Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Prepare yourself for a high-demand career in the ever-growing fields of computational sciences, data science and data analytics. As a student in Duquesne’s M.S. in computational mathematics & statistics program, you will gain advanced skills and knowledge in areas such as theoretical foundations of mathematics and statistics along with computational methods and practical applications related to data science and other areas of mathematics and statistics.
Horizon-expanding electives will teach you about artificial intelligences, machine learning, statistical computing and much more. You will also develop advanced programming skills and gain experience working with large-scale data and high-performance computing systems.
You will learn how to use software such as R, Python, SAS and MATLAB to analyze data and draw conclusions, develop algorithms to solve mathematical problems, learn how to use numerical methods to solve problems and analyze algorithms for accuracy and efficiency.
You'll also learn how to apply statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyze and interpret data and explore parallel computing and distributed systems toward more efficient processing of large-scale data and complex mathematical problems.
The program offers the following features: This degree takes advantage of our faculty's key strengths: a strong commitment to
teaching and active research programs in computational fields. You will learn from
the best as you prepare for your career goals. Although computational mathematics and statistics is an interdisciplinary program
encompassing applied mathematics, statistics and computer science, you are not expected
to have a background in all three of these disciplines. We do expect that students
applying for the program will have already demonstrated proficiency in undergraduate
majors-level STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses. Ideally, as you apply for admission to the master’s program, you will have completed
a bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science or statistics with at least a
3.0 grade point average. For unconditional admission, you must have completed two
semesters of calculus, one semester of a programming language similar to Java and
one semester of calculus-based probability and/or statistics. Applicants who do not meet all these requirements but have a strong academic and/or
work background in one of the three disciplines will also be considered on a case-by-case
basis. In particular, to be admitted to the program typically requires that you have completed
coursework that is at least the equivalent of a minor, preferably a major, in at least
one of the three computational mathematics and statistics disciplines of mathematics,
statistics or computer science. International students might need to submit English language test scores. Note that
we offer a Pathway Program for students who need to improve their English language skills but want to take some
computational mathematics and statistics coursework at the same time. For all applicants, there is no fee for the initial online application. But you may
need to pay a fee to a third party to submit supporting materials, such as international
credit evaluations and satisfactory test scores on the TOEFL for non-English language
speakers. The Department of Mathematics & Computer Science offers a combined B.S./M.S. program
to students who are high-achieving in their undergraduate studies. Once admitted to
the program, you have the opportunity to apply graduate credits earned while an undergraduate
toward fulfilling requirements of both your departmental B.S. and the M.S. You could
potentially complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in as little as five years. To earn both the B.S. and M.S., you must earn at least 150 credits, 30 of which must
be graduate credits (500-level or above) fulfilling requirements of the master's in
computer science program. No more than 15 of these 30 graduate credits can be taken
while you are an undergraduate. As an undergraduate student enrolled in the combined-degrees program, you also enjoy
the following advantages:Program Features
What Background Do I Need?
International Students
B.S./M.S. Accelerated Program
Application Requirements
Students must complete Duquesne's online application, including submission of an updated resume.
Students should submit official transcripts from previous educational institutions. These educational institutions should send the transcripts directly to Duquesne University.
Students must submit three letters of recommendation, with at least two of them being from references who can comment meaningfully on your prior academic performance
A personal statement of at most 500 words that explains why you are applying to the computational mathematics & statistics program and provides any other information you wish the admissions committee to have.
Students must submit their exam scores from the GRE (the Duquesne school code is 2196 and the department code is 0703). Although we look at applications holistically and have no fixed numeric requirements, generally speaking, we expect an applicant's GRE quantitative scores to be in the top quartile. Very low verbal GRE scores can also be a detriment to admission.
The core courses are: Elective offerings in recent years have included: The computational mathematics and statistics program stresses real-life problems and
real-life experiences. To that end, all students in the computational mathematics
and statistics program must register for and complete CPMA 599 Internship. The internship
requirement can be fulfilled in one of two ways: Virtually every course in the M.S. in computational mathematics & statistics includes
a computational component requiring the use of tools appropriate to the discipline.
Although tools change frequently in these rapidly developing areas, typical examples
might include:
Program Requirements
Most courses in the core curriculum have a computational component using a software
package or programming language related to that particular core topic.
FAQs
About the M.S. in Computational Mathematics & Statistics
A part-time student will typically require longer. For instance, at a rate of 3 credits per fall-spring semester, the program would require just under six years. Note that the maximum amount of time allowed by the university to complete a master's program is six years.
Since 2019-20, all of the program's core courses have been offered in the evening, and typically several electives each semester are also evening courses.
You would complete a thesis or project under a faculty member's supervision by applying some of the knowledge and skills acquired in one or more of the program's three disciplines to a question or problem of interest. You would then write a paper describing your answer to the question or solution to the problem and presents your work at a public "defense."
Financial Aid
Strong applicants may qualify for graduate assistantships.
- Graduate assistantships provide full or partial tuition remission and a stipend.
- Teaching assistants primarily tutor undergraduate students taking low-level courses
in the department.
- One teaching assistant also provides technical support for departmental computer labs.
- Second-year students may ask to have full responsibility for a course in order to gain college-level teaching experience.
- Research assistantships may be available, subject to grant funding.
Graduate assistantships are typically only offered in the fall semester. An application for admission to the computational mathematics & statistics M.S. program with consideration for an assistantship should be submitted no later than March 1.
All students are required to have either relevant job experience or an internship before completing their degrees. Although the computational mathematics & statistics program does not have pre-arranged internship agreements, Duquesne's location in the heart of PIttsburgh, the demand for students with the skill sets we teach and our relationships with local employers greatly facilitate placements. Historically, full-time computational mathematics & statistics students who have done well during their first year have been able to find reasonably well-paid internships during the following summer.
FAQs
About Funding Your Degree
In the past, these assistantships have required approximately 15-20 hours of teaching-related work per week during the academic year in exchange for 9 tuition credits each semester and a modest stipend toward living expenses. There might also be research assistantships available, based on faculty grant funding. The university maintains a page of information on graduate financing.