You are here:  UHD 1999/2000 Catalog / Academic Programs / Computer and Mathematical Sciences Department

• COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

  Bachelor of Science
  Majors in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Quantitative Methods

  Minor Programs

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COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Kenneth Oberhoff, PhD, Chair

Room 705-South, 713-221-8012

Faculty

Professors:		Aló, Barnes, Deeba, de Korvin, London, Rodriguez
Associate Professors:		Becerra, Beheshti, Hu, Oberhoff, Sirisaengtaksin, Turski, Vobach, Waller, Xie
Assistant Professors:		Anderson, Berrached, DeLaViña, Hodgess, Tharp
Lecturers:		Baker, Gad, Leveille, Nadler, Nakamura, Nguyen, Rosenthal-Simmons, Shankin, Solomon
Emeriti:		Wood, Freeman
Academic Areas:		Computer science, mathematics, statistics

Programs of Study

Bachelor of Science with majors in:

Computer Science
Applied Mathematics
Quantitative Methods

The degree programs in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences provide students with an education responsive to the expanding uses of mathematical and computer techniques in business, government and industry. They are designed to permit students to select courses suited to a variety of interests and career goals. In achieving these objectives, advising plays an important role and consequently each student is assigned an advisor to assist with the student’s schedule and career planning. Academic progress by a departmental major is periodically evaluated by the departmental Academic Screening Committee, and students are advised appropriately.

Undergraduate training in the mathematical sciences has undergone substantial change during the past decade. This change has been driven by advances and developments in the computer field and the expanding use of computers in business, government and industry. Growing demands exist for professional applied mathematical scientists. These individuals, optimally, have a solid background in basic mathematics, an understanding of advanced programming languages as well as advanced software techniques and a mastery of important techniques in applied mathematics such as operations research and statistics. Virtually all industrial, business and governmental environments need individuals with these qualifications.

Those whose interests lie in the administrative or managerial sciences are especially valuable in market forecasting, computer-based accounting systems, industrial control, management training programs and long-range planning decisions. Those with an interest in statistics are valuable to firms that deal with large amounts of data, such as banking and insurance companies, which need personnel to develop and maintain the associated software.

General Requirements for Graduation

The Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences requires all candidates pursuing degrees in that department to have a grade of “C” or better in all Computer and Mathematical Sciences course work. A grade of “D” in one of these courses will not satisfy Computer and Mathematical Sciences degree requirements. Transfer grades of “D” are not accepted by the department.

Students are responsible for meeting the requirements for graduation. Therefore, students should become familiar with the requirements listed in this Catalog and their degree plan and should refer to them each time they plan their semester program of study.

The last 25 percent of the semester credit hours of course work toward the degree must be taken at the University of Houston– Downtown. A minimum of 18 semester hours of upper level credit in CMS courses must be completed at UHD. Students who wish to take courses at another college or university, including any other campus of the University of Houston System, and apply the credits earned toward their degree must request approval through the department which administers their program before taking the course. Courses taken without such approval may not be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science
Majors in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Quantitative Methods

Elias Deeba, DA, Coordinator

Room 705-South, 713-221-8012

The Computer and Mathematical Sciences degree programs are structured to develop written and oral communication skills, to provide broad-based studies in the mathematical sciences, and to provide a selection of advanced course work in computer science, applied mathematics and/or statistics.

One of the key aspects of the program is the Senior Seminar during which students are exposed to the world community as it relates to the major. In addition, students prepare a project proposal for their possible practicum. As a result of their performance in this course, students are invited to participate in the Senior Project or are assigned an appropriate writing course.

All degree candidates must have a 2.0 GPA average and a grade of “C” or better in all Computer and Mathematical Sciences course work. Transfer grades of “D” are not accepted by the department. Any course substitutions or waivers must be approved by the department chair and dean.

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Students who complete the requirements of the University College are accepted for advising into the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences after they complete MATH 1301 College Algebra with a grade of “C” or better.

To declare a major in the department, students must satisfactorily complete a prescribed set of courses (see departmental application for advising form) in the prospective degree plan. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in the prescribed courses to be accepted as a major. Policies regarding the degree programs are printed on the program sheets distributed by the department. In compliance with the accrediting principles of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, the business content of non-business programs is limited to no more than 25 percent of the hours prescribed for graduation.

Applied Mathematics Major

The curriculum is structured to prepare the student to develop and use analytical skills, to master mathematical techniques required in related fields of applications, and to enter the employment market with relevant and proficient mathematical tools for areas such as industrial mathematics, applied statistics, or computer analysis and programming for various types of applications. The degree requires a minimum of 128 semester credit hours.

General Education and Core Requirements (see page 21)

Additional General Education Requirements: Students majoring in applied mathematics are also required to take ENG 3302, SPCH 1304 and CS 1408 or CS 1410. Eight hours of lab sciences are required and must be in the same natural science and be approved by the department: MATH 2305 satisfies the analytical skills requirement of the General Education program. The writing skills requirement may be met by taking ENG 3302 and one of the following W courses: MATH 4395; MATH 4306; MATH 4312; MATH 4301; MATH 4328.

Mathematical Sciences Requirements (41 hours)

MATH 2305, MATH 2401, 2402, 2403, 2307, 3301, 3302, MATH 3306 or MATH 3307, MATH 3308, 4294, 4395 (or approved W course). Six hours of additional upper-level mathematical sciences courses other than MATH 3309.

Minor (18 approved hours minimum)

Any university-approved minor will satisfy this requirement.

