Matthew Coppenbarger, Interim Head, School of Mathematical Sciences
585-475-5887, mecsma@rit.edu
Lindsay Cohen, Academic Adviser
585-475-6479, laciao@rit.edu
Program overview
Computational mathematics prepares students for a mathematical career that incorporates extensive computer science skills. In this major, much emphasis is given to the use of the computer as a tool to solve mathematically modeled physical problems. Students often pursue positions as mathematical analysts, scientific programmers, software engineers, or systems analysts. Job opportunities in private industry and government abound in this field.
Experiential learning
Students are required to complete an experiential learning experience as part of the major. Students may fulfill this requirement by participating in research opportunities, completing a cooperative education placement, or by taking Senior Capstone in Mathematics (MATH-500) as one of their program electives.
Curriculum
Computational mathematics, BS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MATH-181 | LAS Perspective 7A (mathematical): Project-based Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-182 | LAS Perspective 7B (mathematical): Project-based Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-199 | Mathematics and Statistics Seminar | 1 |
| CSCI-141 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CSCI-142 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| ACSC-010 | Year One | 0 |
| LAS Perspective 1 (ethical) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 5‡ (natural science inquiry) | 4 | |
| First Year LAS Elective | 3 | |
| First Year Writing (WI) | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MATH-221 | Multivariable and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH-251 | Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
| MATH-231 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH-241 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| CSCI-243 | The Mechanics of Programming | 3 |
| MATH-200 | Discrete Mathematics with Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
| CSCI-262 | Introduction to Computer Science Theory | 3 |
| MATH-399 | Mathematical Science Job Search Seminar | 0 |
| LAS Perspective 2 (artistic) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 3 (global) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 6‡ (scientific principles) | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| MATH-431 | Real Variables I | 3 |
| MATH-411 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| Program Electives† | 12 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 (social) | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MATH-421 | Mathematical Modeling (WI) | 3 |
| MATH-441 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| Program Electives† | 12 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
Please see General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
† Four of the program electives must be MATH or STAT courses with course numbers of at least 250, and either Graph Theory (MATH-351) or Numerical Linear Algebra (MATH-412) must be one of the four courses.
‡ Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3 or 4 credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student MUST take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement. The lecture alone will not fulfill the requirement.
Accelerated dual degree options
Accelerated dual degree options are for undergraduate students with outstanding academic records. Upon acceptance, well-qualified undergraduate students can begin graduate study before completing their BS degree, shortening the time it takes to earn both degrees. Students should consult an academic adviser for more information.
Computational mathematics, BS degree/Applied and computational mathematics, MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MATH-181 | LAS Perspective 7A (mathematical): Project-Based Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-182 | LAS Perspective 7B (mathematical): Project-Based Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-199 | Mathematics and Statistics Seminar | 1 |
| CSCI-141 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CSCI-142 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| ACSC-010 | Year One | 0 |
| LAS Perspective 1 (ethical) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 5‡ (natural science inquiry) | 4 | |
| First Year LAS Elective | 3 | |
| First Year Writing (WI) | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MATH-221 | Multivariable and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH-241 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH-251 | Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
| MATH-231 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH-200 | Discrete Mathematics with Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
| CSCI-243 | Mechanics of Programming | 3 |
| CSCI-262 | Introduction to Computer Science Theory | 3 |
| MATH-399 | Mathematical Science Job Search Seminar | 0 |
| LAS Perspective 2 (artistic) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 3 (global) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 6‡ (scientific principles) | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| MATH-431 | Real Variables I | 3 |
| MATH-441 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| Program Electives | 12 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 (social) | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MATH-421 | Mathematical Modeling (WI) | 3 |
| MATH-606 | Graduate Seminar I | 1 |
| MATH-607 | Graduate Seminar II | 1 |
| MATH-602 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| Math Graduate Core | 6 | |
| Open Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Program Electives | 6 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| MATH-790 | Thesis | 7 |
| Math Graduate Core | 3 | |
| Concentration Core Courses | 6 | |
| Graduate Electives | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 152 | |
Please see General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
‡ Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student MUST take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement. The lecture alone will not fulfill the requirement.
