Mathematics & Statistics
The Graduate Program
The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers graduate coursework, MA and PhD degree programs, and PhD thesis research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. The subjects span pure mathematics and applied mathematics, mathematical statistics and applied statistics, as well as probability and stochastic processes.
In mathematics, current faculty research activities center on algebraic and analytic number theory, algebraic geometry, bioinformatics, celestial mechanics, complex dynamics, computational biology, conformal field theory, differential geometry and topology, dynamical systems, mathematical neuroscience, mathematical physics, numerical analysis, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, probability theory, and stochastic analysis. MA-level and PhD-level coursework, including seminar-level courses, are offered in all of these subjects, as well as in classical fields such as real and complex analysis, functional analysis, Lie groups, and algebraic topology.
The program in probability theory provides mathematical background for understanding the random phenomena that arise in science and engineering. It also provides a link between mathematics and statistics. The degree program in statistics provides opportunities for the development of both statistical theory and methods, as well as for their application to a variety of other areas of the sciences, through interdisciplinary projects in bioinformatics, computer science, geoscience, mathematical finance, medicine, neuroscience, and social science. Research interests of the faculty include analysis of high-dimensional data, Bayesian statistics, functional data analysis, longitudinal analysis, mathematical finance, mixture models, network analysis, statistical learning, stochastic processes, and time series analysis.
Admission Prospective applicants are urged to visit the Department of Mathematics & Statistics’ website http://math.bu.edu for information that explains the requirements, practices, and offerings of the department in greater detail.
Ordinarily, applications are submitted online to the Admissions Office of the Graduate School at http://www.bu.edu/cas/admissions/graduate. Applications should be received by the Graduate School Office no later than January 15. Late applications will be considered if there is some special reason. Late applicants should correspond directly with the department.
Applicants are required to submit results of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) including the Subject Test in Mathematics. The examination should be taken in October or earlier, so that the scores are received by January. Notices of admission with fellowship or assistantship awards will usually be made on or about April 1. Applicants requesting financial assistance should be sure to have all application materials submitted by January 15. After this date the possibilities of financial assistance are greatly reduced. (Students are accepted for January admission, and financial aid may be available at that time, although opportunities for financial aid are greatly reduced.)
Further information is available from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, http://math.bu.edu, 111 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2560; email: dgs@math.bu.edu.
