Mathematics and Statistics with Interdisciplinary Applications (Ph.D.)
Overview
The doctoral program in Mathematics and Statistics with Interdisciplinary Applications (MSIA) is designed to provide a strong mathematics and statistics background to support intense quantitative work in diverse disciplines. The curriculum will prepare scholars to work on problems at the intersection of mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, finance, computer science, and other quantitative disciplines. The program aims to be the most inclusive and broadly interdisciplinary in Texas.
Program Requirements for Students with a Bachelor’s Degree
Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree will complete a minimum of 75 hours to earn the PhD in MSIA as follows:
- Required Core Courses – 12 hours
- Prescribed Electives – 48 hours
- Dissertation Interdisciplinary Research – 15 hours
Program Requirements for Students with Master’s Degree
Students admitted with a master’s degree will complete a minimum of 57 hours to earn the PhD in MSIA as follows:
- Required Core Courses – 9 hours
- Prescribed Electives – 33 hours
- Dissertation Interdisciplinary Research – 15 hours
With help from their faculty advisor and graduate coordinator, students choose courses in one of these areas of emphasis: Computational and Applied Mathematics; Statistics, Data Science, and Machine Learning; Mathematical Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences; or Foundations of Mathematics with Applications.
Milestone Requirements
- Comprehensive Exam – Students will be required to pass the Comprehensive Exam by the end of the second year of graduate study. Through close advising, the first-year coursework will be tailored to a student’s background and similarly, the comprehensive exam will also be tailored to each student’s coursework, background, and research goals. Depending on their background, some students may take the comprehensive exam during their first year while others will take it in the 2nd year. The comprehensive exam will consist of written exams covering topics in each of the eight subjects covered in the core courses. A separate exam in each subject will be offered at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. To advance, the student must pass at least three subject exams. An “A” grade in one of the core courses will exempt the student from at most one exam. Students may take each exam up to three times but must pass all the required exams to remain in the program.
- Elective Coursework - Students are encouraged to take most of the electives from their area of emphasis. Choice of electives should be discussed with (prospective) dissertation advisor. Students are permitted to take up to 6 credit hours of coursework from another doctoral program within UTRGV, with approval from their advisor and the graduate program coordinator.
- Candidacy Exam – students must pass a candidacy exam to progress into their dissertation.
- Dissertation Defense – students must successfully defend their dissertation.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students with a degree in a relevant application area do not require an undergraduate degree in mathematics or statistics.
In addition to general requirements of admissions to the UTRGV Graduate College, the doctoral program in Mathematics and Statistics with Interdisciplinary Applications will also require:
- Bachelor's degree in or in a STEM or related field with at least 3 advanced undergraduate courses in mathematics from the following areas: linear algebra, differential equations ,modern algebra I, real analysis I, probability and statistics, complex variables; or
- Earned a master's degree in mathematics or a related field from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field with at least 3 undergraduate classes listed for students entering with a bachelor's degree.
- TOEFL score of 79 or better for international students if the medium of instruction in their bachelors or master’s program was not English.
- Personal Statement.
- Curriculum Vita.
- Three letters of recommendation.
The above requirements are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission.
The program will accept part-time students as well as transfer students from other graduate programs. Transfer of graduate credit based on policies set out by the UTRGV Graduate College.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements for Bachelor's Degree Entry - 75 hours
Required Courses
Core Courses - 12 Hours
Students must take twelve hours in the core courses.
Prescribed Electives Courses
Students are encouraged to select electives that enhance their chosen area of emphasis, in consultation with their faculty advisor or program coordinator. Where appropriate, students may be required to complete additional interdisciplinary research or a dissertation credit hours above the minimum to satisfy prescribed elective requirements.
