Mathematics & Statistics

The University of Maine Department of Mathematics & Statistics provides engaging educational opportunities in the mathematical sciences.

Contact

Neville Hall, Room 237

Orono, ME 04469

P

207.581.3900

F

207.581.3902

Neville Hall, Room 3237

Orono, ME 04469

P

207.581.3900

F

207.581.3902

About

Students in our undergraduate programs gain a strong foundation in mathematics and/or statistics. In our MA program, students learn more advanced material, and receive invaluable research and teaching experience in preparation for careers in academia or industry. As a service department, we offer many required courses for majors across campus, and maintain the MATH LAB where students can get support. Incoming students can visit our Course Preparation page to review background material for their upcoming math classes.  Our dedicated faculty are not just providing quality instruction, but are also producing nationally recognized research in statistics, pure and applied mathematics, and mathematics education. 

Undergraduate Studies

We offer classes for students with varying interests and plans. Some students intend to major in mathematics, while others intend to study science or engineering and will take a great deal of mathematics; still others only expect to take the minimum necessary. It is a great idea to major or minor in mathematics.  People with quantitative skills find better jobs and live longer.  Our department currently offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics, a Minor in Mathematics, and a Minor in Statistics.

Graduate Studies

We offer a 2-year graduate program leading to a Master of Arts in Mathematics. Students typically organize their program of study within one of three broad areas:

In addition to advanced linear algebra and four semesters of analysis, students can take courses in partial differential equations and mathematical modeling.

We offer yearlong sequences in real analysis, complex analysis, and algebra, with electives in topology, number theory and others.

Students may take a full year of graduate level mathematical statistics, and courses in stochastic systems and linear statistical models.  

In addition to coursework, MA students have the opportunity to work individually on a research project supervised by one of our 22 graduate faculty.  Such collaboration often culminates in the publication of one or more research papers. This early exposure to research is what sets our MA program apart. Because of the small size of the program, with 10-12 students, we offer small classes, with each student receiving plenty of individual attention. We specialize in preparing students for PhD programs, but many of our graduates also pursue employment in teaching or industry.

Application Procedure

The Math/Stats graduate faculty will prescreen your application. This way you will only need to pay the University’s application fee if you decide to accept our verbal offer.

Cover Letter. Send a brief cover letter in pdf format of no more than one page indicating your intent to apply to our program, intended semester of matriculation, your permanent address, contact information, country of citizenship, and anything else you wish to tell us that is not included in your essay (see below).
Brief essay (300-500 words) describing your academic background and objectives.  (Why are you applying to the program, and what do you hope to get out of it?)
Three letters of recommendation. Letters should be sent directly to us by the letter writers via the email address below (or regular mail if necessary).
A writing sample.  Please provide a scan of one of your returned graded written proof-based assignments from an upper level math class.  We would like to get a feel for your mathematical writing style.
English proficiency test scores (for non-native speakers).
Academic transcripts.  Please send your transcripts from undergraduate degree programs and (if desired) any prior graduate work taken.  Unofficial copies are fine, but if you accept a conditional offer, you will need to send your official transcript to the graduate school.

Please arrange for the above items to be sent in PDF format to math.grad.apps@maine.edu

There is no cost to apply using the above method.  However, if you are given a verbal offer and you intend to come, then you must formally apply through the UMaine Graduate School’s application page which may require a fee.  (The $65 fee is waived for UMaine alumni and certain other applicants.)

Math Club

Welcome to the UMaine Math Club! Here we are dedicated to providing students with resources and opportunities, and creating a social environment for math majors and students who just love math. Meetings are weekly at 4:00 pm on Tuesdays in Neville 208. Come join us for some fun math activities, talks on various mathematical topics, and food!

Every other week, the math club hosts talks offered by guest speakers from either UMaine faculty or mathematical professionals that cover a wide range of topics. Past talks have included Dr. Peter Stechlinski on the Mathematics of Chaos Theory, Dr. Robby Finley on the History of Infinity, Dr. Jane Wang on Fair Division Using Topology, and many more. Free pizza is provided for attendees!

Here at the math club we love hosting math-themed activities for our current members and doing community outreach! In the past we’ve hosted movie nights, game nights, and math jeopardy. You’ll often see us at a table in Union Central fundraising for the club, selling homemade goodies and spreading the word about math club. Every year we have a table at the Student Organization Fair, so if interested, stop by and say hello!

Contact

Instagram: @umainemathclub

Join us

Research

Tyrone Crisp, Associate Professor (Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, 2012). Group representations, operator algebras, and connections between the two.
Krishnendu Khan, Fixed Length Assistant Professor (Ph.D. Vanderbilt University, 2020). Von Neumann algebras , geometric group theory and connections therein.
Sheela Devadas, Fixed Length Assistant Professor (Ph.D. Stanford University, 2021). Algebraic geometry and number theory.

David Bradley, Professor (Ph.D. Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1995). Special functions, different differential equations, multiple zeta values.
Shalin Parekh, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. Columbia University, 2022). Probability theory and applications.

David Hiebeler, Professor (Ph.D. Cornell University, 2001). Mathematical ecology and epidemiology.
Evan Miller, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. University of Toronto, 2019). Partial differential equations, fluid mechanics.
Neel Patel, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, 2017). Analysis, partial differential equations, fluid dynamics, general relativity, kinetic theory.
Peter Stechlinski, Associate Professor (Ph.D. Waterloo, 2014). Nonsmooth analyis; dynamic modeling and simulation; control and optimization; mathematical biology.

Eisso Atzema, Principal Lecturer (Ph.D. Utrecht University, 1993).  History of mathematics, classical geometry.
Jane Wang, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. MIT, 2019).  Geometry and dynamics, translation surfaces and dilation surfaces and their moduli spaces.
Yağmur Yılmaz, Fixed Length Lecturer (Ph.D. University of Toledo, 2025).  Supergeometry, algebraic theory of differential operators, computational topology.

Franziska Peterson, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. University of Wyoming, 2016). Mathematics education.
Natasha Speer, Associate Professor (Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley, 2001). Collegiate mathematics education.

David Bradley, Professor (Ph.D. Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1995). Special functions, difference differential equations, multiple zeta values.
Jack Buttcane, Associate Professor (Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, 2012). Analytic number theory.
Michael Cerchia, Fixed Length Assistant Professor (Ph.D. Emory University, 2024). Arithmetic of moduli spaces, stacks, and modular curves.
Sheela Devadas, Fixed Length Assistant Professor (Ph.D. Stanford University, 2021). Algebraic geometry and number theory.
Andrew Knightly, Professor (Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, 2000). Number theory, automorphic forms, trace formula.
Gil Moss, Assistant Professor (Ph.D. University of Texas, 2015).  Number theory, automorphic forms, Galois representations, L-functions
Nigel Pitt, Professor (Ph.D. Rutgers University, 1992). Analytic number theory, automorphic forms.
Rakvi, Fixed Length Lecturer (Ph.D. Cornell University, 2021).  Theoretical and computational algebraic number theory, arithmetic geometry and algebraic geometry.
Chip Snyder, Professor Emeritus (Ph.D. Maryland, 1977).  Algebraic number theory.

Resources

Department Chair

Andrew Knightly

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207.581.3931