Applied and Computational Mathematics Master of Science Degree

Build models and solve real-world problems using advanced math and computing across engineering, biology, and more.


$89.1K

Average First-Year Salary of RIT Graduates from this degree

30%

Merit scholarship

Average award given to accepted students

Overview for Applied and Computational Mathematics MS

Why Study Applied and Computational Mathematics at RIT


  • STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.

  • Solution Focused: Apply mathematical models and methods to study various problems that arise in industry and business, with an emphasis on developing computable solutions.

  • Diverse Opportunities: Work in areas such as mathematical modeling and analysis of manufacturing, computer and communications systems, transportation optimization, financial mathematics, biological modeling, and consulting/planning.

  • Cutting-Edge Research: Current program research includes network science, image analysis, contact lens, polymeric flows, coating, lake plastic, climate modeling, relativity, multi-messenger astrophysics, data analytics, and machine learning.

  • Industry Opportunities: Promising Career at Big Companies: Apple, BAE Systems, Ernst & Young, IBM, and Microsoft are just a sampling of employers who hire graduates from our applied mathematics MS.

The applied and computational mathematics master’s degree refines your capabilities in applying mathematical models and methods to study a range of problems, with an emphasis on developing and implementing computing solutions. Sophisticated mathematical tools are increasingly used to solve problems in management science, engineering, biology, financial portfolio planning, facilities planning, control of dynamic systems, and design of composite materials. The goal of RIT’s master's in applied mathematics is to find computing solutions to real-world problems.

Applied and Computational Mathematics

The ideas of applied mathematics pervade several applications in a variety of businesses and industries as well as the government. The reasoning, deduction, and logic skills developed in this program will make you more competitive in a wide array of positions and industries.

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 of this mathematics master's degree is to find computable solutions to real-world problems arising from these types of situations.

RIT’s Master’s in Applied Mathematics

In the applied mathematics master’s you will learn 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.

Tailor the applied and computational mathematics master’s degree to fit your career goals.

Electives may be selected from the graduate course offerings in the School of Mathematics and Statistics or from other RIT graduate programs, with approval from the graduate program director. You also have the option to complete a thesis, which includes the presentation of original ideas and solutions to a specific mathematical problem. The proposal for the thesis work and the results must be presented and defended before the advisory committee.

Applied Mathematics Careers

Graduates of the masters in applied mathematics are uniquely qualified to address the full breadth of mathematical challenges and have developed a depth of knowledge in their chosen specializations.

The Department of Defense accounts for about 81 percent of the mathematicians employed by the federal government. In the private sector, mathematicians are employed by scientific research and development services, software publishers, insurance companies, and in aerospace or pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Recent applied mathematics graduates are employed as engineers, economists, analysts (e.g. operations research), physicists, cryptanalysts (codes), actuaries, teachers, market researchers, and financial advisors. Apple, BAE Systems, Ernst & Young, IBM, and Microsoft are just a few of the employers who have hired graduates of the applied and computational mathematics program.

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Careers and Cooperative Education

Typical Job Titles

Network Consulting Engineer Junior Accountant Data Analyst
Software Engineer Junior Business Analyst Data Scientist
Technical Advisory Fund Accountant Sr. Project Manager

Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Applied and Computational Mathematics MS

Cooperative Education

What makes an RIT science and math education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete science and math co-ops and gain real-world experience that sets you apart. Co-ops in the College of Science include cooperative education and internship experiences in industry and health care settings, as well as research in an academic, industry, or national lab. These are not only possible at RIT, but are passionately encouraged.

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Featured Work and Profiles

Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Applied and Computational Mathematics MS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full‑time Fall February 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter Yes
Part‑time Fall Rolling No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Applied and Computational Mathematics MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

Duolingo (DET): 120

IELTS: 6.5

LanguageCert Academic: 70

PTE Academic: 56

TOEFL: 79

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Additional Information

Prerequisites

Applicant must have college-level credit or practical experience in a programming language.

Research

Students in the master's in applied mathematics program are engaged in research projects covering topics that include:

  • Bio modeling
  • Brain imaging
  • Climate modeling
  • Cryptography
  • Fluid flow
  • Machine learning
  • Oil recovery
  • Plastic pollution
  • Relativity

The School of Mathematics and Statistics consistently receives research grant awards from organizations that include the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and NASA, which provide you with unique opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research with our faculty members. Faculty in the School of Mathematics and Statistics conducts research on a broad variety of topics including:

  • applied inverse problems and optimization
  • applied statistics and data analytics
  • biomedical mathematics
  • discrete mathematics
  • dynamical systems and fluid dynamics
  • geometry, relativity, and gravitation
  • mathematics of earth and environment systems
  • multi-messenger and multi-wavelength astrophysics

Learn more by exploring the school's mathematics research areas.

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