The University of Montana's Department of Mathematical Sciences offers both masters and doctoral degrees. As a compact department with diverse interests, we have a well-rounded program and considerable interaction among faculty and students.

Our regular (Option 1) Ph.D. program offers research training in algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics & optimization, computer science, and statistics.

Our non-traditional (Option 2) Ph.D. program has given the department a national identity. It emphasizes greater breadth in course work and less specialization than in the regular program. An emphasis in mathematics education is available under this option.

Our graduates take positions in academia, governments and business in the USA and around the world.

The University of Montana is in Missoula, a town in western Montana with a community of about 80,000 people.

Set in a river valley in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 3,200 feet, Missoula enjoys a moderate climate and easy access to downhill and cross-country skiing, camping, backpacking, hiking and mountain biking, hang-gliding, paragliding, kayaking, canoeing, hunting and fishing.

The scenic 200-acre main campus of the University of Montana - Missoula is one of the prettiest and safest campuses in the country. It sits against the backdrop of Mount Sentinel along the banks of the Clark Fork River.

The University currently enrolls approximately 12,000 students. It has Colleges of Arts and Sciences and of Technology, and Schools of Fine Arts, Forestry, Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Law and Journalism.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences, in the College of Arts and Sciences, has about 60 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate students.

Library

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, a five-story structure, subscribes to over a hundred important mathematical and statistical journals.

Computing

The University has several student computer labs with full-time system administration and current version applications.

The departmental computers and labs are connected to a campus-wide network. All Teaching Assistant offices are supplied with networked computers. All classrooms in the Mathematics building are equipped with computers, VRC's and LCD projectors.

University Area Housing

Dormitory rooms and convenient family-style apartments are available for students.

Transportation

Missoula's public bus line, the Mountain Line Company, has several designated bus stops within the University area. Students ride for free.

Research and Teaching Seminars

Seven to ten graduate seminars are offered each semester, giving students and faculty the opportunity to speak, discuss and do research on current professional topics in formal and informal settings. These are considered an integral part of a student's education.

Mathematics Colloquia

Our colloquium series brings together outside speakers and the campus professional community in mathematics and other sciences. Graduate students are encouraged to attend and participate.

Grant Supported Research

Our faculty and students are also involved in a number of grant supported research projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the USDA Forest Service, the NASA, the National Security Agency, and others. The Show-Me Project was funded to work with teachers in the professional development phase of the STEM project through the year 2002. ShowMe Phase II was recently funded through 2007. Large infrastructure grants across the university support student research and training in the department, namely the Montana-Ecology of Infectious Disease (M-EID) NSF IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) program, and the NSF sponsored EPSCOR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) at The University of Montana.

The M.A. Program aims to provide students with a broad background in mathematics and the opportunity of concentration in an area of special interest. The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers two options for the Master of Arts degree.

Option I is the traditional mathematics option. The areas of study are Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Combinatorics & Optimization, and Statistics.

Option II is the Mathematics Education option, designed to improve the proficiency of teachers in mathematics and in the techniques of teaching.

Candidates for admission to the Master of Arts in Mathematics degree program should have an undergraduate mathematics major in addition, candidates for Option II must have a teacher certification in mathematics.

Students may apply up to 10-credit hours of research towards the degree. The professional presentation for the non-thesis option consists of at least 2-credit hours of research on advanced-level material, culminating in oral presentation(s) by the student.

Requirements

• 9 graduate credits per semester,
• a total of 30 graduate credits including a thesis (thesis option), or,
• a total of 36 graduate credits including a professional presentation (non-thesis option).
• Option II candidates must have a teaching certificate.
• Option I: Comprehensive examination in major area.
  Option II: A two-part comprehensive examination in mathematics and mathematics education.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers an MA degree with an emphasis in mathematics education (Option II). The program is designed to improve the proficiency of teachers in mathematics and in the techniques of teaching. Candidates for admission to this program should have an undergraduate degree with a strong mathematics background and a teacher certification. (Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)

The requirements for the degree are:

• 36 credits
• Course requirements: Three courses in mathematics education and an additional four courses in mathematics from at least two areas.
• Comprehensive exam
• Professional paper and oral presention on the research topic chosen

The regular (Option 1) Ph.D. program, prepares research specialists in the mathematical sciences. The department offers research training in algebra, analysis (real, complex and functional), applied mathematics (biomathematics, differential equations), combinatorics & optimization, statistics, and computer science.

