The Center for Women in Mathematics is a place for women and gender minorities to get intensive training in mathematics at the advanced level and an opportunity to do math in a community that is fun, friendly and serious about mathematics. Students can build the skills and confidence needed to continue on to graduate school in the mathematical sciences.
Postbaccalaureate Program in Mathematics
About the Program
Students spend a semester or year at Smith, taking three math courses each term.
Standards include courses in analysis, algebra, statistics, number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, differential equations, complex analysis, topology and geometry. There are also topics courses reflecting the diverse interests of the faculty. In recent years, these have included relativity, analysis of algorithms, chaos and fractals, cryptography, mathematical sculpture, set theory and phyllotaxis. Participants may also take undergraduate and graduate courses at the neighboring campuses of Hampshire College, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Postbaccalaureate students take a seminar together that includes a lecture series, undergraduate curriculum review, an introduction to mathematical research and writing, and discussions on career paths, applying to graduate school and taking the GREs.
Every student has the opportunity to join a research team, working on a project with a Smith faculty member. The projects and topics vary from year to year, and faculty supervising research introduce their projects at the start of the fall semester.
One of the most valuable aspects of visiting Smith is becoming part of the Smith mathematical community. Each student will have mentoring to help her find her place in the mathematical sciences.
Eligibility
The Postbaccalaureate Program is for women and gender minorities with bachelor’s degrees who did not major in mathematics or whose mathematics major was light. This program is open to all women and gender minorities with a serious interest in pursuing a higher degree in the mathematical sciences. Successful applicants will have completed at least Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus before enrolling in our program. The program is designed to make you graduate-school-ready in one year.
Financial Aid
Stipends and full tuition waivers are available for students with financial need.
How to Apply
Paperwork for applications to the Postbaccalaureate Program is handled by the Office of Graduate and Special Programs. Detailed application information and forms are posted on the graduate study website.
Faculty Directors
PATRICIA CAHN, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences CANDICE PRICE, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences JULIANNA TYMOCZKO, Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Contact Center for Women in Mathematics
Clark Science Center
Smith College Burton Hall 115
Northampton, MA 01063