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College of Letters and Science Faculty Document No. 634 October 17, 2002 Request for Authorization to Implement a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (AMCS)
For about forty years the B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics (AMP), offered by the College of Letters and Science, has served students at UWM. The primary value of AMP is flexibility for students to customize their own programs of study. Most importantly, the flexibility is often needed when a student's interests lie between two or more departments. Applied mathematics can no longer be linked to physics alone; applied mathematics has influenced nearly every technical area. For example, computer programming and analysis go hand-in-hand with the new applied mathematics. There is something special about the relationship between computer science and applied mathematics. Each subject is enhanced by - and perhaps requires - the other. Such combined skills are expected to be very valuable in the technology of the new century. UWM students who major in applied mathematics and computer science will be well positioned for good jobs and productive futures. There is a strong need for students who are experts at computer science and mathematical analysis. For example, over the past decade industrial trends have strongly favored computational simulation combined with mathematical modeling, statistics with software development, mathematical algorithm analysis and development, image and signal processing, and many others. Many students find it useful to complete both computer science and mathematics majors, taking advantage of the natural relationships between the subjects. It would be highly advantageous for students to have a coherent program in computer science and math together, with flexibility for students to design their own focus and with far fewer credits required as compared to a double major. We believe that such a program would be great attraction for many prospective students and employers.
The Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences are proposing a new program, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (AMCS). It is designed to attract students who are naturally interested in both subjects and who recognize the practical importance of the knowledge and skills that would be imparted. It will serve students' career aspirations, preparing them to excel in computational and mathematical analysis together. The program will allow students to view computer science and mathematics as related areas. This new interdepartmental program will build on strengths of existing departments and programs while presenting many new opportunities. It highlights the unity of the mathematical sciences and computer science and provides a firm foundation for all areas of applied and computational mathematics and computer science. The Computer Science program is offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Applied Science with over 550 CS majors. The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a major in mathematics with enrollment of about 40 declared junior or senior Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Physics majors, and about 20 Mathematics Education majors.
Applied Mathematics and Computer Science will give UWM students experience and knowledge that has become important and necessary for many technical careers. As such, the program is naturally in line with the educational mission of the university. Moreover, the Milwaukee Idea will be served by the new degree because the AMCS program will give advantages to Wisconsin companies in hiring well-qualified students to solve computational and analytical problems. It will attract new students to the university and help in defining UWM's reputation as an innovator in education that is responsive to the needs of students and employers. Recently, there have been efforts by the Deans of Letters and Science and Engineering and Applied Science to form joint cooperative programs in science and engineering. Applied Mathematics and Computer Science is the first program proposal to emerge from the cooperative efforts of the Faculties of these two colleges.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers an innovative, highly disciplinary degree in applied mathematics with several options that are similar to UWM's proposed AMCS degree. The most clearly related of these options include Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics-Computer Graphics, Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics-Software Development, and Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics-Computer Systems Integration. At UW-Stout there currently are 213 students enrolled in the Applied Mathematics program, more than 30 of which graduate each year. Two-thirds of the applied math students choose the software engineering track, which is most closely related to the proposed AMCS program for UWM. (Source: Cindy Hinstzman, Assistant Program Coordinator, (715-232-1213, amcs@uwstout.edu) We are unaware of any other University of Wisconsin System university or college with a comparable program. A few institutions, e.g., UW-Madison, have flexible options within a regular mathematics major that allow students to take a fair amount of computational mathematics courses, but such programs are not of the same nature as the proposed AMCS degree because they focus on one department. (UWM also currently has in place a computational math option.) UW-Eau Claire has a Comprehensive Computer Science Major under which students can pursue roughly the same type of degree as proposed; however, there is not a fixed mathematics requirement in that program, and students at UW-Eau Claire, for all intents and purposes, are completing a standard computer science degree. Others, e.g., UW-Parkside, simply highlight the possibility of double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics.
The University of Washington-Seattle has a similar program, entitled Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS). This program provides eight pathways for majors, with about half of the students choosing discrete mathematics/computer science. (Source: Brooke Miller, Department of Student Services, 206-543-6830, miller@math.washington.edu) The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a similar degree entitled BS Degree in Mathematics with Computer Science. This degree (Option IV of the Mathematics major) is offered jointly by the Mathematics Department and the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department. (Detailed information is available at http://www-math.mit.edu).
