The Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (AMCS) program is a special degree program that blends courses from both the College of Letters & Science and the College of Engineering & Applied Science. It is a structured curriculum offering courses from both applied math and computer science so that students get the benefit of both majors without having to double major.
The job outlook for individuals with math majors is extremely favorable, as is the job outlook for computer science majors. A student with combined knowledge in both areas is likely to be in high demand on the job market.
Our program is highly technical in nature yet still retains elements of a classic liberal arts degree. Students take courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences on their way to a degree. Why? Because math and computer science are not applied in a world without humans. Regardless of the type of industry, the applications being worked on have impact and consequences for human beings. A broad world view of cultures, history, and society only leads to better decision-making in scientific careers, and strong communication skills only make our graduates even more attractive.
Requirements
Applied Math and Computer Science Major Requirements
Students who intend to complete the program in four years will need to begin taking mathematics in their first semester. Such students should have a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee mathematics placement level of 30 (ready for precalculus) or better.
Admission
As soon as students realize their interest in the AMCS degree, they should consult with an AMCS advisor either in College of Engineering and Applied Science or College of Letters and Science, who assists in planning a program. Students may be given the AMCS classification at any point in their studies; however, they are not formally admitted to the major until their junior year. Admission to the junior year of the program requires a GPA of at least 2.500 in 8 credits of mathematics courses at or above the 200 level and 6 credits of computer science courses at or above the 200 level.
Degree Requirements
For the BS (AMCS) degree, 120 credits are required, of which 80 must be taken from the College of Letters and Science. Students must satisfy the general education requirements (GER) of the University. They must complete at least 6 credits each from humanities and social sciences, 3 credits from the arts, and 6 additional credits in any of these three areas or in foreign languages. Students also must take at least 8 credits of natural sciences outside of mathematics or mathematical statistics, including at least one laboratory course from biological sciences, chemistry, or physics. A cultural diversity course must be included among the humanities and social science courses selected.
An overall GPA of 2.000 on all coursework attempted at UWM is required for this degree. In addition, students must achieve a 2.000 GPA on all coursework attempted, including transfer work. A minimum 2.000 GPA must be earned on all 300-level and above courses taken to satisfy the advanced requirements. Students satisfy the residency requirement for the degree by completing at UWM both a minimum of 15 credits of the required advanced courses and one of the following:
- The last 30 credits;
- 45 of the last 60 credits;
- Any 90 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| COMPSCI 250 | Introductory Computer Programming | 3 |
| COMPSCI 315 | Introduction to Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 |
| COMPSCI 317 | Discrete Information Structures | 3 |
| COMPSCI 251 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| Select the following (or an equivalent sequence): | 12 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | ||
| MATH 234 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| or MATH 240 | Matrices and Applications | |
| MATH 341 | Seminar: Introduction to the Language and Practice of Mathematics | 3 |
| Advanced Requirements | ||
| COMPSCI 351 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| COMPSCI 535 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| Select 9 credits in COMPSCI at the 300 level or above | 9 | |
| Select 6 credits from MATH and/or MTHSTAT at the 300 level or above | 6 | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 6 | |
| Linear Programming and Optimization and Mathematical Programming and Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Differential Equations and Introduction to Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Analysis and Introduction to Scientific Computing | ||
| Advanced Calculus I and Advanced Calculus II | ||
| Modern Algebra and Linear Algebra | ||
| Modern Algebra I and Modern Algebra II | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I and Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II | ||
| Select 21 additional credits from CompSci, Math, and MthStat courses at the 300 level or above, beyond the "Core" as well as the above "Advanced" Requirements | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
Potential Course of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COMPSCI 250 | Introductory Computer Programming | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Trigonometry | 2 |
| Humanities or Social Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMPSCI 251 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research | 3 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMPSCI 315 | Introduction to Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 |
| COMPSCI 351 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 341 | Seminar: Introduction to the Language and Practice of Mathematics | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMPSCI 317 | Discrete Information Structures | 3 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | 4 |
| MATH 234 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| Natural Science with lab | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMPSCI 535 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| CompSci or Math elective | 6 | |
| Math sequence course | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CompSci advanced elective | 3 | |
| Math sequence course | 3 | |
| Math advanced elective | 3 | |
| Math advanced elective | 3 | |
| Math or CompSci elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CompSci advanced elective | 3 | |
| Math advanced elective | 3 | |
| Math or CompSci elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CompSci or Math advanced electives | 12 | |
| Elective 1 | 1-3 | |
| Credits | 13-15 | |
| Total Credits | 118-121 | |
| 1 | Select a sufficient number of elective credits from the College of Letters and Science to earn a minimum of 80 L&S credits. |
Honors in the Degree
Students in AMCS who meet all of the following criteria can be awarded honors in the degree upon graduation:
- A 3.000 cumulative GPA in all UWM graded credits;
- A 3.500 GPA over all UWM courses attempted that count toward the AMCS degree;
- A 3.500 GPA over all upper division UWM courses counting toward the AMCS degree;
- A grade of B+ or better in one of: MATH 599, MATH 699, COMPSCI 595, or COMPSCI 699;
- Completion of 3 credits in Mathematical Sciences (curricular areas MATH or MTHSTAT) or Computer Science in a course numbered 600 or higher that is different from MATH 699 and COMPSCI 699.
Honors in the College of Letters and Science
Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Thesis
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. In schools and colleges in which fewer than 15% of the traditional students have a 3.500 GPA, all-university honors will be awarded to approximately the top 15% of graduating students. A criterion GPA (not lower than 3.200) for this 15% will be calculated based on statistics from the previous comparable semester. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.