Majors
The Mathematics Major
Mathematics is an excellent background for careers in business, including management and finance, the actuarial field, law and in other professions, such as public health. If it is supplemented with a minor in computer science, mathematics is also an excellent background for a career in computing. At Manhattan, students who are interested in a career in elementary or secondary education complete a double major in education and mathematics.
The particular strengths of the mathematics curriculum at Manhattan are excellence in teaching and strong relationships between students and faculty. Students are introduced to the use of technology in the introductory classes, and encouraged to continue via projects in the later classes. Classes, especially upper division classes, are small. Student research is strongly encouraged. Students are invited to present their work orally, and to participate in national competitions such as the Putnam Exam, the Mathematical Modeling Contest, and the Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Conference. The curriculum features yearlong sequences in Linear and Abstract Algebra, and a wealth of upper division electives, including pure and applied mathematics and computer science.
For students in Mathematics Education, two special courses have been developed to address current trends in education. These are a special course in Geometry, and a senior seminar. The latter has focused, in different years, on Mathematical Modeling, using graphing calculators, spreadsheets and other technology relevant to the future teachers; and on the History of Mathematics.
The department’s emphasis on oral and written presentations serves pre-service teachers especially well. Projects, use of technology, and cooperative learning are incorporated in many classes, providing a setting for students to learn by the methods they will be expected to use as teachers. Students in Elementary Education who choose a mathematics concentration complete a 33 credit major which includes Calculus, Geometry, Probability and Statistics and the Senior Seminar.
At Manhattan College, recent graduates have also had success in winning fellowships for graduate study in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics and operations research. Graduates benefit from the strong alumni network of recruiters. Graduates find work in business, finance, and computing. They enter management training programs. Graduates enroll in law school, obtain fellowships for further study in Statistics, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Pure Mathematics. Opportunities in mathematics education are excellent as well.
The Computer Science Major
The Computer Science degree, which is offered out of the School of Science, combines the breadth of a liberal arts education with depth in all aspects of computer science. It includes object oriented programming, beginning with C++, computer organization, operating systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, multimedia, database, scientific computing and computer graphics. Computer Science majors may opt to earn a minor in mathematics.
Computer Engineering programs vary in emphasis at different colleges, some stress primarily hardware, while others include software design as well. At Manhattan College, Computer Engineering, offered at the School of Engineering, combines aspects of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to emphasize the interface between hardware and software. Graduates must take the engineering core classes in Physics, Chemistry, Statics, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Mechanics, as well as Calculus and Differential Equations. A demanding technical program, Computer Engineering requires 24 credits in computer science, 24 credits in electrical engineering, in addition to technical electives and the engineering core.
Computer Information Systems is a program offered by the School of Business. Majors earn a BS in Business Administration. The core curriculum involves study in management, marketing, accounting, and finance. In addition, CIS majors take 15 credits in Computer Information Systems. Courses include Visual Basic programming, computer architecture, database, and networks. Business majors take 6 credits in mathematics designed for business majors. High School mathematics preparation should include at least three years of mathematics.
Both the Computer Science and Computer Engineering majors demand serious study and strong skills in logic, analysis, mathematics and science. Choose Computer Science, if you want the flexibility to broaden you study with a minor in the arts, science, business or even in electrical engineering. Choose Computer Engineering, if you know that you want an engineering degree and you are interested in hardware at least as much as software, and relish technical courses over the humanities. Choose Computer Information systems, if your primary interest is in a broad background in business.
