Graduate Program Options

Cooperative Doctoral Program
Details of admission and degree requirements should be discussed with the program director. In the case of a student wishing to write a Ph.D. for a Youngstown State University graduate faculty, the joint approval of the student, thesis topic, and Youngstown State University faculty thesis supervisor will be made by Rhodes University and may require the passing of preliminary examinations by the student.
The overall degree requirement is the writing of a doctoral thesis that represents a substantial, original contribution to the mathematical literature as assessed by Rhodes University doctoral faculty and external readers prominent in the mathematical discipline represented by the thesis. A student writing a Ph.D. for a Youngstown State University graduate faculty will be required to serve a six-month internship/residency at Rhodes University, at the conclusion of which will be the formal thesis defense before a committee comprising Rhodes University doctoral faculty and the student's Youngstown State University thesis supervisor.

Description of Masters Options
There are several options beyond the core that a graduate student may choose. In the description of these options, depth means at least two courses in a sequence at the 5800/6900-level. In each option, Math 6995 may be used where appropriate, up to a total of 12 semester hours.

Option I: Predoctoral Studies in Mathematics
Course work beyond the core should include Math 6980, 6975, and 6965. The student should select at least one area of depth in consultation with an advisor to best prepare for future education. For a student in pure mathematics, examples of depth include, but are not limited to, the sequences Math 6980/6981, 6975/6976, 6984/6985, 5822/6920, 6965/6966. For a student in applied mathematics, examples of depth include, but are not limited to, Math 5855/6955, 5861/6925, 6975/6976, 6943/6944, 6943/6945.

Option II: Statistics (including Actuarial Science)
Students choosing this option should plan their graduate program, in consultation with statistics faculty, to include at least 15 semester hours of statistics course work. Course work beyond the mathematics core should include a statistics core comprising STAT 6943/6944, STAT 6940, and STAT 6948. Depth includes these courses: STAT 6945, 6946, 6949. Additional recommended courses include STAT 5840, 5846, 5847, 5848, 5849, and MATH 6965.

Students interested in actuarial science should have taken the statistics core (defined in the preceding paragraph) along with MATH 5860, STAT 6945, ECON 6912, ECON 6922, and FIN 6900. Additional recommended courses include MATH 5845, MATH 6942, ECON 6939, and ECON 6940.

Option III: Applied Mathematics
As a traditional applied option, course work beyond the mathematics core should include the first course in each of the following sequences: Math 5845/6942, 5855/6955, and 5861/6925, as well as a second course for depth from at least one of these sequences. Courses in statistics and complex variables, including Stat 6943/6944, Stat 6945, Math 6975/6976, are also highly recommended for students taking this option.

A student choosing this option may select graduate courses outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to complement a specific interest, subject to approval by the Graduate Executive Committee. Additionally, students choosing this option should have course work in computer science either as part of their graduate program or prior to beginning their graduate program.

Option IV: Secondary / Community College Mathematics
Course work beyond the core should include Math 5828 or 5835, Math 5830 or 6930, and Stat 6940 or 6943, as well as one additional course for depth chosen from Math 6928, 6933, 6937, 6938, 6920, or 6944, or some other course approved by the Graduate Executive Committee. Those students seeking certification should consult an advisor in the School of Education. This option has the following features:

This program is specifically designed to benefit secondary mathematics teachers in several ways:

Mathematics relevant to the classroom. The program focuses both on mathematics underlying the secondary curriculum and mathematics that directly relates to the class-room. Program students should broaden and deepen their mathematical education and also be able to use the mathematics they have learned.

Pedagogy of secondary mathematics. The program places special emphasis on imp-lementation and assessment of technology in secondary level mathematics.

Satisfy state requirements. Graduates of the Program for Teachers in Secondary Math-ematics receive a Masters of Science degree in Mathematics.

The Program for Teachers in Secondary Mathematics is distinguished by its coherence and program-wide coordination and these special features:

Integration of mathematics and pedagogy. Mathematics and Mathematics Education are not treated as isolated subjects, but will be integrated to a high degree throughout the program.

Connections between topics. Connections between different mathematical topics and between mathematical topics and their applications are emphasized in this program.

Integration of appropriate technology. Current technology is introduced wherever appropriate, promoting fluency in relevant computer software and graphics calculators.

Conceptual emphasis. Conceptual understanding is emphasized, and cooperative learning, long-term projects, and alternative assessment are used whenever appropriate in program courses.

Option V: Computer Science
Students in this option should plan their graduate program in consultation with advisors in both the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Course work beyond the core should include Math 5835 and 5861. Selections from Math 6984/6985, 6925, 6937, or 6938 are also advised. At least 12 semester hours should be in computer science and include CSCI 6905, 6910, and 6915, unless the student has had this material previously, in which case the depth requirement can be satisfied by including other 6900-level computer science courses. Students in this option may elect to do their project or thesis in computer science.

Option VI: Individualized Program of Study
Students with a career goal not addressed by the above options will select course work beyond the core appropriate to this goal, including depth, in consultation with an advisor and subject to the approval of the Graduate Executive Committee.