- Engineering & Technology
- Science & Math
- B.S.
- M.S.
- Ph.D.
- Undergraduate Minor
- Jack Baskin School of Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
Program overview
Applied mathematics is a discipline devoted to the use of mathematical methods and reasoning to solve real-world problems of a scientific or decision-making nature in a wide variety of subjects, principally (but not exclusively) in engineering, medicine, the physical and biological sciences, and the social sciences.
Learning Experience
A B.S. degree in applied mathematics opens the doors to many careers in academia (teaching, research), industry, and governmental agencies. Note that the Applied Mathematics department also offers a M.Sc. degree program in Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics, that can be completed in 1 year after the B.S., as well as a PhD degree program in applied mathematics, that can be completed in 4-5 years after the B.S. A graduate degree in applied mathematics opens the doors to an even broader range of careers at all levels.
Scholarships are available for senior and M.Sc. students registered with the financial aid office, under the Next Generation Scholars in Applied Mathematics program.
Study and Research Opportunities
- Faculty in the department of Applied Mathematics conduct research in a wide range of areas of application including: Control Theory, Dynamical Systems, Fluid Dynamics, High-Performance Computing, Mathematical Biology, Optimization, Stochastic Modeling, and others. There are many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to do original research with the program faculty; please contact them directly to set up an appointment and discuss these research opportunities.
First-Year (Freshman) Requirements
High school students intending to apply to this major should have completed at least four years of mathematics (through advanced algebra and trigonometry) and three years of science in high school. AP Calculus courses, and some familiarity with programming, are recommended but not necessary.
Transfer Requirements
This is a screening major. Community college students interested in transferring into this major should have taken as many of the following courses as possible prior to transfer:
- As many of the General Education requirements as possible.
- A 3-quarter calculus sequence including Multivariate Calculus.
- Introduction to Linear Algebra
- Ordinary Differential Equations
- Discrete Mathematics
and, if possible, a programming course (in an advanced programming language such as C, C++, Python, or Fortran).
Internships and Career Opportunities
- A B.S. degree in applied mathematics opens the doors to a vast range of careers in education, research, and industry. These are described in this nice booklet prepared by the Society for Industrial Applied Mathematics.
The Wall Street Journal recently ranked UCSC as the number two public university in the nation for high-paying jobs in engineering.