Department of Mathematics
Master of Science in Mathematics and Statistics

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Transfer of Credit

Graduating this Semester?

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Program Brochures

 

Student Handbook

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Application and Preparation

Bridge Courses

Planning Your Courses

Consulting and Internship

Financial Aspects

Application and Preparation

How much mathematics and statistics should I know to qualify for admission?

Students who apply should have the preparation of a mathematics minor. They should have taken two semesters of single variable calculus in high school or college, and they should have taken full courses in multivariable (vector) calculus and linear algebra. One or two additional courses at the sophomore or junior level are desirable. These can be as varied as additional mathematical courses (e.g. Graph Theory, Number Theory, Complex Variables) or courses in another discipline that have substantial mathematical content (e.g. Econometrics, Physical Chemistry, or Circuit Theory). Applicants should also know elementary concepts of statistics, at the level of a general introductory course for non-specialists.

I am not sure how well I am prepared for the course work. What do you recommend?

You can email us a list of relevant courses that you have taken.  Please tell us your grade, when you took the class and whether you think it was a success for you.

I have only taken Calculus I and Calculus II, and it's been six years. Can I get admitted to this program?

You should not submit an application at this time, but rather contact us to tell us you level or preparation. A good way to get prepared for the program is to take these courses at a local college before applying. Many community colleges offer these courses at convenient times. Georgetown University also offers these courses through itsSchool of Continuing Studies during the summer. We'll work with you to prepare a plan.

You should also refresh your Calculus knowledge before enrolling in these courses, e.g. by going over your old notes or by spending some time working with a Calculus textbook.

I took Econometrics in College, and we did a good deal of matrix algebra in that course. Am I prepared adequately?

You should talk to a faculty member in the mathematics department to have this question clarified. Set up an appointment byemail, and bring some of the material or a syllabus from the course. You will still need to know Multivariable Calculus to enroll.

Is there a minimum GPA for applicants?

The Graduate School expects a B-average (3.0 or better) for applicants. We want to make sure that entering students can meet or come close to this requirement. For success in the program, it is even more important that an applicant is capable of doing well in advanced mathematics or statistics courses. If the application shows this, a student with a slightly lower GPA may still have a chance of admission.

Bridge Courses

Should I take a bridge course, and when should I take it?

You should consider taking a bridge course in Matrix Methods or in Methods of Analysis if you already took a regular course in Linear Algebra or Multivariable and it has been several years since you last were exposed to this material. You should also consider taking it if you only took a class that gave you an introduction to matrix algebra or vector calculus.

We suggest you take the bridge course in Statistics if you never had any exposure to elementary statistical concepts, e.g. if you are unsure what a histogram or a mean or a standard deviation are and if you have never worked with a normal distribution. 

We suggest the Discrete Mathematics bridge course to enrolling students who have not been exposed to a rigorous mathematical course (Linear Algebra and up) in which the language of set theory was employed and proofs were given. Mathematics majors and minors or Computer Science majors should not need to take this bridge course.

The Computer Tools course is recommended to everybody who has never used any mathematical software (SAS or Matlab or Mathematica) in the past.

Who actually determines whether I should take a bridge course?

We usually make recommendations regarding bridge courses when we notify you that you have been recommended for admission, or shortly thereafter. The question of bridge courses will also be discussed when you meet with your academic advisor.

When should I take a bridge course?

The bridge courses in Matrix Methods, Methods of Analysis, and Elementary Statistics should be taken before the first semester of study. The bridge courses in Discrete Mathematics and Computer Tools can be taken a bit later. All applicable bridge courses should be taken before or immediately after the first year of study.

When will the bridge courses be offered?

Bridge courses are usually taught during the summer session in June, July and August. Meeting times can be arranged with the instructor. Bridge courses can also be taken during the semester as tutorials, with times to be arranged.

Can I study on my own instead of taking a bridge course?

This is possible, if you are merely planning to review material that you have seen before in a regular course. Contact us before making this decision.  

Does credit for a bridge course count towards this graduate degree?

No. However, bridge courses are at the graduate level and may count towards other graduate degrees or graduate degrees at other institutions.

Planning Your Courses

How many courses can I take at a time?

Three courses per semester, plus perhaps a consulting clinic for advanced students (nine to eleven credits) is a manageable load for full time students.

How long can I take to complete the degree?

