Prerequisites for Admission
Applicants must meet specific prerequisites for the degree and area of concentration they wish to enter before applying for the program.
PhD and DA program applicants need:
- Master's degree in Mathematics or related field from an accredited college or university
- High pass on the master's examination if earned in the MSCS department at UIC, or satisfy the equivalent if completed at another institution
- Minimum TOEFL score (international applicants only) of 100 on the Internet-based test, including a minimum score of 20 on the Speak portion; or 250 on the computer-based test; or 600 on the paper-based test
Master's degree program applicants need:
- Baccalaureate in Mathematics or a related field from an accredited college or university
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) for the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study
- Average of 3.0 (A=4.0) in all mathematics courses beyond calculus
- Minimum TOEFL score (international applicants only) of 100 on the Internet-based test, including a minimum score of 20 on the Speak portion; or 250 on the computer-based test; or 600 on the paper-based test
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic work
- Personal statement describing the applicant's background and future academic and career goals
- Required coursework, specific to the program of interest:
- MST program (Elementary School Option):
- Valid K-8 Illinois Teaching certificate or the equivalent
- MST program (Secondary School Option):
- Three semesters of engineering calculus plus two courses selected from: Linear Algebra I (Math 320), Abstract Algebra (Math 330 or MTHT 435), Advanced Calculus/Analysis (Math 313 or MTHT 430) or a course on learning proofs (Math 215)
- MS in Mathematics with concentration in Pure Mathematics:
- One year of Linear Algebra (Math 320) and Abstract Algebra (Math 330)
- One year of Analysis (Math 313, 414) or Advanced Calculus (Math 410, 411)
- MS in Mathematics with concentration in Applied Mathematics:
- Ordinary Differential Equations (Math 220)
- Applied Linear Algebra (Math 310)
- Knowledge of Advanced Calculus (Math 410)
- MS in Mathematics with concentration in Probability and Statistics:
- Applied Linear Algebra (Math 310)
- Analysis I (Math 313)
- Introduction to Probability (Stat 401)
- MS in Mathematics with concentration in Mathematical Computer Science:
- Discrete Mathematics (MCS 261)
- Programming Tools and File Management (MCS 275)
- Introduction to Data Structures (MCS 360)
- Linear Algebra I (Math 320) or Applied Linear Algebra (Math 310)
- Introduction to Probability (Stat 401)
- Proficiency in a structured programming language, e.g. C or C++
- One upper division mathematics or computer science course
- MS in Mathematics and Information Sciences for Industry:
- Ordinary Differential Equations (Math 220)
- Linear Algebra (Math 320)
- Introduction to Data Structures (MCS 360)
- Applied Statistical Methods (Stat 381)
- Introduction to Probability (Stat 401)
- MST program (Elementary School Option):










