BS with a Major in Mathematics and Computer Science
The Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics and Computer Science is designed for students who seek careers in computer science and/or computer related fields requiring a strong mathematical background. The program is flexible and provides the students with a well-rounded education. Students pursuing the major in Mathematics and Computer Science must complete either the Concentration in Algorithms and Theory or the Concentration in Computational Mathematics.
Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of Requirements | ||
| Major Requirements | 38-39 | |
| General Education and Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours | 81-82 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog for information on meeting these requirements.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 180 | Calculus I a,b | 4 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus II a | 4 |
| MATH 210 | Calculus III a | 3 |
| MATH 215 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
| MCS 160 | Introduction to Computer Science a | 4 |
| MCS 275 | Programming Tools and File Management | 4 |
| MATH 300 | Writing for Mathematics c | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Linear Algebra I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Symbolic Computation d | ||
| Introduction to Data Structures e | ||
| In addition, students must complete one of the following concentrations: | 9 | |
| Concentration in Algorithms and Theory | ||
| Computer Algorithms I | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Combinatorics | ||
| Graph Theory | ||
| Codes and Cryptography | ||
| Theory of Computation I | ||
| Computational Geometry | ||
| Concentration in Computational Mathematics | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Industrial Math and Computation | ||
| Computational Geometry | ||
| Models in Applied Mathematics | ||
| Applied Differential Equations | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Computational Statistics | ||
| Linear and Non-Linear Programming | ||
| Total Hours | 38-39 | |
- a
This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
- b
MATH 180 also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
- c
MATH 300 fulfills the LAS Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
- d
MCS 320 is recommended for students who plan to pursue the Concentration in Computational Mathematics.
- e
MCS 360 is recommended for students who plan to pursue the Concentration in Algorithms and Theory.
Recommended Plan of Study
Students who do not place into MATH 180 should expect to take summer session courses and possibly take longer than four years to graduate. Students who have taken AP exams in calculus or computer science need to see a departmental advisor for correct placement.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MATH 180 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| General Education Core course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 181 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MCS 160 | Introduction to Computer Science | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH 210 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 215 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-5 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 310 or MATH 320 |
Applied Linear Algebra or Linear Algebra I |
3 |
| MCS 275 | Programming Tools and File Management | 4 |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-5 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MCS 320 or MCS 360 |
Introduction to Symbolic Computation or Introduction to Data Structures |
3-4 |
| MATH 300 | Writing for Mathematics | 1 |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-4 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| MCS 401 or MCS 471 |
Computer Algorithms I or Numerical Analysis |
3 |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH, MCS, or STAT selective in concentration | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH, MCS, or STAT selective in concentration | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Elective Course Suggestions for MCS Majors
A minor is strongly recommended in: physics, chemistry, biology, economics, or from the College of Engineering, except computer science.