Ph.D. in Systems Modeling and Analysis
The Doctor of Philosophy in systems modeling and analysis focuses on the development of the mathematical, statistical and computational skills used to model and analyze real-world systems.
Faculty and students engage and collaborate to contribute to the knowledge base used in the fields of science, medicine, business and engineering. The continued development of operations research, statistics, discrete mathematics and mathematical biology is critical to scientific advancement in the 21st century.
The doctoral curriculum enables students to expand the frontiers of knowledge through original, relevant research involving quantitative and qualitative complex systems derived from real, contemporary problems facing our world.
Graduates will display knowledge and skills in the following five areas and will have knowledge of all the foundational areas of mathematical modeling.
- Conceptualizing real world systems as mathematical models using techniques from mathematics and/or statistics
- Performing mathematical or computational calculations on such models to achieve better understanding of the system
- Interpreting findings of such analysis and its implications for the system
- Communicating results effectively in written and oral form to both professional and academic audiences
- Performing independent research that combines techniques across disciplines
Our courses and research opportunities prepare students for careers in a variety fields in academia, industry and government. Alums from our program are data analysts, mathematical modelers, assistant professors and more.
The program's flexibility allows students to pursue their degree part-time, but with significant hours dedicated to coursework and research. Also, with proper planning, students can complete the Ph.D. and a master's degree in mathematical sciences with a concentration in applied mathematics, mathematics or statistics.
Program Concentrations
Students may complete the Ph.D. program without a concentration, giving them the flexibility to pick their elective courses. View degree and curriculum requirements for this option on VCU Bulletin.
Student may choose one of the program's four concentrations (links go to VCU Bulletin):
Research
Students have opportunities to work on a variety of projects under the supervision of our faculty, many of whom have collaborations with other researchers at the medical campus, business school, engineering, biology and beyond.
The program exposes students to core research areas during their first year of study. Then, students work with an advisor to develop a research plan. Degree requirements include presenting research in a qualifying portfolio, departmental seminar, a dissertation proposal and dissertation defense. Students must also submit at least one journal article. Students are encouraged to present the work at conferences.
Our program offers the following four main areas of research:
Application
The standards for admission are a completed undergraduate degree with at least 30 credit hours of undergraduate-level mathematics, including:
- Calculus I and II
- Multivariate Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- Probability and Statistics
Applicants must have completed at least one upper-level mathematics class that includes mathematical reasoning, such as:
- Abstract Algebra
- Combinatorics
- Graph Theory
- Real Analysis
- Topology
While the GRE is not required, applicants are welcome to submit their scores if they feel it strengthens their academic profile. Additionally, the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School apply.
Funding
The College of Humanities and Sciences and the Graduate School provide graduate assistantships for full-time students. The graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis and have a priority deadline of February 1. During the application process students can indicate if they would like to pursue an optional concentration and whether or not they would like to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship.
Visit the VCU Graduate School Funding Opportunities page for full information on how to finance your graduate studies.
Steering Committee
The program's steering committee is charged with overseeing the curriculum, graduate teaching assistantships, admissions and all other program decisions.
- Reed Ogrosky, Ph.D., Program Director
- Glenn Hurlbert, Ph.D., Discrete Mathematics
- Chenlu Ke, Ph.D., Statistical Sciences
- Suzanne Robertson, Ph.D., Mathematical Biology
- Yanjun Qian, Ph.D., Statistical Sciences
FAQ
The best way to understand systems modeling is to consider examples drawn from the research that is performed by the faculty in the program.
- Edward Boone studies streams and rivers and the populations of fish and other life that lives in them.
- Jason Merrick studies the risk of accidents in a port and how it is influenced by the traffic patterns, weather, currents and human errors.
- Angela Reynolds studies wound healing and the influence of hormones on the rate of healing.
- Paul Brooks mines genetic data from bacteria to characterize the role of the microbiome in physiology and disease.
Each of these researchers looks at the river, the port, the wound or the body as a system of components that interact together and lead to behaviors beyond what their individual pieces can do. We cannot study the population of one type of fish in a stream alone without considering the populations of its predators and it food sources, along with the actions that mankind takes that affect it. A ship in dry dock will not have an accident as it cannot run in to other ships or run aground; accident risk is a product of all the other parts of the port the ship navigates through. In other words, we must consider the behavior of the systems, not just individual pieces.
This program is the result of significant research growth in the two participating departments in recent years.
- Scientists from many disciplines are tackling the challenges of the complexity of the systems they study.
- Several recent National Research Council reports discuss the complexity of the systems researchers must understand and the necessity of mathematical and computer models in achieving such understanding.
- It is not just science that must handle complexity. The business world is also becoming more complex with global supply chains and complex market forces at work.
- Companies looking for the next edge in the market are turning to operations research, statistics and applied mathematics to model their complex systems and make better decisions.
The program focuses on the development and understanding of the skills used to conceptualize and analyze real world systems. The continued development of operations research, statistics, applied mathematics and discrete mathematics is critical to scientific advancement in the twenty-first century.
Faculty and students engage and collaborate to contribute to the mathematical tools and knowledge base in the fields of science, medicine, business and engineering.
This program fulfills important needs nationally and for the Commonwealth in terms of research, training and service. Graduates of the program would be well placed for roles as mathematical scientists, operations research analysts and statisticians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ occupational outlook forecasts strong growth in employment in these roles nationally, especially at the Ph.D. level. The Virginia Employment Commission forecasts increases in employment in the Commonwealth of 19% for mathematical scientists, 20% for operations research analysts and 21% for statisticians. Businesses and organizations are looking for people trained in applied mathematics, operations research and statistics, but who also understand the systems that they model and can analyze them using multiple tools.