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Department of Mathematical Sciences Research

The Department of Mathematical Sciences is a leader in the field of algebraic cryptography and is home to the internationally recognized Algebra and Cryptology Center (ACC).

The Department has research strengths in the areas of group theory, stochastic modeling, mathematical models of risk, optimization and control under uncertainty and risk, statistical learning, numerical analysis, partial differential equations (PDEs) and reliability theory.

Recent research themes include risk-averse learning and control for distributed dynamical systems, theory of interpretations and applications to algebra, algebraic geometry in nilpotent groups, new types of computational complexity, quadratic equations in groups, inverse problems in electrohydrodynamics (EHD), randomized local model reduction, random packing models, dense weighted networks, Bayesian models for high-dimensional time series, reliability of complex engineering systems, and uncertainty quantification of combustion processes, to name just a few. Faculty members are supported by major government funding agencies and collaborate with Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), the Center for Research toward Advancing Financial Technologies (CRAFT) and the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering.

The Department hosts weekly seminars on mathematical cryptology, has co-organized a series of workshops on optimization of stochastic systems, and encourages research and research-related activities by faculty and students at all levels. The Stevens Math Club welcomes undergraduates of all majors and serves as a platform for discussing and solving challenging mathematical problems. It also prepares Stevens undergraduates for the annual Putnam Mathematical Competition organized and supported by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Master’s students are encouraged to elect a thesis in mathematics and pursue further studies in our mathematics doctoral program, which focuses on research with the main aim of producing significant mathematical results.

“It is important to engage students in substantive research. They are interested in what they can do with their studies after they graduate and seeing the implementation of theoretical research is very appealing.” - Dr. Darinka Dentcheva

“Everything in the field of cryptographic mathematics is wide open, presenting challenging and exciting opportunities for researchers such as myself and offering an exceptional chance for students to participate in this groundbreaking field.” - Dr. Alexei Miasnikov

Mathematical Sciences Graduate Studies

Leading What's Next

Discover how Stevens researchers are advancing the frontiers of mathematics in these three featured stories.

Three students looking at a laptop with a bank of monitors on a wall behind them.

How AI Can Advance Math Research and Education?

Improving mathematics education is a fundamental issue for modern educators and advanced AI technologies such as LLMs offer potentially transformative solutions. Stevens has collaborated with Nebius Academy to launch the Laboratory for AI in Mathematics Education.

Faculty headshot of Darinka Dentcheva

Air Force Invests in Stevens Innovation to Transform Complex Decision Systems

Supporting her groundbreaking research into mathematical models to simplify and improve decision-making, Darinka Dentcheva earned a $300K award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Hands on a laptop with forex chart and mathematical formulas

Department of Mathematical Sciences Hosts Groups, Logic and Computation Conference

25+ mathematics experts from nearly 20 universities across the U.S., Europe, and Israel gathered for the first Stevens “Groups, Logic and Computation” Conference, exploring connections among geometric group theory, model theory and computer science.

Research Areas

Risk and Decision-Making

Models of risk aim at capturing the impact of low-probability but high-cost events. While those models enjoy much attention in mathematical finance, one could trace their origin to the works of Lorenz, Von Neumann and Morgenstern, Markowitz, and Choquet. We are engaged in developing the theory and methods of optimization and control under uncertainty and risk, in solving the exciting mathematical challenges arising in these areas, as well as in their applications to relevant practical problems in cooperation with colleagues and industry representatives. Stochastic optimization and control are of great importance to the decision processes in business, medicine, military problems, energy production and distribution, insurance, environmental protection, and many others. The Department has co-organized a series of Rutgers-Stevens workshops on optimization of stochastic systems and continues to be at the forefront of this extremely important and thriving research area.

Abstract tech background. Floating numbers HUD background. Matrix particle grid virtual reality.RESEARCH AREAS

Algebra and Cryptology

The Algebra and Cryptology Center (ACC) investigates new techniques from computational algebra and their applications to practical problems in cryptography and cryptanalysis. For example, the standard notion of complexity is “what happens in the worst case for inputs of a given size” but the relevant notion for cryptography is “what happens with overwhelming probability as the size of the inputs becomes very large”.

The center develops mathematical algorithms in application to security in quantum computing systems — an integral blending of computer science and mathematics embracing principles of quantum mechanics. Post-quantum cryptography is one of the rapidly evolving research areas being actively pursued by the ACC faculty. The center also conducts world-class research in computational, combinatorial, and geometric group theory and hosts a weekly seminar, open to the public and featuring scholars from around the globe.

Visit the Algebra and Cryptology CenterAlgebra and Cryptology Center Seminar Series

Research Areas

Innovative Educational Technologies

The Department has led several research-backed educational initiatives, including NSF-supported reforms in calculus instruction through the NSF-funded Foundations Project, which also gave rise to the creation of Stevens-hosted conferences on mathematics education. A recent NSF-funded project explores how community engagement impacts STEM undergraduates who lead math enrichment activities for local elementary students through the Math Circle program. This initiative not only supports the national interest by strengthening partnerships between higher education and local communities to advance K-12 mathematics education, but also cultivates leadership and communication skills in STEM majors. Faculty have also helped develop an educational platform now in use by mathematics departments nationwide. In research, the Department remains a leader in stochastic optimization and control — critical to fields like business, medicine, energy, and the environment — and has co-organized workshops with Rutgers University to advance this growing area.

Research Video Library

Learn more about research in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Visit our YouTube channel playlist.

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Research at the Leading Edge

At Stevens, a new research lab is pushing the boundaries of what large language models can achieve in university-level mathematics. Through groundbreaking benchmarks, advanced computing, and close collaboration with industry, the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics Education is tackling the core challenges of mathematical reasoning in AI—laying the foundation for smarter tools, more effective teaching, and a deeper understanding of how machines learn math.