EMACS Scholars Program

The Emerging Mathematics and Computer Science (EMACS) Scholars Program is a Kutztown University program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support academically talented students with financial need in their pursuit of degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Technology.

The Emerging Mathematics and Computer Science (EMACS) Scholars Program at Kutztown University has many key features, including:

  • Generous financial support.
  • A Living Learning Community in which all scholars live in the same residence hall and take many of the same classes.  Scholars may choose to room with a student not in the program.  Exceptions to the housing requirement for transfer students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Numerous academic and social opportunities.
  • Support in the form of peer tutors, faculty mentors, and industry mentors.

Have questions not answered below? Please contact us!

The EMACS Scholars Program is funded by S-STEM Award 2029357 from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Apply to be an EMACS Scholar!
Students and faculty writing and studying mathematics written in orange on a glass panel in the foreground

Financial Support

EMACS scholars receive a renewable scholarship of $8300 per year, assuming satisfactory academic progress, program participation, and financial eligibility.  By combining this support with other scholarships and grants, EMACS scholars may be able to complete their degree at minimal actual expense.

To see how this could be possible, please see the following scenario (which uses 2022-2023 estimates for a first-year Pennsylvania resident who lives on campus).  The term "direct costs" includes tuition, mandatory fees, and room & board.

Scenario: Full Pell and PHEAA Grants

Estimated Direct Costs

$22,545

EMACS Scholarship

-$8,300

Full Pell Grant

-$6,895

Full PHEAA State Grant

-$4,894

Estimated Annual Actual Expense

=$2,456 (students may qualify for additional aid)
Kutztown University Office of Financial Aid: Call 610-683-4077

Program Eligibility Information

To be considered for the EMACS Scholars Program, students must:

  • be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents,
  • demonstrate academic ability and commitment (possible evidence could include high school GPA, SAT scores, application essays, and letters of recommendation),
  • be eligible for a Pell Grant as determined by the FAFSA form,
  • be admitted to Kutztown University, and 
  • intend to major in Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Game Development.

Please note that students MUST complete their FAFSA and be eligible for a Pell Grant before they can be accepted into the EMACS Scholars Program.

Program Application Information

The EMACS Scholars Program will have two deadlines to consider applications for students enrolling in Fall 2023.

  • Apply by December 1, 2022 to guarantee early consideration.
  • Apply by March 1, 2023 to guarantee consideration - after March 1, we will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled.

Apply to be an EMACS Scholar!

high-quality academic programs

Programs in the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology have the following features that stand out:

  • Classes are small, so students receive personalized attention from faculty members. 
  • Our faculty have industrial and research experience that enriches the curriculum. 
  • Faculty are engaged in research, and actively seek to include undergraduate students. 
  • Our programs prepare students for STEM careers or masters and doctoral programs to further their education.  

Department of Mathematics

Department of Computer Science and Information Technology
Program
Faculty/Student Research Areas
  • Algebra
  • Combinatorics
  • Graph Theory
  • Mathematical Biology
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Number Theory
  • Operations Research
  • Statistics
  • Data Mining
  • Predictive Analytics
  • Computer Music
  • Robotics
  • Game Development
  • Network Security
Highlighted Course Opportunities
  • Combinatorics
  • Cryptography
  • Number Theory
  • Operations Research
  • Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Software Engineering
  • Mobile Architecture and Apps
  • Data Mining and Predictive Analysis
  • Game Development
  • Security
  • A.I. and Robotics
  • Web Development
  • Networks, Database, and System Administration
Student Clubs

  • More Information about the Mathematics Program
    • Check out the Department of Mathematics page for prospective students!
    • We organize regular math seminars and colloquia where students can learn about the math people do and how it is used to understand the world around us.
    • Students are involved in using mathematics for community-based projects, such as working with the Kutztown wastewater plant.
    • Students train with faculty to prepare for fun team and individual math competitions.  In 2018, our team finished in the first quartile out of 500 universities in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition.
  • More Information about the Computer Science and Information Technology Programs
    • Both programs are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.
    • The Computer Science program focuses on application development and Computer Science theory, while the basis of the Information Technology program supports applications, including networking, security, and database.
    • The Computer Science and Information Technology Department works closely with our Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), composed of technical leaders from local industry, to gather feedback and suggestions for improving our courses and programs.
    • The Financial Engineer (TFE) Times named Kutztown University as #92 in the top Master’s of Computer Science program rankings for 2020. 
Department of Mathematics Department of Computer Science and Information Technology

