From the Chair, Profesor Ralucca Gera

The Applied Mathematics Department at the Naval Postgraduate School plays a central role in the education of nearly all STEM NPS students, providing the analytical foundation that supports programs across engineering, operations research, computer science, and related fields. Our mission is to engage officers in learning how to think rigorously and logically— guiding adult learners from diverse academic backgrounds through an intensive curriculum toward the successful completion of a master’s or PhD degree within a short and demanding timeframe. This work is driven by a deeply committed faculty who take seriously the educational responsibility and the defense-relevant research that supports the broader NPS’s academic mission. At its core, the purpose of the Applied Mathematics Department is to develop disciplined thinkers.

Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of leading the remarkable work of the Applied Mathematics Department by strengthening our community that has remained deeply committed to its mission through a period of significant change. Our faculty continues to deliver very high-quality education and impactful research while adapting thoughtfully to evolving student needs and Navy priorities. We constantly seek opportunities to sustain our existing strong academic performance with very high on-time graduation rates, and strengthen the alignment between curriculum, outcomes, and stakeholder expectations. At the same time, we maintain a steady record of research productivity and external funding, even while carrying full teaching loads. These accomplishments reflect my shared commitment to excellence across teaching, research, and service, supported by strong collaboration across the NPS academic enterprise.

Equally important to my leadership is how the department evolves: intentionally, collaborative, and with a clear focus on student success. In response to changing preparation levels following the COVID period, we worked collectively to establish a comprehensive Calculus Success Program by creating a support ecosystem: the Math Boost Camp (2023) to prepare incoming students during their orientation week, the Math Acceleration Lab (2024) to support early-course success for the calculus sequence during the first two quarters at NPS, and the Self-Guided Study program (2025) to reinforce study techniques that set up students for success in the math courses at NPS. These efforts transformed organic faculty-student initiatives into structured, high-impact programs. In 2026, we further built on this foundation by developing the Certificate in Teaching Collegiate Mathematics, preparing our students to become future educators at NPS, USNA, USMA, and beyond. It’s been my privilege to start the creation of the Math Acceleration Lab as the Academic Associate chair, and to lead the follow on evolution of the early support we provide to our students. Along the Calculus Success Program, we are very proud of the refinement of our courses—achieving 100% alignment of learning outcomes across the curriculum—while modernizing instructional materials and expanding opportunities for our graduate students through initiatives such as the Digital PhD Lab and enhanced engagement with industry and research communities.

While this progress reflects the work of our entire department, as the chair of the Applied Math Dept, I have had the privilege since January 2025 to help provide focus and bring cohesion to our shared journey. Through comprehensive internal assessment, external program review, and curriculum review, we have also deepened our engagement with sponsors and stakeholders—ensuring that our programs remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with the evolving needs of the Navy and Joint Force. It has been both an honor and a responsibility to help bring clarity to our collective efforts and to share the story of a department committed to continuous growth, innovation, and impact.

So why pursue a graduate degree in Applied Mathematics at NPS?

A degree in Applied Mathematics at NPS offers far more than technical expertise—it develops a powerful logical way of thinking. Our graduates are prepared to approach complex, unfamiliar problems with clarity, structure, and confidence. They go on to serve as operations research analysts, data scientists, modeling and simulation experts, and technical leaders across the Navy, Joint Force, and Department of Defense. Many also contribute to the education of future officers as instructors at institutions such as the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy, while others engage in cutting-edge research in areas ranging from cybersecurity and cryptography to artificial intelligence and advanced computation.

Ultimately, a mathematics degree from NPS equips officers not just to solve problems—it is also preparation for confident and analytical leadership in complex environments.