The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers graduate programs leading to the master's and Ph.D. degrees in both applied mathematics and statistics. The department has had an active graduate program in applied mathematics since 1970. It expanded to include a full graduate program in statistics in 1984. The strength of these programs lies in its graduate faculty, who are actively engaged in research in applications of mathematics and statistics in a wide variety of real-world problems, as well as in investigations of fundamental and theoretical questions. The faculty designs and implements courses and curricula with emphasis on innovative research directed toward practical applications, as mandated by the charter from the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Both the applied mathematics and statistics programs are intended for those students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree and who have earned the equivalent of a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics, statistics or in other mathematically oriented disciplines. Students who already hold a master's degree may apply and enter the doctoral program directly. The doctoral programs provide training suitable for employment in academia, industrial research and development organizations, as well as research-oriented government agencies. The master's degree programs provide training in applications of mathematics and statistics in areas suitable for employment in industry or government agencies. They also can serve as preparatory steps toward advancing to a Ph.D. program.

The department offers doctoral study in a broad spectrum of both classical and modern applied mathematics and statistics. Admission to this program presupposes a strong background in mathematics and/or statistics. Doctoral students continue with advanced study and dissertation research, with specialization in any of the departmental fields or in an interdisciplinary area.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree Program in Applied Mathematics
Every entering student will have a Ph.D. program advisor. The program advisor will determine if the student needs to complete any specific courses before he or she proceeds along the following steps:

1. Pass the written comprehensive exam based on the core subjects MATH 600 and MATH 603.
2. Pass the written comprehensive exam on one of the following disciplines: Numerical Analysis, Optimization or Differential Equations. These topics exams are respectively based on the subjects MATH 620 and MATH 630 (Numerical Analysis), MATH 650 and MATH 651 (Optimization), or MATH 612 and MATH 614 (Differential Equations).
3. Meet the reading course requirement which consists of taking one semester (3 credits) reading course MATH699 and making a 45 minutes presentation. The reading course may be taken with any of the department faculty members on a suitable topic.
4. Meet the course work requirements which consists of passing at least four courses out of the six topics courses listed above with atleast one from each discipline and additionally passing the course MATH 611.
5. Passing the Ph.D. qualifying oral examination based on preliminary research which provides admission to candidacy. The student must have completed both written comprehensive exams as well as the reading course requirement prior to attempting the Ph.D. qualifying exam.
6. Completing residency requirements of the university.
7. Completing and successfully defending a Ph.D. dissertation.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree Program in Statistics
Every entering student will have a Ph.D. program advisor. The program advisor will determine if the student needs to complete any specific courses before he or she proceeds along the following steps:

1. A Ph.D.-level pass on the department's written comprehensive examinations. The examinations are based on the subjects of STAT 601, STAT 602, STAT 611 and STAT 612. The examinations must be passed within three semesters of entering the Ph.D. program.
2. Passing the Ph.D. qualifying oral examination.
3. Admission to candidacy.
4. Completing residency requirements of the university.
5. Completing and successfully defending a Ph.D. dissertation.

Please visit UMBC PhD Biostatistics Track webpage for details about the newly added biostatistics track in the statistics PhD program