Applied Mathematics and Computer Science Major

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science is awarded jointly by the College of Letters and Science and the College of Engineering and Applied Science. As such, it contains in-depth study in both colleges. Students who intend to complete the program in four years would need to begin taking mathematics in their first semester.

Degree Objectives

The primary objective of the Applied Mathematics and Computer Science degree is to educate students who are better able to do problem solving in the technical fields that require skills in both analytical math and computer science. Another significant objective is to graduate students who have acquired these skills in the context of a program designed around their own interests. To accomplish the first of these objectives, students must gain a solid foundation in both applied mathematics and computer science that includes opportunities for integrated course work and/or practical experience. Achieving the second objective requires the assistance of qualified advisors who can help students select courses appropriate for the employment of scientific, engineering, economic, or statistical applications to businesses and industries of specific interest to each student. The range of course work available through the two departments as well as the wide array of liberal arts courses available at the University will support the development of analytical and computing skills in a variety of fields.

Admission to the Major

Students are not formally admitted to the major until their junior year. Admission to the junior year of the program requires a GPA of at least 2.5 in 8 credits of mathematics courses at or above the 200 level and 6 credits of computer science courses at or above the 200 level.

General Requirements

For the BS (AMCS) degree, 120 credits are required, of which 80 must be taken from the College of Letters and Science. Students must satisfy the general education requirements (GER) of the university. They must complete at least 6 credits each from humanities and social sciences, 3 credits from the arts, and 6 additional credits in any of these three areas or in foreign languages. Students also must take at least 8 credits of natural sciences outside of mathematics or mathematical statistics, including at least one laboratory course from biological sciences, chemistry, or physics. A cultural diversity course must be included among the humanities and social science courses selected.

Core Curriculum

Advanced Requirements

At least 48 credits selected from CompSci, Math, and MthStats courses at the 300 level or above, beyond those listed above, including the following:

All courses selected for the major must be approved by an AMCS advisor, and students should check regularly with their advisors to plan their courses of study in a coherent and timely fashion.