M.S. in Mathematical Sciences
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the M.S. in Mathematical Sciences in three concentrations. Subject areas of strength include applied mathematics, biomathematics, discrete mathematics and statistics.
Our program is flexible and is designed to meet the needs of students with a wide variety of interests, backgrounds and career plans.
Concentrations
Applied Mathematics
Courses in applied mathematics include ordinary differential equations, discrete and continuous dynamical systems, partial differential equations, calculus of variations, numerical analysis, complex analysis and other topics. Emphasis is placed on analytical and numerical techniques for solving mathematical equations that arise in the physical and biological sciences, engineering and economics. It is recommended that students contemplating study in applied mathematics have undergraduate training in differential equations, linear algebra and analysis.
Mathematics
This concentration offers courses in the areas of real and complex analysis, topology, linear algebra, graph theory, combinatorics and abstract algebra. Students wishing to prepare for a Ph.D. program in mathematics can build a solid foundation through an appropriate selection of courses offered by the department.
Statistics
Statistics courses cover topics such as regression analysis, design of experiments, data mining, Bayesian theory and methods, multivariate statistics, time series analysis and response surface methods. These courses consist of a blend of mathematical theory and application. Depending on their interests, students can take additional courses in mathematics, computer science, operations research, engineering, finance or economics.
Careers of alumni of the Masters in Mathematical Sciences program include:
- Scientist at Dahlgren, NASA, Altria
- Data Analyst at Virginia Department of Health, Capital One Bank, The Hartford, Booz Allen Hamilton, NIRSense, etc.
- Statistician at the Food and Drug Administration
- Quantitative Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) Analyst at Certara
- Teacher/Instructor at public and private grade level schools, and many colleges and universities
- Assistant Professor at Queens University of Charlotte, South Dakota State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Alumni have also continued their education by pursuing Ph.D.'s in:
- Systems Modeling and Analysis
- Mathematics
- Computational Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Industrial Engineering