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Mathematics Ph.D. students at Penn have the option to apply to the masters program in Computer Science. If they are accepted, then they will be candidates for both degrees. The Math Ph.D. requires 20 courses, and the Computer Science masters requires ten courses; but because of double-counting of courses, it is possible to fulfill the course requirements of both degrees with a total of 22 courses. As a result, students in this joint degree program take no longer than other Math Ph.D. students to finish (generally, five years).

Math Ph.D. students who wish to pursue a Computer Science masters will typically apply to the Computer Science Department at the end of their first year or in their second year. Students who wish to take Computer Science courses during their first two years, other than the summer, should first get permission from the Mathematics Graduate Group Chair. This is to insure that these courses do not interfere with taking the basic required Math courses. Students will only be allowed to transfer in two courses prior to being admitted to the program so this may impact when they apply.  Students will need to apply externally via CollegeNet and fill out the online application form, and submit Transcripts (which can be unofficial at this stage), and a personal statement (describing your mathematical interests and experience, saying what you're looking for in graduate school, and possibly indicating professors with whom you might want to work and research projects that you are interested in). Once students are admitted, they must submit an academic plan that maps out what courses they plan to take and which courses will double count between the two degrees (for a maximum of four).

There are currently two different Computer Science masters degrees offered. One of these, the MSE in Computer and Information Science, is available to students who already have a very strong background in computer science (equivalent to an undergraduate major in that subject). The other degree, the Masters in Computer and Information Technology, is for students with less background in computer science. Details of these programs are available on the Computer Science web page . Each of these two programs has certain required courses, and permits several electives. Under an arrangement between the Math and Computer Science Departments, up to four of these electives can be taken in the Math Department (subject to certain restrictions on the choice of those courses). Similarly, up to four of the 20 required courses for the Math Ph.D. can be taken in the Computer Science Department. Students pursuing both degrees should coordinate their programs with the two departments, to be sure that they will be able to double-count the desired courses.

Specifically, students in the MSE-CIS program will take the four required Computer Science courses for that degree, plus six electives, of which four can be taken in Mathematics. Of those four, at least one must be selected from a (long) list of Computer-related Math courses. Students in the MCIT program will take the six required courses for that degree (except that Math Ph.D. students can ordinarily be exempted from CIT 592) along with electives, for a total of ten courses. The electives may be selected from a list of pre-approved Computer-related Math course; see the Computer Science web page for the list and other info.

Students must contact the Graduate Coordinator, Redian Furxhiu at the CIS/CIT Department prior to submitting their application:

His contact information is:

Redian Furxhiu

Rm. 308 Levine         

Phone: 215-898-1668    

redian@seas.upenn.edu