Applied Mathematics and Statistics, MS

The Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, offers programs in computational applied mathematics, operations research, quantitative finance, statistics, and computational biology leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The department offers an integrated series of courses and seminars, supervised reading, and facilities for research. Emphasis is on the study of real-world problems, computational modeling, and the development of necessary analytical concepts and theoretical tools. A state-of-the-art, computational laboratory is operated for student education and research, with access available to university–based high-performance computing facilities. It also features a network of advanced Unix workstations and modern printing facilities. The laboratory’s full-time staff is available to help students become familiar with the laboratory facilities.

Students participate in joint research with 5 national laboratories, several industrial groups and various sciences, biomedical, and engineering programs. Students, who receive a broad training, find themselves excellently prepared for careers in government and industry in which mathematics is used as a computational or conceptual tool.

Faculty research programs receive significant external funding and provide students with an opportunity for active participation in a variety of projects in all areas of the department. Faculty interests include applied graph theory, biostatistics and computational biology, structure-based drug design, computational fluid dynamics, combinatorial optimizations, computational statistics, data analysis, flow through porous media, fracture mechanics, inverse problems, mixed-boundary value problems, nonlinear conservation laws, quantitative finance, reliability theory, risk management, robust estimation, nonparametric statistics, stochastic modeling and sequential decision making and structure-based drug design. Most doctoral students are supported through either a research or teaching assistantship.

The Ph.D. program normally takes about four to five years for students with a strong analytical and computing background. The M.S. programs, when pursued on a full-time basis, may be completed in three or four semesters. Students who have taken graduate courses before enrolling at Stony Brook may request transfer of up to twelve credits. If such a request is approved, it may be possible to complete the M.S. degree in two semesters. It is strongly urged that all applicants develop some facility in computer programming.

A more detailed description of the graduate program is available from the departmental office. This includes specific distribution requirements, fields of specialization, and information on the preliminary and qualifying examinations. Interested students should request information and application forms as early as possible, especially if they plan to apply for financial aid.