The Department of Mathematics announced last week that, beginning with the current sophomore class, math concentrators will have the option of pursuing a new track in applied mathematics.
Though the applied math track will not be officially available until the 2006 fall semester, several classes from the new curriculum developed by math faculty will be available to students this fall.
The math department has traditionally offered only a pure mathematics track to undergraduates, as well as a certificate in Applied and Computational Mathematics.
"[The math department] is looking to give people more ways to be math majors," said Robert Calderbank, professor of math and electrical engineering.
Calderbank, director of the Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics (PACM), said the applied math track will be more of a modification of the rules currently in place than a separate concentration.
"We want to say that there's a certain number of [pure math] courses you'd have to remain true to in the applied math track, but we'd like to see a certain number of courses with an applied flavor," Calderbank said.
Paul Nelson '06, a math concentrator, said that a junior seminar on the wavelet series piqued his interest in applied math. "I think the applied math track is a new way for [the department] to expand, as long as it doesn't represent a shift away from the teaching that's already going on," Nelson said.
Mathematics professor Simon Kochen, who is organizing the applied math initiative with Calderbank, said that the math department wants to see the number of concentrators increase from 35 to 50.
Some of the courses that will be requirements for the official applied math track have already been put in place for next fall, Kochen said.
The current core departmentals — real analysis, complex analysis and algebra — will be offered in alternate versions with more applications. Applied math concentrators will be able to take all three applications-based core departmentals or combine two of them with one of the following: numerical analysis, discrete mathematics or differential equations with applications.
Fall term courses that will count toward the applied math track include MAT 351: Classical Mechanics and Chaos, taught by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Philip Holmes, and MAT 323: Algebra, taught by Calderbank.
Brent Besson '07 said he was drawn to the opportunity to specialize in applied math. Though Besson ultimately joined the physics department, he strongly considered concentrating in math because of the new courses.
"It seems like the applied math track is going to be really great in a couple of years," he said. "I was really hoping it would be in place right away, but I'll probably at least get a [PACM] certificate."
The upcoming applied math track has been well received by faculty in other departments. "Everyone seems very enthusiastic about it," Kochen said.
Though the math department looked at other universities' applied math curricula for guidance, Calderbank said there's a fundamental difference between other programs and Princeton's.
"Harvard has a really successful applied math program, but what's special about Princeton is our model of cross appointments," Calderbank said, noting that one professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department holds a joint appointment in math.
"It's easy to say that applied math is important to some applications, but if the professor is a real expert in that application, students won't be doing fake problems," Calderbank said.
The applied math track will not replace the certificate already offered by PACM.
"The fact that PACM has been popular is another indication that there's interest among undergraduates in applied mathematics," he said.
Read More
Colón Roosevelt ’27 elected USG President, Krishnan ’27 VP in lowest turnout in at least a decade
Kian PetlinStudents also passed both referenda on the ballot, with overwhelming majorities of 76 percent of votes in favor of divesting from fossil fuel company PetroTiger and 95 percent of votes in favor of restoring independent dining.
Students also passed both referenda on the ballot, with overwhelming majorities of 76 percent of votes in favor of divesting from fossil fuel company PetroTiger and 95 percent of votes in favor of restoring independent dining.
Craig Robinson ’83, brother of Michelle Obama ’85, selected as Princeton’s Baccalaureate Speaker
Hayk Yengibaryan and Andrew ArthurBaccalaureate is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.
Baccalaureate is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.
In new books, Eisgruber and history professor Fara Dabhoiwala offer sharply different views of free speech
Cynthia Torres and Gray CollinsIn two books authored this fall, University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 and history professor Fara Dabhoiwala offer two sharply diverging views on how universities should navigate free speech.
In two books authored this fall, University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 and history professor Fara Dabhoiwala offer two sharply diverging views on how universities should navigate free speech.