Overview
Science and technology are the foundations of our future. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) is focused on the understanding of fundamental scientific principles and the application of these principles to solving complex problems, using computing technology.
The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science is intended for students who are interested in computer science and mathematical computing. It provides a solid knowledge of theoretical computer science and its mathematical foundations and compares favorably with other theoretically-oriented computer science programs. The program is particularly recommended to those students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in computer science or computational mathematics.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ST-MACS-BS
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- achieve a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA
- achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA in the 3000+ Computer Science courses required for the major
- achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA in the 3000+ Mathematics courses required for the major
- successfully complete MATH 3098 and one of the following two-semester analysis sequences
Undergraduate Contact Information
Department of Computer and Information Sciences
Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Gene Kwatny, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Andrew Rosen, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 349
215-204-3193
andrew.rosen@temple.edu
Department of Mathematics
Brian Rider, Chair
Wachman Hall, Room 638
215-204-7841
mathematics@temple.edu
Maria Lorenz, Vice Chair
Wachman Hall, Room 610
215-204-7852
mathadvising@temple.edu
Boris Datskovsky, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Wachman Hall, Room 632
215-204-7847
mathadvising@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Software Design Independent Research in Computer Science Projects in Computer Science Introduction to Modern Algebra or MATH 3098Modern Algebra Senior Problem Solving - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (72-74 s.h.)
At least 10 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 5 Math and 4 Computer Science courses must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Computer & Information Science courses CIS 1068 Program Design and Abstraction 4 or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction CIS 1166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing I 4 or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I CIS 2107 Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming 4 CIS 2166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing II 4 CIS 2168 Data Structures 4 CIS 3207 Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems 4 CIS 3223 Data Structures and Algorithms 3 Select one of the following: 4 Software Design 1 3000+ CIS Elective 2Mathematics courses MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II MATH 2043 Calculus III 4 or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III Select one of the following: 3-4 Linear Algebra Linear Algebra with Computer Lab (F) MATH 2111 Basic Concepts of Math 3 MATH 3031 Probability Theory I 3 MATH 3096 Introduction to Modern Algebra 3 or MATH 3098 Modern Algebra Select one of the following: 3-4 Numerical Analysis I (F) Real & Complex Analysis I (F) Select one of the following: 3 Real & Complex Analysis II (S) 3 3000+ MATH Elective 4Science courses Select one of the following sequences: 8 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
and General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIHonors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I
and Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory IIElementary Classical Physics I
and Elementary Classical Physics IIHonors Elementary Classical Physics I
and Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (F, S)General Physics I
and General Physics IIHonors General Physics I
and Honors General Physics II (F, S)Capstone course Select one of the following: 3 Independent Research in Computer Science Projects in Computer Science 1 Senior Problem Solving 3 Total Credit Hours 72-74 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course - 1
CIS 3296 is a prerequisite for CIS 4398 and should be taken as a 3000+ Computer & Information Science elective if you plan to take CIS 4398 as the capstone course.
- 2
Must be approved by Computer & Information Science faculty advisor.
- 3
MATH 3138 is a prerequisite for MATH 4096 and should be selected as a 3000+ Math elective if you plan to take MATH 4096 as the capstone course.
- 4
Must be approved by Mathematics faculty advisor. Students may take MATH 2121 to fulfill this requirement.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CIS 1068 or CIS 1968 | Program Design and Abstraction or Honors Program Design and Abstraction | 4 |
| MATH 1041 or MATH 1941 | Calculus I or Honors Calculus I | 4 |
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 1166 or CIS 1966 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing I or Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I | 4 |
| MATH 1042 or MATH 1942 | Calculus II or Honors Calculus II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 2168 | Data Structures | 4 |
| MATH 2043 or MATH 2943 | Calculus III or Honors Calculus III | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Linear Algebra with Computer Lab (F) | ||
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Elective | 1-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 2107 | Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming | 4 |
| CIS 2166 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing II | 4 |
| MATH 2111 | Basic Concepts of Math | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3207 | Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Numerical Analysis I (F) | ||
| Real & Complex Analysis I (F) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 3223 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Real & Complex Analysis II (S) 1 | ||
3000+ MATH Elective 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Software Design [WI] 2 | ||
3000+ CIS Elective 2 | ||
| MATH 3031 | Probability Theory I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Modern Algebra [WI] | ||
| Modern Algebra [WI] | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] | ||
| Projects in Computer Science [WI] 2 | ||
| Senior Problem Solving [WI] 1 | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||
- 1
MATH 3138 is a prerequisite for MATH 4096 and should be selected as a 3000+ Math elective if you plan to take MATH 4096 as the capstone course. Mathematics electives must be 3000 or higher, and they must be approved by the Mathematics faculty advisor. Students may take MATH 2121 to fulfill this requirement.
- 2
CIS 3296 is a prerequisite for CIS 4398 and should be taken as a 3000+ Computer & Information Science elective if you plan to take CIS 4398 as the capstone course. Computer & Information Science electives must be 3000 or higher, and they must be approved by the Computer & Information Science faculty advisor.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated programs may be of interest to students in the Mathematics and Computer Science BS:
College of Science and Technology