Electives (24 hours to complete a minimum of 128 hours total)

Computer Science Major

The program in Computer Science provides students with a broad-based general education, a strong foundation in core mathematical sciences, course work major in computer science and an area of application emphasizing the knowledge acquired in the mathematical science core and in the computer science major. Such a program, with its professional orientation, is intended to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills and training to enter into problem solving and decision making careers in computer science.

General Education and Core Requirements (see page 21)

Additional general education requirements for students majoring in Computer Science are ENG 3302 and SPCH 1304. Eight hours of lab sciences are required and must be in the same natural science and be approved by the department. Math 2305 satisfies the analytical skills requirement of the General Education program. The writing skills requirement may be met by taking ENG 3302 and one of the following W-courses: CS 4395; CS 4306; CS 4312; CS 4301; CS 4328.

Mathematics Requirements (20 hours)

MATH 2305, 2401, 2402, 2307, 3301 and 3302.

Computer Science Requirements (44 hours)

CS 1410, 2310, 2401, 3304, 3306, 3402, 4294, 4303, 4315, and 4395 (or approved W course). In addition, 12 approved hours of upper-level Computer Science courses must be taken.

Minor (18 approved hours minimum)

Any approved university minor plus six additional hours of natural science will satisfy this requirement.

Electives (five hours to complete a minimum of 128 hours total)

Quantitative Methods Major

The curriculum in Quantitative Methods is structured to allow students to be employed in areas requiring the tools of discrete mathematics and statistics. The advent of high-speed digital computers and technological advances being made in this area have encouraged the development of, and have resulted in, important advances that constitute significant mathematical tools for such areas as the life sciences, administrative/managerial sciences and the social/behavioral sciences. The major in Quantitative Methods, through its core of courses, emphasizes those tools of discrete mathematics that have impacted greatly the development and advancement of areas such as those mentioned above. Consequently, this major complements the major in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and will be selected by students desiring a quantitatively oriented program that emphasizes statistics and the decision sciences.

General Education and Core Requirements (see page 21)

Additional general education requirements for students majoring in quantitative methods are: ENG 3302; PHIL 2303; SPCH 1304. Eight hours of lab sciences are required and must be in the same natural science and approved by the department. MATH 2305 satisfies the analytical skills requirement of the General Education program. The writing skills requirement may be met by taking ENG 3302 and one of the following: MATH 4395; MATH 4306; MATH 4312; MATH 4301; MATH 4328.

Mathematical Sciences Requirements (39 hours)

CS 1408 or CS 1410, MATH 1305, 1306, 2305, 2307, 3309, 3310, 4294, 4395 (or approved W course) and four courses chosen from MATH 4300, 4303, 4307, 4309, 4310, 4311. The sequence 2401, 2402, 3302 may be substituted for 1305, 1306, 3309, 3310.

Minor (18 hours minimum)

Any university-approved minor will satisfy this requirement.

Electives (27 hours to complete a minimum of 128 hours)

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Minor Programs

Minor in Applied Mathematics (21 hours minimum)

Required Courses:

MATH 2401, MATH 2402, MATH 2403, MATH 2307. Six hours required from: MATH 3301, MATH 3302, MATH 3306, MATH 3307, MATH 3308, MATH 4301, MATH 4302, MATH 4304, and MATH 4305. The six upper level hours must be completed at UHD. All hours counted toward the minor must be “C” or better.

Minor in Computer Science (19 hours minimum)

Required Courses:

CS 1410; CS 2310; six hours beyond CS 1305 and six hours of upper-level Computer Science. The six upper level hours must be completed at UHD. All hours counted toward the minor must be “C” or better.

Minor in Statistics (18 hours minimum)

Required Courses:

The sequence MATH 1305, MATH 1306, MATH 3309 or the sequence MATH 2401, MATH 2402, MATH 3302; and nine hours required from: MATH 3310, MATH 4300, MATH 4306, MATH 4307, MATH 4309 and MATH 4310.

Minor in Decision Sciences (18 hours minimum)

Required Courses:

The sequence MATH 1305, MATH 1306, MATH 3309 or the sequence MATH 2401, MATH 2402, MATH 3302; and 9 hours required from: MATH 4303, MATH 4306, MATH 4307 and MATH 4311.

For all minors:

• No D accepted toward credit to minor
• At least 6 hours of upper-level course work in the minor must be completed at the University of Houston–Downtown

Honors Program in the Computer and Mathematical Sciences

To enhance the educational opportunities and experiences of the academically talented students at UH-Downtown, the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences offers an Honors Program. The program is designed to challenge and motivate students to do more than the minimum required for a particular degree. Students who successfully complete this program will be designed as graduates of an Honors Program in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences on their diploma and university transcript.

Admission Requirements:

Application to the department’s Honors Program Admission and Review Committee

Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours of recognized university-level work

An overall GPA of at least 3.0 with a GPA of 3.25 or better in CMS courses

Completion of at least 16 semester credit hours in CMS courses, eight of which must have been taken at UH-Downtown.

Program Requirements:

Satisfy the requirements for one of the department’s bachelor of Science degree programs

Complete at least two honors designated courses in addition to three hours of credit in Senior Honor Thesis. The Senior Thesis will be done under the supervision of an approved member of UH-D faculty and will be presented in both oral and written form to the CMS faculty.

Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all CMS courses including the required honors courses.

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses outside the CMS Department taken at UH-Downtown.

The department Honors Program Admissions and Review Committee must approve all honors designated courses and all projects proposed by students for their honors theses. Upper-level courses designated as Honors require at least 25 percent more in-depth study than that required of students taking the course without honors credit. The additional course requirements will vary depending on the course instructor.

Mathematics Certification Program

In addition to the degree program, the CMS Department offers in conjunction with the Urban Education Department, a bachelor of science in Applied Mathematics with mathematics certification.