Applied Mathematics Graduate Programs
Doctor of Philosophy in Collegiate Mathematics Education
The Applied Mathematics and Mathematics and Science Education departments have collaborated on a joint program designed to train the next generation of teachers and researchers. The objective of the program is to provide an advanced education in the teaching and learning of collegiate mathematics through coursework and original research taught by the faculties of the two departments. These advanced studies will enable graduates to teach a wide range of college-level mathematics courses, conduct theoretical and practical research on collegiate mathematics teaching and learning, or develop and evaluate college mathematics curricula.
Degree Requirements
All IIT Graduate School requirements must be satisfied. Beyond those requirements, specific degree requirements are:
- 85 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree (32 credits maximum transfer from coursework; 42 maximum transfer of graduate coursework credits; the number of subjects allowed for transfer credit depends on what subjects have been recently taken and is decided on a case-by-case basis)
- Qualifying exam
- Comprehensive exam
- Dissertation and Defense
The qualifying exam is fulfilled by achieving better than a 3.5/4.0 GPA on the MATH 476, MATH 500, MATH 553, and MATH 577 AM core courses and a 3.5/4.0 GPA on the MSED 601, MSED 602, MSED 603, and MSED 604 MSED core courses and passing an oral examination within the first five semesters of Ph.D. study. The oral exam consists of two one-hour parts covering AM and MSED core courses respectively. For the AM part, the candidate selects any two out of the four above-mentioned AM core courses plus another one AM core course to be tested on during the oral exam. For the MSED part, the candidate proposes five position statements ranked by the faculty. The MSED oral exam is composed of the two position statements with the highest rankings. Position Statement 1: Written defense to support position with empirical research. Position Statements 2: Oral defense.
The comprehensive exam consists of an oral examination based on the student's research proposal. The exam aims to ensure that the student has the background to carry out successful research in his/her chosen area and the proposed research has sufficient scholarly merit.
A minimum of 25 hours should be devoted to thesis research (CMED 691). The dissertation (thesis) is expected to contain a distinct and substantial, original and publishable contribution to the field of study. An oral examination in defense of the thesis constitutes completion of the degree.
Required Courses
Applied Mathematics Core Requirements (18 credit hours):
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Mathematics and Science Education Core Requirements (18 credit hours):
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Elective Requirements
| Elective courses: A minimum of 12 credit hours in the Applied Mathematics department, including at least one 500-level or higher MATH class, and at least nine credit hours of MSED courses. Suggested / required courses for each department are listed below. | ||
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
| MATH 401 | ANALYSIS II | 3 |
| MATH 402 | COMPLEX ANALYSIS | 3 |
| MATH 420 | GEOMETRY | 3 |
| MATH 475 | PROBABILITY | 3 |
| MATH 5XY | ANY 500-LEVEL AM COURSE | 3 |
| MSED 503 | ADVANCED STRATEGIES: MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| MSED 521 | HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| MSED 550 | CLINICAL SUPERVISION IN SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| MSED 552 | ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| MSED 555 | MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM | 3 |
| MSED 571 | PROBLEMS SOLVING AND NATURE OF MATHEMATICS | 3 |
Admission Criteria
Admission to the joint Ph.D. program in Collegiate Mathematics Education requires that all candidates qualify through the IIT Graduate Admissions Program. Additional requirements are:
- Master's or Bachelor's degree in mathematics or applied mathematics. Candidates whose degree is in a related field (for example, computer science, physics, or engineering) and whose background in mathematics is strong are also eligible for admission and are encouraged to apply.
- GRE scores: Quantitative and Verbal score: 1100; Analytical score 3.0
- TOEFL (minimum score of 600 for paper-based, 250 for computer-based, and 100 for internet-based test) if from a non-English speaking country.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
- Professional statement of goals & objectives (limit 2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- An interview may be required.
Also see:
Department of Mathematics and Science Education
Downloadable Brochure
Graduate Application FAQ
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SIAM Student Chapter