Mathematics and Computer Science

The department offers two majors: mathematics and computer science. A student majoring in mathematics or computer science must present nineteen full course credits (seventy-six hours) from outside the major field. A student with a double major in the department must take a comprehensive exam in each major, and must take twelve full course credits (forty-eight hours) outside the major field.

Major in mathematics: The standard entry-level course is Mathematics 101 (Calculus I). Students entering Sewanee with a strong background in mathematics may be invited to enroll in Mathematics 102 (Calculus II), Mathematics 207 (Multidimensional Calculus), or a more advanced mathematics course.

A major in mathematics must successfully complete the equivalent of Mathematics 101, 102, 207, 210, 215, and successfully complete the following two requirements:

1) Six advanced mathematics courses selected from differential equations and mathematics courses numbered 300 or above. These courses must include:

a) One course from two of the following three areas: abstract algebra or algebraic number theory, real analysis or complex analysis, topology.

b) One two-course sequence selected from the following: abstract algebra, analysis, topology, probability and statistics.

2) The comprehensive exam in mathematics has three parts: a written exam covering Calculus I, Calculus II, Mathematics 207, 210, and 215 which students are expected to take at the beginning of their junior year; the senior talk; and an oral exam taken during the senior year.

Majors are strongly encouraged to take Computer Science 157.

A mathematics major with an average of at least 3.5 in mathematics courses numbered 200 and higher may elect to apply for departmental honors. Those who complete an independent study project and a paper approved by the faculty, present the paper in public, and earn an honors grade (A or B) on the comprehensive examination receives departmental honors at graduation.

Major in computer science: A major in computer science must take the introductory courses — Computer Science 157, 257, 270; advanced courses — Computer Science 320, 284, 428; and three elective courses chosen from among the computer science courses numbered 270 or above to be selected in consultation with the departmental advisor. Mathematics 301, which emphasizes both numerical and symbolic computing, may serve as one of the required computer science elective courses. In addition, computer science majors must take Mathematics 101, 215, and one additional mathematics or statistics course numbered 102 or higher. With the permission of the department, students who are well prepared may begin their computer science sequence with Computer Science 257.

Departmental honors may be conferred on students considered worthy of distinction. Most of the following accomplishments are generally expected:

1) an average of at least 3.5 in computer science courses numbered 300 and higher;

2) a superior performance on both the written and oral comprehensive examination;

3) an original project, usually as part of a 444 computer science elective course, and oral defense or presentation of the work;

4) additional course work in computer science beyond the minimum requirement.

Minors: The department also offers a minor in mathematics and a minor in computer science. A minor in mathematics requires the successful completion of the calculus sequence through Mathematics 207 and any four mathematic's courses numbered above 207. A minor in computer science requires the successful completion of Computer Science 157 and 257 and three courses numbered 270 and above.