A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF BS APPLIED MATHEMATICS IN PUP:
"WHERE NUMBERS MEET PURPOSE AND PATTERNS SHAPE FUTURE"

Mathematics is often described as the science of patterns. Mathematicians seek to discover, analayze and classify patterns in both abstract objects and natural phenomena. The traditional domains of the study are quantity (arithmetic), structure (algebra), space (geometry) and change (analysis). It offers formidable tools such as abstraction, generalization, deduction, inference, use of symbols and axiomatic methods. It is also used as an essential tool in many fields, including the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, finance and social sciences. With Mathematics being increasingly used in many fields needed to address global problems, and issues, the B.S. Mathematics program was initially instituted in the Polytechnic University of Philippines during the first semester of school year 1987 to 1988 as approved by the Board of Regents under BOR Resolution No. 48 of 1986.

The program, along with the Bachelor of Applied Statistics, started to be one of the courses offered under the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the College of Arts and Science under the leadership of its dean, Dr. Juan C. Birion. In the succeeding school year, the B.S. Mathematics program was offered with two specializations that the students can choose from: Major in College Teaching and Major in Computer Applications. Upon the creation of the College of Science in May 17, 1993 with its first dean, Prof. Leodegario S.M. Bautista, the B.S. Mathematics program continued to be offered together with Bachelor in Applied Statistics (BAS), Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BSCHEM) and Bachelor of Science in Physics (BSPHY). The Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics was first offered during the first semester of School year 2008 to 2009 with an aim to produce graduates that would join the country’s workforce while specializing in areas like finance and actuarial science.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Science sustained its reputation as one of the top Higher Education Institutions that offers quality science, technology, and mathematics education in the country. The College of Science has been under the guidance of the following hardworking and dedicated deans: Dr. Victoria C. Naval (1998), Dr. Adela Jamorabo-Ruiz (1999-2001), Dr. Theresita V. Atienza (2001-2005, 2012-2016), Dr. Normita B. Gorospe (2005-2006), Dr. Joseph Mercado (2006-2009), Dr. Zenaida R. Sarmiento (2009-2012) and Dr. Lincoln A. Bautista (2016-present). Under the leadership of these personalities and with the full support from the University’s administration and the faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the University continues to produce more globally competitive graduates of the B.S. Applied Mathematics Program.

The University continues to adopt to the demands and needs of our dynamically changing society. In conformance to the directives from the Commission on Higher Education Technical Panel and Technical Committee for Science and Mathematics, the B.S. Applied Mathematics curriculum has undergone several revisions since its initial offering in 2008 conformably with the prescribed policies and standards for BS Mathematics and BS Applied Mathematics (CHED Memorandum Order No. 19 s. 2007). First revisions of the BS Applied Mathematics program happened in 2011 to address the need to produce top caliber mathematicians to join the global workforce particularly in education, statistics, actuarial science, operations research, risk management, computing technology, business, banking, finance and economics. It has evolved into the curriculum that it is right now in accordance to the pertinent provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1994 (R.A. 7722) and in pursuance of an outcomes-based education as advocated under the CHED Memorandum Order No. 48 s. 2017. The B.S. Applied Mathematics program has been awarded Level II Phase 1 accreditation by the Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, Inc. (AACUP) last December, 2021 and has obtained the CHED Certificate of Program Compliance in 2023. The most recent curriculum was established in response to emerging market demands and the growing role of mathematics in big data analytics. It was also implemented to address the evolving needs of the modern era, particularly during the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aligns with the current administration’s vision of positioning PUP as a leading comprehensive polytechnic university in Asia by providing inclusive, equitable, and globally relevant higher education that contributes to national development.

To date, the students of the B.S. Applied Mathematics Program are under the tutelage of dedicated and highly competent faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The faculty members handling core courses of the program hold doctorate and master’s degrees in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from reputable universities like the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University. The faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics are continuously undertaking various professional development trainings, pursuing graduate studies especially at the PhD level and undertaking research activities to improve and enhance the quality of mathematics instruction in the University. The University also has remained to provide support to the B.S. Applied Mathematics students by upgrading its student services, resources and facilities. The PUP Mathematics Club, together with the College of Science administrative officials, continues to uphold student engagement in academic and extra-curricular activities and promote student welfare.

Under the supervision of the former chairpersons of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics namely Prof. Myrna G. Cruz (2008-2009, 2012-2013), Prof. Bernadeth G. Nobles (2009-2012), Prof. Emelita A. Isaac (2013-2016), Prof. Edcon B. Baccay (2017-2022), Assoc. Prof. Andrew C. Hernandez (2022-2025), and the current program chair, Asst. Prof. Kenneth James T. Nuguid, the B.S. Applied Mathematics program of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines has been immensely transformed to be one of the best in the country. Based from the Graduate Tracer Study for 2019-2021 graduates conducted by the University, the results reveal that the B.S. Applied Mathematics graduates of the University are highly employable with 24 out of 29 randomly selected respondents (82.75%) being employed wherein 18 out of 24 (75%) of them have current jobs aligned to the BS Applied Mathematics Program. The most recent PUP Graduate Tracer Study for 2022 revealed that all of the 55 graduates (100%) are employed in relevant industries.