Applied Mathematics
Overview
Applied mathematics programs teach people math theories and systems to solve real-life problems.Applied mathematics programs include topics such as:
- Statistics
- Mathematical theory
- Computer science
Students may be able to focus on financial mathematics.
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in applied mathematics. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in applied mathematics. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in applied mathematics. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Bioinformatics
- Biometrics and Biostatistics
- Business Economics
- Computational Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Engineering, General
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Mathematics
- Operations Research
- Statistics
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
- Computer Engineers
- Financial Analysts
- Market Research Analysts
- Mathematicians
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Operations Research Analysts
- Statisticians
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Actuaries
- Biologists
- Computer Programmers
- Economists
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Sociologists
- Statistical Clerks
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Calculus
- Computer Science and Programming
- Physics
- Pre-Calculus
- Probability and Statistics
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Undergraduate major or significant course work in engineering and mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and computer science
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Complex Analysis
- Control Theory
- Engineering Analysis
- Game Theory
- Graph Theory
- Mathematical Economics
- Modeling and Simulation
- Optimization
- Partial Differential Equations
- Probability and Statistics
- Real Analysis
- Scientific Computing
In addition, depending on your interests, you can take courses in other areas such as:
- Actuarial Science
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
Graduate Program Courses
Graduate study in applied mathematics typically includes:
- Required courses
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
Many schools combine applied mathematics and statistics into a single program. Others combine applied mathematics with computational mathematics. Often, programs in applied mathematics are part of engineering departments rather than mathematics.
Schools
East Side Area
Central Washington University
- Applied Mathematics
Walla Walla University
- Mathematics--Applied Mathematics Option
Washington State University - Pullman
- Mathematics--Applied Option
King-Snohomish Area
Seattle Pacific University
- Mathematics--Applied Mathematics
Seattle University
- Mathematics--Applied Mathematics
Shoreline Community College
- Mathematics/Applied Mathematics/Statistics (Transfer)
University of Washington - Bothell
- Interdisciplinary Studies--Mathematical Thinking & Visualization
University of Washington - Seattle
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Mathematical Economics
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Scientific Computing and Numerical Algorithms
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences--Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management
Spokane Area
Eastern Washington University
- Economics--With Computing Option
Tacoma Area
University of Washington - Tacoma
- Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences--Mathematics
Vancouver Area
Washington State University - Vancouver
- Mathematics
West Side Area
Western Washington University
- Applied Mathematics