Graduate school rules state that students admitted to a master's degree program are allowed three years from matriculation to complete all requirements for the degree. Talk to your advisor if you think you might take longer.

Will there be advisors for graduate students?

Each incoming student will be assigned an advisor who will discuss course schedules and preferences. The advisor will help also recommend bridge courses that an incoming student should take

Does the mathematics department offer graduate courses during the Summer?

The program will offer an elective course during the summer of 2008 and will most likely offer courses in future summers.  You may also find electives that are offered by other departments during the summer, and you can take summer courses through the Consortium.

I plan to continue working full time. How long can I take to complete the degree?

You are expected to complete the degree within three years from matriculation. If this becomes difficult, talk to your advisor, because there are ways to get an exception. The coursework can be completed by taking one or two courses per semester for three years. 

How easy is it to take courses in other departments?

In most cases, there are no barriers for mathematics/statistics graduate students who wish to take courses in other departments. Departments may however have rules that restrict access to their courses. You should always contact the instructor before enrolling in a course offered by a third department in order to find out about prerequisites and restrictions.

Is is possible to take the Probability Theory / Mathematical Statistics courses out of sequence?

We strongly recommend that you take Probability Theory first and then Mathematical Statistics. Also, it is recommended that Mathematical Statistics be taken soon after Probability Theory.

Is is possible to take the Deterministic Models / Numerical Methods courses out of sequence?

These two courses can be taken in either order. If possible, Deterministic Models should be taken first.

Can I take elective courses before completing the four core courses?

Yes, this is possible, depending on the prerequisites for the elective course. Please contact the instructor of the elective course if you have questions.

I have taken graduate courses elsewhere. What are the rules for transferring credit?

Students may transfer up to 7.5 credits (in practice: six credits) for qualifying graduate courses from other institutions. Please look at ourwebpage  for more information. It is important that you contact us byemail to determine which of your courses qualify. We will require details such as a syllabus, information about the textbooks that were used, or possibly a final exam copy.

There is a course at another university in the Washington area that I would like to take. Can I do this?

Students enrolled in a Graduate School degree program may enroll for courses through theConsortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, provided the courses are not available at Georgetown University. You must obtain permission from this program, Georgetown's Graduate Dean, and the visiting institution, and you cannot register for a Consortium course during Early Registration. Detailed rules are available on the Graduate School's webpage. If you took a class at another area institution directly (not through the Consortium), you can ask for transfer of credit, subject to the 25% limit on transfer credit.

Can I take courses in the Biostatistics department to satisfy the degree requirements?

The Biostatistics coursesBIST-510 (Probability and Sampling) andBIST-511 (Statistical Inference) may be taken instead of the core coursesMATH-501 (Probability Theory) andMATH-503 (Mathematical Statistics). In addition, coursessuch as Statistical Modeling I and II may be taken as electives. Contact the instructors of these courses before enrolling. Other elective courses offered by the Biostatistics Masters' program may also satisfy requirements for our program. Look at the Courses webpage for details.

The courses BIST 501 (Introductory Biostatistics) and  BIST 502/TBIO502 (Applied Biostatistics) are graduate level service courses and do not count as electives for the Mathematics and Statistics program.

I understand that graduate students must maintain a B-average. How is this rule enforced?

An average GPA of 3.0 is one of the graduation requirements, and a student cannot accumulate two or more failing (F) or unsatisfactory (U) grades. Keep in mind that this is a requirement for an average, not a requirement for each course or for each semester. Thus an occasional B- or even a C can be made up with grades that are better than B. Students whose average GPA falls below 3.0 in a given semester should talk to their advisor and/or the Director of Graduate Studies to determine the best way to improve their standing. They will not be kicked out of the program without previous warnings. Details of these rules may be found here.

Consulting and Internship

How does the consulting experience actually work?

The statistical consulting clinic will offer consulting services mainly to members of the Georgetown community. Students who are enrolled in this clinic should have taken at least Math-503 (Mathematical Statistics) and preferably another statistics course. They should also be comfortable with at least one statistical software package such as SAS, SPSS, Minitab, or R/S-Plus.

Students will work on statistical questions that are brought by Georgetown researchers and students, mainly from the social and natural sciences. Some of these questions may take only an afternoon to solve, and the answer may take the form of a telephone call or an email. Others may take several weeks to finish and require work with datasets that are provided by clients and a written report.

