BS in Math/Computer Science

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Exceptional students with an interest in the highly theoretical nexus of math and computer science will find challenging opportunities from the Bachelor of Science in Math and Computer Science Degree.

BS in Math and Computer Science 2009

Mathematics are 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 joint major 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 in computer software development.

What Students Learn From This Program

Students can choose advanced computer science and mathematics classes from different areas 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 advisor are available to assist students in their selection.

Program Requirements 2009

To view Undergraduate Program Requirements for previous years click here.

The BS in Mathematics and Computer Science consists of five parts:

The DePaul Liberal Studies Program (19 Courses, not including the capstone course)
Core Courses (14 Courses)
Advanced Classes (7 Courses)
Capstone (1 Course)
Open Electives (7 Courses)

The courses in the Core build the necessary foundation in discrete and continuous mathematics, problem solving, algorithmic thinking and programming. The Advanced Classes allow the student to explore the different areas of mathematics and computer science in more depth.

B.S. in Math and Computer Science

Core Classes (14 courses)

Mathematical Foundation

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√		MAT 140 Discrete Mathematics I
√		MAT 141 Discrete Mathematics II
√		MAT 260 Multivariable Calculus I
		MAT 262 Linear Algebra

In addition, students must complete one of the following three-course sequences:

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√		MAT 150 Calculus I
√		AND MAT 151 Calculus II
√		AND MAT 152 Calculus III [prereq

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√		MAT 160 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors I
		AND MAT 161 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors II
		AND MAT 162 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors III [prereq

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√		MAT 170 Calculus I with Scientific Applications
		AND MAT 171 Calculus II with Scientific Applications [prereq
		AND MAT 172 Calculus III with Differential Equations [prereq

(MAT 147, MAT 148 and MAT 149 may also be used to satisfy this requirement)

Problem Solving, algorithms, and structured programming

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√		CSC 241 Introduction to Computer Science I
		CSC 242 Introduction to Computer Science II
		CSC 321 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
√	√	CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java
		OR CSC 393 Data Structures in C++

Object-Oriented Programming

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√	√	CSC 224 Java for Programmers Self Placement Test!
√	√	OR CSC 309 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

Computer Systems

Offered Fall
In class	Online
√	√	CSC 373 Computer Systems I
√	√	CSC 374 Computer Systems II

Advanced Classes (7 courses)

Students can choose advanced computer science and mathematics classes from different areas including theory of computation, computational mathematics, artificial intelligence, data analysis, graphics, and computer vision. 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 choose seven courses from the following area lists. At least three of the courses have to be in computer science (or graphics) and at least three in mathematics. Courses not on this list need to be approved by an advisor. In particular, 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 Area

The courses in the theory area explore the mathematical and logical foundations of computer science.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		MAT 302 Combinatorics
		MAT 303 Theory of Numbers [prereq
√		MAT 351 Probability and Statistics I
√		MAT 310 Abstract Algebra I [prereq
		MAT 311 Abstract Algebra II
		MAT 312 Abstract Algebra III
√		MAT 335 Real Analysis I [prereq
		MAT 372 Logic and Set Theory
		CSC 235 Problem Solving
		CSC 327 Problem Solving for Contests
		CSC 333 Cryptology
√		CSC 344 Automata Theory and Formal Grammars
√		CSC 347 Concepts of Programming Languages
		CSC 348 Introduction to Compiler Design
		CSC 387 Operations Research I: Linear Programming
		OR MAT 387 Operations Research I:linear Programming
		CSC 389 Theory of Computation
		CSC 358 Symbolic Programming

Computational Methods Area

The computational methods area investigates quantitative and computational methods in computer science.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		CSC 331 Scientific Computing
		CSC 385 Numerical Analysis
		OR MAT 385 Numerical Analysis I
		CSC 386 Advanced Numerical Analysis
		OR MAT 386 Numerical Analysis II
		MAT 330 Methods of Computation and Theoretical Physics I
		MAT 331 Methods of Computation and Theoretical Physics II
		MAT 384 Mathematical Modeling

Artificial Intelligence Area

For students with an interest in the computational relations between syntax and semantics.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		CSC 380 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
√		CSC 357 Expert Systems
		CSC 358 Symbolic Programming

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.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		CSC 328 Data Analysis for Experimenters
		CSC 334 Advanced Data Analysis
		OR MAT 354 Multivariate Statistics
		CSC 332 Simulation and Modeling
		OR MAT 359 Simulation Models and the Monte Carlo Method
		CSC 367 Introduction to Data Mining
		MAT 261 Multivariable Calculus II
√		MAT 351 Probability and Statistics I
		MAT 352 Probability and Statistics II
		MAT 353 Probability and Statistics III
		MAT 355 Stochastic Processes
√		MAT 357 Nonparametric Statistics
√		MAT 370 Advanced Linear Algebra
√		MAT 356 Applied Regression Analysis
		MAT 358 Applied Time Series and Forecasting

Graphics Area

The graphics courses are intended for students who want to study the technical and mathematical foundations of computer graphics and animation.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		MAT 337 Complex Analysis
		MAT 261 Multivariable Calculus II
√		MAT 370 Advanced Linear Algebra
		CSC 385 Numerical Analysis
		OR MAT 385 Numerical Analysis I
√		GPH 211 Perceptual Principles for Digital Environments I
√		GPH 212 Perceptual Principles for Digital Environments II
√		GPH 325 Survey of Computer Graphics
		GPH 329 Computer Graphics Development II
		GPH 336 Smooth Surface Modeling for Graphics and Animation
		GPH 372 Principles of Computer Animation

Computer Vision Area

Computer vision studies the mathematical and algorithmic underpinnings of image analysis and image processing.