Our non-traditional (Option 2) Ph.D. program, prepares college mathematics teachers and other "general practitioners" of mathematics. It emphasizes greater breadth in course work and less specialization than in the regular program. An emphasis in mathematics education is available under this option.

Requirements

• a total of 60 graduate credits and a dissertation.
• Preliminary examination in two areas.
• Comprehensive examination emphasizing the area of specialization.

Applicants may apply for a teaching assistantship by indicating their interest on the graduate school application form. A teaching assistant normally has duties equivalent to teaching an average of 3 to 4 hours per week. The stipend for the current academic year is $10,000 for graduate teaching assistants in our M.A. program and $14,000 for graduate teaching assistants in our Ph.D. program. Registration, tuition, incidental and non-resident fees are waived. Other fees of about $1200 per semester (including health insurance) are not waived. Fee waivers without an assistantship are not provided.

Each summer the department awards a number of graduate summer research scholarships of $3,200. These awards are given on a competitive basis, and any student admitted to the Graduate Program in the Department of Mathematical Sciences is eligible to apply.

Annually, the department nominates 2-3 graduate students for B. Morton Fellowships ($3,000) and Scholarships ($2,000). These awards are given by the Graduate School of UM on a competitive basis.

A limited number of summer assistantships are available too.

Applications are processed on a rolling basis; review of applications for Teaching Assistantships will start February 1 and continue until all positions have been filled; applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications by February 1 or soon after.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences participates in the recently awarded IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) grant from the National Science Foundation. The research and educational focus of this IGERT program is the ecology of infectious diseases.

The following areas of specialization in Mathematical Sciences are possible within this program (which requires an interdisciplinary program of studies also involving another participating IGERT department):

• Applied Mathematics
• Statistics
• Joint Mathematics/Computer Science program

IGERT Fellowships are available to qualified students as stipends of $30,000 per year plus tuition and fees.

For further information about this program, including admission requirements, and application procedures visit the Montana Ecology of Infectious Disease (M-EID) webpage.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences participates in the Montana NSF EPSCoR program. Well-qualified applicants in applied specializations in our graduate program may be considered for an EPSCoR Graduate Student Stipends (EPSCoR Fellowships).

EPSCoR Fellowships are available to qualified students as stipends of $17,500 per year plus tuition and fees.

Nominations for these awards are to be made by the Graduate Committee. In addition to the usual application materials (including a statement of purpose), applicants are to include a statement explaining long-term goals in their application. The Graduate Student Stipend Awards Committee will meet mid February to make the first round of awards, so if you are qualified and interested in applying for these awards, then please apply and contact the Graduate Chair as soon as possible.

• Completed on-line application form.
• Official transcripts of all previous college work. (transcript request form)
• Content descriptions of all college-level mathematics courses completed.
• A personal statement of objectives.
• Three letters of recommendation. (Evaluation Form)
• Scores for the GRE General Test (optional for citizens of foreign countries who take the TOEFL exams).
• Citizens of foreign countries must submit TOEFL scores of at least 71 (internet-based test) 525 (paper-based test) or 195 (computer-based test). [If the TOEFL score is below 92 (internet-based test) or 580 (paper-based test) or 237 (computer-based test), applicants will be required to complete an English as a Second Language course.] If they hold a degree from an accredited English-speaking university, they can take the GRE test rather than the TOEFL exam.
• Non-refundable, one-time $51 application fee.
• Applicants for a Master's or a Ph.D. degree must have a Bachelor's degree by time of their enrollment.
• In addition to the above requirements, applicants are encouraged to submit other evidence indicating the ability to pursue an advanced degree in mathematics (such as the GRE subject test in mathematics).

If admitted, citizens of foreign countries must provide an original (not a photocopy) certified statement from a bank or sponsoring agency that at least $21,000 is available for transfer to the United States to meet the cost of study in order for the Graduate School to issue an I-20 form. This amount can be reduced by the value of any financial aid awarded by the university. The Graduate School provides further details.

