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Mathematics and Computer ScienceFull Time Faculty: Vittorio Addona, Andrew Beveridge, David Bressoud, Daniel Flath, Susan Fox, Thomas Halverson, Alicia Johnson, Daniel Kaplan, Karen Saxe (Chair), Shilad Sen, Elizabeth Shoop, Chad Topaz, Stan Wagon Part Time Faculty: David Ehren, Joan Hutchinson, Lisa Lendway, Richard Molnar, A. Wayne Roberts, G. Michael Schneider, Jessica Striker, Eric Theriault Students and faculty in the department cooperate in sponsoring guest speakers, films, student presentations, and social and recreational events. Macalester has an established student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the national honor society for computer science students. MathematicsThe department offers courses in pure and applied mathematics and statistics to meet the needs of students with a wide range of interests such as: —.careers involving applied mathematics, computational science or statistics in business or industry or government (such as biostatistics, econometrics, etc.); —secondary school teaching; —.graduate work in mathematics, operations research, statistics, or computational science. The department offers a mathematics major and minor, and a statistics minor.
Placement Entering students who have studied calculus in high school and who wish to enroll in a course more advanced than the entry level course, Mathematics 135, Applied Calculus, should consult the program coordinator of mathematics about choices among Mathematics 136, 137, 155, 236, 237. Students with weak high school preparation in mathematics are encouraged to consult with the mathematics counselor in the MAX Center. General Distribution Requirement All courses in the department count toward the general distribution requirement in mathematics and natural science except those numbered 265, 614, and 624. Mathematics 265 counts toward the humanities general distribution requirement. Mathematics 116 is especially appropriate for those students not needing specialized skills or training in mathematics. General Education Requirements Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester. Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog. Major Requirements Students earn a major in Mathematics by choosing between two paths: Mathematics or Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Students considering a major in the department are required to complete a planning form available from the department coordinator. Requirements for Mathematics are: 1. Discrete Mathematics: the introductory course Mathematics 136. Exceptionally well-prepared students may replace this course with a second course from 3 or 4, below. 2. Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus: the two courses Mathematics 236 and Mathematics 237. We recommend that these be completed by the end of the sophomore year. 3. Discrete Core: At least one of: Mathematics 373, 376, 379. 4. Continuous Core: At least one of: Mathematics 312, 371, 377. 5. Depth Course: At least one of the following, which must be taken at Macalester: Mathematics 432, 437, 469, 471, 476, 477, 478. 6. Elective: At least one other Mathematics course numbered 300–489, or 494. 7. Supporting Courses: * A Computer Science course that is not cross-listed as a Mathematics course. We recommend that this course be taken by the end of the sophomore year. * The statistics course Mathematics 155, taken after Mathematics 236 or 237. 8. Capstone: In order to fulfill the College’s capstone graduation requirement, all students majoring in mathematics must write a senior paper and present their results at a departmental conference, and also must take and complete the 1-credit class Mathematics 490, Senior Capstone Seminar, in the spring semester of their senior year. (Note: Double majors within the department need to take only one capstone seminar— either Mathematics 490 or Computer Science 490.) Capstone guidelines are given on the department website www.macalester.edu/mathcs. Note to students preparing for graduate work in mathematics: You should take Mathematics 376, 377, and several courses chosen from Mathematics 471, 476, 477, 478. Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year. Requirements in Applied Mathematics and Statistics are: 1. Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus: Mathematics 236 and 237. We recommend that these be completed by the end of the sophomore year. 2. Multivariate Statistics: Mathematics 253 (S). 3. Applied Mathematics and Statistics: at least FOUR of the following, one of which must be a 400-level course: Mathematics 312, 354 (S), 355 (S), 432, 437, 469, or a topics course (Mathematics 294, 394, 494) specifically identified as fulfilling the requirement such as “mathematical biology,” “applied linear algebra,” or “survival analysis.” With departmental approval, students may substitute another mathematics class that ties directly to other applied coursework (e.g., economics students may want to take Mathematics 377). 4. Scientific Computation: Mathematics 365 5. Computer Science: at least TWO of: an introductory programming course (Computer Science 121 or 123), Computer Science 124, 221, 340, 346, 480, 484. 6. Integrative Experience in the form of at least one of the following: * An internship or summer research project approved by the department; * A minor or major in another department tied to applied mathematics or statistics (e.g., physics, economics, psychology, sociology, chemistry, geology, geography, environmental studies) approved on a case-by-case basis by the department. * A preceptorship in two of the courses included in the applied mathematics requirement; 7. Capstone: In order to fulfill the College’s capstone graduation requirement, all students majoring in mathematics by taking the Applied Mathematics and Statistics path must write a senior paper tied to applied mathematics or statistics and present their results at a departmental conference, and also must take and complete the 1-credit class Mathematics 490, Senior Capstone Seminar, in the spring semester of their senior year. (Note: Double majors within the department need to take only one capstone seminar— either Mathematics 490 or Computer Science 490.) Capstone guidelines are given on the department website www.macalester.edu/mathcs. 8. At least TWO courses taken for the major must be those specifically marked as (S). This part of the requirement can also be fulfilled by appropriate courses approved for this purpose offered by other departments: Economics 381 Introduction to Econometrics Economics 481 Advanced Econometrics Psychology 202 Research in Psychology II Note to students preparing for graduate work: You should plan your major with consideration of the entrance requirements for your specific field. For example, graduate applied mathematics departments often expect Mathematics 377. Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year. Requirements for the Computer Science major are found in this catalog following the mathematics course descriptions. Minor Requirements To obtain a minor in mathematics, you must complete the following: 1. Mathematics 136, 236, 237 and at least 8 semester credits from Mathematics courses numbered 300–489, except topics courses unless prior departmental approval has been given. 