Minimum Electives – 21 hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only applied once.
| MATH 8360 | Differential Equations |
| MATH 8364 | Advanced Statistical Methods |
| MATH 8387 | Advanced Mathematical Modeling |
| MATH 8391 | Advanced Topics in Computational and Applied Mathematics |
| MATH 8392 | Advanced Topics in Statistics, Data Science, and Machine Learning |
| MATH 8393 | Advanced Topics in Mathematical Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences |
| MATH 8394 | Advanced Topics in Foundations of Mathematics with Applications |
| MATH 8399 | Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Statistics |
With the approval of an advisor and coordinator, students are permitted to enroll in up to six credits from other UTRGV doctoral programs.
Additional Electives – 27 hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only applied once.
| MATH 8360 | Differential Equations |
| MATH 8364 | Advanced Statistical Methods |
| MATH 8387 | Advanced Mathematical Modeling |
| MATH 8391 | Advanced Topics in Computational and Applied Mathematics |
| MATH 8392 | Advanced Topics in Statistics, Data Science, and Machine Learning |
| MATH 8393 | Advanced Topics in Mathematical Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences |
| MATH 8394 | Advanced Topics in Foundations of Mathematics with Applications |
| MATH 8397 | Directed Study in Mathematics and Statistics |
| MATH 8399 | Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Statistics |
| MATH 8398 | Interdisciplinary Research |
| MATH 8698 | Interdisciplinary Research |
| MATH 9301 | Dissertation |
| MATH 9601 | Dissertation |
| MATH 9901 | Dissertation |
Dissertation and Research Courses
Interdisciplinary Research – 6 hours
The dissertation advisor may recommend extra interdisciplinary research hours, which will count toward prescribed electives.
Dissertation – 9 hours
Students are required to complete at least nine hours in dissertation courses.
Program Requirements for Master's Degree Entry - 57 hours
Required Courses
Core Courses - 9 Hours
Students must choose nine hours in the core courses upon advisement.
Prescribed Electives Courses
Students are encouraged to select electives that enhance their chosen area of emphasis, in consultation with their faculty advisor or program coordinator. Where appropriate, students may be required to complete additional interdisciplinary research or a dissertation credit hours above the minimum to satisfy elective requirements.
Minimum Electives – 9 hours
| MATH 8360 | Differential Equations |
| MATH 8364 | Advanced Statistical Methods |
| MATH 8387 | Advanced Mathematical Modeling |
| MATH 8391 | Advanced Topics in Computational and Applied Mathematics |
| MATH 8392 | Advanced Topics in Statistics, Data Science, and Machine Learning |
| MATH 8393 | Advanced Topics in Mathematical Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences |
| MATH 8394 | Advanced Topics in Foundations of Mathematics with Applications |
| MATH 8399 | Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Statistics |
With the approval of an advisor and coordinator, students are permitted to enroll in up to six credits from other UTRGV doctoral programs.
Additional Electives – 24 hours
| MATH 8360 | Differential Equations |
| MATH 8364 | Advanced Statistical Methods |
| MATH 8387 | Advanced Mathematical Modeling |
| MATH 8391 | Advanced Topics in Computational and Applied Mathematics |
| MATH 8392 | Advanced Topics in Statistics, Data Science, and Machine Learning |
| MATH 8393 | Advanced Topics in Mathematical Methods in Natural and Applied Sciences |
| MATH 8394 | Advanced Topics in Foundations of Mathematics with Applications |
| MATH 8397 | Directed Study in Mathematics and Statistics |
| MATH 8399 | Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Statistics |
| MATH 8398 | Interdisciplinary Research |
| MATH 8698 | Interdisciplinary Research |
| MATH 9301 | Dissertation |
| MATH 9601 | Dissertation |
| MATH 9901 | Dissertation |
Dissertation and Research Courses
Interdisciplinary Research – 6 hours
The dissertation advisor may recommend extra interdisciplinary research hours, which will count toward prescribed electives.
Dissertation – 9 hours
Students are required to complete at least nine hours in dissertation courses.
Total Credit Hours: 57