Why Study Math and Computer Science? What’s required to earn a degree? It's all summarized in our major map for Math and Computer Science (MACS).
Math and Computer Science (MACS) Major
MACS General Information
The major in mathematics and computer science serves students who want knowledge in both fields but who are not ready to specialize in either. The program is designed to develop team players for information-based occupations. Its graduates have the tools to analyze complex problems and to compute the answers to them. The joint major program offers students the chance to explore computer science while retaining strong foundations in mathematics.
MACS Degree Overview
To obtain a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, you must satisfy the specific major requirements as stated in the UO Catalog at the time you are admitted to the major:
You need not complete all steps in order, but you should carefully plan all steps at the outset of your academic career. As a MACS major, it is essential that you meet with your advisor to be sure that you are satisfying your major requirements. Advising hours may be obtained from the department's main office, 120 Deschutes Hall.
You should also work with Academic Advising make sure you are satisfying your degree requirements.
MACS General University Requirements
To earn a bachelor's degree, you must satisfy general university requirements as stated in the UO Bulletin for the year you entered the UO. In addition, you must satisfy the specific MACS major requirements that are in effect at the time you are admitted to that program. Since the major requirements change over time, you must be careful to adhere to the requirements in effect at the time of admission to the program as a MACS major.
The College of Arts and Sciences awards both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees to students who major in MACS. In general, if you fulfill the MACS major requirements, you will automatically qualify for a BS degree. To qualify for the BA degree, you must also fulfill the College of Arts and Science's language requirement
MACS Major Requirements
To be eligible for a BS or BA in Mathematics and Computer Science, you must meet the major requirements for MACS Core classes, and elective courses approved by your advisor.
MACS Lower-Division Requirements
When you declare MACS as your intended major, you must fulfill the following lower-division requirements before continuing in the MACS major.
- Math 251, 252, 253 (Calculus I, II, III) OR Math 261, 262, 263 (Honors Calculus I, II, III)
- Math 231, 232 (Discrete Mathematics I, II)
- CS 210, 211, 212 (Computer Science I, II, III)
Students must earn grades of B- or higher in CS 210, 211, 212 and in Math 231, and 232 for automatic advancement to the upper-division courses. Students with at most one C in the lower-division required courses may submit a prerequisite override request form to continue in the major.
MACS Major Progress Review
Students should schedule an appointment with a CS advisor and complete a CS Major Progress Review Form after beginning Upper Division Courses.
Satisfactory Progress in the MACS Major Lower Division
Students must earn grades of B- or higher in CS 210, 211, 212 and in Math 231 and 232 for automatic advancement to upper-division CS courses.
Students with at most one C (any level) in the lower-division required courses and no other warning signs regarding preparedness for upper-division courses (for example, repeated courses or other low grades) may submit a prerequisite override request to continue in the major. Students should be aware that requests are not automatically approved; approval depends on individual circumstances and will be conditional.
Students who receive a prerequisite override to register for a 300-level class must earn a grade of B- or better in that class. Any grade below B- in a class for which an override was given, will be treated as a grade below C- in an upper-division core course.
Satisfactory Progress in the MACS Major Upper Division
All upper-division coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Unless otherwise indicated, all required coursework used to satisfy major requirements must be taken graded. At least 12 credits of CS upper-division elective courses numbered 410 or higher must be taken graded.
Students who receive two grades below C- in upper-division core courses, or three grades below C- in any upper-division CS classes, will be removed from the major.
Petitions
Exceptions or modifications to departmental requirements may be requested via written petition to the CS Undergraduate Education Committee. It is expected that you will have discussed the matter with your advisor.
Prerequisites
Admission to a given CS course requires completion of all the prerequisites listed in the UO Catalog. Waiver of a prerequisite is possible only through a Prerequisite Override Request Form to the Undergraduate Education Committee.
Prerequisite Override Requests should be submitted 10 days before the registration time for which the student needs that exception.
