Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences, PhD
Explore the broader methods and scope of applications for mathematics. You could help meet the high demand for first-rate scientists, researchers and faculty members who have expertise in advanced computational mathematics and modeling approaches and who want to understand and meet the evolving human-based challenges faced by communities everywhere.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in applied mathematics for the life and social sciences focuses giving you the training needed to analyze and more definitively answer questions about underlying patterns hidden within human health, behaviors and experiences --- and to teach others to do the same.
Under the transdisciplinary instruction of national experts from five schools at ASU, you learn new applications for tools such as agent-based models, evolutionary computing, geographical information systems, machine learning, multi-objective optimization, nonlinear dynamical systems and stochastic processes. In doing so, you not only reveal new categories and ways of understanding the material, but also highlight the need for scientists and professionals quantitatively trained in the life and social sciences.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (6 credit hours) Other Requirements (15 credit hours) *Substitution courses may be acceptable with approval of director. Electives (39 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Once the 15 credit hour requirement in the Other Requirements section has been fulfilled, other courses from that category may be taken as electives. Students must register for research credit (AML 592 or 792) supported by their participation in one of two summer programs, Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute or J. Bustoz Math-Science Honors Program, sponsored by the Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center. Up to three credit hours of research per summer may be applied based on hours and level of participation with approval from the graduate chair and the summer program director. When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the 30 hours of coursework are made up of electives to reach the required 84 credit hours. All students must maintain an average GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in their courses and complete degree requirements per the program's satisfactory progress policy.
AML 610 Topics in Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences (3)
AML 612 Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences Modeling Seminar (3)
ASM, AML or BIO: courses in evolution, ecology or social sciences (400 level or above) (3)*
one graduate-level course in biostatistics (3)*
one graduate-level School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences course approved by graduate chair (3)
APM, AML, MAT 590 or 790 Reading and Conference (6)
AML 592 or 792 Research (12)
AML 799 Dissertation (12)
Electives must include six credit hours of life sciences and six credit hours of social sciences.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. A master's degree in the social sciences (e.g., anthropology, gender studies, geography, sociology), life sciences or related fields (e.g., biology, ecology, genomics), applied mathematics, mathematics or statistics is preferred. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Applicants may submit an optional scholarly writing sample, not to exceed 30 double-spaced pages, to be included with their application materials. Before admission, students should have completed, at the undergraduate junior or senior level, a minimum of the following:
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 03/01 | Final* |
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The need for scientists and professionals with expertise in the life and social sciences is strong in Arizona and the nation. The skills emphasized in this program --- applied use of mathematics, modeling, statistics and simulation methodologies --- are in high demand, and graduates are well positioned to pursue opportunities as academics and professionals.
Graduates are prepared to enter the environmental, life, health, mathematical and social science fields. They have the quantitative, scientific and analytical skills that are critical for professionals working in these areas.
This program creates entirely new opportunities, while building on mathematical foundations and in-demand career paths long established in fields such as:
- bioinformatics
- computational sciences
- data mining
- ecology
- genomics
- mathematical analysis
- mathematical epidemiology
- nonlinear dynamics
- population dynamics
- social science
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Complex Adaptive Systems
|
ECA 100
CASSgrad@asu.edu
480-727-0478
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