Potential demand for a program such as Applied Mathematics and Computer Science will include any company that hires mathematicians with computer science backgrounds. Such students will have unique interdisciplinary qualifications to "get the job done" in many industrial positions that call for strong mathematics backgrounds supplemented by good computing skills. In fact, the UWM Computer Science Industrial Advisory Council has reviewed the proposal and has enthusiastically endorsed it. This advisory group is made up of senior technical managers from several major companies, including GE Medical Systems, Rockwell Automation, Lucent Corporation, Eaton Corporation, and McHugh Software International. The University of Wisconsin-Stout Applied Mathematics program has placed interns and graduates at companies such as IBM, UNISYS, Rockwell-Collins, Lockheed Martin, Information Advantage, Boeing, and Andersen Consulting with job titles such as Software Engineer, Avionics Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Systems Analyst, Programmer, and Financial Analyst. The salaries are competitive. (Source: http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/sgw.html.) Marv Van Kekerix, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor, UW-Extension, states in his letter of July 25, 2000 to UW System Administration concerning UWM's proposed AMCS program: Although no data is cited regarding market demand for this degree, the general shortage of employees in the IT field is well established. Thus, this degree may be a means of enhancing the States pool of trained professionals where the need is growing.The new century will demand much more sophisticated use of computers and mathematical analysis to achieve new product designs and to discover new science. Despite tremendous improvements in computational power (which is expected to continue), university programs have been lagging in the education of students knowledgeable in both computing and mathematical analysis. Each discipline, mathematics and computer science, tends to produce graduates qualified typically for one or the other field, but usually not both. Yet it is critical in many fields of science, economics, business, and engineering to have people who understand the broader outlines of applicable analysis. Such qualities will be imparted to graduates of the Applied Mathematics and Computer Science program. The University of Wisconsin-Stout Applied Mathematics Program brochure (http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bsam) states that a broad applied math and computer science curriculum is a cornerstone for many career paths in business and industry. They identify three critical emphases for study: mathematics, computer science, and statistics, blended with applications. Possible career opportunities for graduates of a program like AMCS include application software development, statistical analysis, computer analysis, mathematical analysis, data analysis and visualization, computer graphics, software/hardware engineering, product research and development, and computer aided manufacturing. The Applied Mathematics Program at Stout has placed more than 95 percent of its graduates for many years. Employers recognize that mathematical and computational tools are excellent preparation for work in technical areas. Specific applications can be learned on the job when a student has been trained in rigorous thought and analysis. The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) (http://www.siam.org/mii/miihome.htm) recently has stated: Mathematicians are valued because they can see and understand the inner nature of a problem; determine which features matter and which do not; and develop a mathematical representation that conveys the essence of the problem and can be solved numerically.In the 2000-2001 edition of its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were 1.5 million people employed as computer systems analysts, engineers, and scientists. The Handbook goes on to say that these jobs "...are expected to be the fastest growing occupations through 2008" and that "As technology becomes more sophisticated and complex, employers in all areas demand a higher level of skill and expertise." The proposed AMCS program will expand the set of UWM's offerings that meet the demand for these jobs and will do so through a curriculum that provides rigorous training in both mathematics and computing. This new curriculum is especially well suited to the needs of engineering and scientific companies, which include many firms in the State of Wisconsin. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, under career category "Mathematicians" states: Bachelor's and master's degree holders with extensive training in mathematics and a related discipline, such as computer science, economics, engineering, or operations research, should have good employment opportunities in related occupations.The same handbook also states: Much of the work in applied mathematics is done by individuals with titles other than mathematician. In fact, because mathematics is the foundation upon which so many other academic disciplines are built, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is much greater than the number formally designated as mathematicians. For example, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, and economists are among those who use mathematics extensively. Some professionals, including statisticians, actuaries, and operations research analysts, actually are specialists in a particular branch of mathematics.The University of Washington ACMS program representative has told the authors of this proposal that ACMS degree candidates are more likely to complete internships than mathematics or computer science majors. This representative has stated that job placement tends to be better for ACMS students than for straight computer science majors, and that the ACMS program is especially well-suited for motivated students with clear, cross specialty interests and career goals. The ACMS program, according to Washington ACMS advisors, is justified as follows: Most fields of science and engineering use mathematics in a fundamental way. Recent increases in computing power have made mathematical modeling, computer simulation, and statistical analysis more important than ever. Familiarity with these tools is increasingly expected of all college graduates, whatever profession they pursue. (Source: http://www.ms.washington.edu/acms/core.html)The MIT program coordinator has communicated that job placement for graduates of MIT's Math with Computer Science program is 100 percent, with salaries comparable or higher than those awarded to students with computer science or mathematics specialties. MIT graduates usually find jobs listed under computer science or physics. UW-Stout's similar program has better than a 95 percent job placement record for graduates, with salaries typically at $50,000 or more.
