Applied Mathematics News

Applied Mathematics major Jay Whitmon is participating in the Summer Science Scholars Research Program (S3RP). He is working 1-on-1 with math faculty Dr. Wilson on research that explores the field of Information Theory through games. Information theory is the scientific study of the quantification and communication of information. One of the most important quantities in information theory is called entropy, which measures the amount of uncertainty in stochastic process. Jay is working on computing the entropy of several games (including “Guess Who”) in order to develop optimal strategies for the games and to code bots to play these games using the optimal strategies.

Congratulations to the all of the graduates earning degrees in Applied Mathematics this year! We are so proud of you and look forward to hearing about all of your future successes! See the full commencement ceremony here.

Five Applied Mathematics majors participated in independent research project this semester. Mary Carter and Allie Hope worked with Dr. Blanset on projects in Sports Analytics exploring “A Weighted Plus or Minus Metric for Men’s Lacrosse”. Julian Cha, Brittney Johnson, and Chris Villanueva worked with Dr. Wilson on projects in Information Theory working on developing computer programs to successfully solve Wordle puzzles and applying that to answer questions like “Can Shakespeare Guess Today’s Wordle?”.

Stevenson’s chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honors Society (KME) held their 16th Initiation inducting 8 new members to the Maryland Epsilon Chapter of KME. The total membership is now 183 members.

Membership in KME is open to students in any major who have:

1. taken three mathematics courses at the 200 level or higher, one of which must be in the calculus sequence (MATH 220, 221, or 222),
2. who have attained an average of a “B” or better in all mathematics courses, and
3. who rank in the upper 35% of their class by GPA.

Congratulations to all of the new inductees!

The Department of Mathematics and Physics congratulated seniors graduating with a degree in Applied Mathematics this year with a celebration including gifts and the presentation of the Annual MATHY Awards. This year’s MATHY’s included an award for “Best Geometry Proofs”, the “Turn in Perfect Work… Late” award, and the “Get Out of my Math Learning Collaboratory” award.