3 departments of mathematics creating the most well-rounded graduates on the East Coast

Having a passion and talent for numbers puts you in the same category as great thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Alan Turing and Srinivasa Ramanujan. For these greats and some of today’s top researchers, dedicating their lives to the beauty of numbers has led to world-changing discoveries. For instance, Justin Gilmer, a researcher at Google, took an important step towards the full conjecture just last year. His argument, drawn from information theory, presents another example of how randomness can be used to infer the existence of structure.

If you dream of joining the likes of Gilmer to uncover mathematical truths, a PhD is the route to take. It is important to choose an institution dedicated to getting you ready for further research in a university, laboratory or your desired industry. The right programme will offer opportunities to interact with experts in academia and industry, allowing you to make the best preparation for your future.

Here are three leading departments of mathematics that set your passion on the right path: 

University of Maryland, College Park has three mathematics PhD programmes to choose from. Source: University of Maryland, College Park

University of Maryland, College Park

When choosing the right school for your PhD, location is one of the first things to consider. In that regard, the Department of Mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park, is ideally situated in the metropolitan DC area. Not only will you reap the benefits of the buzzing city, full of lively activity, but you will be surrounded by almost every government agency. This includes NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This strong industry presence opens the door to many opportunities for students.

The department’s Brin Mathematics Research Centre also gives graduate students the chance to interact with senior mathematicians worldwide. You can participate in scientific activities with these experts. The centre sponsors activities such as workshops, conferences and summer schools in areas of pure and applied mathematics and statistics. No matter what new contribution you plan to make in your chosen research field, you can take advantage of the centre’s additional activities to enrich your thesis and time here.

There are three PhD programmes to choose from which will prepare you for a career in teaching and research in the mathematical sciences. Choose the Mathematics Programme (MATH), or if you want to create a bridge between tradition and modernity in statistics, opt for the Mathematical Statistics Programme (STAT). In the latter programme, you will get training in classical and modern theory and methods in statistics. 

For the PhD in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and Scientific Computation Programme (AMSC), you can create a study plan tailored to your research interests. The three flexible pathways include Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, and Scientific Computation.

“Absolutely the best part of AMSC is the breadth of faculty that can advise you and the departments where you can stud,” says graduate Virginia Forstall. “There are so many options for research that you can try different things and find something that interests you. The opportunity (and requirement) to take courses in other departments is incredibly valuable.”

CMU’s Department of Mathematical Sciences has a small student-faculty ratio. Source: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

The Department of Mathematical Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is research forward, excelling in numerous areas. This includes algebra and number theory, combinatorics, geometry, logic, mathematical finance, numerical analysis, probability, pure and applied analysis, and topology. “This research profile positions the Department to contribute to the emergence of new applications of Mathematics and naturally generates close links with the many technical disciplines in which Carnegie Mellon has a significant presence and strong international reputation,” says Prasad Tetali, department head. 

The department’s graduate programme trains you to pursue research and teaching careers in a university, conduct research in industrial and government laboratories, or work in the information technology and financial industries. You will excel in your career because of the small student-faculty ratio, allowing close contact with the faculty for personalised assistance towards your career goals. As the department’s faculty and graduate students continuously produce original and engaging research, you will be part of a passionate community of mathematicians in whichever programme you choose. 

Three PhD options are available in the department, including the PhD in Mathematical Sciences, a traditional research degree. The Doctor of Philosophy in Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization (ACO) is focused on discrete mathematics and algorithmic issues arising in computer science and operations research, particularly the mathematical analysis of these issues. If you prefer an interdisciplinary programme, choose the Doctor of Philosophy in Pure and Applied Logic (PAL). This is run with faculty from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Philosophy, and the School of Computer Science. 

Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Mathematics PhD students receive a full tuition fellowship and teaching assistantship. Source: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Mathematics has a rich history. At its inception in 1876, the department had a small but distinguished faculty, including mathematician James J. Sylvester. It has since come a long way, and today, the faculty specialises in various concentrations: analysis and geometric analysis, algebraic geometry and number theory, differential geometry, algebraic topology, category theory, and mathematical physics. In collaboration with the Applied Math Department, the Department of Mathematics even has an active group in data science.

Collaborations open the door for graduate students to explore interdisciplinary research. As the goal of the department’s PhD programme is to train you to become a thriving research mathematician, opportunities like these expose you to the wider possibilities in the subject. In fact, on average, five students complete their thesis and embark on careers inside and outside academia. 

As a PhD student, you will receive a full tuition fellowship and teaching assistantship. You are guaranteed support for five years; if you are on track to complete your PhD, you may be eligible for an additional year. Candidates must take two or three courses per semester, which should be a mix of required and intermediate-level courses, independent studies, and special topics classes offered by the faculty. In addition to your stipend, you will be awarded an annual travel allowance to attend conferences or visit researchers at other institutions. 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International