Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Programs and Course Descriptions

Faculty

View the Faculty in the Applied Statistics Track.

View the Faculty in the Mathematical Biology Track.

CAMS Program

The CAMS (Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics) program is by nature inter-disciplinary. In CAMS, applications are the primary driver of the research agenda for scholarly activity. The CAMS program supports a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and integrative approach to teaching and research in applied and computational mathematics, operations research, mathematical biology and statistics. Course work and research experiences in CAMS provide a strong base in both the knowledge and practical skills necessary to make important contributions to mathematics, industry and the sciences. There are two tracks within the CAMS program: Mathematical Biology and Applied Statistics.

Mathematical Biology aims at modeling natural, biological processes using mathematical techniques and tools. It has both practical and theoretical applications in biological research. Applying mathematics to biology has a long history, but only relatively recently has there been an explosion of interest in the field. Some reasons for this include: the explosion of data-rich information sets, due to the genomics revolution, which are difficult to understand without the use of analytical tools; recent development of mathematical tools such as chaos theory to help understand complex, nonlinear mechanisms in biology; an increase in computing power which enables calculations and simulations to be performed that were not previously possible; and an increasing interest in computer experimentation due to the complications involved in human and animal research.

The Applied Statistics Track provides a major option for undergraduates with an interest in statistics, “big data”, and actuarial science. As humans have developed cheaper and smaller sensors, web cameras and other data collection devices, the amount of data available to be analyzed and understood has exploded. Statistics is the mathematical science that pertains to the collection, analysis, interpretation, explanation, and presentation of data. Because of its empirical roots and its focus on applications, statistics is typically considered a distinct mathematical science rather than a branch of mathematics.

Programs and Course Descriptions

Programs

Courses

Computational and Applied Math & Statistics