Prospective Students - Graduate

Applied Mathematics

Areas of Study and Research

The department offers a range of courses and research opportunities in many areas, including computational mathematics, probability and statistics, nonlinear phenomena, physical applied mathematics, and mathematical biology.

Degrees Offered

MS
Requires 30 hours of approved study, at least 18 of which must be at the 5000 level or above in Applied Math and include core courses and application areas. The candidate must also fulfill either the thesis (Plan I) or non-thesis (Plan II) option detailed in the university catalog.

PhD
Requires 60 hours of approved study, including the minimum 30 hours of dissertation credit required by the Graduate School. The candidate must also pass three preliminary examinations, satisfy a foreign language requirement, pass a comprehensive examination involving the proposed dissertation, complete a PhD dissertation of original and publishable research in applied mathematics or a related field, and successfully defend the dissertation in an oral examination.

Admission

Graduate School Minimum Admissions Standards
Individual graduate departments may have additional or more restrictive standards by which they evaluate graduate applicants. However, the Graduate School at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
   
2. Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s scholastic record.
   
3. Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
   
4. Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average. Note: Applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 grade point average.
   

Applied Mathematics Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75.
3. Have computing experience such as FORTRAN, C, C++, or MATLAB. Experience with UNIX can be very helpful.
4. Have completed several semesters of upper division math courses beyond calculus, including advanced calculus and linear algebra. Additional recommended courses include partial differential equations, complex analysis, numerical analysis, and perhaps probability and statistics.
5. Complete the online application.
6. Submit GRE General Test results. Subject test scores are optional. Institution code: 4841.
7. Submit a personal statement in essay form providing work history, as well as educational background, research focus, and academic and professional goals (required in Item 6, Part 2 of the online application).
8. Provide four letters of recommendation.
9. Submit two official copies of transcripts from each institution attended. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the department. Any transcripts issued to students will be considered unofficial.
10. Submit TOEFL scores (international applicants only) unless the student has completed at least one year of academic study in the United States or English is the primary language in the student’s native country. Institution code: 4841.

Financial Support Available
Master’s and PhD applicants may be offered teaching or research assistantship support. Research assistant support is usually offered to PhD students after they successfully pass the preliminary exams.

Application Information and Deadlines   Fall admission Yes Application deadline February 1 International application deadline December 1 Financial assistance application deadline N/A Invitational Campus Visit Weekends March 5 March 12   Spring admission No Application Deadline N/A International Deadline N/A Financial Assistance Deadline N/A Invitational Campus Visit Weekends N/A   Summer admission No

Contact Information

University of Colorado at Boulder
Department of Applied Mathematics
Engineering Center Office Tower 225 (ECOT 225)
526 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0526
Phone: 303-492-4668
Fax: 303-492-4066
E-mail: amgradco@colorado.edu
Website: http://amath.colorado.edu