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Academics

Graduate Studies Overview

mathstat-grad-lead.jpgClemson University is a public research institution located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Upstate South Carolina. Clemson is a comprehensive research university with a traditional emphasis on science and engineering. 

The Clemson University School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences graduate programs specialize in producing graduates who have a wide variety of mathematical knowledge and techniques in their repertoire, in addition to a deep understanding of their areas of specialty. Our former students have excelled in industry, research laboratories and academic jobs of various types. The school offers both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Wide Breadth

The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences was one of the pioneers in producing graduate programs which incorporate a wide breadth of mathematical training along with deep content knowledge in an area of speciality into all levels of graduate education. Students seeking either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree may choose to specialize in any one of the many areas of expertise of our faculty. Graduates from our programs are particularly desirable in industrial settings and in research focused jobs. They are also well equipped to teach a wide variety of courses at the undergraduate level upon graduation which increases their market value in the academic sector as well. In addition to our curriculum we also offer international exchange programs at the graduate level.

 

What Our Graduates Say

Headshot of Qijun He.

“I took advantage of the range of topics provided at Clemson, taking courses that explored different aspects of math. The breadth and depth of the program was crucial to my professional development and shaped my career as a researcher.”

Qijun He
Research Scientist
University of Virginia
Headshot of Stefani Mokalled.

“The graduate program in Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University prepared me to solve complex problems and collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse fields, which are skills that have set me up for success in my current position.”

Stefani Mokalled
Statistician
Boeing

Maddy St. Ville

Portrait of Maddy St. Ville outside on a bench.

Maddy St. Ville knew she had a passion for math, but her graduate studies at Clemson opened the door for her to use that passion to make a difference. Discover how she’s using her training to solve real-world problems in health care.

Brandon Lumsden

Man, Brandon Lumsden, working at computer on table in bright room.

Brandon Lumsden says the breadth and depth of the Clemson graduate math program, including working with public health researchers, shaped his experience and prepared him for his career as a statistician.

Graduate Program Options

Master of Science

The Master of Science in mathematical sciences program prepares the next generation of mathematical scientists. M.S. students will familiarize themselves with a broad base of mathematical techniques from many areas of the mathematical sciences. They will be involved in a significant research project and will be taught to effectively disseminate their findings through written publication and oral presentation.

Doctoral Program

The Ph.D. in mathematical sciences program prepares and trains experts and leaders in the mathematical sciences. Our Ph.D. graduates will be experts in their research fields, be familiar and competent in a broad array of mathematical sciences techniques, and will be effective communicators and teachers of basic mathematical sciences who can mentor and lead future mathematical scientists.

M.S. Data Science

The Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics is an online degree program developed by the College of Business and the College of Science. This degree program is entirely online, targets current working professionals, and produces data analysts with course work in decision sciences and management. Career fields for graduates include manufacturing, military, government and health care.

By the Numbers

➧ 2:1

Student-faculty ratio.

➧ 100%

Students supported by research or teaching assistantships.

➧ 89%

Ph.D. students published before graduation.

➧ 100%

Students in a degree-related job within one year of graduation.

Resources for Graduate Students

Current and Accepted Students

If you are a current graduate student, or have received acceptance to the graduate program, the following accordions offer information and resources that may be helpful.

  • Administrative Forms
  • Course Information

    The following course resources may be useful:

  • Faculty Advisers

    Faculty advisers of M.S. students focus on making sure new M.S. students make up any deficiencies during their first semester, and guide students to complete their breadth courses during the first year if possible.

    Faculty advisers of Ph.D. students focus on making sure new Ph.D. students make up any deficiencies during their first semester.

    Academic Probation

    When any graduate student’s GPA drops below 3.0, the student is placed on academic probation by the Graduate School. When this happens, the student is required to fill out a plan of success. The student will receive instructions from the Graduate School and the graduate coordinator about which form (GSR1 or GSR2) to complete. Advisers will work with a student to strategically plan the remainder of required coursework so that the student’s GPA can be brought back to a 3.0 as quickly as possible. Advisers will “sign off” on the consulted plan of success.

  • Oral Presentation Guidelines

    The oral presentation scheduling procedure is as follows:

    1. Submit the SMSS form at least 10 business days prior to the defense: A member of the SMSS staff will schedule the meeting for your defense
    2. Form submissions are reviewed weekly. To ensure form processing, email mathstatadmin@clemson.edu.
    3. After an online conference or room is scheduled, submit the Graduate School form to officially schedule the presentation.
    4. Information submitted will be used to complete the appropriate form for your defense. The form will be routed to your committee chair for electronic signature and submission.
    5. A PDF of the final master’s project/thesis must be submitted to mathstatadmin@clemson.edu.