The proposed program will attract many new, talented students who have a high aptitude for mathematics but would like to integrate computer science in their programs for reasons that include increased career opportunities. The level of student interest in similar programs nationally is anticipated for UWM's AMCS program as well. Nationwide, in addition to the programs already mentioned, there are other programs similar to AMCS and that have significant program enrollments. Some universities combine applied mathematics and computer science in a single department, which naturally builds exposure for students in each subject. One example would be the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, although IIT does not have a combined degree program like that proposed for AMCS. As mentioned earlier, the Applied Mathematics program at UW-Stout has about 213 majors in their program, about 150 of them are in the three specialties that would be encompassed in the proposed AMCS program. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's BS Degree in Mathematics with Computer Science currently has 91 students enrolled; about 14 graduate each year. The University of Washington-Seattle's Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS) has about 180 students enrolled. These levels of student interest emphasize the emerging need for the proposed new UWM program. Based on the data collected from UW-Stout, MIT, and the University of Washington-Seattle programs, we expect that the proposed AMCS program at UWM will be able to attract approximately 40 students within five years.
UW-Milwaukee does not have alternative programs. Students could double major in mathematics and computer science, but the amount of course work would be far more than the proposed AMCS degree. A major motivation for AMCS is to have a cohesive hybrid program that provides students interested in scientific computing, computational mathematics, and other choices, an opportunity to experience the appropriate courses. By its nature, AMCS is a collaborative program, using existing courses, faculty, and technological resources while bringing together the strengths of the Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences departments to the benefit of students' access to interdisciplinary work.
The Applied Mathematics and Computer Science degree at UWM will permit students of computer science who have particular ability or interest in mathematics as well as students of mathematics with ability or desire to pursue better skills in computer science to customize an academic program major that is right for them. The AMCS program will provide for students a strong background in both fields of study that will enable students to apply computing and mathematics to solve problems. With the help of an advisor, course selection will be appropriate for employment in a variety of scientific, engineering, economic, or statistical applications in business and industry.
Students following this curriculum are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree. This flexible program allows the student to design a computer science and mathematics curriculum especially suited to his/her goals. Admission As soon as students realize their interest in the AMCS degree, they should consult with an AMCS advisor either in CEAS or L&S, 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. General Requirements For the BS (AMCS) degree, 120 credits are required, of which 80 must be taken from the College of Letters and Science. Admission to the junior year of the program requires a GPA of at least 2.5 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. 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. (See Appendix A for titles of courses listed below.) Core Requirements Advanced Requirements At least 48 credits selected from CompSci, Math, and MthStats courses at the 300 level or above, including: All courses selected for the major must be approved by an AMCS advisor, and students should check regularly with their advisors to plan their courses of study in a coherent and timely fashion. The AMCS Coordination Committee will approve courses on a case-by-case basis, upon reviewing the course catalogue and/or syllabi.
AMCS is proposed as a special degree program at UWM, jointly administered by the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Letters and Science. The AMCS Coordinating Committee, composed of four faculty members from Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences (with at least two from each department), appointed by the deans of CEAS and L&S, will advise students, keep student records, regularly evaluate the program, and recommend changes if necessary. All program changes will need to be approved by CEAS and L&S using each college's standard procedure for program change. Students will carry the AMCS classification and will have academic homes in both CEAS and L&S. Applied Mathematics and Physics (AMP) is a similar program that differs from the proposed AMCS program primarily in its focus on Physics with Math as opposed to Computer Science with Math. In addition, AMP is an all Letters and Science degree program, which allows some College of Engineering and Applied Science courses, while AMCS is truly a cross-college (L&S and CEAS) opportunity for students. The proposed AMCS program will add a new dimension of cooperation between L&S and CEAS that will surely benefit students. Moreover, existing programs, such as physics and engineering, will benefit from additional enrollments in their courses from an increased pool of students knowledgeable in the fundamental aspects of their disciplines.
The AMCS Coordinating Committee will produce an exit survey for graduates of the program. In addition, job placement information will be compiled to assist the coordinating committee in advising students as well as in program planning and evaluation. The university also collects data on graduates five and ten years after their degrees.
