The new undergraduate majors include a limited number of core courses, to enable students to add approved electives to tailor the degree to their interests. This approach reflects the department’s focus on a breadth of applications, which Deconinck says distinguishes it from many other applied mathematics departments across the country.
“A lot of departments are methods driven,” Deconinck says. “We are application driven, and we make sure that we have the methods to cover those applications. If you look at our faculty, we have people focusing on climate science, neuroscience, fluids, biology, health science, and finance, which allows our students to see a lot of different ways they can go in their careers.”
Asked what sort of student the department is looking for, Deconinck is quick to respond. “We’re looking for students who want to change the world,” he says. “Students who want to have an impact and who are going to rely on science to create that impact.”
As the department prepares to open its doors to undergraduates, faculty and staff have reached out to colleagues in other departments to learn best practices. They want to be sure they get it right.
“We are serious about making sure there’s a community, that our students know each other and feel like this is their home,” says Deconinck.