Students must be present for about three hours per week, typically on a weekday afternoon. Course credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis.

The applied mathematics clinic will mainly work on projects that originate with outside partners or with departmental faculty and that have a more mathematical flavor. Projects are expected to take a month or longer and will usually result in a detailed report. Students who are enrolled in this clinic should have taken Math-502 (Deterministic Models) and Math-504 (Numerical Methods). They should also be comfortable with at least one computational software package such as Matlab and/or Mathematica.

Students must be present for about three hours per week, typically on a weekday afternoon. Course credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis.

Both consulting experiences will require teams of students to work together and to have direct contact with "clients" who know little statistics or mathematics.

How do internships actually work?

An internship takes place off campus, at a location and in an environment that is usually not connected to Georgetown University. The graduate program will help students find internships with external partners, according to their interests and time constraints. Students are encouraged to find internships on their own.

To count towards the degree requirement, an internship should involve mathematical or statistical work at a reasonably advanced level, present opportunities for independent work, and require interaction with people who do not have mathematical or statistical training. An internship will be directed by the non-Georgetown partner, with involvement by program faculty. It should take around 120-150 hours of your time. It may consist of a full-time project that lasts three to four weeks, or it may take one day per week for four or five months, or it may take other forms. At the end, a written report of about 5-7 pages and an oral presentation to other students are required. Course credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis.

I am working full time, and it will be difficult to find the time for an internship. What are my options?

You may already be working in an environment which is equivalent to an internship. In that case, the requirement can be satisfied by preparing a written report on a suitable project and giving an oral presentation. If you have done that kind of work in the past but are doing something else now or if your current work cannot be shared with others due to confidentiality requirements, you can earn one internship credit by writing a report and giving a presentation on past work. You can also substitute one or two credits of consulting for the corresponding number of internship credits.

Can I satisfy the consulting requirement at my workplace?

Talk to the Director of Graduate Studies about this option. 

Does past work experience count towards the internship requirement?

Yes, one credit of the internship requirement can be satisfied through past work experience. You will be asked to prepare a written report and give a presentation.

Will I have be able to choose between different internships?

Yes, students have had choices between internships in the past.

Can I get paid for an internship?

Interns are often paid for their work. However, there is no guarantee. Keep in mind that the financial benefit of an internship may come later - when you apply for a job and can point to past experience.

What is the difference between internship and consulting?

An internship is spent off campus, and you will work for a non-Georgetown partner, typically on a single project. Consulting is done on campus, supervised by Georgetown faculty, never on a full time basis (perhaps one afternoon per week). Problems will be smaller (ranging from a few hours to several weeks) and will typically come to you. A formal written report may not be required in consulting, depending on the nature of the problem. Finally, you will be consulting in a group, so there will be other students or faculty to help out if a problem is too difficult or too lengthy. In both experiences, you will learn to talk to non-specialists, use your mathematical and statistical skills to solve problems for them, and communicate the solutions in their language.

I'd rather take another course instead of enrolling in the consulting/internship requirement. Is that possible?

This is possible if you are currently working in an environment that is equivalent to an internship (requiring mathematical or statistical work at an advanced level) and if you have past consulting experience, e.g. from an undergraduate program in statistics or from your current work. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you are interested in this option. Keep in mind that consulting and internship experiences will generally look good on your transcript and may improve your chances with future employers.

Financial Aspects

What kind of financial assistance is available for students?

The program offers a few scholarships, that is, reduced tuition. Students interested in scholarships have earlier application deadlines. Currently, we do not offer fellowships. That is, there are no student salaries for teaching or research. However, there are some opportunities for student employment.

Can I become a teaching assistant?

Currently, we do not have positions for teaching assistants.

What other possibilities are there for student employment?

The Department of Mathematics regularly hires graders and tutors. There are also other opportunities for student employment, ranging from work in the library to work for an administrative department at Georgetown University.

Will I receive an automatic offer of financial assistance when I get admitted?

We can only offer scholarships to a few candidates for admission, not to all.   

If I don't receive an offer for a scholarship upon admission, will I have another chance once I am enrolled?

We will offer limited additional scholarships to students who do exceptionally well after enrolling in the program and have not received a scholarship upon acceptance. These students will be contacted individually.

Where can I find out more about financial assistance?

Georgetown University'sOffice of Student Financial Services has information for graduate students.