Skip to main content

Graduate Program in Mathematics

Thinking about objects of complexity and beauty to solve the world's most critical problems.

Graduate Program in Mathematics

Thinking about objects of complexity and beauty to solve the world's most critical problems.

Two students studying together in classroom

The Graduate Program in Mathematics offers M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics with a broad research emphasis on numerous fundamental and applied areas of mathematics. Mathematics graduate students can choose from a wide range of research programs in algebra/number theory, analysis, applied mathematics, geometry and topology, mathematical biology, mathematics education, numerical analysis and probability. Our Graduate Program in Mathematics has 30 Ph.D. and 40 M.S. students and 25 faculty who lead highly distinguished research programs in several areas of mathematics. Graduate students hail from various parts of the world as well as the United States. They have ample opportunity to pursue core mathematics, research in mathematics education as well as interdisciplinary research projects that combine mathematics with the science of natural resources and environment, biological and ecological systems, data analytics, computer science and engineering.

Mathematics graduate students receive extensive, rigorous training for a wide variety of jobs in academia, industry, and government and research labs.

Our graduate students frequently present their research at leading national and international conferences in the field, pursue internships at prestigious R&D labs and gain teaching experience in undergraduate mathematics classes. Graduate students are supported by graduate teaching and research assistantships funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. New and current graduate students are also eligible for prestigious university scholarships and fellowships.

Tim Costa in front of beige backdrop

"I chose OSU for the strong applied mathematics program. I'll be leaving OSU having accomplished everything I had hoped to accomplish in graduate school, and more. During my time at OSU mathematics, I was provided tremendous opportunities."

Timothy Costa (Mathematics Ph.D. '16), Product Manager, NVIDIA Corporation

Meet our students and alumni

Mathematics graduate student explores marine systems through an interdisciplinary lens

Mathematics graduate student Ruby Chick pursues interdisciplinary research on microplastics through the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program at Oregon State University.

Math alumna’s disease modeling at national lab aiding public health initiatives to combat COVID-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed mathematical models in the spotlight as they have become central to public health interventions, planning, resource allocation and forecasts.

Creativity, research and activism intersect for Martin-O’Neill fellow

Integrative Biology Ph.D. candidate Bryan K. Lynn studies evolutionary game theory, advocates for LGBTQ+ equity, and excels at pastry creation. His work uses mathematical modeling to investigate the evolution of cooperation, using bacteria as his subjects.

Graduate science fellowship supports interdisciplinary mathematics and energy research

The 2019-2020 Larry Martin and Joyce B. O’Neill Fellowship was awarded to fifth-year mathematics Ph.D. student Choah Shin for high achievement in computational modeling.

Next Steps