BodyText4
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited program is required for admission. A major in any of mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, or computer science with sufficient mathematics coursework is typically a good background for this program. Applicants for the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program must complete the background requirements prior to beginning the program (see the next section and section III.A.5 for more information).
Required background for the MSDS, beyond what is required for admission to the Ph.D. program, includes at least two semesters of computer programming (including data structures or CISC220 equivalent).
Additional desirable courses include:
- a first numerical analysis or methods course (MATH 353 or MATH 426 or equivalent),
- an algorithms course (CISC 320 or equivalent),
- a logic and programming course (CISC 304 or equivalent),
- and both probability and statistics courses (MATH 350 and MATH 450, or STAT 470 and STAT 471, or equivalent).
The applicant shall apply directly to the Ph.D. program in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics and specify that the application is for the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program. The Graduate Studies Committee of the DMS and the Executive Committee of the MSDS will review the applications jointly; the DMS will make the final admission decision. Upon matriculation, the MSDS program will work with the student and the DMS to find a course advisor for the MSDS degree who shall serve in that capacity until the student selects a Ph.D. dissertation advisor and the student and advisors agree that the MSDS advisor is no longer needed. It is expected that this will occur when the coursework is completed.
Any student enrolled in the math or applied math PhD program on 15 November 2021 may apply to change to the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program. After this date, students will not be allowed to transfer into this program subsequent to entering Ph.D. degree programs in mathematics or applied mathematics. Students in combined Bachelor's and MSDS 4+1 degree programs at the University of Delaware are not eligible for this dual degree program.