undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses in their area must complete these prerequisites or receive approval from the graduate adviser and the course instructor before registering.
One of the components of a student�s academic history which is evaluated when the student is seeking admission to the graduate program is his/her performance on certain standardized tests. Since these tests are designed to indicate only the student�s potential for graduate study, they are used in conjunction with other measures of student proficiency (such as GPA, etc.) in determining the admission status of a potential graduate student. Accordingly, there is no rigid minimum cut-off score for admission to the program. However, a student with at least a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined score of 1050 with at least 550 on the math portion would have a reasonable probability of admission as a Master�s student, assuming that the student�s other credentials were in order. Similarly, a student with a GRE score of 1200 (with at least 650 in the quantitative portion) would have a reasonable probability of admission as a Ph.D. student, assuming that all other credentials were in order. Higher standards prevail for students seeking Teaching Assistantships.
The University�s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Students seeking a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences must complete a total of 12 three-credit hour courses. In some cases, credit for 3 hours is approved for good mathematics background. The student may choose a thesis plan or a non-thesis plan. In the thesis plan, the thesis replaces two elective courses with completion of an approved thesis (six thesis hours). The thesis is directed by a Supervising Professor and must be approved by the Head of the Mathematical Sciences Department.
Each student must earn a 3.0 minimum GPA in the courses listed for the student�s program.
Electives must be approved by the graduate adviser. Typically, electives are 6000- and 7000-level mathematical sciences courses. Courses from other disciplines may also be used upon approval.
Substitutions for required courses may be made if approved by the graduate adviser. Instructors may substitute stated prerequisites for students with equivalent experience.
Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCBM) is offered jointly by the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Molecular and Cell Biology. This program will combine coursework from the disciplines of biology, computer science, and mathematical Sciences. The BCBM program seeks to answer the demand for a new breed of scientist that has fundamental understanding in the fields of biology, mathematics, statistics, and computer science. With this interdisciplinary training, these scientists will be well prepared to meet the demand and challenges that have arisen and will continue to develop in the biotechnology arena.
Faculty from both Mathematical Sciences (MMS) and Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) will participate in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program, with the Mathematical Sciences Department serving as the administrative unit. Both departments will participate in advising students.
For the Master�s degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, beginning students are expected to have completed multivariate calculus, linear algebra, two semesters of general Chemistry, two semester of organic Chemistry, two semesters of general physics, programming in C/C++, and two semesters of biology.
Requirements for completing a degree in BCBM are:
The University�s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Each Doctor of Philosophy degree program is tailored to the student. The student must arrange a course program with the guidance and approval of the graduate adviser. Adjustments can be made as the student�s interests develop and a specific dissertation topic is chosen. A minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor�s degree is required.
Other specializations are possible, including interdisciplinary topics. There must be available a dissertation research adviser or group of dissertation advisers willing to supervise and guide the student. A dissertation Supervising Committee should be formed with at least four members from the Mathematical Sciences faculty. The dissertation may be in Mathematical Sciences exclusively or it may involve considerable work in an area of application.
Within the Mathematical Sciences programs opportunities exist for work and/or research in applied mathematics, engineering mathematics, mathematics and statistics. The opportunity to take course work in several of the other university programs also allows the student to prepare for interdisciplinary work. Special topics within research areas include functional analysis, operator theory, differential and integral equations, optimization, numerical analysis, system theory and control with application in material and molecular sciences, inverse problems with applications in geosciences and medical sciences, relativistic cosmology, differential geometry, applications of topology to biology, mathematical and computational biology with applications in cardiovascular physiology, neurobiology and cell biology; probability theory, applied probability, stochastic processes, mathematical statistics, statistical inference, asymptotic theory, statistical time series, Bayesian analysis, robust multivariate statistical methods, robust linear models, robust and nonparametric methods, sequential analysis, statistical computing, signal processing, remote sensing, change-point problems, forecasting and applications in their respective areas such as energy finance, semiconductor manufacturing, psychology, actuarial sciences, physical and medical sciences.