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MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
2009-2010
Professors of
Mathematics: Karen Collins,
Chair, Adam Fieldsteel,
Mark Hovey, Michael S. Keane, Philip H. Scowcroft, Carol Wood
Associate Professors
of Mathematics: Petra Bonfert-Taylor, Wai Kiu
Chan, David J. Pollack,
Edward Taylor Assistant Professors
of Mathematics: Constance Leidy, Christopher Rasmussen
Professors of
Computer Science: David Krizanc, Michael Rice
Vise Chair
Associate Professors
of Computer Science:
Norman Danner,
James Lipton
Assistant
Professor
of Computer Science: Eric Aaron
Undergraduate
Program
Departmental Advising Experts
2009–2010:
Eric Aaron, Computer Science; Chris Rasmussen, Mathematics; Carol
Wood, Mathematics
Department/Program
Home Page
Major programs. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers a major in mathematics and a major in computer science. We also participate in the Mathematics-Economics Program, described below.
Each student's course of study is 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 the student's career. The course of study is planned in consultation with the department's advisory committees or the student's faculty advisor.
Graduate study. Interested students should inquire about the combined BA/MA program. Advanced undergraduates may enroll in graduate (500-level) courses.
Honors program. An undergraduate may achieve the BA with honors in mathematics or honors in computer science via one of several routes:
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The honors thesis, written under the supervision of a faculty member under conditions monitored by the University Committee on Honors
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(Mathematics only) A strong performance in a suitable sequence of courses, normally including some graduate courses, selected in consultation with a member of the department's advisory committee. The candidate also is expected to prepare a public lecture on a topic chosen together with
a faculty advisor.
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(Mathematics only) The comprehensive examination, offered by the department and/or by visiting consultants to select students nominated by the faculty.
Lectures. The departmental colloquium series presents lectures on recent research by invited mathematicians and computer scientists from other institutions. Advanced undergraduates are encouraged to attend these colloquia and to participate in graduate seminars. The undergraduate Math Club hosts informal talks in mathematics; these talks are accessible to students at all levels.
Mathematics major
requirements:
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A year of differential and integral calculus (typically MATH121 and
MATH122)
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Vectors and Matrices (MATH221) or Linear Algebra (MATH223)
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Multivariable Calculus (MATH222)
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An elementary
knowledge of mathematical algorithms and computer programming, as
demonstrated by COMP112 or COMP211.
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Abstract Algebra (MATH261) and Fundamentals of Analysis (MATH225)
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A coherent selection of at least four additional courses in advanced mathematics,
200-level or above, chosen in consultation with an advisor from the department.
Notes: At least one of MATH261 and
MATH228 must be completed by the end of the student's junior year. Students who have completed a year of calculus in high school successfully may place out of one/both of
MATH121 and MATH122. An AP score of 4 or better indicates the
student should consider beginning with the 200-level
courses. The requirement of four additional courses may be relaxed if the student has a coherent program of study that includes concentration approaching a major in a closely related area, subject to approval by the Departmental Advisory Committee (DADCOM).
Undergraduate majors in mathematics are encouraged to study languages while at Wesleyan; majors who are considering graduate study in mathematics should note that graduate programs often require a reading knowledge of French, German, and/or Russian.
Computer Science major
requirements:
Graduate Program
The department's graduate programs include a PhD program in mathematics and MA programs in mathematics and in computer science. The research emphasis at Wesleyan at the doctoral level is in pure mathematics and theoretical computer science. One of the distinctive features of our department is the close interaction between the computer science faculty and the mathematics faculty, particularly those in logic and discrete mathematics.
Among possible fields of specialization for PhD candidates are
algebraic
geometry, algebraic topology, analysis of algorithms, arithmetic
geometry, categorical algebra, combinatorics, complex analysis, computational logic, data mining,
elliptic curves, fundamental groups, Galios theory, ergodic theory, geometric analysis, graph theory, homological algebra, Kleinian groups and discrete groups,
knot theory, logic programming, mathematical physics, model theory, model-theoretic algebra, number theory, operator algebras, probability theory, proof theory, topological dynamics, and topological groups.
