School of ComputingSchool of Cinema and Interactive MediaInstitute for Professional Development

BS in Math and Computer Science

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.
Course Legend
First Year
CSC 241
CSC 242
CSC 224 CSC 224 Self-Test
1 of the following Calculus sequence:
  • Calculus
    MAT 150
    MAT 151
    MAT 152
  • Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors
    MAT 160
    MAT 161
    MAT 162
  • Calculus with Scientific Applications
    MAT 170
    MAT 171
    MAT 172
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.