Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum Cumulative USC GPA of 3.0
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.333 in upper division Mathematics course work (400-level or higher)
  • At least 64 total units of undergraduate college course work, excluding any AP, IB or transfer units earned prior to graduation from high school
  • At least 16 units of Math 400-level course work completed at USC
  • A grade of A- or better in either Math 410 or Math 425a

Students must meet the requirements listed above to be eligible to apply for this PDP. Please note that meeting these standards does not guarantee admission.

 

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 16 units of 500-level coursework must be completed for this degree (graduate credit). These courses cannot be used to satisfy requirements for the undergraduate degree. To graduate, students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in graduate credit applied to the PDP. The 16 units consist of:

1) MATH 525a Real Analysis (3 units)

2) MATH 510a Algebra (3 units)

3) A pair of courses selected from Option A, B, or C below (6 units)

Option A
MATH 535a Differential Geometry
MATH 540a Algebraic Topology

Option B
MATH 555a Partial Differential Equations
MATH 565a Ordinary Differential Equations

Option C
MATH 505a Applied Probability
MATH 541a Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

4) At least 4 units of electives. Electives must be any other 500-level Mathematics course.

Graduate Exams Requirement
The degree is completed with two written examinations, Analysis (525a) or Algebra (510ab) plus an exam associated with Option A, B, or C. Exams are offered twice a year during the week before the fall and spring semester starts. To learn more about the topics covered and see past exam questions, visit this website.

Sample Course Plans

The following course plans below provide examples of how to complete the PDP in 3-4 semesters. Your actual course plan may differ depending on your remaining undergraduate degree requirements and how many graduate courses you can include in your schedule per semester.

We do not recommend taking more than 2-3 graduate-level courses in one semester.

  • Fall Semester #1

    MATH 525a (3 units) – only offered in the fall
    MATH 510a (3 units) – only offered in the fall

    Spring Semester #2

    Recommended: Take 525a or 510ab exam in January and attempt to pass at Master’s level or higher

    Option A, B, or C (3 units)
    MATH elective (3 units)

    Fall Semester #3

    Recommended: Take graduate exam in August and attempt to pass at Master’s level or higher


    Option A, B, or C (3 units)
    MATH elective (3 units)

  • Spring Semester #1

    MATH elective (3 units)
    Option A, B, or C (3 units)

    Fall Semester #2

    Recommended: Take Graduate Exam in August and attempt to pass at Master’s level or higher

    MATH 525a (3 units) – only offered in the fall
    MATH 510a (3 units) – only offered in the fall
    Option A, B, or C (3 units)

    Spring Semester #3

    Recommended: Take 525a or 510ab exam in January and attempt to pass at Master’s level or higher

    MATH elective (3 units)

Steps to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

  1. Fill out the PDP application form with your remaining undergraduate degree requirements and PDP requirements. Courses that fulfill your undergraduate degree requirements should have an X or check mark for “UG” = undergraduate credit. Courses that fulfill your PDP degree requirements should have an X or check mark for “GR” = graduate credit. A course cannot be marked for both UG and GR credit.
  2. Send the completed form to the PDP advisor and undergraduate advisor(s) for review. If no corrections need to be made to the PDP course plan, advisors will sign the form. If corrections need to be made, advisors will discuss changes with you via email or during a scheduled meeting.
  3. Ask professors to send a letter of recommendation to the PDP advisor. Two letters of recommendation from professors are required for applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.5. One letter of recommendation is required for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  4. Once all application materials are submitted, you will receive admission results within 2 weeks.