Graduate Programs in Mathematics

at Lehigh University

This is a brief description of the graduate program. For more details see the mathematics graduate homepage and the College of Arts and Sciences for departmental and general information, respectively. The college site has links to downloadable and online application forms.

We offer the degrees of M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and M.S. in Statistics. We are also involved in the M.S. in Analytical Finance.

For information and applications, call (610) 758-3730 or contact the Graduate Committee at mathgrad@lehigh.edu. Our mailing address is:

Graduate Committee
Department of Mathematics
Christmas-Saucon Hall
Lehigh University
14 East Packer Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Applicants requesting financial aid should apply by January 15. The TOEFL is required of all students whose native language is not English, and the TSE is required for teaching assistants from non-English-speaking countries. The GRE General Test and Subject Test in mathematics are strongly recommended for all applicants.

The mathematics department currently (2007-2008) has 23 teaching assistants. They receive a stipend of between $15,900 and $16,500 for the academic year depending on experience. All teaching assistants recieve full tuition remission for 9 credits each semester (a full course load). Often one or two of our graduate students are supported by fellowships from the university which give the stipend and tuition without the teaching duties.

M.S. in Mathematics

The master's program demands 30 credit hours of graduate courses with at least 18 hours at the 400 level. With the permission of the chairman, up to six hours of these courses can be replaced by a thesis. All students in the master's program must also pass a comprehensive examination. This exam is given during the first year, and covers calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. The comprehensive examination for the M.S in statistics covers calculus, linear algebra and probability and statistics.

With a judicious choice of courses, a student in the master's program can specialize in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics. The M.S. degree can serve both as a final degree in mathematics or as an appropriate background for the PhD.

PhD in Mathematics

The plan of work for the PhD degree includes the Comprehensive Exam described above, and qualifying examinations. The student must pass qualifying exams in three areas. A description of these areas can be found in the graduate student handbook. A general exam, in which the candidate describes the thesis program, a foreign language examination, and the doctoral dissertation and its defense complete the work for the PhD degree. A student entering Lehigh without a masters degree must take 72 credits including at least 48 regular course credits (i.e. not dissertation credits). These students typically earn as Masters degree during the process of their work. A student entering Lehigh with a masters degree must take 48 credits including at least 18 regular course credits (i.e. not dissertation credits).

To see a list of courses and an official description of program requirements see  course catalog . Look under admission guidlines - graduate for general university graduate requirements and information and mathematics for departmental information including courses. The courses are representative of what we offer. We offer approximately seven or eight 400 level graduate courses and eight to ten 300 level courses (for graduates and undergraduates) each semester. Students can also take courses in other departments with approval from their advisor.

To see a list of recent theses granted, click here.