The mathematics/computer science program offers a BA program that combines mathematics with computer science, as well as an undergraduate minor.

It is designed to introduce students to the principal areas of mathematics and computer science, with an emphasis on applications. Students can choose any 5 upper level elective courses based on their preferences. For example, students more interested in programming careers can take Data Structures and Scripting for the Web, while students more interested in mathematics can take courses in Number Theory and Numerical Analysis.

However, all students acquire a strong foundation in the traditional areas of both disciplines. This serves to distinguish Purchase graduates from others with narrower backgrounds. Classes typically are small, and computer classes include closed labs (scheduled time to work in a computer lab with faculty present to provide guidance).

The Senior Project

The capstone experience is the senior project, a yearlong required research project undertaken by each senior in conjunction with a faculty mentor. Many of these projects are prepared for formal presentation at the annual Natural and Social Sciences Student Symposium. Topics from recent years include:

  • A Case Study in Developing a Responsive Social Media Network Website
  • An Interesting Linear Recurrence Relationship
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Challenges and Advantages of Distributed Systems in Modern Computing
  • ​Fake News and Influential Figures, An American Love Story
  • Game Programming in Phaser
  • Liquid-Cooled PC
  • Mathematics and Computer Science Phobias
  • Modern Day Web Application: How to Build it From the Ground Up
  • Origami Teaching to Improve Math Education
  • Switching to Swift: An introduction to Apple’s New Programming Language
  • SUNY Purchase: A 3D Printing Endeavor

In addition, students can gain important experiences as learning assistants for courses, research assistants on projects, technical assistants in the campus technology services department, 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.

About Our Alumni

Our alumni are engaged in careers in a variety of fields, including software engineering, web development, finance, education, and marketing. They work at companies including the New York Life Insurance Company, Accenture, BentoBox, FanDuel, and Morgan Stanley. Several recent graduates have gone on to pursue graduate study at such institutions as Columbia University, Binghamton University, the City University of New York Graduate Center, New York University, Pace University, the University of Chicago, the University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Page Updated 9-17-20