Professor; Director, Applied Mathematics & Computation; Director, Applied Math MS Graduate Admissions
Program goals and structure
The Master's Degree Program in Applied Mathematics is specially designed to prepare graduates for a successful career in today's industrial/business world. Accordingly, the program is structured into the following three components:
- a core of graduate courses in applied subjects within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics;
- a selection of advanced courses in other departments;
- a group project in which an applied scientific problem is undertaken in a colloborative effort.
The graduate courses in the Department concentrate on Analytical Methods, Numerical Methods, and Probability/Statistics. These courses give the student a thorough background in advanced applied mathematics.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of Applied Math, students are encouraged to take courses outside the Department. These are determined depending on each student's interests and preparation. In recent years, they have been chosen from Computer Science, Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical), Physics, and Management Science. These courses expose the student to the use of practical mathematical tools by scientists and engineers. Courses taken outside of the department require the director's approval in order to count towards the MS degree.
Students in the program are required to complete at least one course that includes a group project component. The group projects are intended to emulate industrial teamwork on a large, technical problem. Through the combined efforts and diverse talents of the group members, a mathematical model is developed, a computer code is implemented, and a final report is written. In the process, the students learn how to start solving a new and hard problem, how to make a professional presentation of their work, and how to collaborate effectively with their coworkers.
Applications and admissions
Those wishing to be considered for Fall admission should submit all application materials to the Graduate Admissions Office during the preceding Spring. Reviewing of applications will start after the application deadline January 10, with precedence given to those before that date. Later applications are considered provided that openings are available.
All applicants are expected to have a strong undergraduate preparation in mathematics, including advanced calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Some exposure to computer science and/or scientific computing is also desirable, as is some knowledge of another area of science or engineering. A Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, however, is not necessary. Students with undergraduate majors in Physics or Engineering, for instance, and with sufficient mathematical background, are encourage to apply.
The program is able to offer a tuition waiver and a stipend to a limited number of students upon admission. This financial support takes the form of a teaching assistantship in the department. The duties of the students in the Master's Degree Program are usually restricted to grading or consulting for an undergraduate course, although instructing in an elementary course is also possible.
For additional information, contact the Program Director Markos Katsoulakis.
Recent Applied Math MS Graduates
List under constant construction. Recent alumni of the Applied Math MS program may contact Graduate Program Manager Kaitlyn O'Konis (@email) to provide the department with their most recent employment information.