The M.A. Plan I (Thesis) program in Mathematics requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate and upper division courses, of which at least 20 must be graduate level in mathematics.. This includes 20 units of core courses and 16 units of electives. To advance to candidacy for a master's degree, students must meet all graduate program requirements and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework (excluding courses graded S or U). Additionally, an exit seminar and thesis is required.
A copy of the official degree requirements, as approved by the Graduate Council, is available on the Graduate Studies program webpage. Please refer to the General Catalog for course names and descriptions.
Course Requirements
Core Courses (20 units)
- MAT 201A – Analysis
- MAT 201B – Analysis
- MAT 250A – Algebra
- MAT 250B – Algebra
- One of the following:
- MAT 201C – Analysis
- MAT 215A – Topology
- MAT 239 – Differential Topology
Elective Courses (16 units)
- All 200-level non-core math courses are eligible
- Not more than 6 units from MAT 280
- Not more than 9 units in research seminars (290, 299 or equivalent)
- 300-level courses do not count toward the degree
Research Units
- Students may take MAT 299 units for research with faculty.
- Not more than 9 units in research seminars (290, 299 or equivalent) may be used to satisfy the 36-unit requirement
English Language Requirement
Students without prior degrees from an English-language institution or proof of proficiency (e.g., TOEFL) must complete required English courses. These do not count toward graduation units.
Special Requirements – Teaching Skills
- MAT 390 (Teaching Assistantship Training) is required for Teaching Assistantship positions in the Department of Mathematics but does not count toward degree units.
Enrollment & Grading Policies
- Full-time students must enroll in 12 units per quarter, including coursework, research, and seminars.
- Courses used to fulfill program requirements must be letter graded, unless listed as S/U-only.
- UC regulations limit enrollment to:
- 12 graduate-level units (200-level) per quarter
- 16 combined units (100, 200, 300-level) per quarter
Thesis Requirements
Students pursuing the M.A. under Plan I must complete a scholarly thesis that demonstrates theoretical depth and academic rigor. In consultation with their major professor or thesis advisor, the student nominates two additional faculty members to serve on the Thesis Committee. Specific expectations for the thesis include:
i) Thesis Scope & Formatting
- The thesis must reflect scholarly research in a theoretical area of mathematics
- It should be rigorous in design, methodology, and analysis, though not as extensive as a Ph.D. dissertation
- Formatting guidelines and length expectations vary by subfield; students should consult their Thesis Advisor for guidance
ii) Committee Approval
- The thesis topic must be approved by all committee members when they agree to serve
- A joint meeting between the student and committee members should be held at this time
- To fulfill degree requirements, all committee members must sign the thesis title page
iii) Review Timeline
- Committee members are expected to review the thesis within four weeks of receiving it
- If the thesis is deemed unacceptable, the committee may recommend disqualification to the Dean of Graduate Studies
iv) Exit Seminar
- Students are encouraged to present a 50-minute public seminar on their thesis topic
- Following the presentation, the committee may hold a private discussion with the student
v) Filing Requirements
- The thesis must be filed in a quarter during which the student is registered or on filing fee status
- Preparation instructions and filing deadlines are available from Graduate Studies and listed in the UC Davis General Catalog and the Class Schedule and Registration Guide
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the M.A. degree to be awarded
Approved by Graduate Council on June 14, 2024