About the Department

Welcome to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, a department that offers a strong undergraduate program in mathematics and computer science and a graduate program in pure mathematics and mathematics education.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science provides a wide range of core and elective mathematics courses which enables students to choose a program that suits their individual needs. Mathematics majors prepare for immediate employment, continued study of advanced mathematics, and/or teaching at the secondary school level.

Area of study

There are four areas of concentration within the department leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics:

Mathematics-Statistics/ Mathematics (pure/applied) Curriculum: Provides majors with a general Mathematics and Statistics background, enabling entry to the job market or graduate study in advanced mathematics. The program also combines applied mathematics with relevant sciences and computer training.

Mathematics Endorement Curriculum: Awards students an endorsement certificate, in Mathematics to teach at the secondary school level.

Computer Science Curriculum: Gives students a sound background in algorithmic skills. Mastery of these is essential to understanding numerical applications and discrete mathematics. The program also covers the more practical aspects of Computer Science. Graduates are prepared to pursue an advanced degree in Mathematics or Computer Science and to pursue employment opportunities in industry.

Cooperative Engineering Curriculum: Enables students to obtain a joint degree in conjunction with Old Dominion University. This five-year program permits students to complete three years of study at Virginia State University and two years of study at ODU. Graduates are awarded a B.S. degree in mathematics from VSU and a B.S. degree in Engineering from ODU.

See Courses description for a list of undergraduate mathematics courses and their descriptions.

The goal of the computer science program is to provide the students in the major with a sound theoretical understanding of the field and up-to-date knowledge of the current applications and trends in the profession by offering a coherent and broad-based coverage of the discipline.

The objectives of the Computer Science program are consonant with the mission of the University: to provide our students with an education that will serve them as well as the needs of the local industries. Our goals of professional responsibility and the understanding of the social impact of computer science tie in with the University’s objective of creating humane citizens who are committed to assuming productive roles in a challenging and ever changing global society.`

4. have high standards of professionalism and knowledge of ethical responsibilities in the computing field.

Computer Science is the study of the theory, design, and application of computers. It is a young, rapidly evolving field based on mathematics, logic, electronics, linguistics, and systems engineering. The Computer Science program gives primary emphasis to the development of software and the use of computers by stressing study of the creation and analysis of algorithms, the development of programming systems, and the integration of software and hardware into a rapid, highly reliable problem-solving system. Computer scientists pursue applications and new knowledge in artificial intelligence and expert systems, programming language processing, computational complexity, communication systems and networking, computer graphics and image processing, robotics, and the implementation of highly complex information systems used in industry, business, and government.

The courses listed under the Computer Science Program are intended to provide the student with a firm foundation in both hardware/architecture and software, as well as a "hands-on" understanding of a variety of applications of these fundamental ideas and techniques. Through a selection of advanced electives from mathematics, computer science and computer engineering programs, students will have the opportunity to explore areas of special interest in depth.

The program is designed in such a way that students can complete their studies in a reasonable amount of time. The minimum number of credit hours required for a B.S. in computer science is 121 credits. Students in the program will have ample opportunity to interact with their instructors and will be offered timely guidance and advice about the program's requirements and their career alternatives. Students who graduate the program will meet all program requirements.

None of our computer science classes will have more than 25 students. Faculty will be available to students at least five hours per week during required office hours, and also by appointment. Faculty and students will also interact extensively by e-mail.

The admission criteria for the computer science major program is as outlined under the University's Academic Regulations and Procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is available to all students. The department also publishes its own curriculum requirements, which are freely available. The department is designing a web-based system which guides students in fulfilling the program requirements.

See Courses description for a list of undergraduate computer science courses and their descriptions.

The curriculum is consistent with the program's documented objectives. It combines technical requirements with general education requirements and electives to prepare students for a professional career in the Computer Science field, for further study in computer science, and for functioning in modern society. The technical requirements include up-to-date coverage of basic and advanced topics in computer science as well as an emphasis on science and mathematics.

The curriculum outlined below is developed according to the guidelines of the ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Curriculum Task Force (the chapter of a task force that was formed to present recommendations for the design and implementation of undergraduate (baccalaureate) curricula in the discipline of computing) [http://www.acm.org/education/curr91/homepage.html] and the recommendation of the Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC) and the Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB) [ http://www.csab.org/criteria2k_v10.html]. Curriculum standards are specified in terms of semester hours of study. Thirty semester hours generally constitutes one year of full-time study and is equivalent to 45 quarter hours. A course or a specific part of a course can only be applied toward one standard.

The curriculum has integrated technical requirements with general education requirements and electives to prepare students for a professional career in the Computer science field, for further study in computer science, and for functioning in modern society. The program provides students with breadth and depth in computer science.

The computer science segment of the curriculum contains a broad-based core of fundamental material that is required of all students and that makes up at least the equivalent of 16 semester hours of the computer science requirement and advanced elective computer courses. The core provide basic coverage of algorithms, data structures, software design, concepts of programming languages, and computer organization and architecture. Within this portion of the program, theoretical foundations, analysis, and design are stressed. Analysis and design include substantial laboratory work, including software development. In addition, the student will be exposed to a variety of programming languages and systems and become proficient in at least one higher-level structured language.

At least the equivalent of 16 semester hours of the computer science segment of the program are advanced courses in computer science. These courses are build on the core to provide depth. They include the equivalent of at least one course in three advanced areas to provide breadth. Students can pick at least two elective courses from a restricted list of mathematics and/ or computer engineering courses.

In addition, the curriculum includes at least one-half year of mathematics and statistics (discrete mathematics, differential and integral calculus, and probability and statistics, linear algebra, numerical analysis). Also the curriculum includes at least two-fifths year of science ( two-semester sequence in a laboratory science and a science course that enhances the student's abilities in the application of the scientific method with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods).

The curriculum includes the equivalent of at least one year's study in humanities, social sciences, arts, and other disciplines that serve to broaden the background of the student. These courses are listed in the curriculum as specified by the institutional requirements.

Laboratory and Computing Resources

Our program in computer science has substantial laboratory and computing resources for class work and individual projects. Such resources do involve a blend of computing facilities of varying capabilities. Sufficient facilities are available so that each student in the program has adequate and reasonable access to the appropriate system for each course.

All students anticipating enrollment as majors in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science should have taken at least three years of high school mathematics, including one year of Geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II. For those who have taken AP Calculus, advanced placement is an option.

A limited number of scholarships is awarded to upper class students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. These scholarships include: The Robert L. Finney-Reuben R. McDaniel Scholarship, The Louise Stokes Hunter Award, The Dora Spriggs Halton Endowed Scholarship Fund, and The Stefan T. Lawrence Memorial Scholarship Fund. In addition, a limited number of summer internships and co-op programs are available with various research institutes, industries and national labs. Other financial resources are available through the Financial Aid Department for qualified individuals. Both Presidential and Provost Scholarships are available for students with GPA's greater than 3.2 with SAT 1100 or 3.0 with SAT 1000, respectively in a high school college preparatory program.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science sponsors four student organizations: the Walter E. Johnson Mathematics Club, the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, the student chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), and the student chapter of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). The Mathematics Club and the MAA are open to all who are interested in mathematics. Kappa Mu Epsilon is open to all students who satisfy the membership criterion.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science welcomes community college graduates. Students who have completed an Associate Degree with a major in Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Computer Science, Education, or Engineering are encouraged to consider one of the five concentrations in Mathematics or majoring in Computer Science. An appropriate curriculum plan can be set in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Dr. Dawit Haile, Chair
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
P.O. Box 9068
Virginia State University
213S Hunter McDaniel Building
Carter G. Woodson Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23806
Phone: (804) 524-5920/ 5553
E-mail: dhaile@vsu.edu
Fax: (804) 524 5746

Mrs. Caroline Price
Administrative/Program Specialist II
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9068
213S Hunter McDaniel Building
Carter G. Woodson Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23806
Phone: (804) 524-5920
E-mail: cprice@vsu.edu
Fax: (804) 524 5746