The Department of Mathematics offers one of the country's leading programs for those who want to pursue graduate study in computational and applied mathematics. The program specifically emphasizes physical applied mathematics, numerical analysis, and scientific computation.

Students selected for this program will study under a distinguished faculty that consists primarily of numerical analysts and applied mathematicians. In keeping with a long-standing SMU tradition, all faculty members - including our endowed chair holder and other senior professors - are required to teach graduates and undergraduates. With a 1-1 ratio of graduate students to faculty members, graduate students can be assured of individual attention.

SMU also offers excellent computer facilities, an outstanding library collection, competitive financial aid, and the advantage of being located in an area where job prospects for graduates are plentiful.

Master of Science Degree Requirements

Our Master of Science degree in computational and applied mathematics requires 11 courses, including at least six courses at the 6000 level (at least four of these to be taken in the Department of Mathematics). Candidates must complete two courses in computational mathematics (Math 5315 and 6316) and two courses in differential equations and their applications (Math 5334 and 6324). Of the remaining courses, a maximum of three approved courses can be taken outside the department. These 11 courses can be completed within two academic years by taking the normal load of three courses per term.

During the first two years, both Master's and Ph.D. degree candidates take mostly the same coursework. These courses prepare students for industrial employment, doctoral work in our department, or further graduate work in a variety of disciplines. These years foster student-faculty interaction and allow students to assess their academic abilities and interests.

Students who do exemplary work in these course are encouraged to join the Ph.D. program and are given financial aid to take an additional year of coursework to prepare for a Ph.D. qualifying examination.

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Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

The Ph.D. qualifying examination is unique in that it focuses specifically on the student's specialized interests and background in computational and/or applied mathematics. It consists of a written examination based on individualized concentration courses in Computational and Applied Mathematics, and presentation of a paper (usually based on work with a faculty member).

Most students take two semesters of coursework beyond the M.S. to prepare for the Ph.D. qualifying examination. A student whose Master's degree is from another institution will need at least three semesters of coursework.

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Ph.D. Degree Requirements

To qualify for the Ph.D. degree, the student must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all curricular requirements as specified by the departmental faculty.
2. Pass comprehensive written qualifying exam and paper presentation.
3. Complete a minimum of three years of graduate academic work, including at least one year in full-time residence on the SMU campus or at a research facility approved by the departmental faculty and the dean of graduate programs.
4. Write and make a successful defense of a dissertation.

Course requirements for the Ph.D. are flexible but must include the equivalent of 51 semester hours of graduate course credit beyond the Bachelor's degree (excluding dissertation work) and at least six semester hours of dissertation.

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Computer Facilities

The Department of Mathematics has extensive computer facilities for both research and course work. Personal computers loaded with Linux and Windows in a laboratory setting are provided for Master's students, while Ph.D. students are provided with a personal computer on their desktop. Information on the department's extensive research computing facilities may be found here.

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Financial Support

The Department of Mathematics offers a substantial award package in the form of Teaching Assistant positions to highly-qualified students. The typical stipend is $16,600-19,100 per academic year, and all graduate tuition and fees are waived. Selecting the recipients for these positions is a competitive process.

Teaching assistant responsibilities require no more than 12 hours per week. Regular faculty members lecture in undergraduate-level courses in precalculus, business calculus, and finite mathematics, held two to three times per week in sections with 60-100 students. Teaching assistants normally assist a professor in one of these sections and work in the help sessions. Some professors encourage their teaching assistants to attend lectures in order to gain familiarity with their notation and expectations. Occasionally, experienced teaching assistants who intend to pursue a teaching career are given full responsibility for teaching a course, typically a small section of precalculus.

This relatively light teaching load compares favorably with that of many other institutions. Because of their lighter teaching load, SMU teaching assistants often can obtain their graduate degrees comparatively quickly.

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Life at SMU and in Dallas

The SMU page for Campus Life provides an abundance of information concerning facilities and happenings in and around SMU. Information about Dallas can be found at SMU's site on Dallas or the site of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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