Department of Mathematics

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Yanlai Chen numerical analysis, scientific computing, model reduction, approximation theory, discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods, adaptivity, data science

Gary Davis memory systems, DEs, mathematics education, data science education

Bo Dong numerical analysis and scientific computing, discontinuous Galerkin methods, hybridizable finite element methods, multiscale finite element methods

Scott E Field Bayesian inference for large datasets, scientiﬁc computing

Dana Fine quantum gauge theory, supersymmetric quantum mechanics

Sigal Gottlieb (Director of CSCVR) strong stability preserving and positivity preserving time discretizations, spatial discretization for hyperbolic problems, spectral and pseudospectral methods, WENO and ENO methods, reduced basis methods, high performance parallel computing, data science

Adam O Hausknecht mathematics software, analysis of algorithms, universal algebra, category theory

Alfa Heryudono radial basis functions, spectral and pseudospectral methods, numerical conformal mapping, tear film dynamics, numerical pdes, data science

Saeja O. Kim (Chairperson) computational algebra, edge detection, applied mathematics, mathematics education, data science eduacation

Akil Narayan (Visiting Scholar) numerical analysis and scientific computing, uncertainty quantification for stochastic systems, spectral methods, and orthogonal polynomials, computer vision and shape analysis

Donghui Yan statistics, machine learning, data science

Cheng Wang numerical analysis, numerical PDEs

Lecturers:

Sara K. Dalton mathematics education

Melvyn Huff mathematics education

Biyong Luo (Director of First Year Math Program) mathematics education

Faculty Emeriti:

Nurit Budinsky applied mathematics

Robert Kowalczyk applied mathematics

Steven J Leon numerical analysis, linear algebra

Gary Martin logic

Robert L McCabe mathematics education

Ronald Tannenwald dynamical systems

About the Department

Mathematicians are problem solvers and precise thinkers, applying their knowledge and skills in academia, government, industry, research, and technology.

The mathematics program provides a solid foundation in both the theoretical and applied aspects of mathematics, preparing you for a variety of careers including actuarial science, algorithm design, computer information systems, data science, economics, education, finance, government, insurance, manufacturing, medicine, psychology, science computing, software development, and statistics.

You’ll also be well-prepared for graduate studies in math or in areas that emphasize math, such as economics, engineering, and the sciences.

Special opportunities

Undergraduate research: engage in research projects with expert faculty mentors and present your work at national and international conferences
New initiatives: collaborate, create, and explore at the Center for Scientific Computing and Visualization Research
Community: participate in our chapter of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics or the studentled group, Mathematics and Physics Opportunities for Women in Research

Mathematics Major

Our curriculum offers flexibility, allowing you to concentrate in your areas of interest. You’ll have a wide selection of courses to choose from, including algebra, calculus, computational mathematics, geometry, probability, simulations, and statistics.

You will learn to how to:

Understand core mathematical skills 
Form logical arguments with correct reasoning
Recognize connection between different areas of mathematics and understand relationships between ideas
Link applications and theory
Utilize modern technological tools

For the major, you’ll complete 59 credit hours in courses related to mathematics or physics, and 6 credits in English, 6 credits in Literature, and an additional 27 credits in upper level courses.

We offer both BA and BS degrees in mathematics. Both degrees require completion of 120 credit hours of overall coursework.

You’ll take an additional 6/3 credits in natural science courses at the level taken by majors in natural science courses to earn the BS/BA degree in mathematics. The humanities/social science requirements for the BS/BA degree are a combined total of 18/21credits.

You can find detailed info regarding three different mathematics options at the site http://www.umassd.edu/cas/math/undergraduateprograms/

Applied and Computational Mathematics Option

With a core of computation-oriented courses, the applied and computational mathematics option emphasizes applied mathematics that is needed to devise, analyze and implement methods to obtain accurate numerical solutions to applied problems.

In fields such as economics, engineering, finance, the sciences and the social sciences, the equations used to model natural phenomena are too complicated to find exact solutions. To obtain accurate numerical solutions to these equations, computational mathematicians develop and analyze algorithms to run on high performance computers.

