MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES at Northwestern University

A central feature of modern social, behavioral, managerial and policy sciences is the use of mathematics and statistics, both as languages and as methods of abstraction and analysis. The faculty at Northwestern use a mathematical approach to social science in their research, and mathematics is a major component of graduate programs in the social sciences. However, most traditional undergraduate programs in the social sciences do not incorporate mathematical approaches in an organized and consistent manner. Consequently, undergraduate students in traditional programs do not receive systematic preparation in mathematical modeling.

In the MMSS program, students receive the training needed to build and analyze mathematical models. Graduates of this program have been extraordinarily successful as graduate students and professionals because of their rigorous preparation for examining situations with mathematical analysis.