- Library Liaisons:
Mark_Shelton@brown.edu
- Departmental Library Representative (DLR):
Stuart Geman
- Description of the Academic Program |
Applied Mathematics Departmental Home Page
The Division of Applied Mathematics is one of the most prominent departments at Brown, and one of the
oldest and strongest of its type in the country. The applied mathematics program began in 1941, but
it was not until 1946 that the program became a formal Ph.D. program, the Graduate Division of Applied
Mathematics. It was not until the 1950's that the program began to offer an undergraduate degree.
Through the years, the program has lead the way in the research of many of the traditional fields of
applied mathematics. Brown University has continuously supported instruction and research in the
program since its inception. Over the years, the program has continued to develop and has branched
out into the application of mathematics to the nonphysical sciences, particularly to problems in
biology, medicine, linguistics, psychology, and economics. Undergraduate courses are offered in the
areas of ordinary and partial differential equations, matrix theory, statistical sciences, probability
and decision theory, risk and insurance analysis, the classical methods for formulating and solving
problems in the sciences, operational analysis, optimization theory, the mechanics of solid materials
and of fluids flows, numerical analysis, scientific computation and the science of modern computer
based modeling. Standard program concentrations are in the areas of biology, computer science and
economics.
The graduate program in applied mathematics is primarily a Ph.D. program and is designed to prepare
the student for a career in research and academic teaching. The graduate program courses focus on
significant topics such as Partial Differential Equations, Real Analysis, Functional Analysis, Control
Theory, Statistics and Probability, Dynamics, and Mechanics. In support of these advanced subjects and
to expand the study and research experience, the department maintains active research centers: the
Center for Fluid Mechanics, Turbulence and Computation, the Lefschetz Center for Dynamical Systems,
the Center for Intelligent Control Systems, and other centers throughout the University. Other
research groups in include the CRUNCH group, the Pattern Theory Group, and the Scientific Computing
and Numerical Analysis group. The principal areas of reseach activities are ordinary, functional, and
parial differential equations; optimization and control theory; applied probability, statistics and
stochastic systems theory; numerical analysis and scientific computation; and the mechanics of solids
and fluids.
Database of Honors, Masters, and Ph.D Theses
- Overview of the Collection
The Applied Mathematics Collection is an integrated part of the Mathematics Collection. Consisting of
over 42,000 titles, of which almost 500 are print and/or electronic seriels, the collection is very
extensive in its coverage of all fields of mathematics. The collection holds some 16,200 titles in
those classifications identified by the Department as supporting their discipline. The collection
also contains a very extensive collection of European titles. The interdisciplinary nature of applied
mathematics allows it to benefit from many other science collections. Collections in medicine, biology,
Physics, Computer Science, History of Mathematics, and Economics, all contribute support to meet the
needs of the Division of Applied Mathematics. Many out of print books and journals also available on
microfilm.
There are three major electronic resources that support research in mathematics that are available.
MathSciNet is a comprehensive database covering the world's mathematical literature since 1940. It
covers approximately 1700 current serials and journals in whole or in part. Zentralblatt MATH is the
world's most complete and longest running abstracting and reviewing service in pure and applied
mathematics. The database contains more than 1.8 million entries drawn from more than 2300 serials
and journals. Current Index to Statistics is a bibliographic index to publications in statistics and
related fields. References are drawn from 162 core journals (as of 2003) that are fully indexed,
non-core journals from which articles are selected that have statistical content, proceedings and
edited books, and other sources.
Other electronic resources that provide support the interdisciplary areas of applied mathematics
include Compendex for engineering, Inspec for physics, computer science and engineering, ACM
Digital Library for computer science. and Medline for medicine.
See Library support statement for Graduate Program Review for Applied Mathematics
See Link to Brown University
Resource Guide for Applied Mathematics.
- General Collecting Guidelines
The mathematics collection is one of the premiere collections held by the Brown University
Libraries. It is a comprehensive collection that the library attempts to maintain at a RESEARCH
level. The library attempts to maintain a RESEARCH level collection in support of applied mathematics
as well. A RESEARCH level collection includes the major source materials required for dissertations
and independent research, including materials containing research reporting, new findings, scientific
experimental results, and other information useful to researchers. It also includes all important
reference works and a wide selection of specialized monographs, as well as a very extensive
collection of journals and major indexing and abstracting services in this field.
It is an important priority to acquire all important new publications in the field of applied
mathematics. All primary publishers in the field of applied mathematics are to be reviewed in order
to ensure that all works are evaluated. Except for lower level applied mathematics titles, all works
are acquired from publishers such as SIAM, the American Mathematical Society, MIT Press, Cambridge
University Press, Harvard University Press, Oxford University Press, Yale University Press,
Birkhauser, AK Peters, and Sage. Other publishers that should be heavilty evaluated include
Springer-Verlag, Wiley, Academic Press, Clarendon/Oxford, Kluwer, World Scientific and other
university presses. Consideration is given to works created by all noted authors and researchers in
applied mathematics.
- Specific Collecting Guidelines
- Language: English, original or in translation. Some material in major European languages including Russian.
- Chronological Span: Primarily contemporary works.
- Imprint Date: Current imprints. Frequent purchase of retrospective materials in support of research needs, as well as to replace missing or damaged volumes, or to fill in identifiable gaps in the collection. Occasional acquisition of out of pr
int material.
- Geographical Range: Primarily United States, Europe, Asia, and India.
- Types of Material Included: Monographs, journals, proceedings, annuals, reference tools, web resources, microforms and dissertations. Limited purchase of audio-visual materials.
Excluded: Textbooks, that focus on low level introductory applied mathematics.
- Areas of Distinction
Brown has been acquiring materials to support pure and applied mathematics since its founding,
making the retrospective collection quite strong. From very early works found in the Special
Collections, to the most current works published, the whole collection serves as an area of
distinction. Of significance is the coverage of titles published in Europe, especially those
published during the late 1800's and the first half of the 1900's. The collection currently holds
all of the major titles published in all fields of pure and applied mathematics.
- Special Collections
Lownes Collection of Significant Books in the History of Science contains over three-quarters
of those texts recognized by scholars as the "great books" of science published since the middle
of the 15th century. This collection is held at the John Hay Library
John Hay Library History of Science Collection is a major source for the history of mathematics.
- Breakdown of Subjects and Collecting
Levels
- New Mathematics
Titles Cataloged
- Related Collection Development Policies:
- Related Collections and Other Resources
Brown is a member of the Center for Research Libraries,
which "operates a global cooperative collection development program that assists academic and
research libraries in making otherwise inaccessible and important research materials permanently
available to scholars and researchers." CRL holds collections of international journals, newspapers
and dissertations. The resources of the Ivy League institution's libraries are also available to
Brown faculty and students via the
Borrow Direct service and the Virtual Catalog
makes the resources of the participating members of the Boston Library Consortium available upon request. For further
information, check with the Interlibrary Loan Office (Phone: (401) 863-2750; Email:
sci-ill@brown.edu
- Selected List of Key Internet Resources
Collection Development Footer
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