Find SciCAM admissions requirements, general application information, and details about 4+1 or contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathways.
Undergraduate preparation for admission
Applied mathematics at UCSC is interdisciplinary, and accepts students from a variety of backgrounds, including mathematics, engineering, and physics. Incoming students are expected to have knowledge of the following subjects in order to be successful in the graduate curriculum:
- Basic computer programming in one or more of these formal languages: Fortran, C/C++, Python
- Mathematical linear algebra
- Ordinary differential equations
- Four quarters of calculus
- Some partial differential equations
- Working knowledge of MATLAB
Accelerated 1-year program
The expected time to completion of the SciCAM degree program is two years. However, the department also offers a one year accelerated track for interested students who can demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the foundational subjects. Information on the minimum requirements to join the accelerated track can be found in the catalog. Requests to join the accelerated track must be made to the graduate director by email no later than August 31 each year.
Scientific Computing Designated Emphasis
Students from another degree program who meet certain requirements can have the designated emphasis (DE) of “Scientific Computing” annotated to their degree title. The designated emphasis is open to Ph.D. students, as well as M.S. students in either a Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (exam/project) capstone.
4+1 Pathway to SciCAM
Undergraduate students currently enrolled in approved programs have the opportunity—any time between the start of their junior year and the end of the fall quarter of their senior year—to join the 4+1 Contiguous Pathway leading to the SciCAM degree program. Qualified undergraduates from other undergraduate majors may also apply to this pathway, and their applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
You can find more information about the SciCAM Contiguous Pathway on the UCSC Catalog or on the 4+1 Information page. To apply to the pathway, please schedule an appointment with the SciCAM (AM) 4+1 Coordinator.
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Application materials
Application fee (domestic): $135
Application fee (international): $155
Application requirements:
- GPA (minimum 3.0)
- Resume/CV
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (non-native english speakers only)
- Personal history statement
- Statement of purpose
- GRE scores are no longer required