The program in Computational Mathematics leading to a Master of Science degree is a 36 (+1) credit multidisciplinary program combining the mathematics, computer science, and statistics resources found in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The degree takes advantage of faculty strengths: a strong commitment to teaching and active research programs in computational fields, often crossing discipline lines.

CORE: The core of the program consists of twelve 1.5 credit mini-courses, four each in mathematics, computer science, and statistics. This portion of the program is designed to ensure a common knowledge base in the three disciplines. Most students are expected to bypass some core classes. Any core courses that are waived are replaced by graduate and approved undergraduate elective courses offered within the department and approved graduate courses offered outside the department. Each course in the core curriculum has a computational component using a software package or programming language related to that particular core topic. After completing the core courses, students have a facility with at least two computer algebra software packages, Java, UNIX, and one statistical software package.

ELECTIVES: Beyond the required core, students take at least fifteen credits from a list of twelve elective courses spanning the three disciplines. They may choose to focus their study in one of the three areas, or they may select an array of courses across disciplines. All elective courses also contain a significant computational component. Students are allowed to include as many as six credits of work in approved courses on the advanced undergraduate level in mathematics, computer science, or statistics or in approved courses on the graduate level in other disciplines within existing programs in the university.

INTERNSHIP: The Computational Mathematics program stresses real-life problems and real-life experiences. To that end, all students in the Computational Mathematics program must have either:

1. Documented prior or current work experience related to computational mathematics, or
2. A supervised internship in a position involving computational mathematics.

Documentation for work experience could be, but is not limited, to a letter from the student's employer stating the nature of the work and how the work involves an application of computational mathematics.

The supervised internship must be be approved by the program director and may be taken for one to three credit hours. The internship may done during any semester of the program. These credit hours are in addition to the 36 credits of the program.

THESIS/PROJECT: Students complete 30-31.5 credits of work in core, elective, and approved undergraduate and extra-departmental graduate courses. The capstone component of the program is a 4.5-6 credit faculty-directed thesis/project. Depending on their background and interests, this portion of the program provides an opportunity for students to design a project or conduct research with a significant computational component. Written and oral presentations of the results are required for both thesis and project.

COMPUTATIONAL COMPONENT: All courses in the M.S. in Computational Mathematics include a computational component requiring the use of tools appropriate to the discipline. Although tools change frequently in these rapidly developing areas, typical examples might include:

• Mathematics: Maple, MatLab^®
• Computer Science: C++, Java, Unix, Windows
• Statistics: S-PLUS^®, SAS^®

4/1 PROGRAM FOR B.S./M.S. Outstanding students enrolled in a B.S. program in either mathematics or computer science may apply to the graduate program in Computational Mathematics. During the spring semester of a student's junior year, application to the graduate program can be made according to guidelines already established for regular admissions. Applicants are expected to present credentials that include a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and grade point averages in mathematics and computer science of at least 3.5. The GRE will not be required. The applicant should send a letter stating that he or she wishes to become a 4/1 student and should arrange for transcripts of undergraduate work and two letters of recommendation to be submitted along with the graduate application. At the successful completion of the program, the student will receive the B.S. degree in mathematics or computer science and the M.S. degree. Please contact the director of the program, Dr. Mazur, for additional information.