Paper Applications
If you are unable to or choose not to apply online, you may request a paper application from the Graduate School at grad.school@umontana.edu or by calling (406) 243-2572. There will be an additional $10 charge for processing a paper application. (When calling or e-mailing, please provide the Graduate School with the following information 1. Name, 2. Address or e-mail where application materials can be sent, 3. Term applying for, 4. Program applying to, and 5. whether you are U.S. Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident OR an International Applicant.)

Additional Application Materials
In addition to the application form which is submitted to the Graduate School, the following materials are to be sent directly to the Department:

• A personal statement of objectives.
• Content descriptions of all college-level mathematics courses completed.
• Scores for the GRE General Test (optional for citizens of foreign countries who take the TOEFL exams) or TOEFL scores (for applicants whose native language is not English).
• Official transcripts of all previous college work.
• Three completed evaluation forms (letters of recommendation) in sealed envelopes, unless these are mailed directly to us by the recommenders.

Beautiful mountains surround Missoula, and the clear, green Clark Fork River runs through the downtown and beside the campus of the University of Montana. The University is said to be the only college in the United States to have a mountain on its campus. Between classes, many students hike the zig-zag trail up to the "M" on Mt. Sentinel.

Missoulians are genuinely friendly and proud of their city's beauty. They love Missoula and welcome UM students. A smile and a "hello" are their way of saying "Welcome to Missoula."

UM's Mathematics Department really does offer a great education in a beautiful setting of a friendly small-town atmosphere. Here, you'll find a program large enough for your highest aspiration and personal enough to appreciate your individuality. If you are skilled in math and science, enjoy solving problems, and are motivated by a challenge, take a closer look at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Montana - Missoula. You'll receive a stimulating education and you'll be prepared for a career that's versatile, rewarding and in demand. It just may be that the road to success you'd like to follow is here!

Your professors will know your name!
They'll also know your interests, what inspires you, and where are you from. You see, at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, students are our number 1 priority. You'll receive personal attention in small classes. (Average size for graduate classes is about ten). And our faculty is readily available to provide help outside the classroom.

Who will be your peers?
They're from across the nation and around the globe. They have degrees in mathematics, sciences, computer science, engineering. Most enroll right after baccalaureate or masters graduation. Others return to UM after gaining real-life experience. Female and minority students make up a growing part of the student body.

You'll be in demand!
The overwhelming majority of graduate students secure jobs in the U.S. and around the world even before graduation. Our doctoral degree recipients find jobs at four-year universities and colleges. Master's graduates take positions in two-year colleges, high schools and prepschools, industry and government.

Here is a list of employers of our recent doctoral graduates
Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
University of Maine, Farmington, ME
Riyadh University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
University of Pittsburg at Bradford, PA
University of Puerto Rico, Managuez
Black Hills State College, Spearfish, SD
Tufts University, Medford, MA
Nostalgia Home Fashions, Inc., Mundelein, IL
University of Nevada - Las Vegas, NV
Yogyakarta Nuclear Research Center and Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The University of Montana - Missoula
Yarmouk University, Jordan

In Their Own Words
"My studies and professors from the UM have served me very well; indeed, I attend conferences among my peers and realize my background is far above that of my peers."
Tim Thompson, M.S., Southwestern Oregon Community College

"In an effort to discover how my students learn best, I have experimented extensively with alternate forms of teaching ... I have just been awarded the UM's Graduate Student Distinguished Teaching Award."
Wendy Houston, M.S., Phillips Academy, MA

"There was a certain rapport between faculty and graduate students that made the graduate students feel like colleagues ... I would not trade the training that I received in the Mathematics Department at the UM for anything. It has served me well."
Herbert Kasube, Ph.D., Bradley University, IL

Come to visit us!
Meet a professor. Talk with students. Sit in a classroom. Come see how welcome you'll be at the Department of Mathematical Sciences of the University of Montana - Missoula.

To request additional information about specific areas, options, scholarships, etc. you may contact us at the postal address below, call us, send an e-mail message to Dr. James Hirstein, Associate Chair - Graduate Program, or fill out and submit the form below.

Please send me information on the graduate programs in the Mathematical Sciences. My name, e-mail, and postal address are: