University of Florida Homepage

Grad Guide – Academics – Courses

Types of Courses

The graduate courses in mathematics offered at UF have various purposes, which can usually be determined by the course number. This consists of a prefix, which indicates the general area (e.g. MAA is analysis, MAP is applied math), and a four-digit number. For graduate courses, this number begins with a 5, 6 or 7.

5000 series

Courses in the 5000 series (e.g. MAS5311, MAA5104) are intended for first-year students. Several are particularly important since they prepare you for the first-year exam: these are MAS5311-5312 (algebra), MAA5228-5229 (analysis) and MTG5316-5317 (topology). These courses are similar to undergraduate courses in that they have regular homework assignments, midterm and final exams; however they are run on a higher level than most undergraduate courses and require a considerable amount of work to keep up with. Some 5000-level courses run concurrently with a similarly named 4000-level course, such as MAP4305 and MAP5304; these are really undergraduate courses that, in effect, have an additional 5000-number so that graduate students in other departments may take them for credit. Finally, some 5000-level courses do not correspond to an exam, but are introductory to some 6000-level courses.

6000 series

Courses in the 6000 series are normally taken by students who have passed their first year exams. Several of these are given in preparation for PhD level written exams: MAS6311-6312 Algebra, MAA 6616-7 Analysis, MAD 6206-7 Combinatorics, MAA 6406-7 Complex Analysis, MTG 6256-7 Differential Geometry, MTG 6401-2 Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems, MHF 6306-7 Logic, MAD 6406-7 Numerical Analysis, MAP MAP 6356-7 Partial Differential Equations, MAP 6472-3 Probability, MTG 6346-7 Topology.
Others in the 6000 series are introductions to various areas of research, or topics courses whose content may vary from year to year. Some of these are seminars, similar to many 7000-level courses. There are also several practical education courses with this numbering (supervised teaching, internships) and courses for individual work (masters thesis research, independent study).

7000 series

Most courses in the 7000 series are advanced topics courses, seminars, and supervised research. They are mainly intended for students who have completed their PhD written exams and are looking for a thesis topic. Normally you should consult with your advisor, or with the Graduate Coordinator, when selecting these courses.

Sample first year schedules

The typical first year schedule has the required courses MAS 5311-12 and MAA 5228-9 together with electives which may be program or interest dependent.

MS or PhD in Pure Mathematics
Fall Spring
MAS 5311 Intro Algebra 1 MAS 5312 Intro Algebra 2
MAA 5228 Modern Analysis 1 MAA 5229 Modern Analysis 2
MTG 5316 Intro Topology 1 MTG 5317 Intro Topology 2

 

MS or PhD in Applied Mathematics
Fall Spring
MAS 5311 Intro Algebra 1 MAS 5312 Intro Algebra 2
MAA 5228 Modern Analysis 1 MAA 5229 Modern Analysis 2
MAD 6406 Num. Linear Algebra MAD 6407 Numerical Analysis
Master of Arts of Teaching in Mathematics
Fall Spring
MAS 5311 Intro Algebra 1 MAS 5312 Intro Algebra 2
MAA 5228 Modern Analysis 1 MAA 5229 Modern Analysis 2
EME 5054 Foundations of Ed Tech MAE 7899 Math Ed Seminar