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Mathematics and Computer Science at Providence College
Mathematics is an indispensable tool for science and business, but it is also a rich and beautiful field worthy of study for its own sake. A mathematics major will learn to think logically, gain an aesthetic appreciation for the subject, and develop the skills to solve quantitative problems.
The computer science major at PC provides students with the knowledge of networks, databases, operating systems, networking, as well as the mathematics that form the base of the field. Our program incorporates rigorous practice in solving problems using algorithms and teaches students how to implement solutions using high-level programming languages.
Interdisciplinary in structure, the data science major combines critical skills gained from studying mathematics, computer science, and statistics with practical application opportunities. Students learn to analyze large data sets and make evidence-based decisions. They also are trained to critically evaluate the real-world contexts that give rise to the datasets as well as the societal, ethical, and philosophical impacts of their analyses.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Science Computer Science
Learn concepts and technical skills; advanced theories; hardware organization from the central processing unit to individual components including registers, memory, digital components, and component connections; the theory of computer networks and network algorithms; and more. Students may also focus on special topics in computer science and complete an independent study or research in the field.
Bachelor of Arts Mathematics
Our mathematics program allows majors enough room in their schedules to either take a minor or possibly a second major in another subject. In recent years we have seen mathematics majors with second majors in biology, computer science, finance, music, economics, Spanish, psychology, and other subjects. The second major or minor is chosen based on an interest of the student or with a particular career in mind
Bachelor of Science Data Science
The data science major equips students with the computational and analytical skills required to solve complex, data-driven problems across various disciplines. It integrates foundational knowledge in mathematics, statistics, and computer science with advanced topics in data analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. The curriculum also includes practical applications and a wide variety of real-world data sets that will prepare students for graduate education and employment in a variety of industries.
Bachelor of Arts Mathematics/Secondary Education
Students who are planning to teach mathematics at the high school level enroll as mathematics/secondary education majors. These students take all the coursework of the mathematics majors, and additional courses from the education department. They also student-teach in a high school during their senior year.
Minor
Mathematics :
The minor in mathematics provides students with a foundation in calculus and an introduction to higher mathematics while allowing them to choose upper level electives in their areas of interest.
Computer Science:
The computer science minor provides a solid foundation in programming skills and technical knowledge while allowing students to choose upper-level electives in their areas of interest.
Data Science:
In the data science minor students acquire the technical knowledge to identify relevant questions and the programming skills and statistical knowledge to collect, organize, and interpret the data which answers these questions.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Present papers at sectional meetings of the Mathematical Association of America
Serve as a math tutor for other students
Travel to participate in inter-collegiate mathematics competitions
FACULTY
Our faculty members have decades of combined experience teaching many aspects of mathematics and computer science. Their scholarly interests include big data, statistics, computer networking, operating systems, and computational sustainability.
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AFTER PC
Whether you study mathematics or computer science, you can pursue a variety of careers. Graduates of our program include teachers, professors, lawyers, actuaries, business managers, computer scientists, architects, and financial advisors. Computer science majors also may become a software applications developer, computer systems analyst or engineer, network systems administrator, database administrator, business intelligence analyst, web developer, computer programmer, and more. A hallmark of our program is the willingness of faculty to engage in independent study or research with students who want to study more advanced topics in preparation for graduate school. In recent years, our majors have earned Ph.D.s at top universities.
95%
of 2020-2024 math and computer sciences graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school
61%
are employed only
19%
are attending school only
15%
are employed and attending school
Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures.
Selected Places of Employment/Service
Bloomberg
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Depuy Synthes
Epic
FactSet
FDIC
Fidelity Investments
Flagship Pioneering
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Google
HP
IDEXX
KPMG
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lockheed Martin
Massachusetts General Hospital
Microsoft
NAVSEA Warfare Centers
NextEra Energy, Inc.
Oracle
Raytheon
RBC Dominion Securities
Segal
TD Securities
Thermo Fisher
UBS
Wellington Management
Wolf & Company, P.C.
World Bank
Selected Graduate Schools
Boston University
Brown University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Duke University
George Mason University
Loyola University Chicago
New England Institute of Technology
Northeastern University
Providence College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
Tufts University
University of California Santa Barbara
University of Connecticut
University of New Hampshire
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Southern California
Worcester State University
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Liam Donohoe
Department Chairperson
Howley Hall 200
401.865.2466
ldonohoe@providence.edu
