Review/Quality of NetMath program at UIUC (Grad School Preparation)

[monmon_4]

Following my previous thread, it seems I don't have the background to apply to MS programs in mathematics directly since I was an undergraduate computer science major. If I need to supplement the courses I have taken in order to gain acceptance to a top program for an MS in mathematics, would the NetMath program suffice? Are all accredited courses created equal or would my application benefit more from taking these courses at a local university?

https://netmath.illinois.edu/

I've taken Calc I/II, Linear Algebra, and Numerical Computing. I would probably take Vector Calculus, Differential Equations, and Introduction to Probability Theory. See here:

https://netmath.illinois.edu/college

 

[Mmm_Pasta]

You'll need more courses than those for graduate study in mathematics and some aren't offered by the NetMath program. For example: abstract algebra, real analysis, and topology.

 

[monmon_4]

You'll need more courses than those for graduate study in mathematics and some aren't offered by the NetMath program. For example: abstract algebra, real analysis, and topology.

I'm not trying to replace a graduate program, rather I want to take courses in order to display mathematical competency to gain acceptance into one. The MS program at one of these schools offers the courses you listed in the graduate curriculum so I'm guessing you don't need to have already taken them to apply:

http://math.nyu.edu/degree/ms/ms_math.html

Could you comment on the usefulness of the NetMath program for the courses that it does offer? Would I be better off taking the same courses at my local university and somehow be at a disadvantage if I used NetMath @ UIUC?

 

[kinkmode]

I think Mmm_pasta was suggesting courses that make up a typical undergrad math degree. I know at my college, a math degree required at least real analysis, modern algebra, and a few others, above and beyond calc, linear algebra, and vector calc.

 

[Mmm_Pasta]

http://math.nyu.edu/degree/ms/ms_math.html

Could you comment on the usefulness of the NetMath program for the courses that it does offer? Would I be better off taking the same courses at my local university and somehow be at a disadvantage if I used NetMath @ UIUC?[/QUOTE]

I guess M.S. programs have different requirements. They seem flexible and that department offers some different options. The analysis course description course there sounds like the undergraduate version I was talking about. There is the option to replace that course with the graduate version, if you so decide.

As for the usefulness, that is up to you. You'll miss out on in-class lectures, but sometimes you can be stuck with an awful lecturer. Taking these online courses is equivalent to taking a class at your university without attending the lectures since these online courses require a proctor for the tests. Since the classes you wish to take are of somewhat medium difficulty (usually), it will not be much of an issue to take online credit for them.

As for admissions, it is hard to know since each department is different. I don't think many would look negatively on it, though. There are many reasons why one would take courses online.