MATHEMATICS

Professors: W. Wistar Comfort, Ethan M. Coven, Adam Fieldsteel, Anthony W. Hager (Chair), F.E.J. Linton, James D. Reid, Lewis C. Robertson, Robert A. Rosenbaum (Emeritus), Rae M. Shortt, Carol Wood

Associate Professors: Karen Collins, Philip Scowcroft

Associate Professors of Computer Science: Daniel J. Dougherty, Michael Rice

Assistant Professors of Computer Science: James Lipton, Ramesh Subrahmanyam

Visiting Assistant Professors: Thomas Hagedorn, Dorshka Wylie

Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science: Sug-una Pappu

Major programs. The Department of Mathematics offers a traditional major in mathematics and a major in computer science. There is also a Mathematics-Economics Program, which is described elsewhere in this catalog. The computer science courses also are listed separately under the heading Computer Science.

Each student's course of study, designed to provide an introduction to the basic areas of mathematics or computer science and to provide the technical tools that will be useful later in a career. This course of study is planned in consultation with the department's advisory committees or the student's faculty adviser.

Requirements for the mathematics major (The requirements for the computer science major and the mathematics-economics major are described in those sections of the catalog.) (1) Any of the first-year calculus sequences followed by one of the linear algebra courses (221 or 223) and multivariable calculus (222). Some students may receive advanced placement within this sequence. (2) An elementary knowledge of mathematical algorithms and computer programming. This requirement may be satisfied by passing COMP 211 or by another method approved in advance by the department's Computer Advisory Committee. (3) The courses, Abstract Algebra (261) and Fundamentals of Analysis (225). At least one of the courses 261 and 228 must be completed by the end of the fall semester of the student's junior year. (4) A coherent selection of courses in advanced mathematics and related subjects. In general, at least four additional one-semester courses are required, but the number might be as low as two if the student has a concentration approaching a major in a closely related area.

Graduate study. Interested students should inquire about the combined B.A./M.A. and B.A./Ph.D. programs. The entire graduate program is described in The Graduate Catalog. Undergraduate majors planning graduate study leading to a research career should be aware that graduate schools often require a reading knowledge of two of the following languages: French, German, or Russian. It is also common for advanced undergraduates to enroll in graduate courses (those numbered above 500).

Honors program. There are three routes by which an undergraduate may achieve the B.A. with honors in mathematics or in computer science: (l) the honors thesis, written under the supervision of a faculty member under conditions monitored by the (University) Committee on Honors; (2) the comprehensive examination, offered by the department and/or by visiting consultants to select students nominated by the faculty; (3) a strong performance in a suitable sequence of courses, normally including some graduate courses, selected in consultation with one of the department's Advisory Committees. The candidate also is expected also to prepare a public lecture on a topic chosen together with the faculty adviser.

The Departmental Colloquium, meeting on occasional Fridays at 4:15 p.m., is a series of invited lectures on recent research by mathematicians and computer scientists from other institutions. Appropriately advanced undergraduates are encouraged to attend the colloquia and to participate in graduate seminars.

Faculty members' teaching assignments vary from year to year; a listing of current assignments is posted at the office of the Mathematics Department.