Bachelor of Science - Mathematics and Computer Science (College of Science and Health)

Program Description The BS in Math and Computer Science is a joint degree between the College of Computing and Digital Media and the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science and Health. 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 theoretically 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 Research 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. Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: Construct valid, logical arguments and analyze the reasoning of others. Model a computation problem, select appropriate algorithms and data structures for a solution, justify the correctness of the algorithm, and implement an application solving the problem. Use discrete and continuous mathematical structures to model problems and then solve them using appropriate techniques. Analyze the efficiency of a computational solution mathematically, and validate the analysis experimentally.