Admission requirements
Freshman Admission
For all bachelor’s degree programs, a strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. Generally, this includes 4 years of English, 3-4 years of mathematics, 2-3 years of science, and 3 years of social studies and/or history.
Specific math and science requirements and other recommendations
- 3 years of math required; pre-calculus recommended
SAT (EBRW+M)
1240 -1420
ACT Composite
27-33
Transfer Admission
Transfer course recommendations without associate degree
Courses in liberal arts, physics, math, and chemistry
Appropriate associate degree programs for transfer
AS degree in liberal arts with math/science option
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
Computational mathematics prepares students for a mathematical career that incorporates extensive computer science skills. In this program, much emphasis is given to the use of the computer as a tool to solve mathematically modeled physical problems. Graduates of the program often choose positions as mathematical analysts, scientific programmers, software engineers, or systems analysts. Job opportunities in private industry and government abound in this field.
Curriculum
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Computational mathematics, BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1016-210, 211 | Mathematics and Statistics Seminar | 2 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Project-Based Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| 1016-265 | Discrete Math I | 4 |
| 4003-241 | Problem-Based Introduction to Computer Science | 4 |
| 4003-242 | Data Structures for Problem Solving | 4 |
| 4003-243 | Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| Science Electives | 12 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 8 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations I | 4 |
| 1016-351 | Probability | 4 |
| 1016-352 | Applied Statistics | 4 |
| 1016-399 | Math Job Search Seminar | 0 |
| 1016-331 | Linear Algebra I | 4 |
| 4003-334 | Computer Science IV | 4 |
| 3010-361 | Software Engineering | 4 |
| 0502-444 | Technical Writing | 4 |
| Computational Math Concentration | 4 | |
| University-wide Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 1016-432 | Linear Algebra II | 4 |
| 1016-467 | Graph Theory | 4 |
| 1016-461 | Mathematical Modeling | 4 |
| Computational Math Concentration | 8 | |
| University-wide Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 4 | |
| 1016-499 | Cooperative Education (optional)‡ | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1016-411 | Real Variables I | 4 |
| 1016-511 | Numerical Analysis | 4 |
| 1016-512 | Numerical Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Computational Math Concentration | 4 | |
| University-wide Elective | 2 | |
| General Education Electives | 8 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1016-499 | Cooperative Education (optional)‡ | Co-op |
| Fifth Year‡ | ||
| 1016-531, 532 | Abstract Algebra I, II | 8 |
| Computational Math Concentration | 4 | |
| General Education Electives | 6 | |
| 1016-499 | Cooperative Education (optional)‡ | Co-op |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 188 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ This program can be completed in four years if the cooperative education option is omitted.
Computational mathematics, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MATH-181 | LAS Perspective 7A: Project-Based Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-182 | LAS Perspective 7B: Project-Based Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-199 | Mathematics and Statistics Seminar (WI) | 1 |
| MATH-192 | Discrete Mathematics with Introduction to Proof | 3 |
| CSCI-141,142 | Computer Science I, II | 8 |
| LAS Perspective 5† | 3 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar (WI) | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MATH-221 | Multivariable and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH-251 | Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
| MATH-231 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH-241 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| CSCI-243 | Mechanics of Programming | 3 |
| SWEN-261 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 6† | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2, 3 | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| MATH-431 | Real Variables I | 3 |
| MATH-341 | Advanced Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH-441 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH-411 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| Program Electives | 9 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MATH-421 | Mathematical Modeling (WI) | 3 |
| MATH-412 or MATH-351 | Numerical Linear Algebra or Graph Theory | 3 |
| Program Electives | 9 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3 or 4 cr lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student MUST take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement. The lecture alone will not fulfill the requirement.
Accelerated dual degree option
Students may be interested in combining the BS in computational mathematics with an MS in applied and computational mathematics for an accelerated option that allows them to earn both degrees following one year of graduate study. A BS in computational mathematics and an MS in computer science may also be earned through a dual degree option.