Math/CS Catalog Info

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
About the Department

This page contains information about majoring and minoring in mathematics and computer science. The information comes from the Hobart and William Smith Colleges 2016 Catalog. See also the course descriptions for Mathematics courses and Computer Science courses

MATHEMATICS FACULTY

Jocelyn Bell, Assistant Professor
Jennifer Biermann, Assistant Professor
David Eck, Professor
Alden Gassert, Visiting Assistant Professor
Jonathan Forde, Associate Professor
Yan Hao, Assistant Professor
Erika King, Associate Professor
Joseph Rusinko, Associate Professor

COMPUTER SCIENCE FACULTY

Stina Bridgeman, Associate Professor
David Eck, Professor
Christopher Fietkiewicz, Assistant Professor
Hanqing Hu, Visiting Assistant Professor

ABOUT MATHEMATICS

Mathematics has always been one of the core subjects of a liberal arts education because it promotes rigorous thinking and problem-solving ability. Many students who major in mathematics go on to graduate school or to work in related professions. For other students, mathematics is popular as a second major or as a minor in combination with another major from any of the College's academic divisions.

To meet the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities encountered after graduation, mathematics majors are encouraged to obtain a broad but firm foundation in the discipline. Majors acquire skill in the use of mathematical methods for dealing with problems from a variety of disciplines, and complement these tools with some training in computer science.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers two disciplinary majors in mathematics (B.A. and B.S.) and a disciplinary minor in mathematics. In addition to the specific courses listed below, other courses may be approved by the department for credit toward a major. To be counted toward the major or minor, all courses must be passed with a grade of C− or better; credit/no credit courses cannot be taken toward the major or minor.

ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computers are an integral part of today's society, and understanding how to effectively use the power of computing is increasingly important. The study of computer science also promotes rigorous thinking and problem-solving ability — beneath the technical knowledge necessary for working with computers, computer science is, at its core, very much the study of how to solve problems. Many students who major in computer science go on to graduate school or to work in related professions. For other students, computer science is a good choice for a second major or minor, in combination with another major from any of the College's academic divisions. Regardless of field, students often find that the skills they have gained studying computer science are highly sought-after by employers. To meet the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities encountered after graduation, computer science majors are encouraged to obtain a broad but firm foundation in the discipline. In a rapidly growing and changing field, the department offers a range of courses that enable majors to use modern technology, to understand its applications across a broad range of disciplines, and to understand the fundamental and enduring principles underlying those applications. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers two disciplinary majors in computer science (B.A. and B.S.) and a disciplinary minor in computer science. In addition to the specific courses listed below, other courses may be approved by the department for credit toward a major. To be counted toward the major or minor, all courses must be passed with a grade of C− or better; credit/no credit courses cannot be taken toward the major or minor.

MATHEMATICS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (B.A.)

(disciplinary major, 11 courses)

MATH 135, MATH 204, and MATH 232; CPSC 124; either MATH 331 or MATH 375; MATH 471; two additional Mathematics courses at the 200 level or above; one additional Mathematics course at the 300 level or above; and two additional courses chosen from Mathematics (MATH 131 and above) and Computer Science (CPSC 220 and above). Completion of an honors project and presentation of the thesis at the Senior Symposium may be substituted for MATH 471.

MATHEMATICS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (B.S.)

(disciplinary major, 15 courses)

MATH 135, MATH 204, MATH 232, MATH 331, and MATH 375; MATH 471; CPSC 124; three additional Mathematics courses at the 200 level or above; on additional Mathematics course at the 300 level or above; one additional Computer Science course (CPSC 220 and above); and three additional courses in the Natural Science division that count towards the major in their respective departments. Completion of an honors project and presentation of the thesis at the Senior Symposium may be substituted for MATH 471.

MATHEMATICS MINOR REQUIREMENTS

(disciplinary minor, 5 courses)

Four Mathematics courses at or above Math 131, and one 300-level Math course.

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (B.A.)

(disciplinary major, 10 courses)

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (B.S.)

(disciplinary major, 15 courses)

CPSC 124, CPSC 220, CPSC 225, CPSC 229, CPSC 327, CPSC 329; a capstone course consisting of a 400-level CPSC course excluding CPSC 450 and CPSC 499; one additional 300- or 400-level CPSC course excluding CPSC 450, CPSC 495, and CPSC 499; two additional computer science courses; and five additional courses from the Natural Science division that count towards the major in their respective departments. (Math 130 can be included in the last category.)

COMPUTER SCIENCE MINOR REQUIREMENTS

(disciplinary, 5 courses)

CPSC 124, CPSC 225, and three additional computer science courses.

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Hobart and William Smith Colleges About the Department