PhD in Applied and Computational Mathematics

The California Institute of Technology has a rich history of scientific and technological innovation and is globally acclaimed for its commitment to cutting-edge research. Caltech is known for its exceptional programs in science and engineering. The university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. What sets Caltech apart is its dedication to fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation. With a faculty composed of leading scholars and a remarkable record of scientific achievement, including numerous Nobel Prizes and groundbreaking discoveries, Caltech remains at the forefront of scientific exploration and technological advancement. Its commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge makes it a top choice for students seeking an education deeply rooted in scientific discovery and innovation.

Caltech's Computing & Mathematical Sciences department offers an interdisciplinary program of graduate study in applied and computational mathematics leading to the Ph.D. degree. This program is designed to give students a thorough training in fundamental computational and applied mathematics and to develop their research ability in a specific application field. The fields of application include a wide range of areas such as fluid mechanics, materials science, and mathematical biology, engineering applications, image processing, and mathematical finance. The training essential for future careers in applied mathematics in academia, national laboratories, or in industry is provided by completion of the requirements for a Ph.D. degree in applied and computational mathematics. The research areas and interests of the applied and computational mathematics faculty cover a broad spectrum, including nonlinear dynamics, computational biology, numerical analysis and scientific computing, computational and theoretical fluid mechanics, theoretical materials science, multiscale computations and homogenization theory, computational methods for electromagnetics and acoustics, statistics, signal and image processing, probability theory and stochastic analysis, and dynamical systems and geometric mechanics. As reflected by the faculty research activities, there is a strong emphasis on computational methods for solving challenging problems arising from engineering and scientific applications.