Computational Finance & Risk Management
College of Arts & Sciences
In the finance industry, there is a great demand for advanced quantitative computational finance competencies. Mathematical models, statistical methods and computational techniques are becoming increasingly important as tools for quantitative analysis, risk management, as well as models and strategies implementation. The Computational Finance major is designed to provide UW undergraduate students with a rigorous applied mathematical foundation and a solid understanding of how mathematical models, as well as statistical and computational methods, are used in financial applications, such as portfolio optimization, derivatives pricing and risk management.
Applicant type
First-year students can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
An application for general admission to the UW is required for all transfer students. UW accepts general applications for Autumn and Winter with some select majors allowing applications in Spring. Review your intended major’s website for information about which quarters it is open for admission.
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
Use the information below to help you prepare for this major. Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
There are two types of applicants: Currently Enrolled UW Students and Entering Transfers.
- Entering Transfers. Transfer applicants must submit a department application for the same quarter they submit an application to the University.
- Minimum course requirements: Successful applicants typically have earned above a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in courses listed below with no individual course grade lower than a 2.0.
- Determining factors: Admissions is based on holistic review of the student’s record to include: grades in courses required for admission, overall GPA, and rigor of courses completed; time to degree set by the UW Satisfactory Progress Policy, including frequency of incompletes or withdrawals and number of repeated courses; personal statement that demonstrates interest in pursuing advanced study in the field of applied mathematics and related fields.
- When to apply: Applications are accepted twice a year at the beginning of autumn and spring quarters. Refer to department website for deadlines.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses REQUIRED for admission:
- MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I OR MATH 134 NSc RSN – Accelerated [Honors] Calculus
- MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II OR MATH 135 NSc – Accelerated [Honors] Calculus
- MATH 126 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry III OR MATH 136 NSc – Accelerated [Honors] Calculus
- AMATH 301 NSc – Beginning Scientific Computing
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 47
Total from Washington community colleges: 3
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: <5
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5