Graduate students at Wesleyan enjoy small, friendly classes and close interactions with faculty and fellow graduate students. Graduate students normally register for three classes a semester and are expected to attend departmental colloquia and at least one regular seminar. The number of graduate students ranges from 18 to 22, with an entering class of
three to six each year. There have always been both male and female students, graduates of small colleges and large universities, and United States and international students, including, in recent years, students from China, Germany, Hungary, India, Korea, Mexico, Peru, and Poland. All of the
department's recent PhD recipients have obtained faculty positions. Some of these have subsequently moved to mathematical careers in industry and government.
Requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy. The doctor of philosophy degree demands breadth of knowledge, an intense specialization in one field, a substantial original contribution to the field of specialization, and a high degree of expository skill. The formal PhD requirements consist of the following:
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Courses. At least 16 one-semester courses are required for the PhD degree.
Several of the courses are to be in the student's field of specialization,
but at least three one-semester courses are to be taken in each of the three
areas: algebra, analysis, and topology. First-year students
are expected to take the three two-semester sequences in these areas.
However, students interested in computer science may replace course work in
one of these areas with course work in computer science, with the permission
of the departmental Graduate Education Committee. One of the 16 courses must
be in the area of logic or discrete mathematics, as construed by the
departmental Graduate Education Committee.
However, students interested in computer science may replace
course work in one of these areas with course work in computer science, with
the permission of the Departmental Graduate Education Committee. One
of the 16 courses must be in the area of logic or discrete mathematics, as
construed by the departmental Graduate Education Committee.
Language examinations. It is strongly recommended that PhD candidates have or acquire a knowledge of French, German, and Russian sufficient for reading the mathematical literature in these three languages. Knowledge of two of these three languages is required.
General preliminary examinations.
The general preliminary examinations occur in the summer
after the candidate's first year of graduate study and cover algebra,
analysis, and topology (or computer science, in the case of students
including this option among their three first-year subjects).
Special preliminary examination. The special preliminary examination should occur during the
candidate 's third year of graduate work. The candidate is expected to exhibit sufficient mastery of the chosen specialty to
qualify to begin research leading to a doctoral dissertation under a faculty thesis advisor. The candidate demonstrates this mastery by giving a lecture on a topic, chosen in consultation with an advisor. A faculty committee evaluates the
candidate's performance.
Dissertation. The dissertation, to be written by the PhD candidate under the counsel and encouragement of the thesis advisor, must contain a substantial original contribution to the field of specialization of the candidate and must meet standards of quality as exemplified by the current research journals in mathematics.
Defense of dissertation. The final examination is an oral presentation of the dissertation in which the candidate is to exhibit an expert command of the thesis and related topics and a high degree of expository skill.
Four to five years are usually needed to complete all requirements for the PhD degree, and two years of residence are required. It is not necessary to obtain the MA degree en route to the PhD degree. Recently, some students have obtained the MA in computer science and the PhD in mathematics. Any program leading to the PhD degree must be planned in consultation with the departmental Graduate Education Committee.
Requirements for the degree master of arts. The requirements for the master of arts degree are designed to ensure a basic knowledge and the capacity for sustained, independent, scholarly study. The formal MA requirements consist of the following:
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Courses. Six one-semester graduate courses in addition to the research units
MATH591 and 592 or COMP591 and 592 are required for the MA degree. The choice of courses will be made in consultation with the departmental Graduate Education Committee.
Thesis. The thesis is a written report of a topic requiring an independent search and study of the mathematical literature. Performance is judged largely on scholarly organization of existing knowledge and on expository skill, but some indications of original insight are expected.
Final examination. In the final examination, an oral presentation of the MA thesis, the candidate is to exhibit an expert command of the chosen specialty and a high degree of expository skill. The oral presentation may include an oral exam on the material in the first-year courses. A faculty committee evaluates the
candidate's performance. Three semesters of full-time study beyond an undergraduate degree are usually needed to complete all requirements for the MA degree. Any program leading to the MA degree must be planned in consultation with the departmental Graduate Education Committee.
Last updated:
May 27, 2009.
Contact
wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit
comments or suggestions.
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459
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