B.S./M.S. Program in Mathematics
The B.S./M.S. program in Mathematics is a five year program that gives academically successful Loyola undergraduates the opportunity to pursue the M.S. degree in Mathematics while completing their B.S. degree. The applicant can be pursuing any of the B.S. degrees offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. There are several advantages to enrolling in the B.S./M.S. program.
- Students applying to our M.S. program at Loyola are required to take the GRE. That requirement is waived for students applying to the B.S./M.S. program. The application fee to the program is also waived.
- Students can begin taking their Masters courses during their senior year.
- Students admitted to our M.S. program must take nine courses (27 credits) to earn the M.S. degree. Generally, M.S. students take one and a half years to complete the M.S. degree. Students in the B.S./M.S. program are allowed to “double count” two of their 300-level undergraduate courses in the department toward both their B.S. and their M.S. degrees. Hence B.S./M.S. students are required to take only seven 400-level courses (21 credits) and can finish the program in five years.
Application Requirements
The academic prerequisites to be considered for admission to the B.S./M.S. program in Mathematics are as follows:
- Successful completion of MATH 161, MATH 162, MATH 263, MATH 201, and three courses (9 credits total) chosen from MATH 212 and 300-level mathematics or statistics courses with a GPA of 3.5 or higher; for students pursuing the B.S. degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, the 300-level courses could include computer science courses; for students pursuing the B.S. degree in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, the 300-level courses could include physics courses
- A cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher for all course work at Loyola
- Satisfactory progress towards completion of Loyola’s core
Application Information
Current Loyola students who have met the above academic prerequisites are to apply between January 15 and March 15 of their junior year. Students who have an interest in the program are encouraged to consult with the Graduate Program Director for Mathematics, Dr. Cary Huffman, in the semester prior to their application. Students who have 15 or more hours of transfer/AP credit or wish to finish the combined program in less than five years should discuss the timing of their application with Dr. Huffman. The student should then fill out the on-line Graduate Application Form through the Graduate School web-site. The application will be evaluated upon completion of the following:
- The Graduate Application Form; applicants are to select the B.S./M.S. option.
- A one page personal statement of purpose; this is inserted as part of the Graduate Application Form.
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two coming from faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Loyola.
Note that the GRE exam is not required for applicants to the B.S./M.S. program. There is no application fee for applicants who apply on-line. At the time of consideration for admission, the student’s most recent Loyola transcript will be examined. If the applicant has transfer credits from another college or university, the student may be required to submit those as well.
Requirements for Completion of the B.S./M.S. Program
After admission to the B.S./M.S. program, students may take 3 credit hours of 400-level mathematics or statistics courses during their senior year. Generally, students take the remaining six 400-level classes during the fifth year. This schedule can be modified for students desiring to finish the combined program in less than five years. Students in the program are expected to consult regularly with the Graduate Program Director to insure that they are on track for completion of both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. The following are required to complete the B.S./M.S. degree program in Mathematics:
- Successful completion of one of the B.S. degrees in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. It is expected that the student complete all degree requirements for their chosen B.S. degree at least one semester before completing the M.S. degree.
- Seven 400-level (21 credits) mathematics or statistics graduate courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Further Information
If you have additional questions about the program, please contact Dr. Cary Huffman, Graduate Program Director for Mathematics.