Admission Prerequisites
Admission to the MS, MST, PhD, and DA graduate degree programs in MSCS is selective and competitive. Admission decisions are made by a Department committee after careful consideration of the applicants' credentials. Applicants should have these general and program-specific prerequisites for admission consideration.
General prerequisites:
- 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
- Minimum of 20 semester credit hours of undergraduate work in mathematics beyond calculus, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0)
- Minimum TOEFL score (international applicants only) of 100 on the Internet-based test (ibT), including a minimum ibT Speaking sub-score of 23; or IELTS Band score of 7 with s Speaking sub-score of 7. Report scores via ETS to institutional code 1851.
- GRE scores - General exam is required and the subject exam is recommended for all applicants, except MST. These scores are considered competitively among applicants. Report scores via ETS to institutional code 1851.
- 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
Program-specific prerequisites:
- PhD in Mathematics -
- BS or BA in Mathematics or related field. Applicants should complete coursework related to their research field of interest as outlined below for the various MS in Mathematics concentrations.
- 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 361)
- 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
- 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)