Degree Requirements for 4+1 BS in Mathematics /MS in Applied Mathematics

Graduate School Policies and Procedures: The following excerpts are from Article II. Section 2.iv. of the Graduate School Policies and Procedures (as approved by Graduate Council April 3, 2013 and modified by Graduate Council February 2018). Students are not formally admitted to the Graduate School until they have earned their undergraduate degree. Students participating in a Bachelor’s/Master’s option must:

  • fulfill all credit requirements of both the graduate and undergraduate programs;
  • petition to the Graduate Program* allowing this option before enrolling in any graduate level courses, and be advised by both undergraduate and graduate advisors; and
  • apply and be admitted to the graduate program in the next regular semester (fall or spring) following the completion of the undergraduate degree.

* Here, the graduate program pertains to the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Before enrolling in any graduate courses, the student must have been admitted into the 5 year degree program and submitted an “Intention to complete 4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree form.”

Course Requirements for the 4+1 BS in Mathematics/MS in Applied Mathematics

The necessary coursework is divided into 3 sections: (i) courses that apply only to the BS in Mathematics, (ii) courses that apply to both the BS in Mathematics and MS in Applied Mathematics, (iii) courses that apply only to the MS in Applied Mathematics. 

Courses that only apply to the BS in Mathematics:

  • Take ONE of the following programming courses:
    • MATH 1376: Programming for Data Science or
    • CSCI 1410, 1411 Introduction to programming
  • Math 1401 Calculus I
  • Math 2411 Calculus II
  • Math 2421 Calculus III
  • Math 3000 Introduction to Abstract Math
  • Math 3191 Applied Linear Algebra
  • Math 3382 Statistical Theory
  • Math 4310 Introduction to Real Analysis I
  • 6 Additional Credits (typically 2 courses) above 3000 excluding 3195, 3511, 3800, 3999, and 4830

Courses that apply to both the BS in Mathematics and MS in Applied Mathematics:

  • MATH 5779 Math Clinic or MATH 6330 Workshop in Statistical Consulting
  • 9 hours of MATH courses numbered 5000 or above excluding MATH 5000-5010, MATH 5012-5015, MATH 5017, MATH 5198, MATH 5250 and MATH 5830.

Courses that only apply to the MS in Applied Mathematics:

  • One of
    • MATH 5070 Applied Analysis
    • MATH 6131 Real Analysis
  • MATH 5718 Applied Linear Algebra
  • At least three courses from:

    • MATH 5135 Functions of a Complex Variable

    • MATH 5310 Probability

    • MATH 5320 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

    • MATH 5350 Mathematical Theory of Interest

    • MATH 5351 Actuarial Models

    • MATH 5410 Modern Cryptography

    • MATH 5432 Computational Graph Theory

    • MATH 5446 Automata Theory

    • MATH 5490 Network Flows

    • MATH 5593 Linear Programming

    • MATH 5610 Computational Biology

    • Any MATH course at the 6000 level or above

    • Note that MATH 6131 (Real Analysis) can be used to satisfy both the analysis core requirement and may also count as one of the three courses satisfying this requirement.

  • 3 hours of MATH courses numbered 5000 or above excluding MATH 5000-5010, MATH 5012-5015, MATH 5017, MATH 5198, MATH 5250 and MATH 5830.

Additional notes for obtaining the B.S. in Mathematics:

  1. A C- or better is needed in each class towards your major and your grade point average must be at least 2.25 in these MATH classes.

  2. The semester your graduate, you must:

    1. Complete the MFAT Exam and participate in an exit interview. These requirements will be scheduled through the department Administrative Assistant (303-315-1702).

    2. Complete a senior survey.

  3. You must satisfy the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). Contact the CLAS advising office (303-315-7100) for details.

  4. There are a several residency credits that must be satisfied to graduate as a Mathematics major at CU Denver. Graduating students must:

    1. Take at least 15 upper division (3000 or above) MATH credits (5 classes) at CU Denver.

    2. Take a minimum of 30 hour of resident credit (letter grades received at CU Denver).

    3. 21 out of the last 30 hours must be taken in CU Denver CLAS courses.

    For the most current CLAS residency requirements, please visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/advising/.

  5. Students with at least a 3.5 upper-division major grade point average and at least 3.2 overall grade point average may qualify for honors and should contact a math advisor for more details.

Additionally, students must satisfy the following requirements to obtain the M.S. in Applied Mathematics:

  • At least 30 semester hours

  • At least 24 hours must be in mathematics and statistics, numbered 5000 or above

  • At most six hours may be in courses outside the Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences at the 4000 level or above, if approved by the student's academic advisor and by the Graduate Committee.

  • The overall grade point average must be 3.0 or higher. Grades below a B- are not accepted (but they do contribute to the overall GPA).

  • A maximum of 9 credit hours of coursework may be transferred into the M.S. program. Only courses completed with a grade of B- or better may be considered for transfer credit. Credit cannot be transferred until the student has established a satisfactory record of at least six graduate credits in mathematics or statistics at CU Denver with a minimum GPA of 3.0. All transfer courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. Courses taken while registered as a nondegree student are considered transfer courses.

  • The following courses will not count toward a graduate degree in applied mathematics: MATH 5000-5010, MATH 5012-5015, MATH 5017, MATH 5198, MATH 5250 and MATH 5830.

Additional Notes:

  • Students will be advised to take Introduction to Real Analysis II (MATH 4320) as an elective for the B.S.

  • Students must complete either the requirements for the M.S. degree without concentration area or specific coursework requirements in one of the following areas: Applied Probability, Applied Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Mathematics of Engineering and Science, Numerical Analysis, or Operations Research.