Computer Science Major | Computer Science Minor | Mathematics Major | Mathematics Minor | Statistics Minor

Full 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, Yu Zhang

Part Time Faculty: David Ehren, Richard Molnar, A. Wayne Roberts

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.

Mathematics

The 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, MATH 135, Applied Calculus, should consult the program coordinator of mathematics about choices among Mathematics MATH 136, MATH 137, MATH 155, MATH 236, MATH 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 MATH 265, MATH 614, and MATH 624. MATH 265 counts toward the humanities general distribution requirement. MATH 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.

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

MATH 194, MATH 294, MATH 394, MATH 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)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Computer Science

Program 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: COMP 120, COMP 121, COMP 123, or COMP 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 COMP 124 - Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures. 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.

COMP 120 - Computing and Society, 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. COMP 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, COMP 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.

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

COMP 194, COMP 294, COMP 394, COMP 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)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Computer Science Major

Major Requirements

1. Introductory sequence:
   • One of the three introductory courses COMP 120, COMP 121, or COMP 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 COMP 124.
   • The introductory course COMP 124.
2. Core courses: the four required core courses COMP 221, COMP 225, COMP 240, and COMP 261.
3. Elective courses: A minimum of three advanced elective courses in computer science, numbered 300–500,excluding COMP 490.
4. Supporting courses: MATH 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: MATH 135, MATH 137, MATH 155, MATH 236, MATH 369.
5. Capstone: All students majoring in computer science must take and complete the 2 credit class COMP 490 - Senior Capstone Seminar, in their last two semesters. 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.

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: MATH 155 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling, MATH 236 - Linear Algebra, MATH 354 - Probability, MATH 369 - Advanced Symbolic Logic, MATH 455 - Mathematical Statistics, and MATH 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 (COMP 120, COMP 121, or COMP 123, COMP 124) and core courses (COMP 221, COMP 225, COMP 240, and COMP 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: COMP 120, COMP 121, or COMP 123, COMP 124; MATH 136; a second mathematics course
Year 2: COMP 225; COMP 221; COMP 240; COMP 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.

Computer Science Minor

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 COMP 221. (Note: Credit can be awarded for only one of the introductory courses COMP 120, COMP 121, or COMP 123.)

Mathematics Major

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 MATH 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 MATH 236 and MATH 237. We recommend that these be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
3. Discrete Core: At least one of: MATH 373, MATH 376, MATH 379.
4. Continuous Core: At least one of: MATH 312, MATH 371, MATH 377.
5. Depth Course: At least one of the following, which must be taken at Macalester: MATH 432, MATH 437, MATH 469, MATH 471, MATH 476, MATH 477, MATH 478 .
6. Elective: At least two other Mathematics course numbered 300–489, or MATH 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 MATH 155, taken after MATH 236 or MATH 237.
8. Capstone: The College's capstone graduation requirement in Mathematics (both tracks) will be satisfied by
   
   • passing an approved capstone course (these courses will be identified in the course catalog descriptions, with the sentence "This course will count towards the capstone.") or registering for an Independent Study associated with an Honors thesis, and
   • giving a public presentation of your work to a general audience on Capstone Day in April.

The capstone course must be taken junior or senior year. Each course designated as such will include a serious semester project, and each math major must pass the project part of the class. Additionally, each capstone-designated course will require students to attend at least two departmental seminars.

Note to students preparing for graduate work in mathematics: You should take MATH 376, MATH 377, and several courses chosen from MATH 471, MATH 476, MATH 477, MATH 478. Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year.

Requirements in Applied Mathematics and Statistics are:

1. The THREE introductory courses: MATH 155 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling, MATH 236 - Linear Algebra, and MATH 237 - Multivariable Calculus.
2. At least FIVE intermediate or advanced courses, chosen from this list:
   
   • MATH 253 (S), MATH 312, MATH 353 (S), MATH 354 (S), MATH 365 (S, C), MATH 432, MATH 437, MATH 455, MATH 469;
   • COMP 302 (S, C), COMP 484 (S, C);
   • A topics course (MATH 294, MATH 394, MATH 494) specifically identified as fulfilling the requirement such as Mathematical Biology, Applied Linear Algebra or Survival Analysis;
   • A most one of the following courses from allied departments:
     • Econometrics: ECON 381 or ECON 481 (S)
     • Psychology Research Methods II: PSYC 200 (S)
     • A 400-level Physics course.
     • Physical Chemistry II or Computational Chemistry
3. TWO Computation courses: One of COMP 121 or COMP 123 AND one of COMP 124, COMP 221, COMP 302, COMP 340, COMP 346, COMP 365 or COMP 484.
4. Three or more courses with an S designation.
5. 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;

6. Capstone: The College's capstone graduation requirement in Mathematics (both tracks) will be satisified by
   • passing an approved capstone course (these courses will be identified in the course catalog descriptions, with the sentence "This course will count towards the capstone.") or registering for an Independent Study associated with an Honors thesis, and
   • giving a public presentation of your work to a general audience on Capstone Day in April.

The capstone course must be taken junior or senior year. Each course designated as such will include a serious semester project, and each math major must pass the project part of the class. Additionally, each capstone-designated course will require students to attend at least two departmental seminars.

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 MATH 377. Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year.

Mathematics Minor

To obtain a minor in mathematics, you must complete the following:

1. MATH 136, MATH 236, MATH 237 and at least 8 semester credits from Mathematics courses numbered 300–489, except topics courses unless prior departmental approval has been given.
2. COMP 121 or COMP 123 or an equivalent course.

Statistics Minor

Minor Requirements

To obtain a minor in statistics, you must complete the following:

COMP 121 or COMP 123 or an equivalent course; MATH 153 or MATH 155; MATH 253; and any 2 of the following: MATH 353, MATH 354, and MATH 355.

Students preparing for graduate work in statistics are also encouraged to take MATH 236 and MATH 237 .