Mathematics of Computation major: How many CS classes can one take?

firmament2x
Mon, 03 May 2021 06:45:54 +0000

Let me revisit the pre-reqs and reqs for MoC:

Preparation for the Major

Required: Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 61, Physics 1A, 1B, Program in Computing 10A, 10B, 10C, and one course from Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, Physics 1C. Each course must be taken for a letter grade. The mathematics sequenced courses (Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B) are calculated separately from the other preparation for the major courses and must be completed with a minimum overall 2.5 grade-point average and a grade of C or better in each course. The other preparation courses must be completed with a minimum overall 2.0 grade-point average and a grade of C- or better in each course.

Repetition of more than two mathematics sequenced courses or of any mathematics sequenced course more than once results in automatic dismissal from the major.

The Major

Required: Eleven Mathematics Department courses, including Mathematics 115A, 131A, 131B or 132, 151A, 151B, and six courses from 106 through 199 and Statistics 100A through 101C; three upper-division computer science courses (12 units).

Here is a comprehensive list of courses for MoC related to the second bulleted list.

Lower Div:

1. Math 31A - Differential and Integral Calculus, 4.0 (or AP credit)

2. Math 31B - Integration and Infinite Series, 4.0 (or AP credit)

3. Math 32A - Calculus of Several Variables, 4.0

4. Math 32B - Calculus of Several Variables, 4.0

5. Math 33A - Linear Algebra and Applications, 4.0

6. Math 33B - Differential Equations, 4.0

7. Math 61 - Introduction to Discrete Structures, 4.0

8. Physics 1A - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics, 5.0

9. Physics 1B - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields, 5.0

10. Physics 1C - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity, 5.0

11. CS 31 - Introduction to Computer Science I, 4.0

12. CS 32, 4.0 - Introduction to Computer Science II, 4.0

13. CS 33, 5.0 - Introduction to Computer Organization, 5.0

14. CS 35L, 4.0 - Software Construction Laboratory, 4.0

Total of these pre-major courses is 60 units.

Upper Division:

1. Math 115A - Linear Algebra, 4.0

2. Math 131A - Analysis, 4.0

3. Math 131B - Analysis, 4.0

4. Math 151A - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

5. Math 151B - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

6. Math/Stats Elective 1, 4.0

7. Math/Stats Elective 2, 4.0

8. Math/Stats Elective 3, 4.0

9. Math/Stats Elective 4, 4.0

10. Math/Stats Elective 5, 4.0

11. Math/Stats Elective 6, 4.0

12. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 1, 4.0 (upper div is numbered 100-199)

13. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 2, 4.0

14. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 3, 4.0

15. CS 1xx - In lieu of Writing I, 4.0

16. CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 1, 4.0

17. CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 2, 4.0

18. CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31A, 4.0

19. CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31B, 4.0

20. CS 1xx - in lieu of Physics 1A, 4.0

Total of these 20 major courses is 80.

Total Units:

GEs = ~70 - 12 = 58 (Less writing and language)

Premajor courses = 60 - {13} = {47} (Less Math 31A & 31B and Physics 1A)

Major courses = 80 {Please note my forgetting Math 131A & 131B, btw, these would be math classes that would apparently help for grad school if so desired.}

Total = 58 +{47}+ 80 = 185 (This would be a good test for partial AP credits! If not add another class.)

Normally there’s a soft cap {more of a threshold} applied to the 180 units, e.g., so if you can opt out of Math 31A and 31B you will have accumulated 8 units towards graduation. You can choose to keep your 180 units to graduation and graduate {earlier}, or you can raise the cap to 188 and take these extra CS courses.

The above is more of an example set of coursework; there are more classes you can opt out of. Generally, though, one cannot do this for GEs, but language and Writing I can be eliminated.

Let me add a few more notes:

To take CS classes 31, 32, 33, 35L, you have to declare as a Pre-MoC major. I’m sure the same applies to Linguistics/CS and Computational & Systems Biology.

To take CS upper division classes, you need to have applied to MoC major. I’m sure the same applies to L/CS and C&S Bio.

I don’t think I stated this very well at the end of my last post, but you need a 3.5 gpa to apply to the HSSEAS (Samueli Engineering) CS major. What courses this applies to, I’m not sure, but I’m sure it’s CS 31, 32, 33, and 33L {and other possible courses}. But to get into the MoC major, as it says you need a 2.7 in the Math 31A-33B classes.

A “disclaimer” if I may: This exercise is just to give you an idea of what the Mathematics of Computation major is like; I can’t claim that everything I state here is absolutely correct. So to get yourself in line with the true requirements you have to talk with your counselor/advisor {and to switch to the MoC pre-major from another major, do it at orientation}.

{Also other than the Freshman Clusters, the other GE classes can be slow-played, except for Writing I – methinks}.

When I get the time, I’ll try to look at Ling/CS, Computational & Systems Bio, as well as Econ, Bus Econ, and Math/Econ, the latter three being short majors, to which many students are adding things like a Stats double or minor, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, or another math major.