Mathematics of Computation major: How many CS classes can one take?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

I wanted to see how many CS and CS-related classes a Mathematics of Computation major ( I’ll abbreviate this as “MoC”) could take at a minimum and at a maximum, the latter with various opt outs as in the language requirement, one or two of the Calculus classes, Writing I, and Physics 1A.

There are three classifications of classes at UCLA: the GEs, the pre-major courses, and the major courses; in which all these must be satisfied with at least 180 units. The unit cap at UCLA Is 216, but the administration wouldn’t like it if you were stealthily accumulating that many units, in addition to it costing the student more fees/tuition. You have to figure that neither side would be inclined to want the student to accumulate that many credits, but rather he/she would probably rather go for a masters if he/she wanted to take > 200 units in addition to obtaining his/her BS degree.

Please note corrections for CS 33L to the correct CS 35L.

Let’s estimate for all three:

I. GE courses.

Since MoC is in Letters and Science, it has the highest possible amount of GEs of all the colleges at UCLA. These units will amount to between 60 and 70 units, and comprise Writing I, Writing II, possibly the Freshman Clusters, fulfilling the Foundation classes, Language, and Diversity.

Consider that these will take 60-70 units at a max.

II. MoC premajor courses.

Here are the links for the Math, Statistics, Program In Computing, and the CS classes.

Here is the link to the requirements for MoC.

  • Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, total of 24 units for the Calculus series.

  • Math 61, 4 units.

  • Physics 1A, 1B, 10 units.

  • Program in Computing 10A, 10B, 10C, 15 units. Or Sub in CS 31, 32, 33 and 35L, 17 Units.

  • One of the following, Chem&Biochem 20A, 20B, Physics 1C, 4 or 5 units.

  • The total of these courses is 57 to 60 units.

III. MoC major courses.

  • Math 115A, 4 units

  • Math 131A, 4 units

  • Math 131B or 132, 4 units

  • Math 151A, 4 units

  • Math 151B, 4 units

  • Six Courses from Math 106 through 199, and Statistics 100A through 101C, 24 units

  • Three upper-div CS courses, 12 units

  • Total of these courses is 56 units.

Both A & B of the following would apply with the student having to take all the GEs without any AP or dual enrollment credits, including taking 8-15 units of a language and having to take all the Calculus and Physics classes, as well as Writing I and II.

A. The addition of the three types of classes at a minimum is 60 + 57 + 56 = 173 units.

B. The addition of the three types of classes at a maximum is 70 + 60 + 56 =186 units.

Here’s a listing of CS and CS type classes for scenario B with minimal CS and CS-related classes:

  • Math 61 - Introduction to Discrete Structures, 4.0

  • Program in Computing 10A - Introduction to Programming, 5.0

  • Program in Computing 10B - Intermediate Programming, 5.0

  • Program in Computing 10C - Advanced Programming, 5.0

  • Math 151A - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  • Math 151B - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 1, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 2, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 3, 4.0

This is a total of 9 CS and CS-related classes totaling 39 units. In addition, one can take computational classes in Math and Stats for the six electives in these two subjects, including in Data Science and Machine Learning.

But if a student can opt out of language classes, Writing I, Math 31A and possibly 31B in addition to a one of the two Physics classes then he/she can add six to seven more CS classes.

The student taking more CS upper-div classes requires that the the CS 31-35L series be taken rather than the PIC 10A, 10B, and 10C series, because upper-div CS classes require the 31-35L series. Here are the max CS classes, unless more GE units are knocked out by dual enrollment or however else:

  • Math 61 - Introduction to Discrete Structures, 4.0

  • CS 31 - Introduction to Computer Science I, 4.0

  • CS 32 - Introduction to Computer Science II, 4.0

  • CS 33 - Introduction to Computer Organization, 5.0

  • CS 35L - Software Construction, 4.0

  • Math 151A - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  • Math 151B - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 1, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 2, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 3, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - In lieu of Writing I, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 1, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 2, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31A, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31B, 4.0

  • CS 1xx - in lieu of Physics 1A, 4.0

The max CS type classes in this scenario would probably max out at 16 classes at 65 units.

All in all, beware of gpa requirements. Taking the CS 31-35L series might also put the student in line with possibly applying to the CS major from the prereqs. There’s a 3.5 min in prereqs that is required.

2

Let me revisit the pre-reqs and reqs for MoC:

Preparation for the Major

Required: Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 61, Physics 1A, 1B, Program in Computing 10A, 10B, 10C, and one course from Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, Physics 1C. Each course must be taken for a letter grade. The mathematics sequenced courses (Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B) are calculated separately from the other preparation for the major courses and must be completed with a minimum overall 2.5 grade-point average and a grade of C or better in each course. The other preparation courses must be completed with a minimum overall 2.0 grade-point average and a grade of C- or better in each course.

Repetition of more than two mathematics sequenced courses or of any mathematics sequenced course more than once results in automatic dismissal from the major.

The Major

Required: Eleven Mathematics Department courses, including Mathematics 115A, 131A, 131B or 132, 151A, 151B, and six courses from 106 through 199 and Statistics 100A through 101C; three upper-division computer science courses (12 units).

Here is a comprehensive list of courses for MoC related to the second bulleted list.