There is no accreditation body for the Applied Mathematics and Computer Science program.
The primary strength of the AMCS program will be is uniqueness and flexibility in providing motivated students with an opportunity to become experts in the field of scientific computing or software engineering. Students interested in this specialty no longer will have to double major across two departments, but now will have their education delivered efficiently through cooperation of the departments offering this program.
The College of Engineering and Applied Science has in place a good career advising program that includes all services necessary to aid students in job placement and course and major choices. The College directs a co-op program for engineering and computer science students that will be open to students of the new program as well. Letters and Science maintains the largest group of professional advisors on campus. The L&S advisors assist with curricular planning and direct students to opportunities and services that will impact their career planning. In addition, the University's Career Development Center provides numerous career planning services of which AMCS students may avail themselves.
(Not Applicable.)
Technology is central to the mission of the AMCS program. Adequate computer laboratories are available to students through the mathematics and computer science departments as well as in the university's general use computer labs. Graduates of the AMCS program are expected to be among the most experienced of UWM's students in the use of modern technology.
There are no plans at this time for a distance education component to Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.
The following faculty members will provide instruction in Program courses (see Appendix B for brief curriculum vitae). In addition to these individuals, a number of other faculty members in Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science will participate in the program by teaching the elective CompSci, Math, and MthStat courses from which the students may choose.
The following faculty members will serve as the principal advisors for the Program:
There are no additional faculty positions required to start the program. Both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Mathematical Sciences Departments will be hiring new faculty members who will participate in the AMCS program. Mathematical Sciences has already hired a new scientific computing specialist (D. Xie), who will begin in Fall, 2002.
One additional academic staff member is needed to help teach the extra course load associated with this new program. This academic staff member also is expected to participate in advising AMCS students.
No additional classified staff members are needed for this program at this time. For the present, clerical support for AMCS will be provided by current classified staff members in the participating departments. Increasing enrollments in the program may generate a need for additional classified staff support.
The UWM Golda Meir Library facilities and collections are adequate for this undergraduate program.
No additional funds are needed for the development of the curriculum. All required AMCS courses already are being taught by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (MATH) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). The program will be solidly supported by these departments and their colleges. Nevertheless, the proposed program places an additional load on our current resources. In the short term, we are able to absorb most of the load in the existing departmental and university facilities. We anticipate continuing costs for specialized software, computing equipment, and publicity costs. However, should the program grow significantly in numbers of students, it may require further special software and/or computer laboratories to support the educational efforts and student demand.
The University's Information and Media Technology division (I&MT) maintains adequate computer laboratories at several locations on campus, including the Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Building where AMCS activities will take place. The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science possesses a number of computational platforms, such as DEC Alpha processors, DEC R3000 and R4000 MIPS workstations, SUN SPARC systems, and a number of high-end personal computers and X-stations. These all are connected via the Internet. Computer Science students also have access to the PC Laboratory and Computer Aided Engineering Laboratory of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The Department of Mathematical Sciences maintains three computer laboratories running high-end personal computers, linked on a local area network (LAN). These machines provide access to computational mathematics software such as Maple, Matlab, and the C, C++, Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 programming languages. In addition there are two Beowulf Clusters, which are personal computers running Linux operating system and networked for parallel processing under Message Passing Interface (MPI) protocol.
Nothing is needed at this time for capital budget items. However, the incremental impact of the program may be significant, and in the future we may need to revisit this item.
(Not applicable.)
Personnel (Salary with fringe benefits)
The academic staff position requested will allow the Computer Science Program to hire a full-time lecturer. This staff member will help meet the additional demand for U/G courses. This individual also will assist in developing new courses and providing advice to the AMCS majors. Should this position not materialize, the departments plan to find a way to carry out these duties within the existing faculty and staff structure.
Anticipating special software, equipment, and publicity needs (See Section 6.2), we propose the following budget items: Non-Personnel
None.
This is an undergraduate degree, so we do not anticipate any research related directly to the Program. However, the presence of a successful undergraduate program is expected to strengthen the existing graduate program in the areas of mathematics and computer science. Appendices
Appendix A Course Titles (Courses Cited in this Document) Relevant Course Titles Computer Science 152 Computer Programming I Mathematics 231 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I Mathematical Statistics 361 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I Appendix B Curriculum Vitae UWM Faculty Participants Listed in Section 5.1 Pages to follow |