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		MAT 261 Multivariable Calculus II
√		MAT 335 Real Analysis I [prereq
		MAT 381 Fourier Analysis and Special Functions
√		MAT 370 Advanced Linear Algebra
		MAT 384 Mathematical Modeling
		CSC 381 Introduction to Digital Image Processing
		CSC 382 Applied Image Analysis
		CSC 384 Introduction to Computer Vision

Capstone Courses (1 course)

Students can choose from several capstone courses, depending on their interest and coursework:

Offered Fall
In class	Online
		CSC 378 Software Projects for Community Clients
√		CSC 394 Software Projects
		GPH 395 Computer Graphics Senior Project
		MAT 398 Senior Capstone Seminar [sryr]

Students need to make sure that they cover all prerequisites of their respective capstone (possibly using open electives).

Open Electives (7 courses)

Students choose seven (7) open electives. Open Electives may be taken from any department or program. These are the only courses that may be taken under the pass/fail option (see the undergraduate Bulletin for details). If you wish to pursue a minor, most minor field courses will be credited as open electives.

Grades:

Grades for all courses in the students major (i.e. non-Liberal Studies and non-Open Elective) must be 'C' or better. Grades of 'C-' may be accepted provided the overall grade point average in the major is 2.0 or better.

All courses in degree

CSC 224 Java for Programmers
CSC 235 Problem Solving
CSC 241 Introduction to Computer Science I
CSC 242 Introduction to Computer Science II
CSC 309 Object-Oriented Programming in C++
CSC 321 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CSC 327 Problem Solving for Contests
CSC 328 Data Analysis for Experimenters
CSC 331 Scientific Computing
CSC 332 Simulation and Modeling
CSC 333 Cryptology
CSC 334 Advanced Data Analysis
CSC 344 Automata Theory and Formal Grammars
CSC 347 Concepts of Programming Languages
CSC 348 Introduction to Compiler Design
CSC 357 Expert Systems
CSC 358 Symbolic Programming
CSC 367 Introduction to Data Mining
CSC 373 Computer Systems I
CSC 374 Computer Systems II
CSC 378 Software Projects for Community Clients
CSC 380 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
CSC 381 Introduction to Digital Image Processing
CSC 382 Applied Image Analysis
CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java
CSC 384 Introduction to Computer Vision
CSC 385 Numerical Analysis
CSC 386 Advanced Numerical Analysis
CSC 387 Operations Research I: Linear Programming
CSC 389 Theory of Computation
CSC 393 Data Structures in C++
CSC 394 Software Projects
GPH 211 Perceptual Principles for Digital Environments I
GPH 212 Perceptual Principles for Digital Environments II
GPH 325 Survey of Computer Graphics
GPH 329 Computer Graphics Development II
GPH 336 Smooth Surface Modeling for Graphics and Animation
GPH 372 Principles of Computer Animation
GPH 395 Computer Graphics Senior Project
MAT 140 Discrete Mathematics I
MAT 141 Discrete Mathematics II
MAT 150 Calculus I
MAT 151 Calculus II
MAT 152 Calculus III [prereq
MAT 160 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors I
MAT 161 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors II
MAT 162 Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors III [prereq
MAT 170 Calculus I with Scientific Applications
MAT 171 Calculus II with Scientific Applications [prereq
MAT 172 Calculus III with Differential Equations [prereq
MAT 260 Multivariable Calculus I
MAT 261 Multivariable Calculus II
MAT 262 Linear Algebra
MAT 302 Combinatorics
MAT 303 Theory of Numbers [prereq
MAT 310 Abstract Algebra I [prereq
MAT 311 Abstract Algebra II
MAT 312 Abstract Algebra III
MAT 330 Methods of Computation and Theoretical Physics I
MAT 331 Methods of Computation and Theoretical Physics II
MAT 335 Real Analysis I [prereq
MAT 337 Complex Analysis
MAT 351 Probability and Statistics I
MAT 352 Probability and Statistics II
MAT 353 Probability and Statistics III
MAT 354 Multivariate Statistics
MAT 355 Stochastic Processes
MAT 356 Applied Regression Analysis
MAT 357 Nonparametric Statistics
MAT 358 Applied Time Series and Forecasting
MAT 359 Simulation Models and the Monte Carlo Method
MAT 370 Advanced Linear Algebra
MAT 372 Logic and Set Theory
MAT 381 Fourier Analysis and Special Functions
MAT 384 Mathematical Modeling
MAT 385 Numerical Analysis I
MAT 386 Numerical Analysis II
MAT 387 Operations Research I:linear Programming
MAT 398 Senior Capstone Seminar [sryr]

Career Options:

Because mathematical theorems inform computer science in a number of ways, Math/Computer Science degree graduates are doubly prepared for career opportunities in a number of fields in industry, business and computational science and engineering.