Deciding between Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation Concentrations

AMSC offers two concentrations namely Applied Mathematics (AM) and Scientific Computation (SC).

The Applied Mathematics concentration, offers students great flexibility in designing a program that combines a firm foundation in mathematics with advanced study and research in an area of application. In the Applied Mathematics concentration students take courses in Mathematics and and Application area to prepare them for one qualifying exam in Math (e.g. Analysis, ODE, PDE, Probability) one qualifying exam in an area of application (Computer Science, Operations Research, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences) and a third exam in either Math or in the area of application. For a complete list of preliminary requirements click here

The Scientific Computation concentration emphasizes computation and its use in the physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, business, and social science. Students will receive training in the use of computational techniques and associated information technology with correspondingly less emphasis on formal mathematical methods in comparison to the Concentration in Applied Mathematics. Every Scientific Computation student is required to apply the training in computation to a problem in a specific scientific discipline. In the Scientific Computation concentration students take three groups of core courses as their preliminary requirements. The Computational core prepares students with a foundation in computational methods. The Application core provides students with a background in computational methods and mathematical modeling relevant to a chosen science discipline. Finally, the Science core provides a foundation in their science discipline. Apart from the Computational Core, students are required to form a study plan to outline which courses will satisfy these requirements. This gives students and their advisors great flexibility in drafting an appropriate plan of study.