/College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Applied Mathematics & Statistics

LIRR STRIKE: The LIRR is on strike, disrupting the ability for commuters to get to and from the Stony Brook campus. More details here.

 

Graduate Programs

The Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics has a large, diverse program of graduate studies leading to the MS and PhD degrees. Students have five different tracks to choose from.

Apply Now Courses Request Information

 

Computational Applied Mathematics

Computational applied mathematics studies important scientific problems through a combination of science, applied mathematics, and computation. The dominant mathematical modeling technique used in this field is differential equations, and most problems studied arise in the natural sciences and engineering, such as climate modeling or aircraft wing design. However, computational applied mathematics has much wider applicability, as illustrated by its heavy use in modeling derivatives on Wall Street.

Learn more

A digital illustration features glowing blue and yellow lines and dots forming a wave pattern on a dark background, suggesting a sense of motion and technology.

Computational Biology

Computational biology as a science is in the midst of a major transition, as modern experimental methods are generating data at an unprecedented rate. The availability of this data is leading to the development of quantitatively detailed models of complex biological systems and associated computational approaches to the study of biology.

Learn more

A glowing red DNA double helix set against a blurred red background with abstract shapes, conveying a futuristic and scientific tone.

Operations Research

Operations Research is the branch of applied mathematics concerned with applying analytical methods to help make better management decisions. Operations research is also known as management science and industrial engineering. Operations researchers build mathematical models and apply optimization, simulation, and other mathematical tools to analyze complex situations. Operations Research is used in a wide range of industries, from telecommunication to health care to financial services.

Learn more

Futuristic data center with glowing blue graphs and charts overlaying server racks, conveying a high-tech, digital and analytical atmosphere.

Quantitative Finance

The department prepares practitioners who apply mathematical and computational methods to develop and exploit financial opportunities for return enhancement and risk control. The department, one of the country's leading applied mathematics departments, offers a range of related coursework in applied statistics, operations research, and computational science.

Learn more

Glowing blue mathematical formulas and symbols on a dark digital background. The image evokes a sense of technology and advanced computation.

Statistics

Statistics is the branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters. Statistical studies are the basis of newspaper headlines every day, whether it be statistical indicators of the health of the economy, a study of the effectiveness of mammograms, or predictors of climate change and the trend of the financial market.

Learn more

A digital collage of blue data visualizations and charts overlaying a glowing globe on a dark background, conveying global data analysis and technology themes.

MS and PhD in Data Science

Dare to be a force in the world of data. 

The MS and PhD in Data Science programs are jointly offered by the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Department of Computer Science. In data science, you don’t just crunch numbers - you unlock the stories hidden within them. In this program, you'll master the fundamentals of math, computer science, and statistics, and learn how to use cutting-edge tools and algorithms to tackle complex, real-world problems.

Learn about the Graduate Program
Request Information

Red background with circuit board that is shaped like a brain.

 

Degree Requirements

Each track has its own set of required courses and its own qualifying exams for PhD students.

The MS degree in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits in letter-graded (A,B,C,F) graduate courses, with some specializations requiring up to 36 credits. Explore each track link below for specific course requirements.

The PhD degree has no explicitly required courses. However each track’s required MS courses are normally taken by PhD students as preparation for the PhD qualifying exams and for subsequent doctoral research.