Overview of the M. S. Program in Mathematics

The goal of the Master's program in mathematics at Kansas State University is to expose each student to the foundations of advanced mathematics. In general, a student in the Master's program will fall into one of three categories: wishing to work in the private sector, wishing to teach mathematics in a community or four-year college, or wishing to continue into a Ph.D. program in mathematics. In order to complete a Master's degree, the student must fulfill the coursework requirement, form a Supervisory Committee and file the Program of Study, and lastly, pass the Master's Final Examination.

Qualifying Exam QE I

Master's students are asked to attempt at least three of the QE I exams upon arrival at Kansas State. The results are used to help determined appropriate placement in graduate courses and teaching assignments. The QE I consists of subject exams, currently offered in four areas.

  • Algebra (based on MATH 730-731)
  • Analysis (based on MATH 721-723)
  • Applied Math (based on Math 715-716)
  • Geometry/Topology (based on MATH 770-771)

Supervisory Committee and the Program of Study

By the end of the second semester of graduate study, the student is expected to choose a major professor and a Supervisory Committee and file a Program of Study with the Graduate School. This Supervisory Committee will advise the student throughout the remaining period of study, as well as administer the Final Examination.

The Program of Study must be approved by the student's Supervisory Committee, the Department Head, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The student must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate credit (courses numbered at the 700 level or above). The student must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in the courses listed on the Program of Study. Furthermore, the student must earn a grade of A or B in three-fourths of these courses, with no worse than a C grade in the remaining courses.

Master's Final Examination

There are three options for fulfilling the Graduate School's final examination requirement for Master's students.

      1. Qualifying Exam Option: Pass two QE I subject exams and all course work requirements (30-32 credit hours) to include at least nine credit hours of core QE I courses (715, 716, 721, 723, 730, 731, 770, 771 with a grade of B or better in these courses).
      2. Master's Thesis: Meet all course work requirements (30-32 credit hours) to include nine credit hours of core QE I courses (715, 716, 721, 723, 730, 731, 770, 771 with a grade of B or better in these courses) and write a thesis involving original mathematical research. The thesis must be defended before the student's supervisory committee. For this option, there must be six to eight credit hours of MATH 899 (Thesis Topics) on the Program of Study.
      3. Master's Report: Meet all course work requirements (30-32 credit hours) to include nine credit hours of core QE I courses (715, 716, 721, 723, 730, 731, 770, 771 with a grade of B or better in these courses) and write a report on existing mathematical results. The report must be defended before the student's supervisory committee. For this option, there must be two credit hours of MATH 898 (Master's Research) on the Program of Study.

All K-State graduate students are required to submit an electronic version of their thesis, dissertation, or report. More information (including templates) at K-State Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports.

Time Allowed

Students are expected to complete the M.S. Program within three years. A student in this program should not anticipate receiving financial support (such as Teaching or Research Assistantships) from the Department for more than three years.

Continuing into the Ph.D. Program after completing a Master's Degree

A student originally admitted to the Master's program in mathematics who decides to continue graduate studies into the Ph.D. program in mathematics must submit to the Math Department a Graduate School `application for Master's students currently enrolled at K-State continuing for a Doctoral Degree in the same curriculum'.

If approved, the Department will forward the application to the Graduate School for admission into the Ph.D. program.