APPLIED MATHEMATICS (MS)
Use mathematics to solve real-world problems
The tools and methods of Applied Mathematics are in demand wherever quantitative analysis is used for strategic decision-making. The MS in Applied Mathematics gives you the expertise you need to use those tools and methods in business, industry or government. It also provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing a PhD.
The MS in Applied Mathematics program has four areas of concentration:
- Actuarial science
- Applied and computational mathematics
- Mathematical finance
- Statistics
Courses are held weekday evenings on the Lincoln Park Campus. The program can be completed in two years by taking two courses per quarter.
For international students: this is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States.
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A city full of opportunities
Applied mathematics skills are in high demand in the city of Chicago, home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, technology firms, insurance agencies and government offices.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, personal statement and official transcripts.
Required Courses
You’ll complete at least 12 classes in applied mathematics and pass two sets of comprehensive examinations.
$64k+
The reported median salary of Applied Mathematics graduates was $64,700 upon graduation.
Original research with real-world implications
You’ll study with active researchers like Associate Professor Karl Liechty. Professor Liechty’s work on orthogonal polynomials and special functions is related to the six-vertex, or “square ice,” model in physics. For his work, Professor Liechty was recognized with the 2015 Gábor Szeg? prize from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematicians (SIAM).
Alumni Network
Alumni of the MS in Applied Mathematics work in a range of industries, including insurance, finance and health care, meaning you’re connected to an array of career options, and nearly 20,000 graduates of the College of Science and Health.
Scholarships
Merit-based tuition waivers and graduate assistantships are available. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.
Applied Mathematics Admission Requirements
???To be eligible for admission into the master's program in Applied Mathematics, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. For full admission, applicants must have already completed the following undergraduate-level coursework:
- A year of single-variable calculus (equivalent of MAT 150-151-152)
- A course in multivariable calculus (equivalent of MAT 260)
- A course in linear algebra (equivalent of MAT 262)
- A course in statistics (equivalent of MAT 348 or MAT 350)
- A course in computer programming (e.g., C++, Python, Java)
In addition, the following is required for students planning to complete the Applied and Computational Mathematics concentration, and is strongly recommended for students applying to the Mathematical Finance concentration:
- A course in ordinary differential equations (equivalent of MAT 304)
Applicants who have not yet completed one or more of the listed prerequisites may be admitted on a conditional basis while they complete the prerequisites at DePaul as undergraduate non-degree seeking students. Interested students should contact the Applied Mathematics program director Ilie Ugarcovici (iugarcov@depaul.edu) to discuss their options.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following:
- A completed application.
- Official transcripts detailing course work from all colleges and universities you have attended.
- An optional personal statement of approximately 200-300 words describing your goals and how they fit with the program is strongly encouraged.
- International students should also see the International Student Admission Process page for more information.
Application materials can be submitted through the online application or by email to graddepaul@depaul.edu. Additionally, official electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution and can be emailed to gradtranscripts@depaul.edu?. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted for the application review. Official transcripts will be required upon admission. For international transcripts, follow the instructions on the International Student Admission Process page; do not send international transcripts directly to DePaul. Please make sure your name is on all documents.
Transcripts and other required credentials can also be mailed to:
The Office of Graduate Admission
College of Science and Health
DePaul University
2400 N Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
International Admission
English Proficiency
International student applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency in order to be reviewed for admission. The College of Science and Health accepts scores from the TOEFL, the IELTS and the Duolingo English Test (DET) as proof of English proficiency. Students who have previously earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in a country where the official native language is recognized as English may be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.
To be considered English language proficient, the College of Science and Health requires a score of at least 80 on the iBT TOEFL with a minimum score of 17 on each section, or at least 6.5 on the IELTS or at least 110 on the DET.
Applicants whose English language proficiency scores are below the stated minimums but who otherwise meet all admission requirements may be granted conditional admission until they demonstrate English proficiency by completing DePaul's English Language Academy program. Requirements for conditional admission are posted on the International Admission website.
For additional information for international students, please visit the International Student Admission Process page or contact the Applied Mathematics program director Ilie Ugarcovici (iugarcov@depaul.edu).
Degree Requirements
The master's program in Applied Mathematics offers degrees in four areas of concentration: Actuarial Science, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Mathematical Finance, and Statistics.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Candidates for the degree must complete at least 48 quarter hours of graduate level work in applied mathematics and pass two sets of comprehensive examinations. Comprehensive examinations are offered twice a year, at the beginning of the autumn and spring quarters. Students need to notify the program director at least a month in advance to register for the exams.
Concentration Requirement?
Applied Mathematics students must choose one concentration: Actuarial Science, Statistics, Applied and Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Finance.
Computer Usage?
The department places strong emphasis on computation and is well supported with equipment and software necessary for research. Computers are used for data analysis and to find solutions to problems that arise in numerical analysis, simulations, and mathematical modeling. The computer packages used in these courses are likely to play an important role in the solution of the problems students will encounter in their places of employment.
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Comprehensive Examinations
Candidates for the Master's of Science in Applied Mathematics degree must pass two comprehensive examinations (Part I and Part II). Comprehensive examinations are offered twice per year, in the beginning of the autumn and spring quarters. The following applies to all but the Applied and Computational Mathematics concentration.
The Part I comprehensive examination is a three-hour closed-book exam that is offered on the first Saturday of the autumn and spring quarters, and covers material from the MAT 451-452-453 course sequence. An official formula sheet will be provided. No tablets or cell phones may be used at any time during the exam.
The Part II comprehensive examination is a three-hour closed-book exam that is offered on the second Saturday of the autumn and spring quarters, and is based on the student's area of concentration.
- Part II - Actuarial Science: Covers material from MAT 461 and 462.
- Part II - Mathematical Finance: Covers material from MAT 455 and 468.
- Part II - Statistics: Covers material from MAT 456 and 459.
For the Applied and Computational Mathematics concentration: Part I covers material from the MAT 485-486 course sequence, and part II covers material from MAT 451 and 484.
Students should register with the graduate program director before the beginning of the quarter they plan to take the comprehensive examinations.??