Applied Math and Computational Science

专业详情

The Masters of Arts program in AMCS is intended for students who wish to go into professional careers in Applied Mathematics, or wish to obtain sufficient background in Applied Mathematics to be a strong candidate for a doctoral program in Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Mathematics etc. While an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics is not required, applicants to the program should have taken sufficiently many advanced undergraduate mathematics courses so that their interest in and aptitude for mathematics can be assessed. Beyond Calculus, two semesters of Mathematical Analysis, a semester of Linear Algebra, a semseter of Probability, and a semester of Complex Analysis are strongly recommended. The masters degree is typically earned in 4 semesters.

Students in the masters program must take a core of two semesters of analysis, two semesters of applied linear algebra and one to two semesters of probability theory.  The analysis courses AMCS 6080-6090 give the candidate the best chance to be competitive for admission to a strong doctorla program, however if the student’s preparation is not sufficient for this, the analysis requirement can also be met by taking AMCS 5100 and Math 5090, after which 6080-6090 can be taken as an elective.  The linear algebra requirement must be met by taking AMCS 6025-6035 unless permission is granted to take Math 6020-6030 instead.  The probability requirement can be met with AMCS 6480-6490 (recommended) or with AMCS 5461, after which 6480-6490 can still ber taken as an elective.  The total course requirement is 8 courses plus a Masters thesis or 10 courses without a Masters thesis.  Elective courses must numbered 500 and above, except by special approval from the AMCS Graduate Chair. The other courses can be in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and courses offered by other departments, which make essential usage of advanced mathematics. Every student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate group chair. There is also a requirement to pass the Written Preliminary Exam. To receive the Masters degree a student must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in courses counted toward the degree.

The masters degree can also be earned by Penn Math Ph.D. students, on the way to their Ph.D. In addition, Penn Ph.D. students in allied fields of study can apply to enter the masters program in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science. Successfully completing the requirements for this program would allow them to earn both degrees simultaneously.

Undergraduates at Penn can request permission to submatriculate into the AMCS Masters degree program.  AMCS does not allow double counting of courses: you must take 8 courses, not counted toward any other degree, and write a Masters thesis, or take two additional courses on an advanced topic, which are also not being counted toward another degree. To be admitted as a submatriculant a student must demonstrate a high level of mathematical aptitude and proficiency, usually by taking undergraduate mathematics courses at the level of MATH 312/512, 360-1, 370-1, 410, 425, 430, and receiving excellent grades. Typically submatriculants are not permitted to use 500-level Mathematics courses, other than MATH 546-7, 570-1, 580-586, toward their list of required courses, and must take a preponderance of Mathematics courses.  Submatriculants should have an adequate background to pass the Written Preliminary Examination upon admission to the program.