Graduate Studies

The department offers programs leading to the Ph.D. in Mathematics, Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, the M.S. in Mathematics, and the M.S. in Applied Mathematics.

We also participate in interdisciplinary programs in Information Assurance, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Human Computer Interaction and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

All the graduate programs have considerable flexibility to suit individual needs and we offer a variety of online graduate student resources. The faculty has especially strong, active research groups in partial differential equations, applied mathematics, stochastic processes, functional analysis, combinatorics, algebra, control theory, and mathematical biology. Scholarships and grants are available. Graduate students are also eligible to earn annual departmental awards recognizing academic excellence.

Mathematics graduate programs

  • math_grad_03[1]

    Applied Mathematics: M.S., Ph.D.

    Our Applied Mathematics M.S. and Ph.D. programs include the areas of partial differential equations and scientific computing. Students with this advanced degree often pursue careers in academia, industry, and research, holding positions such as teachers, analysts, statisticians, and more, or continuing their education.

  • mathematics-phd

    Mathematics: M.S., Ph.D.

    The Mathematics M.S. and Ph.D. programs at Iowa State combine logic and precision with intuition and imagination. Learn how to use mathematics to solve complex and important problems. Explore careers in research, academia, and industry, with potential employment in areas such as education, data analysis, and finance.

  • Post-baccalaureate certificate in mathematics

    The Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Mathematics offers students who have received a Bachelor’s degree one year of training and preparation for entering a Ph.D. program in Mathematics.

Graduate minor in Applied Mathematics or Mathematics

M.S. minor in Applied Mathematics

M.S. students who declare a minor in Applied Mathematics are required to have at least 6 credits in formal mathematics courses acceptable for graduate credit and at the 400-level or above.

M.S. minor in Mathematics

M.S. students who declare a minor in Mathematics are required to have at least 6 credits in formal mathematics courses acceptable for graduate credit and at the 400-level or above.

Ph.D. minor in Applied Mathematics

Ph.D. students who declare a minor inApplied Mathematics are required to have:

  • At least 12 credits in mathematics courses acceptable for graduate credit;
  • At least 6 of the above 12 credits chosen from Math 517,519,520, 557, 561 and 562.

Ph.D. minor in Mathematics

Ph.D. students from other disciplines of graduate study who declare a graduate minor in Mathematics are required to have:

  • At least 12 credits in mathematics courses acceptable for graduate credit;
  • At least 6 of the above 12 credits chosen from Math 504, 505, 510, 511, 515 and 516.

Interdisciplinary programs

Find out more about the following programs co-administered by the department with other colleges and departments across the university.