The Master's program serves a dual purpose. For some students it will be a terminal program of mathematics education, for others it will lead to study and research at the doctoral level. To earn the Master of Science degree, the student must: (1) satisfy course and (2) residency requirements, and (3) achieve two passes at the M.S. level among three Exams in Real Analysis, Complex Analysis and Algebra prior to the start of the second year.<br><br>To satisfy the exam requirements, students may take the Core Assessment Exams (offered in the Spring of every year), the Comprehensive Exams (offered in the Spring of every year and described below), or the Qualifying Exams (offered before the start of the fall quarter) in Real Analysis, Complex Analysis and Algebra. Students may not attempt to take an exam in a particular subject area more than 3 times. Only one Comprehensive Exam can be used towards the MS exam requirement.<br><br>Some students may require additional background prior to entering Math 210 (Analysis) and Math 230 (Algebra). This will be determined by assessment prior to the start of the students first year by the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies, upon consultation with the graduate studies committee. Such students will be directed into Math 205 and/or Math 206 during their first year. These students may pass one Comprehensive Exam in the areas of Algebra or Analysis in lieu of achieving a M.S. pass on one Qualifying Exam that must be obtained prior to the start of the students second year. Comprehensive Exams in Analysis and Algebra will be offered once per year in the Spring quarter.