A BS degree in applied and computational mathematics will prepare you for employment in fields where physical and industrial problems are analyzed mathematically—as well as for graduate programs in computation oriented mathematics.

For the applied and computational mathematics option, you’ll complete 57 credit hours in mathematics, physics and computer science, and 120 credit hours overall.

Minor in mathematics

Enhance your career options by earning a minor in mathematics. You’ll develop the analytical and problemsolving skills that are essential in many employment settings.

For the minor, you’ll complete 24 credit hours.

A minor must be completed at the time of the degree and will be so noted on the student’s transcript. A student cannot be readmitted to the University to complete only a minor.

Accelerated BA/BS-MTH/MAT option:

We offer high-performing undergraduate students the option to complete a BA/BS in Mathematics and Masters in Teaching in an integrated 5-year program (i.e. one less year of study than if the degrees are pursued sequentially).
Students in the BA/BS-MTH-MAT program will have two advisors, one from STEM Education & Teacher Development and one from the Department of Mathematics. These advisors will work together to ensure the student finds an effective way to complete both programs within 5 years. The Mathematics advisor will serve as the primary advisor for the student.
Students apply to the “accelerated track” as soon as they earn 60 credits (first semester juniors) and have maintained a 3.0 GPA using the application for the BA/BS-MTH-MAT track. This approved “application” allows students to take graduate level EDU classes without additional charges —5 Graduate EDU courses will count towards the credit requirement for BOTH the MAT and the BA/BS-MTH degrees.
The sequence of courses will ensure that students will complete their BA/BS in four years – regardless of whether or not they continue to pursue their MAT.
For the accelerated BA-MTH option, you’ll complete 123 credit hours overall.
For the accelerated BS-MTH option, you’ll complete 120 credit hours overall.
Students will be required to apply to the MAT program during their final semester as an undergraduate.

Data Science Program:

The interdisciplinary Data Science program is designed to combine courses that cover specific topics like data visualization, and matrix methods for data mining, with traditional courses in Mathematics and Computer & Information Science.
In mathematics, students will take statistics, probability, linear algebra, scientific computation, and calculus. In computer science, students will take courses in object-oriented programming, software design, algorithms, data mining, and machine learning. In addition, students in their senior year will work in teams on real-world sponsored capstone projects.
A BS degree in interdisciplinary data science will prepare you for a fast-emerging interdisciplinary field that will shape industries and issues such as health care, ocean modeling, climate change, land-use planning and transportation system design—as well as for graduate programs in Data Science.
Link to the data science program: http://www.umassd.edu/interdisciplinary/datascience/

Continue your education with graduate studies

Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics: The department works with the School of Education to prepare highly qualified teachers, providing opportunities for students to receive professional licensure as a Teacher of Mathematics, Grades 8-12.
Master of Science in Data Science: Through a joint initiative with the Computer and Information Science department, we will be offering a Master’s degree in Data Science.
PhD in Computational Science and Engineering: Earn an advanced degree in computational science through our Engineering and Applied Science program.
PhD in Mathematics Education: Our STEM Education and Teacher Development department offers a doctoral program. The program focuses on interdisciplinary perspectives in mathematics education research, Grades K-16.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students should know, be able to recall and use, basic ideas from their core mathematics courses.
Students should be able to determine independently that their work, including calculation and argument, is correct. This includes developing regular habits of checking solutions, verifying answers, and checking for correct calculations and correct reasoning.
Students should formulate answers to mathematical problems. This includes correct and clearly presented English, logical and clearly laid-out solutions, and clear and well-labeled diagrams where appropriate. Students should be able to argue logically and correctly, and be able to produce proofs for mathematical assertions.
Students should have familiarity with graphing calculators and mathematics software including Mathematica Python, MATLAB, or Maple. Students should know how to use mathematical technology appropriately to enhance, not to replace, basic skills and understanding of concepts.
Students should be flexible problem solvers. They should be able to recall basic facts, concepts, and skills, and use them in context, and should be able to use those same facts, concepts, and skills in novel problem settings.
Students should be able to see connections between different areas of mathematics, and understand relationships between ideas.
Students should learn to communicate mathematics effectively.