Welcome - Applied Mathematics

The Department of Applied Mathematics has a multifaceted mission to provide an exceptional mathematical education focused on the unique needs of NPS students, to conduct relevant research, and to provide service to the broader community. A strong and vibrant Department of Applied Mathematics is essential to the university's goal of becoming a premiere research university.

Contact Us:
Department of Applied Mathematics
833 Dyer Road Room, SP-250 Monterey, CA 93943-5164
Phone: 831-656-2651

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Upcoming Events

Feb 2, 2026

Marine Logistics Group Visit

Feb 13, 2026

Leveraging AI Bots

Feb 16, 2026 to Mar 9, 2026

NWPAC 26 in Japan

Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 19, 2026

APEX - CHDS Annual Workshop

Feb 17, 2026 to Mar 4, 2026

Maritime Theater Missile Defense (MTMD)

Naval Postgraduate School students working

Academics

The Department of Applied Mathematics offers flexibility to the students on choosing their degrees, certificates, and courses, tayloring the course matrices to each student to meet indivudidual professional needs.
Degree Programs
Certificate Programs
Courses
Course Validation Policy

Student Success

Our Math Department has identified effective strategies to support student success in our Master's and PhD programs and is committed to continually exploring new ways to enhance this success.

Math Boost Camp
Math Acceleration Lab
Recent Graduates

Research

Our department's research is a dynamic blend of three broad interwoven areas, showcasing the diverse expertise of our faculty. Explore our innovative research!

Publications
Research Groups
Seminars

Read about our research areas

Naval Postgraduate School Math Professor

People

Discover the brilliance of our world-class faculty in the Department of Applied Mathematics and dive into their inspiring achievements!

Faculty and Staff
Faculty Awards
Past Department Chairs

Read about our faculty and staff

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR, PROF. RALUCCA GERA

The Applied Mathematics Department equips officers to think rigorously and reason logically—from equations to operations—supporting strategic decision-making and operational success. As a service department, we are the foundation behind every STEM master’s and PhD education at NPS. Our faculty are deeply committed to educating a wide range of students not only through interdisciplinary teaching, but also through engagement in reimbursable and interdisciplinary research. We build on the diverse academic backgrounds of our students to cultivate deep STEM knowledge, embracing innovative teaching methods that ensures our instruction is relevant to the students.

Introducing our latest initiative to enhance student learning experiences in math courses!

Building on the success of the Math Acceleration Lab at NPS in strengthening calculus foundations through personalized mentorship, we are excited to add additional expert faculty members who will be actively participating in the lab during their office hours. This group of amazing instructors and students provide support and guidance in addition to the classroom engagements to empower students in mastering calculus concepts.

Learn more about this original effort.

To Incoming Students

Our graduate programs are built for adult learners—whether you're returning to school or advancing your career. We offer and a Math Boost Camp and refresher courses to help you feel confident from day one. With dedicated faculty and consistent tutoring through our Math Acceleration Lab, you’ll receive the attention and resources you need to thrive to meet your educational goals supported by a department committed to your success

Departmental News

Dr. Anthony Austin is the Newest Tenured and Associate Professor

Dr. Anthony Austin is the Newest Tenured and Associate Professor in the Applied Math Dept!

Dec 11 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Anthony Austin has been promoted to Tenured Associate Professor in the Applied Mathematics Department.

Art Krener Recipient of IFAC Quazza Medal 2026

David Canright Receives CHES 2025 Test of Time Award for 2005 paper

Sep 16 2025

Congratulations to David Canright! The annual CHES (Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems) conference honored Emeritus Associate Professor David Canright with their Test of Time Award for the paper from ~two decades before that "has had a lasting impact on the field."

Art Krener Recipient of IFAC Quazza Medal 2026 - New

Art Krener Recipient of IFAC Quazza Medal 2026

Aug 04 2025

Congratulations to Art Krener for being awarded the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) Quazza Medal 2026 for his contributions to the analysis, estimation, control, and optimization of nonlinear systems!

Annual Menneken Award Recognizes NPS Researchers for Navy, DOD Impact

Apr 09 2025

NPS Distinguished Professor Frank Giraldo, left, and Associate Professor Douglas Van Bossuyt, right, are the 2024 recipients of the annual Menneken Research awards, recognizing NPS faculty for highly-meritorious research with identifiable impact on Navy and DOD technology.

Prof. Wei Kang is part of the 2025 Class of SIAM Fellows

Mar 27 2025

SIAM is pleased to announce the 2025 Class of SIAM Fellows.

Change of Command Ceremony -- CAPT Thor Martinsen

Change of Command Ceremony CAPT Thor Martinsen

Oct 16 2024

Congratulations to Associate Professor and Navy Captain Thor Martinen for completing a highly successful assignment as the Dean of Students and Commanding Officer of NPS students. Throughout his tenure, Thor has been an unwavering pillar of support for the NPS student body. His exceptional leadership, mentorship, and keen focus on student outcomes has had a profoundly positive impact on their academic studies and professional careers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his service, welcome him back to our faculty ranks, and wish him continued success in his new leadership role as Associate Provost (Academic Affairs).

Schiefflin Award -- Prof. Ralucca Gera

Prof. Ralucca Gera receives NPS Schiefflin Award

Sep 18 2024

Congratulations to Professor Ralucca Gera on receiving the prestigious Schieffelin Award for Excellence in Teaching at NPS as the school's most outstanding faculty instructor! The annual winner joins a long list of other faculty members selected each summer as the "best-of-the-best" at the Navy's University. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Prof Gera's dedication and excellence, and the impact her teaching has on current and recent alumni students. Prof. Gera's hard work and contributions have truly made a significant impact, and this award is well-deserved!

Faculty Publications

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An Introduction to Element-Based Galerkin Methods on Tensor-Product Bases: Analysis, Algorithms, and Applications

Francis X. Giraldo

This book introduces the reader to solving partial differential equations numerically using element-based Galerkin methods. Various forms of Galerkin methods are described in detail, such as spectral element, discontinuous Galerkin, and hybridized discontinuous Galerkin methods. This book describes the methods used in the formulation of the NUMA (Nonhydrostatic Unified Model of the Atmosphere) model which was constructed in the Center for Computational Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics of NPS.

Security and Privacy

Pante Stanica

The book is focused on the state-of-the-art developments of network security, secure cryptographic protocols, post-quantum cryptography, quantum cryptography, blockchains and cryptocurrency, IoT security and privacy, cloud security, machine learning in cybersecurity, and other disciplines related to security and privacy. In this book, a wide variety of basic security primitives are discussed along with recent developments in some advanced topics like functional encryption, two-party/multi-party computation, bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and post-quantum security.

Graph Theory Favorite Conjectures and Open Problems, Volume 2

Ralucca Gera

Prof. Ralucca Gera's 2nd volume of Graph Theory: Favorite Conjectures ad Open Problems. This volume describes the origin and history behind conjectures and problems in graph theory, provides various methods to solving research problems in the field and provides strong pedagogical content for graduate students and a reference to researchers in the field.

Students' Perspective

"Studying in the Applied Math Department at NPS was one of the highlights of my career. The combination of interesting research projects with dedicated and supportive faculty was incredible. There are tremendous opportunities waiting for the next group of officers headed to Monterey, and if I was to start my career all over again I would aim to be one of them."

-CDR Aaron Geary
M.S. in Applied Mathematics 2009, Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics 2022.

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