Mathematics is one of the fundamental, most unified and universal sciences. The discipline of mathematics trains the mind to use logic and reason to discover new knowledge and to make sense of what we already know.
Graduate degrees offered:
M.S. in Mathematics
Ph.D. in Mathematics
M.S. in Applied Mathematics
Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics
M.S. in Statistics and Data Science
Students in our Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics program may also choose to pursue research in Statistics. Our Ph.D. degrees are research-based. There is no research requirement for our M.S. programs.
For more information, call (610) 758-3730 or contact the Graduate Committee at inmathgr@lehigh.edu.
M.S. in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Statistics and Data Science
The M.S. programs require 30 credit hours of graduate courses with at least 18 hours at the 400 level. With the permission of the chair, up to six hours of these courses can be replaced by a thesis. All M.S. students must also pass a comprehensive examination during their first year which covers calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra (Mathematics or Applied Mathematics) or calculus, linear algebra and probability and statistics (M.S. Statistics and Data Science).
The M.S. degree can serve both as a final degree in mathematics or as an appropriate background for a Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
The plan of work for the Ph.D. degree includes the Comprehensive Exam, described above, and Qualifying Examinations. Ph.D. in Mathematics students will all take the Qualifying Examination in the same two areas, Algebra and Real Analysis, within two years. Students in the Ph.D. in the Applied Program will follow a parallel policy and be tested on two different areas, Statistics and Applied Probability for students in the Statistics track and Analysis and Differential Equations for students in the Applied Mathematics track.
In addition, each student will be required to prepare a written plan for additional advanced course work and substantial reading of research articles. An Advanced Topic examination will also be required in the third year. A General Exam, in which the candidate describes the thesis program, 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 their 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).
Financial support
We offer financial support to Ph.D. students through a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships.