Boston University is located in the heart of Boston, across the river from Harvard, MIT, and other renowned institutions. Its campus combines a tranquil setting within a bustling city, with convenient transportation—the subway runs right through campus—and it lies along the Charles River, making it an ideal learning environment. BU not only boasts first-rate faculty and facilities but also offers a broad range of academic disciplines.
With 17 schools and colleges and over 250 different fields of study, it is a comprehensive research university. Adopting an international and diversified management approach, it attracts students from around the world, making Boston University a renowned institution for global cultural exchange and earning it the nickname "Student's Paradise." Its communication programs are highly prestigious, with countless distinguished alumni; it was the first university in the U.S. to offer a degree in public relations. The business school has produced many notable graduates and is known for the high quality of its alumni; engineering graduates are also well received by various companies.
Campus Life
BU has two main campuses: the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus.
The vast majority of courses, schools, academic activities, student events, as well as dormitories and libraries, are located on the Charles River Campus. The Medical Campus is exclusively for the School of Medicine. The two campuses are not very close; driving takes about 15–20 minutes, but BU Shuttle buses run between them daily. The main campus is the Charles River Campus, which we often describe as a long strip right along the Charles River.
Freshmen are required to live on campus and choose a meal plan; other students may choose whether to live on campus and/or have a meal plan.
Meal plans are divided into: Meal Plans, Dining Points, and Convenience Points.
Meal Plans: Used at the three main dining halls on campus, with many options.
Dining Points: Can be used not only in dining halls but also at the food court in the George Sherman Union (GSU is a large student activity center where students can hold club meetings or group study sessions; it is also connected to the library).
Convenience Points: In addition to being used at food courts, they can be used at nearby supermarkets, Starbucks, and other snack shops. They can also be used to buy books or do laundry.
There are also many housing options: single rooms, doubles, quads, and more. The larger residence halls include Warren Towers, West Campus, and The Towers. Other smaller, apartment-style buildings are scattered around campus, with the distinctive brownstones being a notable example.
Every September (exact dates are announced by the university), there is also Lobster Day, when the three self-service dining halls on the Charles River Campus serve Boston lobsters—one per person—definitely a treat for lobster lovers~
Campus Environment
In terms of transportation, the oldest subway line in the U.S., the Green Line (which splits into B, C, D, and E branches; the B Line stops at BU's campus) runs through campus with stops at major academic buildings. Additionally, the faster Route 57 bus and free on-campus shuttle are available.
Located in the Greater Boston Area, Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, and other prestigious institutions attract scholars and talented students from around the world, giving Boston a strong academic atmosphere and vibrant energy. The high quality of local residents also contributes to a relatively safe environment; Boston is one of the few U.S. cities where you can feel at ease walking the streets alone late at night.
As a hub for biomedicine, Boston is a mecca for biotech companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Other sectors such as finance, education, and high-tech also have promising prospects.
Academics
Boston University comprises 17 schools and colleges:
College of Arts & Sciences, College of Communication, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, College of General Studies, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Metropolitan College, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, School of Hospitality Administration, School of Law, Questrom School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Public Health, School of Social Work, and School of Theology.
In addition to required major courses, most students must also complete a certain number of Liberal Arts (general education) courses, as the university aims for students to develop broadly across disciplines. Students must take courses in four categories: Humanities, Math/Computer Science, Natural Science, and Social Science. Writing courses are mandatory; U.S. students must take WR100 and WR150, while international students take a writing placement exam and are placed into WR97 or WR98 based on their scores, followed by WR100 and WR150.
Strong Programs
BU's College of Communication (COM) and College of Engineering (ENG) are both highly regarded. COM boasts many notable alumni who are Oscar winners; ENG's Biomedical Engineering is also a strong discipline. Economics and Mathematics programs are also good, with rankings rising each year. The College of Fine Arts (CFA) also counts many Oscar-winning alumni.
In 2017, the authoritative rankings website Quantnet for North American financial engineering/mathematical finance master's programs placed BU's Mathematical Finance program at 13th, emerging as a strong contender amidst a field of top schools. Boston University (2017 US News Ranking: 39) has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with strengths in business, engineering, and law. Here is a closer look at BU's MSMF program:
Master of Science in Mathematical Finance
(MSMF)
This program has a relatively high employment rate in the U.S. Although it faces strong competition from top-tier schools, its graduates still fare well in the job market, with a high rate of staying and working in the U.S. According to the latest official data, the estimated annual cost is $69,000, and the program lasts 17 months. While the cost is significant, graduates can expect a good income.
Starting with the class of 2017, the MSMF program introduced four tracks:
1. Quantitative Analytics
2. Asset Management
3. Risk Management
4. Analytics & Research
Except for the fourth track (A&R), which must be selected in the first week of classes, students can choose one of the other three tracks in the second half of the first semester, with no grade requirements. The A&R track is designed for those intending to pursue a PhD.
The first three tracks share the same four courses in the first semester:
1. Fundamentals of Finance (GSMMF702)
2. Programming for Mathematical Finance (GSMMF703)
3. Statistics for Mathematical Finance (GSMMF793)
4. Stochastic Methods of Asset Pricing I (GSMMF795)
Main Curriculum:
First Semester
Stochastic Calculus I (MF792)
Fundamentals of Finance (MF702)
Stochastic Calculus II (MF795)
Statistical Methods of Mathematical Finance (MF793)
Second Semester
Fixed Income Securities (MF728)
C++ Programming for Mathematical Finance (MF703)
Computational Methods of Mathematical Finance (MF796)
Stochastic Optimal Control and Investment (MF794)
Third Semester
Credit Risk (MF772)
Advanced Derivatives (MF770)
Corporate Risk Management (MF731)
Portfolio Theory (MF730)
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
IELTS overall score of at least 7.0; TOEFL iBT at least 80.
High school diploma; ACT (including Writing) or SAT (including Writing) scores.
Graduate Admission Requirements
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: TOEFL iBT at least 84; IELTS overall at least 7.0. College of Communication: TOEFL iBT at least 100, with at least 25 in each section. College of Engineering: TOEFL iBT at least 84; IELTS overall at least 6.0.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; GRE or GMAT exam.
