Master of Science in Mathematics

The Master of Science Program in Mathematics at California State University San Marcos is designed to provide breadth of exposure to mathematics and enhance the intellectual attitudes and the analytic skills needed for the comprehension, appreciation, creation, and application of mathematics. There are also opportunities for students to pursue computational aspects of mathematics and fertile connections between branches of mathematics both in coursework and in thesis work.

Graduates will be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities as the skills and attitudes fostered in the program are in demand in academe, business, government, and industry. In particular, graduates will be well-prepared to teach in community colleges, and some four-year colleges. They will be prepared to enter a doctoral program in mathematics or mathematical education. The curriculum is also designed for secondary teachers seeking professional growth and improved content knowledge. The computational and applicable mathematics mastered by students will offer graduates training for careers as mathematical scientists in business, government, and industry. There are some opportunities for students to teach undergraduates and assist faculty in their scholarly activity.

Admission to the program requires an undergraduate major in mathematics or related field (such as computer science) which includes the equivalent of the following four key courses with a grade of B or higher: (1) MATH 374 - Linear Algebra, (2) MATH 430 - Foundations of Analysis, (3) MATH 470 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra, and (4) an additional senior-level proof-based mathematics course. Admission also requires a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the last sixty (60) units attempted at the undergraduate level, and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last thirty (30) units of the undergraduate major. Students who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status, but the units earned to remove these deficiencies may not be used toward the California State University San Marcos Master of Science in Mathematics.

Satisfy English Language Proficiency Requirement for admission purposes with one of the following:

TOEFL score of 80 iBT

IELTS overall band score of 6.0, writing score no lower than 6.0 and no section score below 5.5

Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE)–certificate awarded with a Cambridge English score of 180 or higher.

Duolingo score of 110

Application Deadlines:

To be considered for Fall admissions, complete applications should be received by: March 15

To be considered for Spring admissions, complete applications should be received by: October 31