Graduate Study
Applied Mathematics
Program Overview
The ideas of applied mathematics pervade several applications in a variety of businesses and industries, as well as government. Sophisticated mathematical tools are increasingly used to develop new models, modify existing ones and analyze system performance. This includes applications of mathematics to problems in management science, biology, portfolio planning, facilities planning, control of dynamic systems and design of composite materials. The goal is to find computable solutions to real-world problems arising from these types of situations.
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers an interdisciplinary master of science degree in applied mathematics. The objective of the program is to provide students with the capability to apply mathematical models and methods to study various problems that arise in industry and business, with an emphasis on developing computable solutions that can be implemented. Since this is an interdisciplinary program, students have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of courses.
Curriculum Review
The master’s degree program in applied mathematics consists of 48 quarter credit hours of study. There are four core courses that total 16 quarter credit hours. These courses, usually taken by the student in the first two quarters of the program, provide a focus on some of the ideas of applied mathematics. They are determined by the department to provide a foundation for further study and cover numerical linear algebra, stochastic processes, boundary value problems, and combinatorics. Core courses are offered every year.
The concentration and the corresponding course of study are formulated by the student in consultation with his or her advisory committee. The student completes a total of 24 quarter credit hours by taking a set of six specialized courses offered in the School of Mathematical Sciences, as well as other departments. Some of the possible concentrations are dynamical systems, operations research, imaging science, biomathematics, bioinformatics and discrete mathematics.
The program of study culminates in thesis or project work. The thesis option requires that the student present original ideas and solutions to a specific mathematical problem. The project option involves applying or adapting existing methodologies to solve a problem or an expository paper on the methodology in a particular area. A proposal for the thesis or project work and the results must be presented and defended before the advisory committee.
Cooperative education option
The optional cooperative education program enables the student to alternate periods of study on campus with periods of full-time, paid professional employment. Students may pursue a co-op position after their first quarter.
Part-time study
The program is ideal for practicing professionals who are interested in applying mathematical methods in their work and enhancing their career options. All courses are scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening. The graduate program may normally be completed in two years (six quarters) of part-time study.
Nonmatriculated students
A student with a bachelor’s degree from an approved undergraduate institution, and with the background necessary for specific courses, may take graduate courses as a nonmatriculated student with the permission of the graduate coordinator and the instructor. Courses taken for credit may be applied toward the master’s degree if the student is formally admitted to the graduate program at a later date. However, the number of credits that will be transferred to the degree program from courses taken at RIT as a nonmatriculated student will be limited to a maximum of 12 quarter credits.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesReliability analyst, manufacturing engineering consultant, data analyst, consultant
Functions
Probability modeling, optimization, data analysis, performance evaluation, risk analysis
Recent Employers
American Express Corporation
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution. The degree could be in mathematics or any related field. The prerequisite courses are: multivariable calculus, differential equations, matrix theory, probability, and statistics. Knowledge of a programming language is also required.
A student also may be granted conditional admission and be required to complete "bridge" courses selected from among RIT’s existing undergraduate courses, as prescribed by the student’s adviser. Until these requirements are met, he or she is considered a nonmatriculated student. The graduate coordinator evaluates the student’s qualifications in order to determine eligibility for conditional and provisional admission.
All students who do not speak English as their primary language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 550 or 213 (computer-based). Those who cannot take the TOEFL will be required to take the Michigan Test of English Proficiency at RIT and obtain a score of 80 or higher. Although Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, submitting them enhances the chances of a student's acceptance into the program.
Student’s advisory committee
Upon admission to the program, the student chooses an adviser and forms an advisory committee. This committee will oversee the academic aspects of the student’s program, including the selection of a concentration and appropriate courses to fulfill the program’s requirements.