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The department offers majors in computer science and in mathematics. The department also offers the computer science 3-2 option major for those students planning to pursue a combined-degree pre-engineering program (see Combined Bachelor’s/Professional Degrees for general information on pre-engineering programs).

The department provides a full range of courses for students anticipating graduate work in computer science, mathematics, or statistics. There are also courses available for cognate majors where strong mathematical or computer skills are required. Lastly, the department provides service courses in support of many majors on campus, especially those requiring statistics or calculus.

Majors often take advanced courses in other departments directly complementing their studies in mathematics or computer science. Double majors with mathematics or computer science and a related area, such as economics or physics, are often undertaken. Upon graduation, recent majors have found employment in business, management science, statistical research, computing, actuarial science, environmental research, and teaching. In addition, majors have gained admission to graduate or professional programs in computer science, mathematics, philosophy, physics, economics, business, law, and medicine. Potential majors and others interested should consult with any member of the department in planning their course work.

Students double majoring in mathematics and computer science are limited to 17 courses within the department among those counted toward the 34 units required for graduation.

Students wishing to concentrate in computer science should contact Professor McCulloch. Those wishing to concentrate in mathematics should contact Professor Jackson. Those wishing to concentrate in statistics should contact Professor Linder. Those wishing to concentrate in secondary education should contact the Chair of the department.

Learning Objectives

Computer Science, rather than being the study of physical computing machinery and/or computer programs, is the study of abstract transformational processes. A student completing a major in computer science will have been

• Exposed to a broad range of the intellectual achievements of computer science;
• Shown the crucial, pervasive role of abstraction as a conceptual and practical tool for conceptualizing about complex objects;
• Given an opportunity to secure the theoretical and applied foundations necessary to either continue studies in graduate school or to seek employment as a professional computer scientist.