2. Computer Science 121 or 123 or an equivalent course. To obtain a minor in statistics, you must complete the following: 1. Computer Science 121 or 123 or an equivalent course; Mathematics 155, 253, 354, and 355. Students preparing for graduate work in statistics are also encouraged to take Mathematics 236 and 237. Honors Program The mathematics and computer science department participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, and specific project expectations are available either from the department office or the Director of Academic Programs. Topics Courses 194, 294, 394, 494 Selected topics in mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics. Recent courses include Game Theory, Knot Theory and Newton’s Principia and the Scientific Revolution. To be announced at registration. (4 credits) Computer ScienceProgram coordinator: Susan Fox Two basic principles underlie the teaching of computer science at Macalester. First, the program stresses the fundamental principles of computer science—theory of computation, algorithms, languages, software design, and computer organization—as well as programming and the applications of computer technology. A computer science graduate from Macalester will be well prepared for either advanced study or research and development work in industry. Second, the program is firmly committed to the principles and ideals of a liberal arts education. A computer science major or minor includes both technical requirements as well as extensive course work in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. An important goal of the program is to produce graduates who are self-educators and life-long learners, characteristics that are so important in a rapidly changing discipline. Placement Students seeking an introductory computer science course typically choose among four options: Computer Science 120, 121, 123, or 124. The first three courses are suitable for students with little or no background in computing, programming, or computer science. All three function as both the first course in the major and minor as well as an introduction to the discipline for those not planning to take further coursework (see below for a brief comparison of the three). Students who have significant prior experience of computer science may choose to enroll in Computer Science 124, Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming. The rare student may begin coursework beyond that point. Students who are uncertain which course to enroll in should contact the program coordinator for advice. Computer Science 120, Introduction to Computing and its Applications, is a survey course that provides a broad overview of the discipline of computer science, including the history of computing and the social and ethical concerns raised by information technology. This course is ideal for students in all fields, especially those in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. It is also appropriate for potential computer science students who would like their first course to be a survey of the field. Computer Science 121, Introduction to Scientific Programming, focuses on the applications of computing in the physical sciences, natural sciences, and other fields such as economics and geography. This would be an ideal first course for students majoring in a scientific or quantitative area. It is also appropriate for potential computer science students who would like their first course to be an introduction to a scientifically-oriented language such as MatLab and its use in solving a range of interesting scientific problems. The third course, Computer Science 123, Core Concepts in Computer Science, explores computer science through a set of core ideas, theoretical and practical, such as design, implementation, and analysis of algorithms, and common data representations. Currently this course uses applications from media computation and robotics to motivate the central ideas. This course is ideal for students who want to begin with an examination of the fundamental conceptual issues of computer science. General Distribution Requirement All courses in the computer science program count toward the general distribution requirement in mathematics and natural science. Topics courses will be considered for general distribution requirements on an individual basis. General Education Requirements Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester. Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog. Major Requirements Requirements for a major in computer science are: 1. Introductory sequence: * One of the three introductory courses Computer Science 120, 121, or 123. A student may not receive credit towards the major for more than one of these courses. Students who pass out of these courses typically begin the major with Computer Science 124. * The introductory course Computer Science 124. 2. Core courses: the four required core courses Computer Science 221, 225, 240, and 261. 3. Elective courses: A minimum of three advanced elective courses in computer science, numbered 300–500, excluding Computer Science 490. 4. Supporting courses: Mathematics 136 and any two additional mathematics courses taken at Macalester and approved by the department. Courses which are highly appropriate for computer science majors would include: Mathematics 135, 137, 155, 236, 369. 5. Capstone: All students majoring in computer science must take and complete the 1 credit class Computer Science 490, Senior Capstone Seminar, in their last two semesters (Note: double majors within the department register for either Mathematics 490 or Computer Science 490 during spring semester.) In addition, as part of the capstone experience each student works with a Macalester faculty member on a project, writes a capstone paper, and presents his or her results at a departmental conference. Capstone guidelines are given on the department website www.macalester.edu/mathcs. In addition to the three required mathematics courses, students are strongly encouraged to include some of the following courses as part of their elective program: Mathematics 155 (Introduction to Statistical Modeling), Mathematics 236 (Linear Algebra), Mathematics 354 (Probability), Mathematics 369 (Advanced Symbolic Logic), Mathematics 355 (Mathematical Statistics), and Mathematics 432 (Mathematical Modeling). Students who plan to attend graduate school in computer science are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of computer science electives as well as additional supporting work in related disciplines. In order to ensure orderly progress through the curriculum, introductory courses (Computer Science 120, 121, or 123, 124) and core courses (Computer Science 221, 225, 240, 261) should generally be completed before a student enrolls in advanced electives or begins an independent project. A typical computer science major would take the following courses toward the major in the first two years: Year 1: Computer Science 120, 121, or 123; 124; Mathematics 136; a second mathematics course Year 2: Computer Science 225; 221; 240; 261; a mathematics course However, there is a good deal of flexibility in the computer science program, and a student’s exact schedule will be determined only after consultation with his or her major advisor. Minor Requirements Requirements for a minor in computer science are: Any five courses in computer science numbered 120 and above, one of which must be Computer Science 221. (Note: Credit can be awarded for only one of the introductory courses Computer Science 120, 121, or 123.) Honors Program The mathematics and computer science department participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations are available either from the department office or the Director of Academic Programs. Topics Courses 194, 294, 394, 494 Topics of interest to students in the field of computer science but which are not part of the regular curriculum. When the course is offered, the topic and prerequisites for that semester will be announced and posted prior to registration. (4 credits)
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