About Professional Applied and Computational Mathematics
Undergraduate students who loved mathematics, computer science, or both have a unique opportunity to pursue their graduate education at Buffalo State. In the study of professional applied and computational mathematics (PACM), students learn how to solve complex real-world problems with statistical, mathematical, and computational modeling. These methods, often applied computationally, are used in a wide variety of disciplines, including business, engineering, the natural sciences, and the social sciences.
At Buffalo State, PACM is an innovative professional science master’s (PSM) degree program combining coursework in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines with courses designed to develop professional workplace skills, such as project management, communication, and leadership.
This program is perfect for professionals with a bachelor’s degree and a mathematics background who want to advance their career. Students in our graduate program gain a strong background in applied and computational mathematics and also acquire effective business and communication skills, providing the tools to become successful leaders in their field.
Degree Information
The professional applied and computational mathematics field is varied and encompasses a number of positions, many with “analyst” in the title. Some of the jobs that recent graduates have found include:
- Biostatistician
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Data Manager
- Forecasting Analyst
- Fraud and Abuse Analyst
- Risk Analyst
- Treasury Quantitative Analyst
- Trend Analyst
However, graduates of a PACM graduate program have almost unlimited career opportunities. So many industries rely on employees who have mastered STEM skills along with project management and leadership skills. Other careers that you could possibly explore with this degree include:
- Actuary
- Analytics Consultant
- Analytics Manager
- Applied Mathematics Researcher
- Business Development Manager
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Consultant
- Data Engineer
- Data Operations Associate
- Data Processing Specialist
- Data Scientist
- Functional Analyst
- Game designer/slot game designer/game mathematician
- Global Pricing Analyst
- Guidance and Navigation Engineer
- Informatics Scientist
- Information Analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Mathematician
- Modeling Engineer
- Operations Researcher
- Operations Support Specialist
- Product Manager
- Program Manager
- Project Manager
- Quality Systems and Compliance Manager
- Regulatory Specialist
- Research Associate
- Quantitative Developer
- Quantitative Researcher
- Quantitative Software Engineer
- Reporting Engineer
- Research and Development Engineer
- Research Analyst
- Risk Strategist
- Simulation Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Statistician
- Strategist
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Systems Engineer
Each PACM student is required to complete an internship as a part of the master’s program.
These internships allow student to apply knowledge gained in their program to real-world problems in a professional setting. Through this experience students learn with it is like to work in an industry that interests them while gaining valuable knowledge.
The three-credit internship component of the program allows student to have experiences in real-life settings; many times, these internships lead to full-time employment.
Some of the companies where PACM graduate students have interned include:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Buffalo-Niagara YMCA
- Delaware North
- Fisher Price
- Independent Health
- M&T Bank
- National Fuel
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Professional Recognition
The program is recognized as a professional science master’s degree by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).
Flexibility
The program offers its students freedom and flexible scheduling with offerings of night or weekend classes, summer or J-term sessions. Buffalo State staff also works with students to create a schedule that allows them to take courses at their own pace while choosing electives that interest them.
Stellar Faculty
All classes are taught by full-time professors with doctorates in the field or part-time professors with a minimum of a master’s degree in mathematics or a related field.
Individualized Attention
Most classes have 20 or fewer students, which allow for individualized, one-on-one attention from professors.
Networking Opportunities
Networking: The PACM program provides seminars and other events, including an annual Advisory Board meeting that provides opportunities for students to build and grow their professional network.
“My favorite experience in the PACM program is being able to learn so many different areas and not just math. When it comes to a mathematics degree there is so much more than numbers, such as project management, communications, modeling, matrices, different software, etc.”
“PACM at Buffalo State allows its student to have the best experience in real-life settings as well as in classrooms. Upon graduation, qualified students are ready for many high-demand jobs.”