Creation of a 4+1 BS/MS Program
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Changes to be Effective in Fall 2011

Revised 3-22-11

This document summarizes the implication of the creation of a 4+1 program in the mathematical sciences. We also address the rationale for the proposed program and note that there are no course implications due to this proposal.

Rationale for the proposed program changes

Our most advanced undergraduate students often enroll in graduate mathematics courses during their time at the University of Delaware. While the number of such students is small, typically 1-2 per year, it is also fairly constant. These students often express an interest in obtaining a Master of Science degree while pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree or in fact do so, in an ad-hoc manner. Further, we regularly have 1-2 students per year who complete an undergraduate degree in our department and then immediately apply to our MS program. Please note that these students will be tuition paying students. The creation of a 4+1 BS/MS Program would:

· Provide a pathway for students currently pursuing this option in an ad-hoc manner.

· Make this option more widely known to all of our students.

· Allow students already at the University of Delaware to obtain an MS in five years as opposed to six.

· Allow for improved recruiting of undergraduate majors.

Summary of academic changes

A detailed description of the program appears in our revised program policy statement attached to this package. In brief, this proposal establishes admissions requirements for the 4+1 program, a policy on “double counting” credits toward both the BS and MS degrees, and the criteria needed for the MS degree. In particular:

Admissions Requirements

Students are eligible to apply to this program in their junior year of undergraduate study. Applications for this program must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies on or before February 1^st. A complete application consists of two letters of recommendation from University of Delaware faculty and academic transcripts. At a minimum, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.4 in their undergraduate major. Students must have completed at least two mathematics courses at or above the 400 level. Students must be enrolled as a Bachelor of Science student in one of the undergraduate majors administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Policy on Double Counting

Six credit hours of graduate courses in the mathematical sciences earned while the student was an undergraduate can be counted toward the total unit requirement for the Master of Science degree.

Degree Requirements

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science degree in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The degree requirements are the same for each of these, hence, we will refer to the MS degree. To receive an MS degree, a student in the 4+1 program must fulfill all of the degree requirements outlined in our program policy statement. This consists of thirty credit hours of course work at or above the 600 level excluding Math 607. Up to three of these credit hours may be taken outside of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Course implications

There are no course implications for this proposed program.