Lower Div:

  1. Math 31A - Differential and Integral Calculus, 4.0 (or AP credit)

  2. Math 31B - Integration and Infinite Series, 4.0 (or AP credit)

  3. Math 32A - Calculus of Several Variables, 4.0

  4. Math 32B - Calculus of Several Variables, 4.0

  5. Math 33A - Linear Algebra and Applications, 4.0

  6. Math 33B - Differential Equations, 4.0

  7. Math 61 - Introduction to Discrete Structures, 4.0

  8. Physics 1A - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics, 5.0

  9. Physics 1B - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields, 5.0

  10. Physics 1C - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity, 5.0

  11. CS 31 - Introduction to Computer Science I, 4.0

  12. CS 32, 4.0 - Introduction to Computer Science II, 4.0

  13. CS 33, 5.0 - Introduction to Computer Organization, 5.0

  14. CS 35L, 4.0 - Software Construction Laboratory, 4.0

Total of these pre-major courses is 60 units.

Upper Division:

  1. Math 115A - Linear Algebra, 4.0

  2. Math 131A - Analysis, 4.0

  3. Math 131B - Analysis, 4.0

  4. Math 151A - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  5. Math 151B - Applied Numerical Methods, 4.0

  6. Math/Stats Elective 1, 4.0

  7. Math/Stats Elective 2, 4.0

  8. Math/Stats Elective 3, 4.0

  9. Math/Stats Elective 4, 4.0

  10. Math/Stats Elective 5, 4.0

  11. Math/Stats Elective 6, 4.0

  12. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 1, 4.0 (upper div is numbered 100-199)

  13. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 2, 4.0

  14. CS 1xx - Required Upper Division CS Class 3, 4.0

  15. CS 1xx - In lieu of Writing I, 4.0

  16. CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 1, 4.0

  17. CS 1xx - in lieu of Language 2, 4.0

  18. CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31A, 4.0

  19. CS 1xx - in lieu of Math 31B, 4.0

  20. CS 1xx - in lieu of Physics 1A, 4.0

Total of these 20 major courses is 80.

Total Units:

  • GEs = ~70 - 12 = 58 (Less writing and language)
  • Premajor courses = 60 - {13} = {47} (Less Math 31A & 31B and Physics 1A)
  • Major courses = 80 {Please note my forgetting Math 131A & 131B, btw, these would be math classes that would apparently help for grad school if so desired.}
  • Total = 58 +{47}+ 80 = 185 (This would be a good test for partial AP credits! If not add another class.)
  • Normally there’s a soft cap {more of a threshold} applied to the 180 units, e.g., so if you can opt out of Math 31A and 31B you will have accumulated 8 units towards graduation. You can choose to keep your 180 units to graduation and graduate {earlier}, or you can raise the cap to 188 and take these extra CS courses.
  • The above is more of an example set of coursework; there are more classes you can opt out of. Generally, though, one cannot do this for GEs, but language and Writing I can be eliminated.

Let me add a few more notes:

  • To take CS classes 31, 32, 33, 35L, you have to declare as a Pre-MoC major. I’m sure the same applies to Linguistics/CS and Computational & Systems Biology.
  • To take CS upper division classes, you need to have applied to MoC major. I’m sure the same applies to L/CS and C&S Bio.
  • I don’t think I stated this very well at the end of my last post, but you need a 3.5 gpa to apply to the HSSEAS (Samueli Engineering) CS major. What courses this applies to, I’m not sure, but I’m sure it’s CS 31, 32, 33, and 33L {and other possible courses}. But to get into the MoC major, as it says you need a 2.7 in the Math 31A-33B classes.
  • A “disclaimer” if I may: This exercise is just to give you an idea of what the Mathematics of Computation major is like; I can’t claim that everything I state here is absolutely correct. So to get yourself in line with the true requirements you have to talk with your counselor/advisor {and to switch to the MoC pre-major from another major, do it at orientation}.
  • {Also other than the Freshman Clusters, the other GE classes can be slow-played, except for Writing I – methinks}.
  • When I get the time, I’ll try to look at Ling/CS, Computational & Systems Bio, as well as Econ, Bus Econ, and Math/Econ, the latter three being short majors, to which many students are adding things like a Stats double or minor, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, or another math major.
3

Re: Corrections - this is why I wouldn’t be a very good counselor/class-scheduler

  • Please note my massive correction of adding Math 131A and 131B as requisites to upper-div courses for MoC major.

  • Other corrections usually denoted by my usage of squiggly brackets.

  • Here’s a link for summer school for incoming students, CSI

All in all, good luck!

4

A few more notes, sorry for my disjointed writeup:

  • The pure Computer Science major at UCLA is housed in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, “HSSEAS.”

  • Again, one has to declare as a pre-MoC major to take the HSSEAS CS pre-major classes, CS 31, 32, 33, 35L, instead of the PIC (Program in Computing) 10A, 10B, and 10C coursework.

  • Also, again, one has to be in the MoC major to take upper-div CS courses through HSSEAS. (Lower-div coursework is numbered < 100; upper-div ≥ 100.)

  • And since pure CS is in HSSEAS and therefore has less GE requirements, it probably wouldn’t be a very good idea to take the Freshman Clusters if one has plans to apply to pure CS by starting out as a pre-MoC major (again a 3.5 gpa is needed in pre-major courses for pure CS for those starting out in L&S). These clusters are meant to adapt a student to the college environment with its six-unit classes per each of a student’s three freshman-year terms; i.e., they are meant to eat up a lot of units, which is not conducive to meeting an engineering major’s coursework because it’s so tightly scheduled.

  • However, there are majors, minors, and specializations that include CS-related perusals in the College of Letters and Science: