What Are the MST Computer Science Math Requirements?

Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) is a public research university in Rolla, Missouri.

It's part of the University of Missouri system and offers programs in business, engineering, math, and science.

This includes a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.

It includes courses in programming, languages, algorithms, data structures, databases, object-oriented design, architecture, and operating systems.

Additionally, students are required to take at least four math courses.

Keep reading as we break down their MST computer science math requirements.

What Are the MST Computer Science Math Requirements?

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in computer science at MST have several math requirements that they'll need to fulfill.

All Bachelor of Science majors at MST, regardless of their major, must take at least 18 credit hours of math or science courses, including college algebra or higher. 18 credits is usually about six courses.

Computer science majors will meet these requirements easily, but there are a few specific math courses the program requires students to take.

MST Computer Science Calculus Requirements

The program requires two lower-division calculus courses.

Calculus is the mathematical study of continuous change and is used in a variety of fields where a problem can be mathematically modeled and an optimal solution is desired.

MST recommends freshmen take Calculus I in their first semester.

This course introduces limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration of algebraic and transcendental functions. It also covers the applications of calculus in physical science and engineering.

Students can also choose to take Calculus With Analytic Geometry I, which studies limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration of algebraic and trigonometric functions and their applications.

In their second semester, MST recommends freshmen take Calculus II, which focuses on techniques of integration, sequences, and series including power series, polar coordinates, and polar and parametric equations.

However, students can also take Calculus With Analytic Geometry II.

This course studies differentiation and integration of elementary transcendental functions, integration techniques, improper integrals, conic sections, and polar coordinates, and introduces sequences and series.

MST Computer Science Statistics Requirements

Statistics is a branch of applied mathematics that involves the collection, description, analysis, and inference of conclusions from quantitative data.

It's used in a variety of ways within computer science, notably in areas like computer algorithms, machine learning, and data mining.

Computer Science students at MST are required to take a statistics course, and the university recommends that students take this course during their sophomore year.

Students can choose between four options for their statistics requirement:

• Applied Engineering Statistics: An introduction to applied statistical methods in engineering dealing with basic probability, estimation, tests of hypotheses, regression, design of experiments, and control charts.
• Engineering Statistics: An introduction to statistical methods in engineering and the physical sciences dealing with basic probability, distribution theory, confidence intervals, significance tests, and sampling.
• Introduction To Probability And Statistics: An introduction to probability, distribution theory, and statistical inference, with applications to physical and engineering sciences.
• Probability And Statistics: An introduction to the theory of probability and its applications, sample spaces, random variables, binomial, Poisson, normal distributions, derived distributions, and moment-generating functions

The first three courses in the list above require students to have completed Calculus II or Calculus With Analytic Geometry II.

The Probability and Statistics course requires students to have completed Calculus III.

MST Computer Science Linear Algebra Requirements

The final math requirement for a Bachelor of Science in computer science degree at MST is a linear algebra course.

Linear algebra focuses on linear equations, linear maps, vector spaces, and matrices.

Students are required to take Linear Algebra I, and it's recommended that they take this course during their junior year.

In Linear Algebra I, students will study systems of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, inner products, linear transformations, determinants, and eigenvalues.

Students cannot take this course until they have completed at least one of the required calculus courses for the computer science major.

Why is Math Required in Computer Science?

Computer science students need to complete a strong math foundation because many computer science concepts are math-based.

For example, calculus is used to find rates of change, which is important for many computer algorithms and programs.

Calculus also helps with:

• Creating effective algorithms
• Designing simulations
• Developing accurate graphs
• Improving problem-solving programs

Meanwhile, statistics and probability allow computer programs to deliver accurate generalizations and predictions based on available information.

By understanding statistics, you'll have an easier time with concepts like:

• Computer graphics analysis
• Data mining
• Future modeling
• Machine learning
• Speech recognition
• User responsiveness

Finally, linear algebra is vital for many areas of computer science, especially with algorithms, which are formulas that take specific inputs to produce the correct output.

Learn More About Computer Science at MST

The MST computer science math requirements include at least two calculus courses, a statistics course, and an introductory linear algebra course.

For more information on computer science or MST, reach out to Learn.org today.