New applications of mathematics are constantly being discovered, and established techniques are being applied in new ways and in emerging fields. The Department of Mathematics’ MS in Applied Mathematics program is growing steadily, serving students from the region and worldwide. Our curriculum is designed to address the needs of those seeking to enter or are currently working in a variety of applied math careers, such as financial service and investment management firms; data science and high-tech firms; computer information and software firms; and academic institutions and research institutes.
Northeastern’s MSAM program has been developed by research faculty, PhD-holding teaching faculty, and industry experts to bring together academic rigor and industry need. The program’s focus is to help students develop skills and a career direction in the growing world of applied mathematics and modeling. To support these goals, the program offers:
- Data Science track: The MSAM program offers the opportunity for students to take courses in Data Science to gain the skills and knowledge for a successful career in this field.
- Optional co-op: Students can gain industry experience working in one of many applied math careers during their graduate degree.
- Evening classes: Courses meet in the evenings to accommodate our students' busy schedules.
- Tailored curriculum: Students are allowed to take up to two courses outside the mathematics department, providing the flexibility to create a curriculum tailored to their career interests.
- Weekly seminars: The Department of Mathematics is an active research department with weekly seminars in applied and pure mathematics. We bring in speakers from outside the discipline and the university to speak on cutting-edge mathematics and applications.
- Research opportunities
- Real-world experience: Some courses include in-class projects with real-world data for industry clients.
More Details
Course Work
- Mathematical Modeling: The theory and implementation of differential equations modeling
- Probability I and II: Probabilistic reasoning, Bayesian and frequentist prediction, and stochastic modeling
- Applied Statistics and Mathematical Statistics: Statistical reasoning and validation as well as model fitting and model design
- Machine Learning: Optimization-centered algorithm design and the synergy between mathematical methods and modern computer science
In addition to the core courses, we offer classes in graph theory, stochastic calculus and no-arbitrage finance, numerical analysis, and optimization and complexity. In addition, we’re always expanding our course offerings to meet both student interest and industry need.
Finally, elective courses take advantage of the department’s offering in pure mathematics, including advanced differential equations and functional analysis, differential, algebraic and discrete geometry and topology, and mathematical methods in quantum theory.
Co-op
The department of mathematics’ graduate co-op program allows students to take a four- to eight-month term during their degree to gain industry experience in their chosen field. Our co-op coordinator is dedicated to helping develop each student’s career direction and job opportunities. This includes interview skills, resumé, and job expectations required to enter the industry as a co-op employee. It can form the cornerstone of a competitive resumé while helping students choose what kind of career in applied mathematics best fits them.
Students from the program find co-op appointments in a wide variety of fields, including scientific modeling and research, consumer and business analytics, financial modeling, healthcare analytics, and statistical analysis. Students have taken co-ops doing catastrophe modeling for Guy Carpenter (insurance), consumer analytics at Fidelity Investment (investment banking), social media analysis at Legendary (special effects and film), and climate modeling at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (nonprofit scientific research).
Since 2017, roughly half of the student body (including working students) has gone on a co-op. The mean salary for co-op positions is $20 per hour, with a range between $10 per hour (assistant teacher, Brookline Public Schools) to $40 per hour (data science, Aerotek)
Career Outlook
A selection of jobs obtained by students since 2017:
- Merrill Lynch – Associate, Predictive Analytics
- Omni Claim – Associate Data Scientist
- Wayfair – Analyst
- Vi3 – Support Specialist/Data Analyst
- Glenmede Investment Management – Quantitative Equipment-Research Analyst
- Health Data Analytics Institute – Data Analyst
- Huawei – Algorithm Engineer
- Spirit Air – Senior Analyst, Guest Insight
- And others
Several students have also gone on to PhD programs in applied mathematics at the University of Chicago, NCSU at Raleigh, and Northeastern University, as well as a PhD in geophysics at University of Hawaii.