Peer-tutoring

Our programs offer additional learning experiences through the help of Supplemental Instructors (SIs), the Tutoring Labs, and Living-Learning Communities (LLC). Not only can students take advantage of these free services, but experienced scholars can become an SI or tutor, which are paid positions. 

  • More Information on Supplemental Instruction
    • Supplemental Instructors are peer tutors associated with a particular class.  They have successfully passed the course and are chosen by the professor. They not only understand the material, but they know how your particular professor explains it.
    • SIs hold regular office hours for walk-in tutoring; no appointment is needed!
  • More Information on Tutoring Labs
    • The Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology each have a tutoring lab where students can go for tutoring in select classes; no appointment needed!
  • More Information on Living-Learning Communities
    • EMACS scholars will live in the same dorm during their freshman and sophomore years, making it easier for scholars to establish friendships and a sense of community.
    • Peer tutoring will be available in the dorm four evenings each week. 
    • Every week, a professor will hold an office hour in the dorm.
    • Virtual alternatives will be available if necessitated by COVID-19.

Mentors & Internships

Although not required, internships are strongly encouraged in mathematics, computer science, and information technology programs.  Our experienced faculty also mentor students in research projects, both at Kutztown and at national Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) Programs at other institutions. Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students to apply their learned knowledge to real-life scenarios and projects, as well as help build strong experiences that will make their resumes stand out to potential employers.  For students interested in furthering their education in graduate school, research projects guided by KU faculty give students an advantage on graduate school applications.

  • Examples of Mathematics Internships and REUs
    • Department of Defense (Navy)
    • Oakridge National Laboratory
    • Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs funded by the National Science Foundation at Lafayette College, Moravian College, Muhlenberg College, Rutgers University, etc.
    • State Farm Insurance
    • Wells Fargo
    • Various other insurance companies
    • Various other financial companies
    • Various other tax firms

successful Graduates

Many of our graduates have left the university with well paying occupations in a variety of sectors including healthcare, information technology, education, and finance.  Below are a few examples of the careers that our graduates have undertaken after finishing a mathematics,  computer science, or IT degree at KU.  Click here to read more about what a few of our recent graduates are doing!

  • Examples of Recent Mathematics Job Placements
    • Data Analyst at Public Consulting Group
    • Financial Analyst at Vanguard
    • Financial Representative at State Farm Insurance
    • Graduate Student at Colorado State University, Iowa State University, Lamar University, Penn State University, University of Houston, University of South Carolina, etc.
    • Mechanical Systems Analyst for the U.S. Army
    • Software Developer at Andesa Services, Inc
    • Supply Chain Manager at Bimbo Bakeries
    • Tax Analyst at Vertex, Inc
  • Examples of Recent Computer Science and Information Technology Job Placements
    • Innovation Developer at The Vanguard Group
    • IT Field Engineer at Univest Financial Corporation
    • Software Engineer at:
      • andculture
      • Green Expert Technology
      • NAVSEA Naval Surface Warfare Center
    • SysOps Engineer at Alpine Cyber Solutions
    • Telecommunications Analyst at Universal Health Services
    • Web (Applications) Developer at:
      • Kutztown University
      • ONeil Interactive

brain teaser

Does every counting number have a positive multiple whose digits are only 0s and 1s?

If your answer is yes, you should explain why this is possible for EVERY counting number.  If your answer is no, you should find a particular number that does not have such a multiple and explain why.

After writing down your answer, check out this video where Dr. Tony Wong, Kutztown University mathematics professor, explains his solution!

Contact us

Have questions that are not answered on this page?  Contact us!