Dec 04, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Mathematics, M.S.


Prerequisites


A bachelor’s degree


A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 24 upper-division units in mathematics from an accredited college or university

Advancement to Candidacy


In addition to University requirements, the student must have completed all prerequisite courses listed above with no grade less than “C”. Students should file for Advancement upon completion of at least six units (and no more than nine units) on the Program of Study, with at least a 3.0 GPA. Program of study must be approved by the appropriate Graduate Advisor, and Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics or designee.

Requirements


A minimum of 30 graduate and upper division units:


A minimum of 30 graduate and upper-division units approved by the Graduate Advisor including:

An additional 6 units of 500-level mathematics courses


Complete one of the following culminating activities


(Note: In order to satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity:

Comprehensive Exam Option


Pass a comprehensive written examination in two areas of Pure Mathematics. Specific requirements for passing the comprehensive examinations can be found on the Department of Mathematics and Statistics website at www.csulb.edu/depts/math.

Thesis Option


Subject to the approval of the Pure Mathematics Committee in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, write a thesis in mathematics and defend it orally.