BA in Mathematics & Computer Science
Mathematics, statistics, and computer science are the subjects making up the 'Mathematical Sciences.' The joint major in Mathematics & Computer Science allows students to explore all of these related disciplines and is appropriate for Mathematics majors with an interest in applications in computer science and Computer Science majors wishing to have more breadth in foundations and applications. Mathematics & Computer Science majors should have advisors in both the Mathematics & Statistics Department and the Computer Science Department.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing the BA in Mathematics & Computer Science will have:
In-depth knowledge in the mathematical foundations.
Programming and software engineering skills.
Combined theoretical and technical skills to use on real-world applications.
Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University's general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Mathematics & Computer Science will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Quantitative Reasoning and some elements of the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.
Principal Courses
Unless otherwise noted, all required courses are 4 unit hours. The following courses have to be taken at Boston University and cannot be transferred: CS320, CS332, CS350.
Lower Division
CAS CS 111 and CS 112 Introduction to Computer Science I & II, or equivalent
CAS CS 210 Computer Systems
CAS MA 123 and MA 124 Calculus I & II or one of the following:
CAS MA 127 Enriched Calculus, MA 129 Honors Calculus, or equivalent
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus or MA 230 Honors-Level Vector Calculus
CAS MA 242 Linear Algebra or MA 442 Honors Level Linear Algebra
CAS MA 293 Discrete Mathematics or CAS CS 131 Combinatorial Algorithms
CAS MA 294 Applied Abstract Algebra
CAS MA 581 Probability OR CAS CS 237 Probability in Computing
CAS MA 581 may also count toward the Upper Division requirement of two MA courses level 200 or above
Upper Division
CAS CS 330 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms
Two of the following:
CAS CS 320 Concepts of Programming Languages
CAS CS 332 Elements of the Theory of Computation
CAS CS 350 Fundamentals of Computing Systems
Two additional computer science courses level 400 or above
One two-course sequence selected from:
CAS MA 531–532 Mathematical Logic/Foundations of Mathematics
CAS MA 541–542 Modern Algebra I & II
CAS MA 555–556 Numerical Analysis I & II
CAS MA 569–570 Optimization Methods of Operations Research/Stochastic Methods of Operations Research
CAS MA 581, 582, 583 Probability, Mathematical Statistics, Introduction to Stochastic Processes (any two)
Two additional MA courses level 200 or above
Honors in the Major
January 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
725 Commonwealth Avenue,
BOSTON,
Massachusetts,
02215, United States
Apply as a first-year student if you are currently in your last year of high school, have completed high school, are a GED recipient, or have completed a high school equivalency exam. If you are currently in high school and are part of a dual enrollment program, you should also apply as a first-year student.
English Proficiency Testing Results:
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT): Students who are most competitive for admission will have a composite score of at least 90-100 and minimum scores of 20 in each section.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A total/overall score of 7 or higher
Duolingo English Test (DET): Students who are most competitive for admission will have a total score of at least 125-135.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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