    If you have questions or have issues with the web form, contact mathstatadmin@clemson.edu.

  • Research Hours Policies

    Master of Science Students

    For M.S. students, policies are as follows:

    • M.S. students who are completing a master’s project should register for one hour of MATH 8920 during their last semester in the program.
    • M.S. students who are completing a master’s thesis should register for a total of six hours of Math 8910 during their last two semesters in the program.
    • In very rare circumstances an M.S. student may be allowed to register for Math 9700 (independent study) hours. This will be evaluated by the graduate coordinator on a case by case basis.

    Doctor of Philosophy Students

    Ph.D. students begin the program with an allowance of zero research hours per semester. As students demonstrate maturity by passing certain milestones in the Ph.D. program this allowance is increased as follows:

    • When a student completes his or her M.S., their research hours allowance is increased by three hours per semester.
    • When a student completes the two required prelims, their research hours allowance is increased by three hours per semester.
    • When a student completes the Ph.D. breadth requirement, their research hours allowance is increased by three hours per semester.
  • Research Opportunities

    In order to transition from student to researcher — the goal of every successful graduate student — students, especially those new to research, must continually immerse themselves in available research opportunities. We recommend that students attend at least two seminars per week: a first-year seminar or graduate student seminar, and a research seminar of each student’s choosing.

    • The first-year seminar is a great place to gain a better understanding of faculty research areas and to meet a research adviser.
    • The graduate student seminar (login required) is a fantastic place to learn about the research projects of your peers and to give your first talks.
    • School research seminars allow exposure to various areas of research at a deeper level.
    • Graduate students are encouraged to travel to research conferences in their area of specialty as often as possible. The school provides some limited financial support for such travel which can be requested by completing a graduate travel request form.
    • International exchange programs are another option to consider.
  • The Graduate School

    In addition to policies outlined on these school pages, the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences must follow all policies of the Graduate School. Current graduate students may find the following links containing University policies helpful:

    For general information about the Clemson University Graduate School, as well as the most current degree requirements and course listings, visit the Records and Registration page.

  • Clemson Life: Housing, Health, Resources

    Housing

    Most graduate students select off-campus housing, for which a variety of options in many cost ranges are available within a short walk or drive from campus. Clemson has an excellent free local bus system that provides frequent service to most local apartment complexes and campus buildings. More information about housing is also available on the Clemson Home website.


    Insurance and Health Services

    Clemson University requires all full-time (nine hours or more), on-campus graduate students to have health insurance coverage. All international graduate students are required to have health insurance. This policy is administered by Redfern Health Center as a “hard-waiver program.” All full-time, on-campus students are enrolled in the University plan unless they present evidence of acceptable alternative coverage to RHC’s Office of Student Insurance before the semester begins. One waiver is valid for a year. To partially offset some of the health insurance premium costs associated with this requirement, Clemson provides all graduate assistants who purchase health insurance from Clemson with an annual, nonrefundable, non-transferable health insurance subsidy.

    Find out more on the Redfern Health Center website.


    Local and Regional Resources

    For additional information on Clemson and Upstate South Carolina, follow these links:

Prospective Students

All incoming students will be considered for assistantship support which includes tuition remission (fees are still charged) and a stipend. For additional information on tuition, fees, assistantships and other support available to graduate students, visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Graduate School website. Note that program fees are classified as Tier 2 fees.

Visit Clemson

If you would like to visit our campus and meet some of our current faculty and students, we will be glad to arrange an informative and pleasant visit. While we will do our best to accomodate all visitors, we can best accommodate visitors with two weeks’ notice. To arrange a visit, contact:

Chris McMahan, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Graduate Studies
Phone: 864-656-4566
Email: mthgrad@clemson.edu

Additional information can be found on the Contact page.

Female looking at screens in an illustrative image.

Data Science at Clemson

A Transdisciplinary Approach

In today’s market of constant information, the ability to take ideas from multiple sources to form solutions has never been more accessible or desirable. Students need to have a breadth of knowledge while maintaining an individual expertise. Clemson University’s M.S. in data science and analytics provides students with knowledge in statistics, mathematics, computer science and business management.

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School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences | O-110 Martin Hall, Clemson, SC 29634