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Mathematics

Program and Application Information
Department Chair:Dr. Benton Duncan
Graduate Coordinator:Dr. Indranil Sengupta
Department Location:412 Minard
Department Phone:(701) 231-8171
Department Web Site:www.ndsu.edu/math/graduate_program/
Application Deadline:March 1 to be considered for assistantships for fall. Openings may be very limited for spring.
Degrees Offered:Ph.D., M.S.
English Proficiency Requirements:TOEFL ibT 71; IELTS 6

Program Description

The Department of Mathematics offers graduate study leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Advanced work may be specialized among the following areas:

  • algebra, including algebraic number theory, commutative algebra, and homological algebra
  • analysis, including analytic number theory, approximation theory, ergodic theory, harmonic analysis, and operator algebras
  • applied mathematics, differential equations, dynamical systems,
  • combinatorics and graph theory
  • geometry/topology, including differential geometry, geometric group theory, and symplectic topology

Beginning with their first year in residence, students are strongly urged to attend research seminars and discuss research opportunities with faculty members. By the end of their second semester, students select an advisory committee and develop a plan of study specifying how all degree requirements are to be met. One philosophical tenet of the Department of Mathematics graduate program is that each mathematics graduate student will be well grounded in at least two foundational areas of mathematics. To this end, each student's background will be assessed, and the student will be directed to the appropriate level of study.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Mathematics graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. In addition to the Graduate School requirements , applicants must have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or equivalent in all advanced mathematics courses at the baccalaureate level.

Financial Assistance

Teaching assistantships and a small number of research assistantships are available. Graduate tuition is waived for research and teaching assistants.

All students in full standing and, in certain situations, students in conditional status are eligible for assistantships. International students must show proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English. In particular, they must pass an oral proficiency interview, which is a Test of Spoken English (TSE) prior to receiving a teaching assistantship. This interview is the culmination of the five-week Intensive English Language Program (IELP) available each summer. An indication, but not a guarantee, of being able to pass this interview is a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper test) or 247 (computer test). All international students applying from outside the United States for a teaching assistantship must expect to take the IELP.

Assistantship applications will be considered at any time. However, opportunities are improved for those received by March 1 preceding the fall semester of intended enrollment.