Mathematics and Computer Science

About the Department

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers courses in support of students who need a general introduction to these fields and students who need specific tools and techniques in support of their own fields of study.

For students who want to make mathematics their major, the department offers a contract degree in mathematics and a standard major in mathematics. With a contract degree major, the student works with a committee of faculty members to design an individualized program. Students interested in actuarial studies, applied mathematics, mathematics education, or preparation for graduate studies in mathematics can design a degree program to reflect the student's interests and goals.

Many of the changes in our society during the past 30 years have come about as a direct result of the application of computers in daily life. Indeed, this new technology has found application not only in business, government, and schools, but also in the home and as recreation. For the student interested in computer science, the department offers a contract major in computer science, a standard major in computer science, and a major in computer science/business. It is important for the undergraduate who chooses to specialize in Computer Science to obtain a solid foundation in a more traditional academic discipline as well. Since the ranks of mathematicians proved to be a rich source of pioneers in computer science, the close liaison with mathematics is a natural one and is the basis for the Bachelor of Science major in Computer Science. For students interested in the application of the computer in business, the Computer Science/Business major provides a strong background in computer science and in business.

Academic computing resources include a network of high performance workstations, providing a diverse collection of architectures, operating systems, programming languages, software packages, and software development tools in support of coursework and student research in computer science. Department computer laboratories are used for many courses in Mathematics and Computer Science. All computers are on the campus network and have access to the Internet.

Students are introduced to mathematics and computer science via modern pedagogical approaches and have a manifold experience in their courses. They learn subject matter in context, learn some relevant history of the subject, learn to think analytically and logically, and gain experience in both problem solution and in the communication of their solutions to problems. As students move through upper-level courses they develop the ability to critically assess and formulate logical arguments and proofs, and the attitude necessary to cope with the demands of independent inquiry. Students enrolled in mathematics and computer science courses also learn how to formulate and solve problems and to document their solutions; empirically investigate conceptual material in the field and to use those “experiments” to generate conjectures; communicate effectively in both written and oral forms, which are typical of the literature of the mathematical sciences; and search and use the literature of the mathematical sciences.