Santa Clara University

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Professors: Gerald L. Alexanderson (Michael and Elizabeth Valeriote Professor), José Barría, Jean J. Pedersen, Edward F. Schaefer, Richard A. Scott, Dennis C. Smolarski, S.J. (Department Chair)
Associate Professors: Glenn Appleby, Robert A. Bekes, Frank A. Farris, Leonard F. Klosinski, Tamsen McGinley, Daniel N. Ostrov, Nicholas Q. Tran, Byron L. Walden
Assistant Professor: George Mohler

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers major programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics or the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Mathematics), as well as required and elective courses for students majoring in other fields. Either major may be pursued with any of three principal goals: preparation for graduate studies leading to advanced degrees in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, operations research, or other fields; preparation for secondary school teaching of mathematics or computer science; or preparation for a research career in business, industry, or government. The major in mathematics may be taken with an emphasis in applied mathematics, financial mathematics, mathematical economics, or mathematics education. The emphasis in mathematics education is designed to prepare majors to take the California Subject Examination for Teachers. The major in computer science may be taken with an emphasis in cryptography and security. Minors in mathematics or computer science are also available.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science maintains a pro-gram for the discovery, encouragement, and development of talent in mathematics or computer science among undergraduates. This program includes special sections, seminars, individual conferences, and directed study guided by selected faculty members. Students are also encouraged to participate actively in research projects directed by faculty.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

In addition to fulfilling University Core Curriculum requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, students majoring in mathematics and computer science (mathematics) must complete the following departmental requirements for the respective degree:
Major in Mathematics

• CSCI 10 (or demonstrated equivalent proficiency in computer programming)
• MATH 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 51, 52, and 53
• PHYS 31 and 32, with the associated laboratory section for PHYS 32. Students with a special interest in the application of mathematics in the social sciences or economics may substitute ECON 170 or 173 for PHYS 32. Students planning to teach in secondary schools may substitute, with approval of the department chair, PHYS 11 and 12 for PHYS 31 and 32.
• Seven approved upper-division courses in mathematics or computer science, one of which must be MATH 102 and at least one of which must be MATH 103, 111, or 176

Students planning to undertake graduate studies in pure mathematics should plan to take MATH 105, 111, 112, 113, 153, and 154. Students plan-ning to undertake graduate studies in applied mathematics should complete the emphasis in applied mathematics and take MATH 105, 144, 153, 154, and 155.
Emphasis in Applied Mathematics
Complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with the following specifications:

• MATH 102, 122, 123, 166, and either 103 or 176
• Two courses from MATH 125, 144, 155, 165, 178, CSCI 164, or an ap-proved alternative upper-division mathematics (but not computer science) course

Emphasis in Financial Mathematics
Complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with the following specifications and additions:

• MATH 102, 122, 123, 125, 144, 166
• BUSN 70
• ACTG 11, 12
• FNCE 121, 124

Emphasis in Mathematical Economics
Complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with the following specifications and additions:

• MATH 102, 122, 123, 166
• ECON 113
• Three courses from MATH 125, ECON 170–174

Emphasis in Mathematics Education
Complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with the following specifications and additions:

• MATH 101, 102, 111, 122, 123 (or 8), 170, 175 (or 178)
• EDUC 198B

Students are strongly recommended to complete the urban education minor.
Major in Computer Science (Mathematics)

• MATH 11, 12, 13, 14, 51, 52, 53
• CSCI 10, 60, 61
• PHYS 31 and 32 with the associated laboratory section for PHYS 32
• COEN 20, COEN (or ELEN) 21 and 21L
• CSCI 163 and one course from CSCI 161, 166, or 167
• Two upper-division courses from the following list and two approved upper-division courses not on the list: MATH 144, 176, 177; CSCI 161, 162, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 181, 182, 196. Computer science majors may not take CSCI 165 or 166 as MATH 165 or 166. (Although not required, MATH 122 is highly recommended.)
• COEN 177 and one approved COEN upper-division course
• One additional approved upper-division course from COEN, CSCI or MATH 144, 176 or 177

Students are encouraged to select one of the following areas of focus to guide their choices of upper-division courses:

• Foundations: CSCI 161, MATH 176 and 177, COEN 173
• Numerical Computation: MATH 144, CSCI 165 and 166, COEN 145
• Software: CSCI 161 and 169, COEN 174, COEN 176 or 178
• Graduate School Preparation: CSCI 166, MATH 176 and 177, COEN 175
• Another area of focus developed in conjunction with the department

Emphasis in Cryptography and Security
Complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Mathematics) with the following specifications:

• MATH 178
• CSCI 181
• COEN 150 and either COEN 146 or 152
• MATH 122 and CSCI 182 are highly recommended

For the major in either mathematics or computer science (mathematics), at least four of the required upper-division courses in the major must be taken at Santa Clara. A single upper-division course in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science may not be used to satisfy requirements for two majors or minors.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINORS

Minor in Mathematics
Students must fulfill the following requirements for a minor in mathematics:

• MATH 11, 12, 13, 14, and either 52 or 53
• Three approved upper-division mathematics courses with no more than one course selected from MATH 165 and 166. In place of MATH 165 or 166, a student may select an upper-division computer science course.

Minor in Computer Science
Students must fulfill the following requirements for a minor in computer science:

• CSCI 10, 60 and 61
• MATH 12 or 51
• COEN 20, 21 and 21L
• Three approved upper-division computer science courses. In place of an upper-division computer science course, a student may select from MATH 144, 176, or 177.

PREPARATION IN MATHEMATICS FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER TRAINING CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS

The State of California requires that students seeking a credential to teach mathematics or computer science in California secondary schools must pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), a subject area competency examination. The secondary teaching credential additionally requires the completion of an approved credential program, which can be completed as a fifth year of study and student teaching, or through an undergraduate summer program internship. Students who are contemplating secondary school teaching in mathematics or computer science should consult with the coordinator in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science as early as possible.

 

LOWER and UPPER DIVISION COURSE LISTINGS are AVAILABLE in the Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF)