Bachelor of Science
Math and Computer Science
The
BS in Math and Computer Science is a joint degree between the College of Computing and Digital Media and the Department of Mathematics. It provides challenging opportunities to exceptional students with an interest in the highly theoretical nexus of math and computer science. Mathematics is a key element to the theory and practice of computer science and technology:
- Number theory forms the basis for encryption algorithms for messages sent over the Internet.
- Facts from projective geometry and multivariable calculus underlie the computer algorithms that control computer animation
- Properties of abstract groups are instrumental in correcting transmission errors that occur when information is sent from one computer to another
- Graph theory and combinatorics are used to create algorithms for Internet search engines and analyze Internet routing protocols.
This program is intended to appeal to academically talented students. It is designed to prepare them for graduate study in various areas of computer science such as theoretical computer science, graphics, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and computational methods and in areas in applied mathematics such as numerical analysis or discrete mathematics. The program is also designed to prepare students to compete for the more theoretical complex jobs found in computer software development.
Students in the program will explore a broad range of fields including:
- Theory of computation
- Computational mathematics
- Artificial intelligence
- Data analysis
- Graphics
- Computer vision
It is highly recommended that students concentrate on one or two areas for their advanced classes to achieve depth, but they are not required to do so. Faculty advisors are available to assist students in their selection.
Online Learning Options
Some courses in this degree are available for review and playback via the CDM
Course Online playback system (COL) . If a course is COL-enabled, any student registered in the course has access to the course playback. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the COL resource wherever available. Some courses are offered online. To complete this degree students may take any combination of courses offered online and on campus. For more information on online learning at CDM visit the
Online Learning page.
Course Requirements
Liberal Studies
The Liberal Studies program is the general education portion of the curriculum at DePaul University. Students must earn a grade of D- or better in all courses taken to satisfy these requirements. The only exception is the Capstone course which is considered also a major requirement and in which students need to earn a C- or better.
Students may choose to take some CDM courses that carry Liberal Studies credit but they cannot double count them if they are part of the major requirements. A complete list of courses that carry Liberal Studies credit can be found on the Liberal Studies website along with an overview of the Liberal Studies requirements for this program . Students can search for courses that satisfy a particular Liberal Studies requirement on campusconnect.
Note Students must complete an ethics class as one of the Philosophical Inquiry or Religious Dimensions requirements. In this sample schedule the ethics requirement replaces one of the Philosophical Inquiry requirements.
The representation of these course requirements on a year-by-year basis is just a suggestion. Students are free to take these courses in any order they choose, provided they have mastered the course-specific prerequisites.
First Year
| CSC 241 |
| CSC 242 |
| CSC 224 |
CSC 224 Self-Test |
1 of the following Calculus sequence:
- Calculus
- Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors
- Calculus with Scientific Applications
|
Liberal Studies Requirements
| LSP 110 |
| OR LSP 111 |
| LSP 112 |
| WRD 103 |
| WRD 104 |
| 1 Arts & Literature |
| 1 Self, Society, and the Modern World |
Second Year
| CSC 383 |
| or CSC 393 |
| CSC 373 |
| CSC 374 |
| MAT 140 |
| MAT 141 |
| MAT 260 |
Liberal Studies Requirements
| LSP 200 |
| 1 Philosophical Inquiry (Ethics) |
| 1 Religious Dimensions |
| 1 Self, Society, and the Modern World |
| 1 Understanding the Past |
| 1 Arts & Literature |
Third Year
| MAT 262 |
| 2 MAT Major Electives |
| 2 CDM Major Electives |
| 3 Open Electives |
Liberal Studies Requirements
| 1 Junior Year Experiential Learning |
| 1 Philosophical Inquiry |
| 1 Arts & Literature |
| 1 Understanding the Past |
Fourth Year
| CSC 321 |
| CSC 394 (Capstone) |
| or CSC 378 (Capstone) |
| or GPH 395 (Capstone) |
| or MAT 398 (Capstone) |
| 1 CDM Major Electives |
| 1 MAT Major Electives |
| 1 CDM or MAT Major Electives |
| 4 Open Electives |
Liberal Studies Requirements
| 1 Religious Dimensions |
| 1 Scientific Inquiry |
| 1 Self, Society, and the Modern World |
Major Electives
Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all major elective courses.
Of the 7 Major Field electives courses 3 must be taken from the CDM Major Electives List , 3 must be taken from the MAT Major Electives List , and 1 could be taken from either lists.
Major Electives can be chosen from thegrouped list below. It is recommended that students concentrate on one or two areas for their advanced classes to achieve depth, but they are not required to do so. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss course selection with an advisor. Students may wish to arrange with a professor to take an independent study or a research experience (MAT 399 or CSC 399 or IT 300) in order to explore a subject more deeply than is possible in a scheduled course.
- Theory of Computation
| The courses in the theory area explore the mathematical and logical foundations of computer science. |
| MAT 302 |
| MAT 303 |
| MAT 351 |
| MAT 310 |
| MAT 311 |
| MAT 312 |
| MAT 335 |
| MAT 372 |
| CSC 235 |
| CSC 327 |
| CSC 333 |
| CSC 344 |
| CSC 327 |
| CSC 347 |
| CSC 348 |
| CSC 387 |
| orMAT 387 |
| CSC 369 |
| CSC 389 |
- Computational Methods Area
| For students with an interest in the computational relations between syntax and semantics. |
| CSC 331 |
| CSC 385 |
| orMAT 385 |
| CSC 386 |
| orMAT 386 |
| MAT 330 |
| MAT 331 |
| MAT 384 |
- Artificial Intelligence
| For students with an interest in the computational relations between syntax and semantics. |
| CSC 380 |
| CSC 357 |
| CSC 358 |
- Data Analysis Area
| For students who are interested in statistical and computational Analysis of data. Many of the courses in this area require the student to take MAT 351-353. |
| CSC 328 |
| CSC 334 |
| orMAT 354 |
| CSC 332 |
| orMAT 359 |
| CSC 367 |
| MAT 261 |
| MAT 351 |
| MAT 352 |
| MAT 353 |
| MAT 355 |
| MAT 357 |
| MAT 370 |
| MAT 356 |
| MAT 358 |
- Graphics Area
| The graphics courses are intended for students who want to study the technical and mathematical foundations of computer graphics and animation. |
| MAT 337 |
| MAT 261 |
| CSC 385 |
| orMAT 385 |
| GPH 211 |
| GPH 212 |
| GPH 325 |
| GPH 329 |
| GPH 336 |
| GPH 372 |
- Computer Vision Area
| Computer vision studies the mathematical and algorithmic underpinnings of image analysis and image processing. |
| MAT 261 |
| MAT 335 |
| MAT 381 |
| MAT 370 |
| MAT 384 |
| CSC 381 |
| CSC 382 |
| CSC 384 |
Open Electives
Open Electives may be taken from any unit at DePaul. These are the only courses that may be taken under the pass/fail option (see the
DePaul Undergraduate Course Catalog for details). Students must earn a grade of D- or higher in all open elective courses. Courses that satisfy
a CDM minor or other minors are normally credited as open electives.
Degree Requirements
Students in this degree must meet the following requirements:
- complete a minimum of 192 credit hours (generally 48 courses)
- earn a grade of C- of higher in all Major courses (excluding Liberal Studies courses and Open Electives)
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Students who earn a cumulative DePaul University GPA:
- between 3.500 and 3.699 will be graduated cum laude
- between 3.700 and 3.849 will be graduated magna cum laude
- of at least 3.850 will be graduated summa cum laude
For DePaul's policy on repeat courses and a complete list of academic policies see the
DePaul Undergraduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.