2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Applied Mathematics, M.S. ____________________
Major Code: 8073 Degree Awarded: Master of Science
Age Restriction: N Admission status: graduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
Admission Materials: none
The master’s degree program in mathematics is designed to produce
mathematicians with competence in analysis who have breadth and
versatility in mathematics and its applications in related fields. To
this end, students entering the master’s program in mathematics are
required to select an applied field in which they wish to develop some
expertise and to complete six credit hours toward the degree from
approved courses outside the mathematics curriculum. In addition, the
master’s program is organized so that students will have the freedom
to select some of their mathematics electives to develop their own
special interests and to complement their choice of applied field. The
flexibility in the elective part of the curriculum allows some students
the opportunity to achieve a breadth of experience in mathematics
and its uses in physical and engineering sciences, computer science or
operations research. At the same time, it will allow other students to
achieve more knowledge in a particular area in which they may wish
to develop expertise. In either case, the program is organized to help
students obtain an appropriate background for industrial employment
or to pursue further graduate studies toward the doctoral degree. In
either case, students will benefit from the range of options that are
available in the applied mathematics master’s program.
Students are encouraged to consider which combination of elective
mathematics courses are appropriate for their choice of applied specialization
and to discuss the program with their advisers as soon as
graduate study begins.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in
mathematics and must have completed undergraduate courses in differential
equations and statistics, and have proficiency in a high-level
programming language. (Programming languages are noncredit courses
for graduate mathematics students.) Applications from graduates with
undergraduate majors in the physical sciences or graduate students
seeking a second master’s degree are welcome. In such cases, however,
it may be necessary for applicants to take courses in addition
to the 30-credit degree requirement in those subjects where their
backgrounds are deficient.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree in mathematics requires a minimum of
30 credit hours of work beyond the bachelor’s degree. For the thesis
option, six credit hours of thesis are required. The thesis should demonstrate
the candidate’s abilities in the areas of reading and understanding
mathematical literature, independent learning and written
expression. Theses that combine mathematics with its applications
in a related field are encouraged. A nonthesis option candidate must
successfully complete a final program examination.
Curriculum
Core Areas (18 credit hours)
Analysis ........................................................................................................ 6
Linear Algebra .............................................................................................. 3
Numerical and Computational Mathematics............................................... 3
Probability and Statistics.............................................................................. 3
Differential Equations .................................................................................. 3
212 Florida Tech 2013–2014
Electives (6 credit hours)
Courses in mathematics or in other scientific or engineering courses
with a high degree of mathematical content. Six credit hours of electives
can be devoted to writing a thesis, except in the case of students
pursuing a fast track or accelerated master’s program. The selection
of elective courses must have the approval of the department head.
Applied Field (6 credit hours)
This requirement consists of courses outside the mathematics program.
The applied field courses must be at the 5000-level or above.
The selection of applied field courses must have the approval of the
department head. Normally, only those subjects involving an appropriate
degree of mathematical content are approved as applied field
courses in a mathematics program.
Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours)
The thesis is expected to be completed in two terms. The master’s
thesis in mathematics is expected to be a thorough investigation of
a well-defined problem.
Operations Research, M.S. ____________________
Major Code: 8074 Degree Awarded: Master of Science
Age Restriction: N Admission status: graduate, online graduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom, online main campus, Extended Studies
Admission Materials: none Location/s: main campus, Aberdeen, Virtual Site
Operations research is a scientific approach to analyzing problems
and making decisions. It uses mathematics and mathematical modeling
on computers to forecast the implications of various choices and
identify the best alternatives.
Operations research methodology is applied to a broad range of problems
in both the public and private sectors. These problems often
involve designing systems to operate in the most effective way. Many
problems deal with the allocation of scarce human resources, money,
materials, equipment or facilities. Applications include staff scheduling,
vehicle routing, warehouse location, product distribution, quality
control, traffic light phasing, police patrolling, preventive maintenance
scheduling, economic forecasting, design of experiments, power plant
fuel allocation, stock portfolio optimization, cost-effective environmental
protection, inventory control and university course scheduling.
Operations research is interdisciplinary and draws heavily from the
mathematics program. It also uses courses from computer science,
engineering management and other engineering programs.
The Master of Science in Operations Research offers concentrations
that emphasize those areas of application most in demand in today’s job
market. Graduates have skills that include probability and statistics,
deterministic and stochastic models, optimization methods, computation
and simulation, decision analysis and the ability to effectively
communicate with clients and managers. In addition, graduates have
a breadth of knowledge that allows them to work in teams, interacting
with people who bring different expertise to a problem. All areas
involve expertise with standard computer software packages.
Admission Requirements
An applicant for the master’s program in operations research should
have an undergraduate major in a science or engineering discipline
that requires a significant amount of mathematics. Business majors
with strong quantitative backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
A proficiency in mathematics covering topics in calculus and linear
algebra, and computer literacy must be demonstrated by testing or
suitable coursework.