New NYU school combines math, cs and data science

[sfogooner]

NYU Establishes New School: The Courant Institute School of Mathematics,...

[Muu9]

“Courant Institute School…”? Why not just “Courant School…”?

[beefeater]

I’m really curious about these new schools that combine certain programs like this. How does the new Courant Institute School change the way the actual programs are delivered? Similarly with the new William & Mary school that combines CS, physics, and data science. What does that sort of unique combination really give them that’s worthy of separating out from a bigger arts & sciences school? I get the marketing, but just curious if there’s really a difference at the end of the day.

[SJ2727]

Possibly legacy, that they decided to keep in the rebrand of the Courant Institute which is where math and (some) CS have been housed anyway (so now from what I understand bringing in the other departments). I agree it sounds clumsy.

[SJ2727]

@beefeater

I’m really curious about these new schools that combine certain programs like this. How does the new Courant Institute School change the way the actual programs are delivered? Similarly with the new William & Mary school that combines CS, physics, and data science. What does that sort of unique combination really give them that’s worthy of separating out from a bigger arts & sciences school? I get the marketing, but just curious if there’s really a difference at the end of the day.

I think in NYU’s case this had evolved to be 3 different schools/departments (CS could be taken as a major at either at CAS (Courant) or Tandon, math was always Courant, data science was kind of separate) and it sounds now like they are bringing them under one umbrella. One assumes there would be more synergy and less potential duplication this way?

[beefeater]

@SJ2727

One assumes there would be more synergy and less potential duplication this way?

I think the less duplication for NYU around CS makes a ton of sense. But I’m maybe more curious about the synergy aspect.

One thing it would give them is an ability to control enrollment in those majors since they can require secondary admissions for it if students want to change. This seems to be what W&M is doing.

[SJ2727]

@beefeater

One thing it would give them is an ability to control enrollment in those majors since they can require secondary admissions for it if students want to change. This seems to be what W&M is doing.

NYU only requires that you formally declare your major at the end of sophomore year so I don’t think it’s that. I think what is different there - it has so far been that a CS major at Tandon has more STEM requirements vs CAS but also (historical + location reasons) it has been (relatively) significantly easier to get into Tandon than CAS. I am wondering if this is change will have any effect on the “arbitrage” in admissions applications.

[Muu9]

I don’t think they will make changes immediately, but maybe a few years from now the math degree will be offered in and through it as opposed to both CAS and Tandon.