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Accelerated Master's Platform in Mathematics

Accelerated Master's Platform in Mathematics

The Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP) in Mathematics allows current OSU Mathematics majors to take graduate classes in Mathematics, apply those credits to their current undergraduate degree, and transfer them to a participating graduate program. Up to twenty two graduate credits will count towards a bachelor's degree and transfer to the Mathematics Master's program. With careful planning, students could complete a master’s degree within 1 years of finishing their bachelor's degree.

Participating programs

Undergraduate

B.S. in Mathematics, and H.B.S. (Honors B.S. in Mathematics)

Graduate program

M.S. and M.A. in Mathematics

Applications and advising

All successful applicants will have completed at least the junior core courses in mathematics and have an AMP advisor who is also their research mentor; see below for GPA and other requirements. Any faculty listed as a graduate research faculty on our research pages can serve as AMP advisor.

The Chair of the Graduate Committee in Mathematics serves as AMP Coordinator. Please see our department directory.

Admission Requirements

  • An OSU GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Junior status in an undergraduate degree program in mathematics. (Post-baccalaureate students are ineligible.)
  • Completion (by the end of Spring term) of MTH 311, MTH 312, MTH 342, MTH 343 with a grade of at least A- in each course.
  • A GPA of at least 3.75 in all upper-division mathematics courses.
  • Three letters of reference, including one from a graduate faculty member in Mathematics who agrees to be the AMP advisor.

Admission process

  • Student application deadline for the AMP: May 15. (This is for admission into AMP in Fall term).
  • Complete the online application via the Graduate School website.
  • Admission is competitive, not all of the applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be accepted.
  • Decision by June 15.

Timeline

Junior year (the year you apply to AMP)

Complete required courses, find an advisor, and apply.

  • The candidate completes all admission requirements by the end of Spring term of their junior year. This includes a commitment from a member of the mathematics graduate faculty to serve as a mentor beginning with admission to the AMP and as a major professor through the masters degree program.
  • The candidate must develop a tentative program of study which should be developed with their advisor, and approved by both the Lead Advisor, and Graduate Chair. (see AMP-frequently asked questions).
  • Apply to AMP by May 15 of their junior year, with the decision by June 15
  • Candidates cannot serve as GTAs until after they completed their senior year

Senior year (first year in AMP)

Earn graduate credits (twenty two credits can be transferred to your Master's program), and complete your B.S. degree. Start research.

  • By the end of the first week of Fall, the participant develops a course plan with the AMP advisor and obtains approval of the Undergraduate Head Advisor and Graduate Chair (or their delegates). Most course plans will include involvement in meaningful research starting in Fall term.
  • The participant must maintain the GPA required by the Graduate School for AMP participants.
  • The participant takes at least three non-blanket graduate-level MTH courses (taken for a letter grade) that can be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A highly recommended choice is at least two from the M.S. core courses: MTH 511, MTH 512, MTH 543, MTH 611. The participant must earn a grade of at least B in each course of the twenty two credits applied to both the baccalaureate and graduate degree programs.
  • If the participant wants to be considered for a GTA for the second AMP year, an update on their application is due by the deadline for graduate applications (currently January 1). GTA positions are not automatically granted for AMP participants. The updated information should include the current transcripts sent to Graduate Committee and any updates on their proposed program. In addition, AMP applicants should arrange for the letters to be sent to Graduate Committee. These letters should come from professors having the most up-to-date information about the students performance in the advanced Mathematics graduate coursework. In addition, it is strongly recommended that the students provide their GRE scores to the Graduate Committee.

Year 1 of graduate program

Take graduate courses as required; transfer up to 22 credits towards your Master's degree.

Frequently asked questions

This section contains additional information about AMP in Mathematics. It will be updated as new information and questions arise.

The process is similar to obtaining an honors mentor or an advisor for our already established graduate programs. For instance, many students ask faculty who were their course instructors in a subject the candidate would like to study further.

Expanding on an honors thesis could result in an M.S. thesis. For non-honors students an expository paper is the most likely capstone. Passing the qualifying exams is the least likely due to the tight timeline of AMP.

There is no sample program for the senior year, but there are some recommended courses. A student's program is designed by the student and their advisor, with final approval by the Head Advisor and the Graduate Chair, who also serves as AMP Coordinator. Sample graduate programs for Master's degree are listed in Graduate Handbook.

A highly recommended choice is at least two from the M.S. core courses: MTH 511, MTH 512, MTH 543, MTH 611, and the participant must earn a grade of at least B in each course if the credits are to be applied to both the B.S. and Master's program.

The AMP program is for high-achieving students who are interested in research, and want to have a graduate degree.

Potential AMP participants (close to satisfying the minimum coursework and GPA requirements for AMP) can discuss their questions with Graduate Committee Chair who serves as AMP Coordinator, and Head Advisor, or their representatives.

You must discuss your tentative program of study (PoS) with your advisor (first), Lead Undergraduate Advisor, and Graduate Chair. After your PoS is tentatively approved, you get the code from Graduate Chair.

Yes.

Yes, but there may be graduate programs reluctant to accept students with prior M.S. If this is the case, AMP participant can withdraw from AMP while in senior year.

Yes.

Yes, because they would be getting valuable high level training. But no, if they worry about their GPA being lower due to the classes being higher level.

No, because there is a high bar and a lot of expectations involved, including expectations on research. Yes, if this does not deter them.

Once AMP participants obtained their B.S. degree, they can be considered for Graduate Assistantships (GTAs/GRAs). The applications are due at the same time as the graduate applications to the program, with a deadline of January 1 of senior year. AMP participants compete for the same pool of assistantships as other graduate applicants. At the time of GTA application, they should update their application, (provide CV, transcripts etc.), and arrange for updated letters from their advisors, and for letters for professors who taught them graduate courses.