Students with at most one C in the lower division required courses may submit a prerequisite override request to continue in the major. Other warning signs regarding preparedness for upper-division courses for example, repeated courses or other low grades are taken into consideration.
Students who receive a prerequisite override to register for a 300-level class must earn a grade of B- or better in that class. Any grade below B- in that class for which an override was given will be treated as a grade below C- within major requirements. (See Satisfactory Progress Policy above)
Students should be aware that requests are not automatically approved; approval depends on individual circumstances and will be conditional.
MACS Core Requirements
To obtain a BS or BA in Mathematics and Computer Science, you must complete the following core courses, totaling 100 credits, of which at least 12 credits in Mathematics and 12 credits in Computer and Information Science must be completed in residence at UO.
Lower-Division Courses (32 credits)
Complete the following sequences. All courses must be taken graded.
- CS 210-212 Introduction to Computer Science I-II-III
- MATH 231-232 Elements of Discrete Mathematics I-II
- Complete one of the following sequences. All courses must be taken graded.
- MATH 251, 252, 253 Calculus I, II, III
- MATH 261, 262, 263 Calculus with Theory I, II, III
Mathematics Core Courses (24 credits)
Choose one of the following courses. The course must be taken graded.
- MATH316 Elementary Analysis
- MATH 347 Fundamentals of Number Theory
- MATH 391 Fundamentals of Abstract Algebra 1
Complete the following courses. All courses must be taken graded.
- MATH 341, 342 Elementary Linear Algebra I, II
Complete one of the following sequences. All courses must be taken graded.
- MATH 351, 352 Elementary Numerical Analysis I, II
- MATH 461, 462 Introduction to Mathematical Methods of Statistics I, II
Take one other upper-division mathematics course. This elective course must be taken graded. Note: Excluding MATH 425, 426 and 427.
Computer Science Core Courses (28 credits)
Complete the following courses. All courses must be taken graded.
- CS 313 Introduction to Data Structures
- CS 314 Computer Organization
- CS 315 Introduction to Algorithms
- CS 425 Principles of Programming Languages
Complete one of the following courses. The course must be taken graded.
- CS 330 C/C++ and Unix
- CS 322 Introduction to Software Engineering
- CS 420 Automata Theory
- CS 422 Software Methodology I
Complete two additional upper-division CS courses. These courses may be taken Pass/No Pass or Graded
CS 399 and CS 410 courses used as electives must have a prerequisite of CS 313 and have regular class meetings and homework assignments. At least one course must be numbered 410 or above.
Writing Course (4 credits)
Complete one of the following courses. The course may be taken Pass/No Pass or Graded
- WR 320 Scientific and Technical Writing
- WR 321 Business Communications
Science Requirements (12 credits)
Complete one of the following options. The courses may be taken Pass/No Pass or Graded.
- Physics: PHYS 201, 202, 203 General Physics I, II, III
- Physics: PHYS 251, 252, 253 Foundations of Physics I, II, III
- Chemistry: CH 221, 222, 223 General Chemistry I, II, III
- Chemistry: CH 224H, 225H, 226H Honors General Chemistry I, II, III
- Biology: CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principals or CH 113 The Chemistry of Sustainability or CH 221 General Chemistry or CH 224 Honors General Chemistry and BI 211 General Biology and BI 212 General Biology or BI 213 General Biology
- Psychology: PSY 201 Mind and Brain and choose two from [301 Scientific Thinking, 304 Biopsychology, 305 Cognition, 348 Music and the Brain]
- Geography: GEOG 141 The Natural Environment and two from GEOG 321 Climatology, GEOG 322 Geomorphology, or GEOG 323 Biogeography
- Geological Sciences: GEOL/ERTH 201 Earth's Interior Heat and Dynamics, GEOL/ERTH 202 Earth Surface and Environmental Geology, GEOL/ERTH 203 Evolution of the Earth