Applied Mathematics

414 Guggenheim Hall

Applied mathematics is concerned with mathematical modeling and analysis of problems from the physical, biological, and social sciences, and from engineering.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Applied Mathematics offers the following undergraduate programs:

• The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied and Computational Mathematics, offered in cooperation with departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics. See Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences for specific degree information.
• A minor in applied mathematics.

Minor

1. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (5, 5, 5) or equivalent
2. 4 applied math courses at the 300 level or above (excluding AMATH 400, AMATH 498, AMATH 499)
3. Minimum grade of 2.0 required in each course

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
414 Guggenheim Hall, Box 352420
206-543-5493

The Department of Applied Mathematics offers graduate programs of study leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. These programs involve (1) broad training in those mathematical methods and techniques that have been found useful in applications, (2) in-depth study in at least one field of application, and (3) opportunities to explore various specialized aspects of applied mathematics.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses (20 credits): AMATH 567 (5), AMATH 568 (5), AMATH 569 (5). (Substitution of any of these courses with AMATH 401 (4), AMATH 402 (4) and AMATH 403 (4), respectively, is permitted.) Either AMATH 581 (5) or AMATH 584 (5).

• Applied Mathematics Courses: Minimum 24 credits from the Applied Mathematics curriculum. Core courses are counted toward this requirement.
• Applied Mathematics Seminar/Clinic/Indpendent Study (4 credits): AMATH 501 (1, max. 6). AMATH 502 (1, max. 6) or AMATH 600 spread over at least two quarters.

• Final Examination for Master's Degree: Oral presentation by the candidate in the presence of his or her Graduate Committee on a current topic of interest from the literature or the results of original research .

• Program Plan: To be filled out by the student, signed by the adviser, and approved by the Graduate Committee. For full-time students, a Program Plan must be on file no later than the end of the third quarter of registration. Part-time students should file their Program Plan prior to the end of their first three quarters of registration.

• Satisfactory Progress: The student is expected to maintain a minimum 3.20 GPA. In addition, full-time students (whether self-supporting or under full scholarship or assistantship support) are normally expected to complete the requirements for an M.S. degree in one year and should not exceed two years. Exceptions are granted only by petition to the Graduate Committee.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

• Completion of course work equivalent to that described for the master's degree, with a minimum 3.40 GPA, and indication of the ability or potential to perform independent research.
• Graduate Record Examination
• Three letters of recommendation are required in support of each application and should be sent directly to the department.
• Minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants who are not citizens of the United States unless they meet one of the following criteria: citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom; or applicants holding bachelor's or advanced degrees from accredited institutions in the U.S. or in one of the countries listed above.
• A graduate student is considered for admission to the Ph.D. program by the Graduate Committee after completing AMATH 567 (5), AMATH 568 (5), AMATH 584 (5), and AMATH 585 (5) with a grade of 3.4 or better in each course, as well as passing the Preliminary Examination.

Degree Requirements

• Course Requirements: AMATH 567 (5), AMATH 568 (5), AMATH 569 (5); AMATH 584 (5), AMATH 585 (5), AMATH 586 (5); three of AMATH 570 (5), AMATH 571 (5), AMATH 572 (5), AMATH 573 (5), AMATH 574 (5), AMATH 575 (5); either AMATH 507 (5) or AMATH 515 (5); AMATH 506 (4); two applications courses; 2 credits of departmental seminars; 2 credits of departmental clinics.

• Preliminary Examination: Three written two-hour exams, covering a core of undergraduate material necessary for successful completion of the Ph.D. program. Core areas are differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced calculus.

• Supervisory Committee: Formed no later than the end of the spring quarter of the first year.

• Candidacy Requirements: Form a supervisory committee, select two specialization areas, satisfy course requirements, and design a doctoral research plan.

• General Examination: Administered after the student has passed the Preliminary Examination and sometime before the end of the student's second year.

• Final Examination: Oral presentation of the completed research in a seminar open to the public.

Financial Aid

Both research and teaching assistantships are available to full-time students who qualify. In addition, fellowship funds for the study of applied mathematics are available and awarded on a competitive basis.

Research Facilities

Students in applied mathematics have access to a departmental computing lab equipped with a DEC Alpha server, Alpha/AXP workstations, and X-terminals, with centralized file storage. Software for scientific visualization, numerical analysis, symbolic mathematics, programming, and document preparation is available. The lab is connected to the campus network and the Internet, providing access to supercomputing facilities and other resources.