University of Washington- Applied Math Online

[crescentwaves]

I am looking into University of Washington applied math program http://www.amathonline.uw.edu/online/.

Is anyone familiar with this program? I know that UW has a good applied math program but I'm still nervous about getting an online degree.

Do you know where I could connect with someone who is in the program, or graduated from it? Is there any stigma against online graduates when hiring?

[mike_ens]

Hi

I am an on-campus applied math graduate student at UW. Indeed the grad program is pretty good. I am not familiar with the course sequence offered though EDGE (online), but its value will depend, if after your program, you'll like to continue in academia or not. I believe this degree option was made particularly for people who want to get some basic amath education (graduate level) that will supplement their previous background and resume. If you intend to work in industry, I think it will be beneficial for you. This program will give some basic tools to work in advanced research programs within industries such as Boeing, among others. The department often gets emails from companies looking for students interested to work in industry or sometimes even in research labs. Some friends of mine now are working and are doing pretty well, after their MS.

Also, If you are currently working, this program is pretty flexible, but still demanding, which makes it good. Most of the courses offered for the online program are the basic curricula for the MS, but they do offer some advanced courses in numerical computation, oh! and Dynamical systems (by Bernard), which is one of the best courses.

My bet is that if your intention afterwards is to continue in academia in applied mathematics (or related areas), is not going to look that good, unless you are currently working (some research area with strong analytical and numerical components) and go through the program like this, in which case the MS could make you a strong applicant.