Graduate School Preparation
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Preparation for Graduate School in Mathematics
Students who wish to continue their mathematical studies to increase their knowledge, prepare to conduct mathematical research, or work in industry or academia should consider graduate study in pure or applied mathematics.General Suggestions
- Get to know the math faculty, find out about their research.
- Tune in to department events such as seminars and special lectures.
- Meet other math majors, join the Society of Undergraduate Mathematics Students.
- Look into undergraduate research opportunities, including Honors in the Major.
- Find out how to take GRE, both subject and general.
- Find out about teaching assistantships and grants in graduate school.
Pure Mathematics
Students with an interest in pure mathematics should take the Introduction to Advanced Math course (MGF 3301) as early as possible, preferably by the second year; take Introduction to Abstract Algebra I,II (MAS4302,4303) and Advanced Calculus I,II (MAA4226,4227) with high grades in the following year, and at least one first year graduate course sequence by the time you graduate. If you get a late start, the BS/MS option is a good way to get up to speed, and be well-prepared for entry into a strong pure mathematics graduate program.
Applied Mathematics
There is some variety in the expectations of applied mathematics departments that change from university to university and program to program. As a reference, the FSU Math applied and computational mathematics program looks at the following courses as the basic groundwork for graduate study: ODEs, linear algebra (MAS4106), numerical analysis (MAD3703,4704), mathematical modeling (MAP4103), PDEs (MAP4341,4342), and programming (COP3014). Other desirable courses include advanced calculus (MAA4226), complex variables (MAA4402), general physics (PHY2048C), and statistics (STA4321).
FSU alos offers graduate programs in Financial Mathematics and Biomathematics. Please check out their web pages directly for courses and prerequisites.