Combined B.S. / M.S. Degree

For general information about B.S./M.S. degrees, please visit the Yale catalog. For information specifically about math, visit our catalog listing.

Please note that the minimum eligibility criteria in mathematics include at least 75% A/A- within the major as well as 75% A/A- overall. It must be satisfied at the time of application, and remain satisfied after fifth-semester grades are included. In calculating the percentage, we are required to count all courses that are eligible toward the math major. The grade of “Cr” counts as a non-A grade. 

Extra note: In order to earn the combined B.S./M.S. degree in math, you must complete the requirements of a B.S. in math, rather than B.A. Earning a B.S. in another department (on account of double-majoring in CPSC, for example) will not count toward the math B.S./M.S. degree requirements.

One of the requirements of the M.S. degree is passing a written qualifying examination in algebra, analysis, or topology. Examinations in all three subjects are offered toward the end of the Fall semester. 

You will need to choose one (and only one) of the three subjects, and sign up for the examination. If you do not pass, you may try one more time, in the same subject, the next time the examination is offered (typically, this would be the following Fall semester, though some subjects may occasionally be offered in the Spring as well). 

Syllabus for each of the exam is on the graduate section’s qualifying exam page.

For dates of the examinations, and to see copies of past papers, please see the Math Registrar. 

At most two courses can be counted simultaneously toward the B.S. and the M.S. portions of the requirements. 

Extra note: if you are also doing a double major, you are only allowed one set of overlaps. For example, if you are double majoring and math and physics, and also doing the B.S. / M.S. in math, you can either (a) overlap one or two courses between math and phyics, or (b) overlap one or two courses between B.S. and M.S. in math, but not both - one of these overlaps must be empty. 

Notes about choosing your classes:

• Courses at the 5000 level are considered critical for the education of first-year graduate students, and at least half the courses in your M.S. plan should be at this level (rather than listing mostly topics courses level 6000+). 
• While the M.S. degree has no official distributional requirement, we look for variety among the listed courses. In particular, the application should include courses in both algebra and analysis, as well as several courses outside of algebra and analysis (e.g. topology, geometry, combinatorics). 

Technical notes about filling out the application:

• In-progress courses should go in the “to be completed” box. 
• Courses that you wish to overlap between B.S. and M.S. should be listed in both parts. (Remember the maximum is two, and this is only permitted if you have no overlap between math and another major.)
• Only courses you wish to count toward the B.S./M.S. degree should be listed. (For example, math courses that you do not wish to count toward math (e.g. because you’re saving them for another major) should not be included in your application. Similarly if you have completed extra physics courses that aren’t needed.) 
• Make sure the B.S. course list satisfies all requirements of the major (without courses that you only listed in the M.S. part), including the distributional and the physical science requirements. 
• Offerings at the level 600+ change every year, and so you have no way of knowing what will be offered in this range during your senior year. You may list such a course with “Level 600+” in the course number column, and “Graduate topics course based on current offering” in the course title column. Please note that courses level 600+ can be applied to the graduate portion of the requirement only. You may not apply them toward the B.S. requirements. 
• As a reminder: For any cross-listed courses to be counted toward the M.S. degree, you must enroll with the graduate number.

The application is now online. It must be endorsed by the math department, both the DUS and the DGS. That being so, you must submit the form at least two weeks before the last day of classees of your fifth semester at Yale. You should then schedule a follow-up meeting with the DUS to talk about the program. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to run their application by Miki before submitting it. (= save the application without submitting, and send me a copy) This will allow you to make any necessary alterations before submitting (and potentially spare you from having to fill out the application several times on account of adjustments that have to be made). 

The application must reach the Dean’s office by the last day of classes of your fifth term. The Dean’s office does not accept late applications, so if this deadline is missed, then you will have no way of joining the program. 

Decisions are usually sent out about a month after the following semester starts (as they can be made only after the fifth-term grades are known). 

At the beginning of your last semester, you must submit a petition for receiving a Master’s degree. This also has a firm deadline, typically about three weeks after classes start. The form can be found on the Registrar’s website, under forms and petitions, and it is called “Degree petition (en route and terminal)”. 

Note that for this petition, you will need the M.S. courses to be listed on your transcript with graduate numbers. The numbers cannot be converted after the last day of classes of the semester you enrolled in them, so it is important that you enroll with the graduate number or convert before classes end. 

If a course has two numbers (such as Math 3800 = Math 5000), and you wish to count it toward the M.S. degree, you must enroll with its graduate number.

If you are currently enrolled with the undergraduate number, then you need to switch your registration to the graduate course before the last day of classes. You can do so with the Yale college course change form.  

No change to the course number is possible after the last day of classes, so it is critical that you do this in time. 

Generally speaking, this is not possible. The graduate school does not permit any outside courses to count toward the degree. It’s also not possible to petition for a ninth semester for the purpose of completing a B.S./M.S. degree.