A Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics is available to students in the College of Engineering, as is a five-year BS/MS concurrent degree program. CU students wishing to obtain a BS in Applied Mathematics and who are not in the College of Engineering must apply to Engineering through an Intra-University Transfer (IUT). A minor in Applied Mathematics and an Applied Math Minor in Statistics are available to any undergraduate CU student who satisfies the requirements. The undergraduate curriculum in Applied Mathematics is designed to give training in the applications of mathematics in engineering and science. The use of computational methods and implementation of algorithms on computers is central. Required technical electives should be selected after consultation with an Applied Mathematics advisor. They may be chosen from: mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, biology, astrophysics, geology, economics, finance and accounting. In general, non-technical electives should be broadening and have multicultural value. Students interested in research are encouraged to study a foreign language as early as possible. French, German and Russian are recommended languages.

The undergraduate degree in applied mathematics emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

  • Differential and integral calculus in one and several variables
  • Vector spaces and matrix algebra
  • Ordinary and partial differential equations
  • At least one programming language
  • At least one application software package in either mathematics or statistics;
  • Methods of complex variables as used in applications
  • Numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear problems.

In addition, students completing a degree in applied mathematics acquire:

  • An in-depth knowledge of an area of application (statistics, an engineering discipline or a natural science field or one of the quantitative areas of business and economics)
  • Knowledge of problem-formulation, problem-solving, and modeling techniques and strategies central to applications
  • The ability to clearly and concisely, and in oral and written forms, communicate analytic arguments.