Dr. James Demmel

Professor

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Biography

James Demmel is a Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in scientific computing, numerical analysis, and linear algebra. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley in 1983 and holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Caltech, awarded in 1975. Before returning to Berkeley in 1990, he spent six years on the faculty at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. Demmel has held joint appointments within the Computer Science Division and the Mathematics Departments at Berkeley. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition as a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences. Demmel's work has significantly impacted the development of high-performance linear algebra software, notably through his involvement in LAPACK (Linear Algebra Package) and SuperLU, which are widely used in scientific computing applications.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.