Frequently Asked Questions about Applying for
Graduate Study in Mathematics at Lehigh
University
Q: What graduate
degree programs are offered?
A: The department offers graduate programs
leading to the degree of M.S. in mathematics, M.S. in applied
mathematics, M.S. in statistics,
Ph.D. in mathematics, and Ph.D. in applied mathematics. About
three quarters of the graduate students in the department plan to earn
a Ph.D. degree. Most of the remaining one quarter of the
graduate students are working toward the M.S. in statistics degree.
Q: What are the
requirements which students in the programs must fulfill?
A: Please see the Mathematics Graduate
Student Handbook at http://www.lehigh.edu/~math/handbook.html
.
Q: How do I apply and what are the
minimal admissions requirements?
A: There is a link to the online application on the College of Arts and
Sciences web site at http://cas.lehigh.edu/grad.
Official transcripts and two letters of recommendation are
required.
The GRE General Tests are not required, but they are very strongly
recommended. The GRE Mathematics Subject Test score is also
helpful, but it is less important than the General Test scores.
The minimal undergraduate grade point average is 3.0, and there are no
minimal required scores. However, most applicants have high
grade point averages, high GRE scores, and strong
letters of recommendation. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent
degree is required. Most applicants to the Ph.D. programs have a
bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics. Applicants to the
M.S. in statistics degree tend to have bachelor's degree's in
mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative field.
Q: What
mathematical background should I have in order to succeed in the Ph.D.
program?
A: You will need to have undergone solid training in the basic
areas of undergraduate (abstract and linear) algebra and undergraduate
real and complex analysis. During the first year of graduate
study,
most students take basic graduate courses in which these subjects
are treated at a rigorous and more advanced level, so it is important
to have a strong background in these subjects at the
undergraduate level.
Q: What background
should I have in order to succeed in the M.S. in statistics program?
A: The student's undergraduate degree must include at
least 9 semester-hours of calculus. Students who have not had any
course in linear algebra, complex variables and advanced calculus
are advised to take Lehigh's Math 205 (or 244), Math 208 (or 316) and
Math 301 at the earliest opportunity. It would also be
helpful to have had some undergraduate probability and statistics
courses, and some theoretical and applied mathematics courses.
Q: What are the requirements for international students?
A:
International students submit the application forms as stated above. In
addition, students whose native language is not English must submit
TOEFL scores. The minimal scores required
for the iBT TOEFL are
Reading: 21
Listening: 15
Speaking: 24
Writing: 25
Total:
85
Students who are offered a teaching assistantship must
pass a Speak Test at Lehigh in order to continue as a teaching
assistant.
Further information can be found on the English as a Second Language
web site at http://www.lehigh.edu/~inesl/home.
Q: When is the deadline for filing an
application?
A: The deadline for the fall semester is
July 15; however, the deadline for financial aid consideration for the
fall semester is January 15 (although applications for financial aid
are often considered
after the deadline in some special cases).
Q: When are the
admission and financial aid offers made?
A: Most students are sent a letter informing
them of the decision concerning their admission to the program some
time in February or early March. Financial aid (TA, RA,
fellowships, and scholarship)
offers are mostly made in late February or in March. However,
offers are occassionally made much later (even in July or August), so,
before accepting an offer elsewhere, please contact us to
check on the status of your application if you have not yet heard from
us.
Q: Is an interview required?
A: An interview is not required, but
please contact us if you would like to visit.
Q: What are the credit requirements
for the master's degree?
A: The minimum requirement for the master' degree is 30
credits.
Q: Is it possible to transfer credits
towards a graduate degree?
A: Transfer credits can only be applied towards a Masters degree. A
maximum of 9 credits can be transferred.
Q: What are the tuition charges?
A: The graduate tuition for the academic year 2009-2010 is
$1,150/credit (please note this amount is subject to change annually).
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: Full-time students may apply for financial aid in form of
fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research
assistantships. Most of the Ph.D. students have teaching
assistantships which provide
tuition remission and a stipend. However, only a few new
teaching assistantships are awarded each year. Of the students
who are not teaching assistants, most receive some partial scholarship
support at some point during their graduate studies. Student loans are
available through the Office of Financial Aid. Applicants who are
teaching and who apply for addition coursework or a
degree program may be eligible for a special educator tuition rate.
Q: Is on-campus housing available?
A: Graduate student housing is available
on campus and off-campus within close proximity of the university.
Q: Is it possible to take courses without
being admitted to a degree program?
A:
Applicants may request admission as non-degree students for a
limited
number of courses and credits. A non-degree application form is
available on the College of Arts and Sciences
web site at http://cas.lehigh.edu/grad.
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