Program Description

Mathematics and computer science play a role of unprecedented importance in contemporary society. Purchase College students who major in mathematics/computer science are introduced to the principal areas of these disciplines, with an emphasis on applications. While the major requirements include some choices, all students acquire a strong foundation in the traditional areas of both disciplines. In addition, students can gain important experiences as network administrators, Web masters, and technical assistants for courses and projects in the School of Natural and Social Sciences at Purchase College, and by completing off-campus internships. Student work has appeared in the Annals of Discrete Math, Graph Theory Notes of NY, and Journal of Computing at Small Colleges.

The Mathematics/Computer Science Program offers an excellent preparation for graduate work and careers in a wide variety of professions, including teaching, software development, systems analysis, multimedia, and financial analysis. Recent graduates are successfully pursuing advanced degrees at such institutions as Columbia University, Binghamton University, and the CUNY Graduate Center. They are also engaged in a range of careers, from education to the finance and computer industries.

Program Faculty

Requirements for the Major

• Calculus I, II & III
• Computer Science I & II
• Linear Algebra
• Discrete Mathematics or Differential Equations
• Data Structures or Topics in Advanced Mathematics
• Three upper-level electives in mathematics/computer science
• Two science courses
• Mathematics Senior Seminar I & II
• Senior Project

Representative Courses

Advanced Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Creating User Interfaces
Introduction to Unix and Modern Operating Systems
Creating Dynamic Web Documents
Creating Databases for Web Applications
Social Software
Numerical Analysis
History of Mathematics Seminar
Networking and Security
Advanced Security
Robotics
Informatics in Biology and Medicine
Java and Multimedia Programming
Building XML Applications with Java
The Emerging Web: Collaborations in Web Design Using XML
Abstract Algebra
Topics in Advanced Mathematics
Graph Theory with Applications

Representative Alumni

• Timothy Bocchi ’93, Ph.D., City University of New York; assistant professor of mathematics and physics, Alfred State, SUNY College of Technology
• Jennifer Carlo ’04, graduate student in computer science, Binghamton University, State University of New York
• Eric Choi ’05, graduate student in mathematics, City University of New York
• Herbert Garcia ’04, graduate student in electrical engineering, State University of New York, New Paltz
• Dane Haliday ’04, insurance adjustor, St. Paul Travelers
• Miroslav Krajnak ’03, graduate student in mathematics, City University of New York
• Marvin Littman ’94, assistant professor at Westchester Community College
• Matthew Mitchell ’99, teaches at Lehman College, City University of New York
• Julia Mosenkova ’04, technical support engineer, Lingvo (a company creating an electronic, multilanguage dictionary in Moscow)
• Yumiko Muramatsu ’96, executive director, Asset Management International, Goldman Sachs
• Wanda Haas Read ’93, financial analyst, Stolt Parcel Tankers, Inc.
• Aliya Robinson ’04, application developer, IBM Consulting Services
• Mariusz Sabath ’98, software engineer, IBM Watson Research Center, and inventor with multiple U.S. patents
• Michael Schlachter ’05, technical support representative, Datacap
• David Serrano ’04, graduate student in civil engineering, Manhattan College
• Helene R. Tyler ’93, Ph.D., Syracuse University; assistant professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Manhattan College
• Immanuel Utomo ’05, graduate student in computer science, Boston University
• William Widulski ’87, associate professor of computer science, Westchester Community College; co-author, The Saga of Mathematics: A Brief History
• Jackie Yee ’05, graduate student in mathematics, City University of New York

For more information, visit the Math/Computer Science site in Academic Programs or e-mail naturalsciences@purchase.edu.

Updated May 27, 2008