Overview

The Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences program offers students an opportunity to advance their understanding of pure and/or applied mathematics at the graduate level, in preparation for a career in industry or a doctoral degree program. The program has two options: coursework (non-thesis) and thesis, which are explained in the rubric on Specific Requirements below. Those applicants interested in the thesis option should review research interests of our Department’s faculty.  The Department also offers an Master’s degree programs in Statistics and Biostatistics, as well as Accelerated Master’s programs in Mathematics and in Statistics for UVM undergraduate students.

Why choose UVM?

• Our Department is large enough to offer classes and research experiences in a broad range of mathematical subjects, while small enough to give students ample opportunity to interact with our active research faculty. 
• We offer a variety of graduate classes, as well as flexible independent studies. For example, graduate students take classes in:
  • Applied mathematics: complex systems, differential equations, Fourier analysis, mathematical modeling, mathematical biology, numerical analysis,…
  • Pure mathematics: algebra, real/complex analysis, combinatorics, cryptography, geometry, number theory, topology,…
• We have a regular Department Colloquium and regular seminars, such as the Combinatorics Seminar and the Quebec-Vermont Number Theory Seminar, as well as seminars in related departments, such as complex systems, computer science, engineering, physics and statistics.
• Burlington, Vermont has been ranked as a top college town by the New York Times. Find out more about living in Burlington here.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a major in mathematics or a closely related discipline (e.g., statistics, engineering, or physics, with a substantial mathematics foundation).
• Please review the Application Instructions for graduate admission to UVM. (You may also visit its “parent” website.) The information listed below supplements some of the general instruction on that page. 
• The is no GRE score requirement. However, if you have taken the GRE test(s), we encourage you to submit your official score(s). 
• Resume/CV is required. 
• No Writing Sample is required. 
• Please try to contain your Statement of Purpose to about one page. 
  We encourage you to discuss which of the two options, coursework- or thesis-based, you plan to pursue at the moment, and why. You will be able to actually choose either option when you join the program; however, your thoughts on this matter may help the Admissions Committee reach a decision about your fit to the program. You may also include any other information about yourself that you consider relevant, such as your teaching and research experience. We encourage you to emphasize specific facts rather than make generic or emotional statements. 
• An application fee will be waived by the UVM Graduate Admissions only for applicants from the categories listed under the rubric Application Fee Waiver Requests on the website Application Instructions. 
• International students are to satisfy English Proficiency requirements; further information can be found on this webpage. 
• Application deadlines are found on this webpage (click on the link for Mathematical Sciences). 
• Financial support to MS degree candidate is usually not available. This may be changed in exceptional cases and only for those candidates seeking to pursue the thesis option. If you want to be considered for such support, you should contact the Department faculty member with whom you would like to do your thesis, clearly and concisely outline to them your goal and address its feasibility given your undergraduate background; if the faculty member agrees to support your application, they will notify you and the Graduate Admissions Committee of this. 
• All applications must be completed online.