Florida International University

What you'll study

The programme centers on a strong core of mathematical theory—calculus, linear algebra, real analysis and differential equations—paired with computational and applied subjects that teach numerical methods and algorithmic problem-solving. Students typically follow a curriculum that includes general education requirements plus major-specific coursework and electives, culminating in a capstone or research project.

• Core mathematics: Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, real analysis, abstract algebra or equivalents providing theoretical foundations.
• Computational and applied courses: Numerical analysis, scientific computing, computational linear algebra, numerical solutions of PDEs, mathematical modelling and optimisation.
• Programming and software: Instruction in languages and tools commonly used in computational work such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++ or similar, version control and reproducible workflows.
• Statistics and probability: Probability theory, mathematical statistics and applied data analysis to support data-driven modelling and uncertainty quantification.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: Courses in algorithms, machine learning, scientific visualization, high-performance computing and domain applications (e.g. computational biology, computational finance or engineering) depending on student interest.
• Capstone or research: A final-year project, internship or supervised research in which students apply computational mathematics to a real problem, often working with faculty or industry partners.
• Typical structure: The degree is delivered as a combination of required major courses, electives within the computational track, and university core/general education credits, normally completed over four years of full-time study.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification. Successful candidates normally have a strong background in mathematics, including precalculus and calculus if available. Specific expectations include:

• Strong performance in mathematics courses at secondary level; courses in calculus are highly recommended.
• A competitive overall academic record; exact GPA or grade thresholds vary by applicant pool.
• For international applicants, evidence of English language proficiency through an accepted test or pathway if English is not the first language.
• Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts; transfer credit for calculus and related coursework may be awarded where appropriate.
• It is helpful (but not always mandatory) to have prior experience with programming or scientific computing; students may be advised to take an introductory programming course if they lack this background.

Career prospects

Graduates with a computational mathematics focus are well placed for a range of technical careers and for further study. Typical roles include:

• Data scientist, data analyst or machine learning engineer, using mathematical models and computational tools to extract insight from data.
• Quantitative analyst or financial modeller in banking, insurance and fintech.
• Software engineer or developer with strengths in algorithmic design and numerical computation.
• Computational scientist or modeller in engineering, environmental science, biology or physics, developing and validating simulation tools.
• Roles in optimisation and operations research for logistics, energy and manufacturing.
• Academic or industry research positions, or progression to graduate study (master’s or PhD) in applied mathematics, computational science, statistics or related fields.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University offers access to a diverse urban campus in Miami with strong connections to regional industry, research centres and interdisciplinary programmes. The mathematics department provides a balance of theoretical faculty and applied researchers who supervise undergraduate projects and collaborate across engineering, computer science and physical sciences.

• Opportunities for internships and applied projects with local companies in technology, finance, healthcare and environmental firms based in the Miami metropolitan area.
• Access to computational resources and software used in research and teaching, together with chances to work on faculty-led research or cross-department initiatives.
• A supportive environment for undergraduate research, with advising that helps students tailor the computational mathematics track to career or graduate-study goals.
• Career services and employer engagement on campus that help connect students with entry-level positions and graduate opportunities.