The PhD program in applied mathematics for the life and social sciences focuses on training researchers to analyze scientific questions at the intersection of the mathematical, life and social sciences. Graduates of the program make innovative and far-reaching scientific contributions that rely on the cutting-edge computational mathematical and modeling approaches.<br><br>This program focuses on producing quantitative scientists and applied mathematicians who conduct high-level transdisciplinary research. The program's faculty include mathematicians, statisticians, theoretical biologists and social scientists from five different schools at Arizona State University.<br><br>There is a high demand for first-rate scientists, researchers and faculty interested in meeting the challenges faced by communities in the 21st century. Institutional research and planning programs create space and opportunity to address such challenges on a global scale. The health, environmental and natural resource challenges in Arizona and the nation are urgently in need of a large pool of researchers with these transdisciplinary skills.<br><br>There are three tracks a student can follow. Applied mathematics is a more in-depth focus on the tools applied to the life and social sciences, such as dynamical systems, computational and numerical methods, simulation and mathematical analysis. Life sciences focuses on understanding the tools for representing the structure and operation of complex biological and ecological processes. Social sciences focuses on understanding the tools for representing the structure and operation of complex social systems and processes.